The Cadillac Three
White Lightning Review
Originally Posted on The Country Note by Patti McClintic
According to meteorologists, the weather phenomena known as lightning, traveling through open air, emits a white light, but can appear in different colors, depending on local atmospheric conditions. In the song, “White Lightning”, The Cadillac Three’s latest radio hit, there are no atmospheric obstacles to alter the color of this force of nature, it is purely white, and quite powerful.
The Cadillac Three, a Nashville, Tennessee based trio, who have enjoyed quite a bit of commercial success recently, are as gritty as country bands come. They are proud of their Southern roots and honest to a fault when it comes to all things that come natural to those born and bred in this part of the country. It isn’t often that we hear this band slow it down to a truly thoughtful ballad, but here we are. A brilliant songwriter, who has written hits for everyone from Keith Urban to Jake Owen, lead vocalist for The Cadillac Three, Jaren Johnston, is no slouch when it comes to crafting a good song. This time, he saved one of the best for his own band.
Unlike some country ballads, this one doesn’t require teary lyrics and twang. In this particular cut, Jaren doesn’t forget to pay homage to so many things revered in the south, the Dukes of Hazzard, Elvis Presley and Dale Earnhardt, Sr. As much as these things are beloved, especially by those south of the Mason Dixon Line, Johnston has utilized them in a song that attempts to convey how quickly a certain woman has stolen his heart. “Faster than the Duke boys jumping that hillside”, “Faster than Elvis could shake, rattle and roll”, “Faster than number 3 breaking every record”, that’s southern speak for a guy who has fallen hopelessly in love.
“White Lightning” might be a bit of a departure from the rollicking tunes we’re accustomed to from this power trio, but it isn’t at all contrived. This is still Jaren Johnston, through and through, it’s just slower, which will offer a welcome break for fans during shows some shows are littered with slow ballads, which probably won’t ever be the case with TC3, but one memorable one, no matter how rough around the edges, will go a long way. The tune is catchy, and isn’t so deep that one needs to dissect it to try and understand it, but it’s clear that this song is written from the heart, a true, native Tennessee heart. “That’s what love is supposed to be like”, at least in Jaren Johnston’s mind, and if we can put ourselves into his state of mind, at least for the duration of this song, we can agree.
Rating: Gotta take a listen.
