"Cold Sweat" is a song by Irish rock band Thin Lizzy, and is the fifth track on their final studio album Thunder and Lightning. It was co-written by guitarist John Sykes and Phil Lynott, and became the biggest single from the album, entering the UK charts at No. 28 (peaking at No. 27), and peaking at No. 23 in Ireland.[1]
| "Cold Sweat" | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Single by Thin Lizzy | |
| from the album Thunder and Lightning | |
| B-side | "Bad Habits" |
| Released | 4 February 1983 |
| Genre | Heavy metal |
| Label | Vertigo |
| Songwriter(s) | John Sykes, Phil Lynott |
| Producer(s) | Thin Lizzy & Chris Tsangarides |
The song is known for Sykes's guitar solo, which features a tapping playing style that was becoming popular at the time of the album's release, though also used at the time by players such as Eddie Van Halen and Randy Rhoads.[citation needed]
Recording and promotion
edit"Cold Sweat" was recorded as one of the last songs on the Thunder and Lightning album. Thin Lizzy had already written all the other material that was required, and by the time Sykes joined the band, it only remained to record the songs. He recalled, "Because I hadn't contributed anything at this stage I just let go with an outline of what was to become "Cold Sweat"; all of that was made up there and then in the studio."[2]
Producer Chris Tsangarides was surprised that the song was chosen as a single: "It was a bit heavy, even for them."[2] Thin Lizzy were asked to perform the song on the British TV show Top of the Pops, but were deselected after Lynott argued with a stage manager.[2]
On 28 January 1983, the band performed the song on the British TV music show The Tube, along with "The Sun Goes Down" and "The Boys Are Back in Town".[3]
Cover versions
edit- 1990: Sodom (Better off Dead)
- 1992: Re-Animator (That Was Then This Is Now)
- 1994: Helloween (Perfect Gentleman)
- 2001: Adam West (Hi-Balls Are Rolling!)
- 2001: Dreadnaught (One Piece Missing)
- 2007: Jorn (Unlocking the Past)
- 2007: Dublin Death Patrol (DDP 4 Life)
- 2010: Kalmah (Japanese bonus track on 12 Gauge)
- 2010: The Sword (Cold Sweat/Maiden, Mother & Crone single)
- 2013: Megadeth (Super Collider)
Personnel
edit- Phil Lynott – bass guitar, lead vocals
- Scott Gorham – lead guitar
- John Sykes – lead guitar
- Brian Downey – drums
- Darren Wharton – keyboards
Charts
edit| Chart (1983) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Ireland (IRMA)[4] | 23 |
| UK Singles (OCC)[5] | 27 |
References
edit- ^ "Irish Charts - Thin Lizzy". www.irishcharts.ie. Retrieved 21 June 2011.
- ^ a b c Alan Byrne, "Thin Lizzy: Soldiers of Fortune", Firefly, 2004, pp. 158.
- ^ "Thin Lizzy on TV and radio 1980–84". Thin Lizzy Guide. Retrieved 1 July 2013.
- ^ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Cold Sweat". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved May 25, 2024.
- ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved May 25, 2024.