Lightning Strikes (Yes song)
"Lightning Strikes" is a song by the progressive rock band Yes, first released in 1999 as a single in promotion of the bands eighteenth studio album, The Ladder. Background and composition 
"Lightning Strikes" contains the same Mellotron flute sample that "Phenomenal Cat" by The Kinks uses in the intro. Drummer Alan White had apparently been experimenting with more "unusual jazz and African type" rhythms in the studio, playing them to front-man Jon Anderson. He then adapted some of his chords he had been working on as well as a melody which he wrote to fit it. Bassist Chris Squire was reportedly very pleased with the final product and how it pushed the band into a new musical direction. Reception 
Bret Adams of AllMusic enjoyed the track, noting Steve Howe's acoustic guitar playing as being "bouncy", though stating the biggest surprise in the track was the "addition of a horn section". Another positive review by Jason Warburg of The Daily Vault praised the track. They also noted the unusual use of horns on the track but saying they work, as well as Howe hitting "strong riffs" on acoustic and electric guitar. Furthermore, noting keyboardist Igor Khoroshev's playing, featuring "lively" organs and synth runs. They also call White's and Squire's playing as being "cuban-flavored", calling the track overall very different from the usual for Yes. Stephanie Sollow also enjoyed the track, writing for Progressiveworld. They noted the track's heavy Caribbean sound, stating that the track was the most upbeat on the record, being almost dance music. Track listing

Personnel 
Credits are adapted from the album's liner notes. Yes

 Jon Anderson – lead vocals
 Steve Howe – guitars, backing vocals
 Billy Sherwood – guitars, backing vocals
 Chris Squire – bass guitar, backing vocals
 Igor Khoroshev – keyboards
 Alan White – drums

Additional musicians
Rhys Fulber – dance loops
 The Marguerita Horns – horns
 Tom Keenlyside – piccolo, tenor saxophone
 Derry Burns – trumpet
 Rod Murray – trombone
 Tom Colclough – alto saxophone
 Neil Nicholson – tuba

References 

1999 singles
Yes (band) songs
Songs written by Jon Anderson
1999 songs