Cold Sweat (Thin Lizzy song)

"Cold Sweat"
Single by Thin Lizzy
from the album Thunder and Lightning
B-side"Bad Habits"
Released4 February 1983
GenreHeavy metal
LabelVertigo
SongwritersJohn Sykes, Phil Lynott
ProducersThin Lizzy & Chris Tsangarides
Thin Lizzy singles chronology
"Hollywood (Down on Your Luck)"
(1982)		 "Cold Sweat"
(1983)		 "Thunder and Lightning"
(1983)

"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]

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.

Recording and promotion

"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] Sykes presented the riff, then Lynott developed the song further and worked out the arrangement. Sykes recalled in 2008: "About 20 minutes later it was pretty much all there. It all came together really easy."[3] 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".[4]

Critical reception

Upon its release as a single, Chas de Whalley of Kerrang! described "Cold Sweat" as "classic Thin Lizzy, an out-and-out rocker with an explosive Exocet beat and a sidewinder guitar solo". His only criticism was that Lynott's vocals should have been "lifted a little in the mix".[5] Robin Smith, writing for Record Mirror, said: "Leaving the world with a bang, 'Cold Sweat' is a construction kit of everything that made Thin Lizzy in their halcyon days. Frazzled guitar and Lynott's vicious vocals."[6] Duran Duran keyboardist Nick Rhodes, as guest reviewer for Melody Maker, called the song "bordering on Motörhead speed" and predicted it would be a hit. He wrote: "A little fast for my taste but at least Thin Lizzy do what they do well and [this] seems to have all the elements of a heavy rock record that people who buy such things would like."[7]

Cover versions

Personnel

Charts

Chart (1983) Peak
position
Ireland (IRMA)[8]23
UK Singles (Official Charts)[9]27

References

  1. ↑ "Irish Charts - Thin Lizzy". www.irishcharts.ie. Retrieved 21 June 2011.
  2. 1 2 3 Alan Byrne, "Thin Lizzy: Soldiers of Fortune", Firefly, 2004, pp. 158.
  3. ↑ Burgess, Mick (28 January 2008). "Interview with John Sykes (Thin Lizzy)". Metal Express Radio. Retrieved 21 August 2026.
  4. ↑ "Thin Lizzy on TV and radio 1980–84". Thin Lizzy Guide. Retrieved 1 July 2013.
  5. ↑ Chas de Whalley (10 March 1983). "Single Kuts". Kerrang!. No. 37. p. 43. ISSN 0262-6624.
  6. ↑ Smith, Robin (5 February 1983). "Singles". Record Mirror. p. 19. ISSN 0144-5804.
  7. ↑ Rhodes, Nick (5 February 1983). "Singles". Melody Maker. p. 14. ISSN 0025-9012.
  8. ↑ "Cold Sweat | IRMA". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved May 25, 2024.
  9. ↑ "Official Singles Chart on 20/2/1983 – Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved May 25, 2024.
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