| Call Me Lightning | |
| Cover: | Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde cover.jpg |
| Type: | single |
| Artist: | The Who |
| A-Side: | "Dogs" (UK) |
| B-Side: | "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde" (US) |
| Released: | 16 March 1968 (US) 14 June 1968 (UK) |
| Recorded: | January, 25/26 February 1968[1] |
| Studio: | IBC Recording Studios (London, England) Gold Star Studios (Los Angeles, California) |
| Length: | 2:25 |
| Label: | Track (UK) Decca (US) |
| Producer: | Kit Lambert |
| Prev Title: | I Can See For Miles |
| Prev Year: | 1967 |
| Next Title: | Magic Bus |
| Next Year: | 1968 |
"Call Me Lightning" is a song written by Pete Townshend, guitarist of the British rock band The Who. Townshend first recorded a home demo of the song in 1964. The Who's recording was a single released in March 1968 and it later appeared on the Who's fourth American album .
In the United States "Call Me Lightning" was the follow-up single to the Top 10 hit "I Can See for Miles" and reached No. 40 on the Billboard Hot 100 on 4 May 1968,[2] their 16th most successful single on the Hot 100.[3]
Billboard described the single as a "pulsating rocker with a happy beat."[4] Cash Box called it "an imaginative blend of rock-blues and rag" and praised "the potent group performance."[5] Record World said it "should turn into sales lightning as The Who do it. Hard, driving beat at its best from the group."[6]
The song features a prominent bass solo by John Entwistle. A promo film was made, and this later was included in the 1979 documentary The Kids Are Alright. "Call Me Lightning" was released in the United Kingdom as the B-side of the single "Dogs".
The US B-side, "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde", had been considered as a possible A-side single release, along with "Call Me Lightning," as the B-side. "Call Me Lightning" received a mediocre reception from Who fans, and biographer John Atkins feels that "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde" was a better song, even though its horror film imagery was unsuitable for a single. Cash Box called "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde" a "psychedelified throbber on the lid that could attract added attention."[5]
The song was behind the naming of the rock group Call Me Lightning.
| Chart (1968) | Peak position | |
|---|---|---|
| 30 | ||
| Canada RPM[7] | 35 | |
| Netherlands | 38 | |
| U.S. Billboard Hot 100 | 40 | |
| U.S. Cash Box Top 100 | 38 |
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