Thunderclouds (feat. Sia, Diplo, and Labrinth)

"Thunderclouds" by the supergroup LSD explores the themes of trust, fear, and perseverance within a romantic relationship. The song is a dialogue between two partners, voiced by Sia and Labrinth, who are trying to navigate a period of intense conflict and doubt. The titular "thunderclouds" are a metaphor for the hardships, arguments, and trust issues that loom over their connection. Lyrically, the song doesn't portray these challenges as inherently destructive but rather as trials to be faced and overcome. It's a message of reassurance, urging a partner to not be afraid of the conflicts because their love is strong enough to endure the storm. The narrators acknowledge the pain and chaos, using imagery like a "house is burning" to describe their fights, but they maintain a hopeful tone, believing they can get through it together. Diplo has described the song as being about having faith in your partner and getting through hard times, knowing that there is something beautiful beyond the storm.

The song unfolds as a conversation between two lovers grappling with fear and mistrust that threaten to dismantle their relationship. In the first verse, sung by Sia, she expresses a need for reassurance and pleads with her partner to transform his anxieties into trust. She acknowledges a misunderstanding, highlighting the fragility and miscommunication that has crept into their connection. She feels that one secure partnership is all she needs, but his doubts are a significant obstacle.

The pre-chorus, a duet between Sia and Labrinth, poses a poignant question: "Where'd the love go?" It reflects on the state of their relationship after everything they've been through. There's a sense of confrontation and investigation, with the line "I'ma go through your stuff," suggesting a desperate search for truth or a sign of the love that seems to have vanished. They both acknowledge the urge to flee from the conflict, a natural reaction to emotional turmoil.

The chorus serves as the song's emotional anchor and central metaphor. They describe their arguments and hurtful words as a "house is burning" while they are "raisin' hell." This powerful imagery conveys the destructive nature of their conflict. Amidst this destruction, in the "ashes," their souls cry out in pain and longing. Yet, despite the chaos, they offer a message of hope and resilience: "But don't be afraid of these thunderclouds." The thunderclouds represent the visible, frightening manifestation of their problems, the arguments and doubts that loom over them. The plea is not to fear these storms, implying that they are temporary and can be weathered together.

In the second verse, Labrinth's perspective is introduced. He simplifies his needs to the fundamental elements of a relationship: love, communication ("a word"), and togetherness ("us"). He cryptically mentions, "You turned nouns into verbs," which could imply that his partner has complicated simple concepts or has turned static things into sources of action and conflict. It’s a call for a return to simplicity and genuine connection.

The song's structure, with its alternating verses and unified chorus, mirrors the dynamic of a relationship in conflict—individual grievances and a shared struggle. The repetition of the chorus reinforces the central theme: that even in the most fiery arguments and moments of despair, there's a plea to hold on and not be frightened by the temporary, albeit scary, storms. The song concludes with the repeated phrase "these thunderclouds," fading out as an echo of the ongoing, but not insurmountable, challenges they face.

"Thunderclouds" is the third single from the musical supergroup LSD, which consists of British artist Labrinth, Australian singer Sia, and American DJ/producer Diplo. The song was released on August 9, 2018. It was written by all three members of the group along with Henry "King Henry" Allen and Philip "Jr Blender" Meckseper. The production was handled by Labrinth, Diplo, King Henry, and Jr Blender. The formation of LSD itself happened when Labrinth and Sia, who were working on a song, invited Diplo to join. Diplo described his role as helping to organize the "crazy, most creative" ideas of his collaborators. In a behind-the-scenes video, the production was described as having a "50s production sort of old school big band meets Mariachi" feel, blending different genres with an electronic touch, and it was noted as being one of the longest songs to finish for their album. The track was recorded across several studios in 2018: Beachwood Park in Los Angeles, Lazer Sound in Beachwood Canyon, Conway Recording Studios in Los Angeles, and Blender's Ends in Hamburg.

The song's rhythmic and rhyming structure contributes significantly to its catchy, pop-infused feel. The meter is consistent, creating a danceable, half-time beat that drives the track forward. The primary rhyme scheme is most evident in the chorus, following a pattern where the first two lines rhyme ("now" and "hell" are slant rhymes in delivery) and the third and fourth lines have a strong assonantal connection ("out" and "thunderclouds"). For example, in the chorus: "You're sayin' those words like you hate me now (A) / Our house is burning when you're raisin' hell (A) / Here in the ashes your soul cries out (B) / But don't be afraid of these thunderclouds (B)". The verses employ a more relaxed rhyme scheme. The interplay between the steady musical rhythm and the emotional, flowing vocal rhythms of Sia and Labrinth creates a compelling dynamic that enhances the song's narrative of turmoil and hope.

"Thunderclouds" blends multiple musical and literary styles to create its unique sound and emotional depth.

• Musical Arrangement: The song features a distinctive mix of genres, including dance-pop, psychedelic pop, and elements of island music. The production incorporates half-time beats, casual guitar riffs, and what has been described as a "50s production sort of old school big band meets Mariachi" feel, all layered with a modern electronic finish. This eclectic mix gives the song a nostalgic yet fresh quality.
• Vocal Delivery: The track is structured as a duet between Sia and Labrinth, whose voices alternate in the verses and unite in the chorus. This call-and-response structure mirrors the conversational nature of the lyrics. Sia employs her signature powerful, emotive belting, particularly in the chorus, conveying a sense of urgency and passion.
• Narrative Structure: The lyrics present a clear narrative of a relationship in crisis, with each artist voicing a different perspective. This creates a relatable story of conflict and the desire for resolution.
• Juxtaposition: There is a notable contrast between the uplifting, almost cheerful melody and the lyrical theme of relational strife. This paradox reinforces the song's core message: finding hope and merriment even when facing dark skies.

"Thunderclouds" achieved significant cultural recognition, largely boosted by its prominent use in a global advertising campaign for the Samsung Galaxy Note 9. The song was featured extensively in the company's commercials and at the phone's launch event in August 2018, introducing it to a massive audience. The track performed well on international charts, reaching high positions in several countries and receiving platinum certifications in nations like the USA. The whimsical and psychedelic music video, directed by Ernest Desumbila, also contributed to its popularity. The video features Diplo piloting a flying car through colorful skies with a Sia-puppet and Labrinth floating on a cloud, while frequent Sia collaborator Maddie Ziegler dances on top of the vehicle. This surreal and visually stunning video was praised for its aesthetic and further solidified the unique, imaginative branding of the LSD supergroup.

The song is rich with symbolism, primarily centered around its title and weather-related imagery.

• Thunderclouds: This is the central metaphor, symbolizing relationship hardships, conflicts, and trust issues. Instead of being purely negative, the song treats them as natural, unavoidable parts of a relationship's journey. The lyrics "don't be afraid of these thunderclouds" advocate for facing these problems without fear, suggesting they are temporary and can be overcome. The music video further complicates this by showing the characters chasing and harnessing the power of the clouds, implying that one can find strength and renewal in overcoming adversity.
• House is Burning / Raising Hell: This imagery in the chorus ("Our house is burning when you're raisin' hell") powerfully illustrates the destructive and painful nature of the couple's arguments. The "house" represents the relationship itself, being consumed by the fire of their conflict.
• Ashes: Following the fire imagery, the line "Here in the ashes your soul cries out" symbolizes the emotional aftermath of their fights. It points to a state of desolation and pain, yet it's also a place from which renewal can begin, as they plead to not fear the continuing storm.

The most significant recurring motif is the phrase "these thunderclouds," which is repeated at the end of each chorus and in the outro. This repetition emphasizes the central metaphor of the song, representing the persistent but surmountable struggles in the relationship. Its recurrence serves as a constant reminder of the core message: to face relationship difficulties without fear. Another key recurring phrase is "Where'd the love go?", which opens the pre-chorus. This question encapsulates the sense of loss and confusion the couple feels, acting as a lyrical hook that draws the listener into their emotional conflict. The entire chorus is a recurring motif that acts as the song's thesis, powerfully combining the imagery of a burning house with the plea not to fear the storm.