Cold Sweat (Thin Lizzy song)

"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"
Released4 February 1983
GenreHeavy metal
LabelVertigo
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

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"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

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Personnel

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Charts

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Chart (1983) Peak
position
Ireland (IRMA)[4] 23
UK Singles (OCC)[5] 27

References

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  1. ^ "Irish Charts - Thin Lizzy". www.irishcharts.ie. Retrieved 21 June 2011.
  2. ^ a b c Alan Byrne, "Thin Lizzy: Soldiers of Fortune", Firefly, 2004, pp. 158.
  3. ^ "Thin Lizzy on TV and radio 1980–84". Thin Lizzy Guide. Retrieved 1 July 2013.
  4. ^ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Cold Sweat". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved May 25, 2024.
  5. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved May 25, 2024.