White Lightning

Album: Adrenalize (1992)
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  • No promises, no guarantees
    When you come down here
    You're already on your knees
    You want to ride White Lightnin'
    Then sign your name
    If you want to dance with the devil
    You gotta play his way, play the game
    You gotta taste that sweetness
    Cause you can't say no
    But are you ready for the nightmare
    When you can't let go
    Like a soldier of fortune
    When the money runs dry
    You got rivers of bitter tears, in your eyes

    You want to leave but you can't let go
    You want to stop but you can't say no
    You'll never laugh about it
    You just can't live without it
    You had enough but you just want more
    You never get what you're lookin' for
    You'll never laugh about it, never

    You got both ends burning
    You're like a moth to a flame
    You're going off the rails
    Like a runaway train
    It's a no-win situation
    And there's no way out
    And no one will ever hear you, scream and shout

    You want to leave but you can't let go
    You want to stop but you can't say no
    You'll never laugh about it
    You just can't live without it
    You had enough but you just want more
    You never get what you're lookin' for
    You'll never laugh about it, never

    Run, he's coming to claim you
    Run, nowhere to hide away
    Run, oh, you dance with danger
    Run, oh, you gotta ride the

    [Chorus]
    White Lightnin'
    On a dead end street
    White Lightnin'
    Where the deadbeats meet
    White Lightnin'
    It's a one-way ride
    White Lightnin'
    Oh, there's nowhere to hide
    Such a lonely road you ride
    It's not easy when you don't know why
    Such a heavy load you hide
    You never leave no matter how you try

    Run, he's coming to claim you
    Run, nowhere to hide away
    Run, you dance with danger
    Run, oh, you gotta ride the

    [Chorus]

    White Lightning
    Can you feel it, can you feel it?
    White Lightning
    It's so dangerous
    White Lightning
    No promises, no guarantees
    White Lightning
    When you come down here
    You're already on your knees Writer/s: COLLEN, ELLIOTT, LANGE, SAVAGE
    Publisher: BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group
    Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments: 15

  • Ally from Longview, WaThe song White Lightning is a really cool song. It’s actually about Steve Clark and his drug addition or it could also be about being addicted to alcohol, gambling, sex or even addicted to someone.
  • Dlsmc from London, UkThis song was about Steve's struggle with alcoholism and drugs. This is the coroner report
    https://youtu.be/95h-dYP-Hhg
  • David from Sarasota, FlLet me add to my last comment. It's cool to have your own interpretation to songs. I do. But, facts are facts. "in America White Lighting is also called Moonshine which is homemade whiskey". True, but do you think this band, from the U.K. would be doing a song about Moonshine? Kyle is right, "White Lightning was Steve Clark's nickname. He was famous for wearing all white during shows, using a pure bright white guitar, and running around the stage like a mad-man. As such, they nicknamed him White Lightning. The lyrics chronicle his problems with drugs and alcohol, which ultimately lead to his death.

    The song is one of Def's longest (up there with Rocket) and starts with an eerie, chilling guitar solo by Phil Collen".
  • David from Sarasota, FlMost of you are right, it IS about Steve Clark and his addictions. Yes, they DID call him White Lightning. I've heard the song a million times! I am a huge Steve Clark fan and I know that Steve died during the making of that album. Phil Collen played Steve's guitar parts as well as his own. First of all, if you can't tell the song is about Steve Clark, you need to do your research on the band, really. You probably watched some movie about them and came to your own conclusion. I was 25 when Pyromania came out, and it played on the radio all the time. Ever since, I was hooked on the band. When the album, "Slang" came out, you can hear the difference without Steve. I still listen to Def Leppard, (up to "Slang") but the band isn't the same without Steve. He was definitely talented! During his audition to join Def Leppard, he played "Stairway to Heaven", note for note. Any guitarists out there can tell you THAT solo isn't easy to play.

    RIP Steve.
  • Rusputtin from Atlanta, GaFirst of all...Salute to Steve Clark...a short lived talented musician! RIP.
    White Lightning got 2be my 2nd fav DP track after Hysteria. I just can't enough about this song. The lyrics definitely carries the message of addiction and since it was written w/ Steve in mind, addiction here is the alcohol&drugs. For us fan, we can surely create some other sense out of it...for some it is sex and for others it could be many things...but something we are addicted about. I so wish DP would produce another album like Hysteria. Adrenalize was their last decent album..since then they went pop... :( I miss tracks like White Lightning, Rocket, Woman, ....
  • Donna from Smithville, OnAGAIN !!! This song is entirely about addictions and Steve's life ! I have been a fan since the days of Pete Willis and this is without doubt one of my favourite songs by the band. Sorry Anonymous, but you have this one completely wrong !
    Donna V.B. Ont, Canada
  • Chris from Weston, United KingdomIf you know anything about Def Leppard you would know this song is ALL about alcohol addiction. 'you wanna stop but you cant say no, you wanna leave but you cant let go. you never laugh about it you just cant live without it. you had enough but you just want more you'll never get what youre looking for'. Steve was such a raging alcoholic he had already nearly died from it.
  • Linc from Beaumont, TxTesla - who opened for Def Leppard on the Hysteria tour, recorded a tribute to Steve Clark on their Psychotic Supper album, called "Song & Emotion (To Our Friend, Steve 'Steamin' Clark)".
  • Linc from Beaumont, TxIronically - Steve contributed most of the riffs for White Lightening (he was the Riffmaster)and
    lyrics and such were spliced in later. How fitting that he would play his own tribute...
  • George from Waynesburg, Kyin America White Lighting is also called Moonshine which is homemade whiskey
  • Kyle from Anna, OhWhite Lightning was Steve Clark's nickname. He was famous for wearing all white during shows, using a pure bright white guitar, and running around the stage like a mad-man. As such, they nicknamed him White Lightning. The lyrics chronicle his problems with drugs and alcohol, which ultimately lead to his death.

    The song is one of Def's longest(up there with Rocket) and starts with an eerie, chilling guitar solo by Phil Collen.
  • Rjh from Marquette, MiAt first I thought it was about sex, like everything is. But after hearing it a couple times it seemed to be about an addiction, and well I guess sex can be an addiction, but I don't think that's what it means here.
  • Daryl from Stoke, Midlands, EnglandGreat song, i think the name of the song spells the meaning of it for me.
    White Lightning is a make of Cider in the UK, im not sure about the US.
    But the band are British and i think this is written because of Steve Clarkes addiction to Alcohol.
    Also, White Lightning is quite cheap over here and a lot of homeless alocholics purchase this because of that reason :)
  • Diana Vishloff from Kimberley, CanadaSorry, but this song isn't about any addictions.
    - Anonnymous, Nashville, TX

    SORRY, but your WRONG!
    i understand EVERY meaning in that song.
    it IS about addiction and Steve Clark's life!
  • Anonnymous from Nashville, TxSorry, but this song isn't about any addictions.
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