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Chain Lightning
Studio album by Don McLean
Released	December 1978
Recorded	June 26 – August 23, 1978
Genre	Rock, country
Length	37:43
Label	Millennium
Producer	Larry Butler
Don McLean chronology
Prime Time (1977) Chain Lightning (1978) Believers (1981)
Singles from Chain Lightning
"Since I Don't Have You" Released: 1978 "Crying" Released: May 1980

Chain Lightning is an album by American singer-songwriter Don McLean. It was recorded in Nashville between June and August 1978 and featured many of that city's noted session players as well as backing vocals from the Jordanaires. It was first released in December 1978 in the UK and other markets, but not released for another two years in the US following its delayed success in European markets. The lead single "Crying" became a major hit for McLean, reaching No.1 in the UK Singles Chart in June 1980. The album was subsequently repackaged and released in the US where it also became a success with "Crying" reaching the top five in early 1981. "Since I Don't Have You" was also released as a single, reaching #23.

Critical reception

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic
Rolling Stone

The Boston Globe panned the "awful, sappy version" of "Your Cheatin' Heart".

Track listing

All tracks composed by Don McLean, except where indicated.

1. "Words and Music" - (3:06)
2. "Crying" (Roy Orbison, Joe Melson) - (3:35)
3. "It's Just the Sun" - (2:30)
4. "Lotta Lovin'" (Bernice Bedwell) - (2:07)
5. "Chain Lightning" - (7:48)
6. "Your Cheatin' Heart" (Hank Williams) - (3:04)
7. "Wonderful Night" - (3:01)
8. "It Doesn't Matter Anymore" (Paul Anka) - (3:02)
9. "Since I Don't Have You" (Wally Lester, Joe VerScharen, Janet Vogel, Lenny Martin, Joseph Rock, James Beaumont, Jackie Taylor) - (2:31)
10. "Genesis (In the Beginning)" - (4:48)
11. "It's a Beautiful Life" - (2:11)
12. "If You Could Read My Mind" - (Gordon Lightfoot)

Charts

Personnel

• Don McLean - vocals, acoustic guitar
• James D. Capps, Ray Edenton - acoustic guitar
• Tommy D. Allsup, Billy R. Sanford - electric guitar
• Pete Drake - pedal steel guitar
• Hargus "Pig" Robbins, Chuck Cochran - piano
• Bobby R. Wood - electric piano
• Bob "King" Moore - bass
• Jerry K. Carrigan - drums, percussion
• Joseph E. "Gene" Chrisman, Eddy Anderson - drums
• The Jordanaires - backing vocals
• The Nashville Strings - strings
• Bill Justis - arrangements, conductor

Sales and certifications

References

1. "Chain Lightning". Don McLean Online. Archived from the original on September 23, 2015. Retrieved March 25, 2023.
2. Chain Lightning at AllMusic
3. Rolling Stone review
4. Morse, Steve (26 Mar 1981). "Why Don McLean Isn't Crying". Calendar. The Boston Globe. p. 1.
5. Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. p. 187. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
6. "Don McLean | Artist | Official Charts". UK Albums Chart. Retrieved March 3, 2021.
7. "Don McLean Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved March 3, 2021.
8. "Top Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 1981". Billboard. Retrieved March 3, 2021.
9. "Dutch album certifications – Don McLean – Chain Lightning" (in Dutch). Nederlandse Vereniging van Producenten en Importeurs van beeld- en geluidsdragers. Retrieved July 16, 2022. Enter Chain Lightning in the "Artiest of titel" box. Select 1980 in the drop-down menu saying "Alle jaargangen".

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