I was listening to Pandora when I heard a song mention a tornado. That made me think… how many songs mention tornadoes or twisters? Short answer: a lot.
A simple Google query of a popular website for lyrics showed over 500 songs. And it’s likely just a sample of the more well-known tunes. After perusing the results, a selection of the “best” music that mentions a tornado was at hand.
Just keep in mind the 10 (least best) to 1 (very best) rankings are generally quite relative here…
#10: Amanda Marshall – Inside the Tornado
(lyrics)
This song proves that to make a top 10 list for best tornado songs, you don’t even have to aspire to an average song. Of course, everything is clear when you’re inside the tornado.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lG0N4g_mB5g
#9: Little Big Town – Tornado
(lyrics)
If we’re talking cinematography, this could be a top 5 easily. Alas, we’re not. One thing’s for sure: you can feel it coming. Then when it does, you realize “tornado” must be symbolic. A real foot tapper.
#8: Chris Cagle – Something that Wild
(lyrics)
She’s like a storm of wild like horses as they thunder across the Plains, the mighty Mississippi, and a raging tornado in an angry Kansas sky. Sure, why not.
#7: Don McLean – Magdalene Lane
(lyrics)
Put the Wizard of Oz in a tune and you’ve got a winner. A Kansas tornado over a rainbow is certainly a grand site.
#6: Chasing Twisters – Delta Rae
(lyrics)
I’m not sure this is actually about tornadoes, but Rae does say the Badlands is her cathedral. I mean, really… how storm chaser is that?!
#5: Chris Ledoux – Colorado
(lyrics)
A short song with a quick mention of a twister. But I really liked it. Ahh, Colorado. 🙂
#4: Drive by Truckers – Tornadoes
(lyrics)
Many of the songs in this post note a tornado in passing. Here, it’s the main focus. You can picture the scene in your mind.
#3: Rodney Atkins – It’s America
(lyrics)
One thing about songs with twister mentions: many highlight life across the region where they’re most likely. This song has a small tornado mention but it’s quite spot on in my opinion.
#2: Carrie Underwood – Blown Away
(lyrics)
Multiple weather references, supercell video, bad CGI, and an actual music star. One of the few videos with choreography as well. Let’s do this!
#1: Toby Keith – Trailerhood
(lyrics)
As someone who rarely listens to country these days, I am still a Toby Keith music fan. Humorous throughout. There’s a high quality mention of a tornado as well!
Honorable mention…
Also, lol (contains language): Songify This : TORNADO SONG!! – look at the tree
Suggested additions
Several comments below and on Twitter have pointed out songs that would have had strong consideration had they been noted in the first search! I’ve added the most named or best fitting in below.
@USTornadoes a song only metaphorically about a tornado but I nominate this one https://t.co/zf6l4ysTTL
— Matthew James (@mjd4987) November 3, 2015
@USTornadoes Key oversight: @NekoCase's "This Tornado Loves You" https://t.co/5GyoI7dZdV
— Andrea Thompson (@AndreaTWeather) November 3, 2015
https://twitter.com/cwatts78/status/661635406794989572
https://twitter.com/amosmagliocco/status/661649941270429696
Weird that this didn't make your list, @USTornadoes. https://t.co/Eru02vVs2t
— Corey Pieper (@Geostrophic) November 3, 2015
Agree? Disagree? Did we miss something? Let us know! Originally posted at 11:30a EST on November 3. Updated at 4:30 EST the same day.
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Missed a big one: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D2Ihi2u35JY
I can’t resist asking–have any of these been performed by the instrumental ensemble The Tornadoes (best known for their early 1960s hit Telstar)? If so, that would be on the same line as the band Kansas performing Wichita Lineman or the band Police performing I Fought the Law–and The Law Won!
Here’s a more nuanced gem for weather watchers. Electric Light Orchestra (ELO) makes inordinate references to weather in many of their lyrics – an unusual quirk weather buffs will pick up on when listening to ELO songs. Another strange fact is that one of their first albums, “El Dorado”, features a screenshot from the original Wizard of Oz of Dorothy’s ruby red slippers. Catchy songs, cryptic weather references, and tunes that seemingly serenade the sky make ELO apropos for storm chasing.
Interesting, thanks!
Don’t forget Neko Case’s This Tornado Loves You: https://youtu.be/_FhVbyeWFvo
This one had a few votes. I’ll add a section at bottom with suggestions!
What? No GO TEAM’s T.O.R.N.A.D.O ? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K6mSAPKlcp4 Great for those who forget how to spell tornado too.
I think Tom Rush did one with the words “isn’t it a might storm…that blew all the people away.”
I’d have to add in a song by the Rural Alberta Advantage “Tornado ’87” about a destructive Edmonton tornado… https://soundcloud.com/theraa/tornado-87
there’s this popular french song called derniere danse.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K5KAc5CoCuk
No list is complete without The Rainmakers “Tornado of Love” firmly planted in the number one position!!! Can’t believe ya didn’t have that one!!
How is Springsteen’s “The Promised Land” not on here??
Well there’s a dark cloud rising from the desert floor
I packed my bags and I’m heading straight into the storm
Gonna be a twister to blow everything down
That ain’t got the faith to stand its ground
Blow away the dreams that tear you apart
Blow away the dreams that break your heart
Blow away the lies that leave you nothing but lost and brokenhearted
Another songs lyrics about Tornado:
Tornado by Little Big Town
The Tornado Song by Company Of Thieves
Inside The Tornado by Amanda Marshall
Short-Haired Tornado by Fair To Midland
Tornados by Ben Lee
The Tornado Lessons by Cloud Cult
Talula (The Tornado Mix) by Tori Amos
This Tornado Loves You by Neko Case
Midnight/tornado by Skid Row
Texas Tornado by Tracy Lawrence
Tornado by Garbage
Tornadoes by Drive-By Truckers
My Tornado by The Raveonettes
Trailer Vs Tornado by Sent By Ravens
Tornado Girl! by Ellis Paul
My Tornado by Ravonettes
Tornado by The Answer
Tornado of Souls by Megadeth
Tornado by Mindless Self Indulgence
Tornado Alley by Gaelic Storm
When Tornados Take Over The World by They Might Be Giants
Laredo Tornado by Electric Light Orchestra
Tornado by Sara Groves
Tornado by Jonsi
Warning Tornado by Rihanna
Source: http://www.lyricsmusic.name