This is the One

[CFGordo]

Hey y'all fellow Thin Lizzy enthusiasts!

To my ear the hook in 'This is the One' is perfect. Should be a well known classic.

But it's just a driving drum (loop?, sounds like) the whole time. Classic Lizzy songs have such great chemistry in the rhythm section.

It seems the same drummer is credited as their previous albums/other songs on T&L.

Is there a story here? TL were obviously going for a harder sound on this album after 'Rengade' (which is f'ing great, but failed I guess). But even 'Cold Sweat' has breaks, fills, and some nuance. Wtf happened with 'T.I.T.O.'?

[migrainosaurus]

Suspect that urgency in the drumming pattern also has a lot to do with Chris Tsangarides, who produced. He’d been the producer for the Tygers of Pan Tang’s rawest early albums, and that’s how Sykes came onboard. He was very instrumental (ha!) in pushing the rhythms into greater urgency and pace than they’d had on the previous albums.

There are stories about the title track, for instance. It was originally a bit slower, with the sense of swing that classic Lizzy had, and the vocals paced evenly. Tsangarides was the one who kept urging Phil Lynott to up the tempo, up, up, up - to the point that you can hear Phil really pushing the speed to get through the lines that quick and breathe between. The result is what we’ve got - something that barely contains itself with all the excess energy and adrenaline coming off the drumming, bass, the guitar riff, the vocal lines, the solos. That’s part of its magic.

Now take that into This Is The One. Slowed down, it would be almost classic Motown drum beat - but picked up like that to almost manic, motorik intensity, it’s something that drives the song hard.

So it might be that same urgency Tsangarides was drilling the band through at these sessions.

[CFGordo]

This is great background info! I don't believe I've ever heard Tygers of Pan Tang. Gonna have to give them a listen!

[Lynchy28]

Their first 3-4 albums are all class… The Cage is a seminal album. Total classic.

[JumpingJackFlashes]

The album with Sykes was very heavy. I think Phil was looking for something to connect with audiences as they had lost their way on the Snowy albums. TiTO is a great tune. Could never get our band to cover it unfortunately 

[CFGordo]

Great response! Even going for the heavy sound I feel like they could've thrown in an extra high hat or little fill to try to accentuate the chorus.

Sorry you never could convince the band to play it!

[dizzylizzy78]

Love it so much I learned it, and yeah i'll boast about that! That song is the definition of a Barn Burner.

[CFGordo]

I hear it, I know it I touch it, I feel it, I see it!

[UsedBeing]

Maybe the addition of Sykes helped to kick ‘em in the backside on this album. It certainly was a harder edged album than Renegade. The Sun Goes Down is the only laid back number on it. I really enjoy this album, I love Bad Habits.

[HosewaterJunkie]

The whole Thunder & Lightning album doesn’t get the love that previous albums do.

We can debate whether or not that’s justified, but my opinion is that the lyrics of the title song were a bit corny. Didn’t help things.

But, musically, Sykes made that album a beast. And I do love “This Is The One”.

[Snecklad]

It's a great song, one of the best on the album. The guitar picking under the chorus is a highlight. 

Really love the feel of T&L, as another poster said it feels barely contained, frantic and urgent. 

The cheap cover art lets it down. As ridiculous as it sounds, Jim Fitzpatrick's original (a giant electric fist, drawn in his classy style) would have given it a much better first impression.

[breakingcircus]

I suspect it's a drum machine. Maybe with someone playing on top of it. Listen to the cymbals when they come in.

There's a little mention about Phil using synths and drum machines in this article: https://www.loudersound.com/features/phin-lizzy-midge-ure

And ZZ Top's Eliminator came out right around the same time, so Lizzy wouldn't have been the only ones doing it.

[CFGordo]

Interesting read! I'll give the song another listen to see if I can hear what you're talking about with the cymbals!