AL'S COMMENTS: I was driving through the California Redwoods, noting how the tallest trees were topped by blackened spires, evidence of lightning strikes. The trees would often send out a side branch to become the new apex, never as tall as the spire though.

Redwood trees are the tallest trees on our planet, and sometimes we humans get pretty high up there too, but life itself will see to it that we learn the value of whatever it is we forgot as we are riding high. I think I first read about this part of the life of a person in Iron John by Robert Bly.

So, I was thinking about all this stuff, and wrote the song. I had just bought my condo, friends were returning my phone calls, girls were calling back, I hadn't been found out as a fraud... life was going great! Two weeks later, I was handed a pink slip at my place of employment. The next two years I learned faith.

Zap.

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STRUCK BY LIGHTNING (Click HERE to preview/download the song.)

I’ve been very lucky all of my life
But I know it cannot last forever
I’m the gentleman, I’m always polite
I’m the one who’s almost always clever
I’m the one who never eats at home
I’m the one who never sleeps alone
I’m the one who made the grade in school
The one who kept or got around the rules

CHORUS

But all the forest’s tallest trees
Have been struck by lightning
But not me
Fate will have its day and I will go down fighting
But I’ll be struck by lightning
I’ll be struck by lightning
I’ll be struck by lightning

All my life just hangs by such slender threads
When one breaks I’ll shudder from the thunder
Sure I’ve had my problems, everyone does
But not one has ever put me under
I’m the one who’s never out of work
I’m the one they never called the jerk
I’m the one who gets a second chance
I’m the one who always has the answer

Chorus

Albert Polito: Vocals, 12-string Electric guitar, Acoustic guitars
John “J.T.” Thomas: Hammond organ
Andy Kamman: Drums
Al Wolovitch: Bass guitar

Recorded at harddrive
Produced by Doug Messenger and Al Polito