Today we are thinking about the more extreme forms of weather that have inspired songwriters to create new music. So today is all about Hurricanes, Tornadoes and the like.
“Like a Hurricane” is a song written by Neil Young in 1975 and first released on the album American Stars and Bars in 1977. There is a story that Young wrote the song in July 1975 with the help of his friend and La Honda neighbour Taylor Phelps in the back of his DeSoto Suburban, during a time when Young was unable to sing because of an operation on his vocal cords. Driven by Young’s trademark fierce guitars, the song became a landmark of the ‘electric side’ of his concerts. The song has been played on nearly every tour Young has done since its release.
“Hurricane” is a protest song by Bob Dylan co-written with Jacques Levy and released on the 1976 album Desire. The song is about the imprisonment of boxer Rubin ‘Hurricane’ Carter. It compiles acts of racism and profiling against Carter, which Dylan describes as leading to a false trial and conviction.
“Rock You Like a Hurricane” is a song by German band Scorpions, considered as their signature song. The song was released as the lead single from their ninth studio album, Love at First Sting (1984). It was written by KLaus Meine, Herman Rarebell, Rudolf Schenker and arranged/produced by Dieter Dierks. The lyrics of “Rock You Like a Hurricane” also reference the title of the album on which it originally appeared. “Rock You Like a Hurricane” reached number 25 in the USA, greatly contributing to the album’s success.
“The Eye,” is a track from the album ‘The Firewatcher’s Daughter’ (2014) for which a video was released prior to the album, is a front-porch acoustic. The review from NPR Music said, ” ‘The Eye’ is exactly what it proclaims itself to be: a quiet breath in the midst of the album’s glorious storm. Rooted in Carlile’s love of both classic country and California pop, the song is the kind many other artists are going to want to cover. It will be hard to top the original, though; it so eloquently highlights the telepathic connection Carlile shares with her longtime bandmates. A favorite on recent tours, ‘The Eye’ is destined to become a centerpiece in Carlile’s catalog.
Tornado is the fifth studio album by American group Little Big Town. It was released in September 2012. The album’s second single, “Tornado,” was released in October 2012. It became their first album since 2005’s TheRoad to Here to produce two top 10 singles and to be certified platinum by the RIAA.
“Thundercloud” is the title track from the 2014 album of the same name by Bradford duo Plumhall. The song was written by Nick Hall and Michelle Plum and has become a staple of their concert repertoire.
