Lightning Rod

"Lightning Rod" is the debut single by Italian-American singer Alexei Monaghan, during his brief solo career in 2001. The single featured a pop-punk sound, as did the rest of his solo album "The Alexhibition". Alexei's pop-punk influences would later re-emerge in the earlier stages of Phoenix Rising's artistic development. "Lightning Rod" was released in the United States in mid-March, 2001, becoming a massive debut hit with a top 5 peak on the Billboard Hot 100. It would be Alexei's only solo hit, branding him with one-hit-wonder status until Phoenix Rising debuted eight years later.

Background
Alexei wrote "Lightning Rod" in 2000, and it was one of the songs he recorded for the demo EP produced by older brother Sylar that was sent out to record labels. It was this song that helped him secure a deal with Geffen Records, and that kick-started work on his debut album. Alexei worked with producer John Feldmann on the track, and it was chosen to be his debut single after the label was pleased with the finished product. "Lightning Rod" was one of the first recorded tracks for the album, and there is a notable difference in quality between the bedroom demo and the final studio cut.

Reception
Alexei performed a number of industry showcases to promote the single to radio stations, and to establish a positive reputation as a recording and performing artist. Radio programmers were receptive to the single, and it entered into heavy rotation on multiple airplay formats. The song caught on with the general public, and when the single was released it became a major debut hit. Critics were touting Alexei as "the next big thing" and he benefitted from TV cross-promotion which helped maintain a healthy level of sales.

Tracklisting

 * Radio Promo CD
 * 1) "Lightning Rod" (Radio Edit)
 * 2) "Lightning Rod" (Instrumental)
 * 3) "Lightning Rod" (Call-Out Hook)


 * CD Single
 * 1) "Lightning Rod"
 * 2) "Get On With It"
 * 3) "Lightning Rod" (Junior's Arena Radio Edit)
 * 4) "Lightning Rod" (Dezrok Vocal Radio Mix)

Music Video
The music video for "Lightning Rod" does features a loose storyline involving Alexei being struck by a bolt of lightning and suddenly finding himself irresistible. The video features Alexei playing guitar and singing in a number of settings including a house party, the inside of a giant Tesla coil and an open field in the middle of a thunderstorm. Lightning is heavily featured throughout the clip with Alexei as the titular "lightning rod" of the song, and he ends up with an increasing number of girls fighting over him for his attention.

Chart Performance
"Lightning Rod" was a hit with radio programmers, quickly becoming a huge airplay hit. At this time airplay was not factored into the Billboard Hot 100, so it was not allowed to chart at first off its airplay. When the CD single was finally released in mid-March of 2001 while airplay was near its peak, the single debuted and peaked at #5 on the Hot 100. The song was featured in several teen drama shows of the time, prolonging its exposure and fuelling his record sales so that by the end of its peak of popularity, it had sold double platinum.