The band's fourth album, No Shout, No Calls, was written in Berlin during the 2006 World Cup, recorded in Benton Harbor, Michigan in late 2006, and released in May 2007 worldwide.
In November 2007, the band went on "indefinite hiatus," but announced in February 2011 that they would play several dates in England.
“This summer we’re going to play some festivals, including Field Day in London, and a few gigs. We’re still confirming everything, so will be announcing dates soon. It’s very exciting for us to be playing together again after more than three years, and we’re just sorry that we won’t be able to make it to the US this time. At the moment our plan is just to play live this summer, so we hope to see you!" (Source: Electrelane website)
The band announced in November of 2021 that they are working together on their first new music since No Shouts, No Calls in 2007 and that "playing together again feels really, really good.
I Want to Be the President
Electrelane Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
For the fourteenth time.
Take you on.
Because you're strong.
Bigger love.
It's the hating kind.
We're not interested in your difference.
My gun is bigger than yours.
My tank goes faster than yours.
My missile's turning me on.
My weapon makes me feel strong.
Bang bang bang.
Do you wanna see my gun?
Well come on.
We'll resist, we'll resist.
But let you take control.
But if they say that is so,
Is that the way you will go?
And if you thought it was wrong,
Would you still follow along?
They're building walls tonight.
They're building walls tonight.
Ain't it cold,
Ain't it cold,
Ain't it cold,
Where you empty your soul?
There'll be a war tonight.
There'll be a war tonight.
The lyrics to Electrelane's "I Want to Be the President" initially seem to be about someone who wants to wield power and is proud of their weaponry. The first few lines could refer to a strong, aggressive person who is part of some sort of military alliance or organization, and the subsequent lines proudly boast about the superiority of their weapons compared to others. It could be interpreted that the person is relishing the power that their weapons provide them, and perhaps even enjoys the possibility of war.
However, the later lines of the song suggest a more critical and introspective viewpoint. The lines, "But if they say that is so, / Is that the way you will go? / And if you thought it was wrong, / Would you still follow along?" suggest that the person is questioning their beliefs and whether they are being swayed too easily by the opinions of others or by groupthink.
The repetition of the lines "They're building walls tonight" and "There'll be a war tonight" also suggest an overall theme of division and conflict, possibly between nations or groups of people. The song seems to be asking whether power and the willingness to use violence are truly worth pursuing, especially if they only lead to further division and destruction.
Overall, "I Want to Be the President" is a complex song that can be interpreted in multiple ways. It brings up questions about power, weaponry, and the consequences of violence, suggesting that there may be a better way to handle conflicts than through the use of force.
Line by Line Meaning
Big alliance.
Refers to forming an alliance with a powerful group of people.
For the fourteenth time.
Implies that the action has been repeated many times before.
Take you on.
Challenging someone to a competition or fight.
Because you're strong.
The person being challenged is strong and the challenge has been put out because of that.
Bigger love.
Love that exists at a larger scale than traditional love.
It's the hating kind.
The love referred to earlier is not a romantic love, but rather a love for hating or being negative towards someone or something.
We're not interested in your difference.
The singer doesn't care about someone's individual traits or beliefs.
We like to be deflective.
Prefer to avoid confrontation by not responding directly to someone.
My gun is bigger than yours.
Comparing the size and power of two guns.
My tank goes faster than yours.
Comparing the speed and power of two tanks.
My missile's turning me on.
The singer finds pleasure in the power of their missile.
My weapon makes me feel strong.
The power of their weapon gives the artist a sense of strength and control.
Bang bang bang.
Sound indicating the firing of a gun or weapon.
Do you wanna see my gun?
Asking someone if they want to see their gun, perhaps as a threat.
Well come on.
Encouraging the other person to accept the challenge.
We'll resist, we'll resist.
Refusing to give up or surrender.
But let you take control.
Despite the resistance, the other person is allowed or expected to take control.
But if they say that is so,
Conditionally agreeing to something if someone else were to say it's true.
Is that the way you will go?
Asking someone if they are willing to follow that path.
And if you thought it was wrong,
Questioning someone's moral beliefs and values.
Would you still follow along?
Asking if they would still follow the previously mentioned path even if they disagree with it.
They're building walls tonight.
Refers to building physical or metaphorical barriers to keep people out or maintain control.
Ain't it cold,
Emphasizing the harsh and inhospitable conditions.
Where you empty your soul?
A question about where someone goes to pour out their emotions and thoughts.
There'll be a war tonight.
Suggests a conflict or battle is about to take place.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: EMMA GAZE, MIA CLARKE, RACHEL DALLEY, VERITY SUSMAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Aida Stamo
i love electrelane more than words can describe
Raul Pacheco
immediately fell in love. god they sound great!
they're like a perfect mix between the organ and stereolab
Alexey B
still sounds pretty fresh in '22
tracy randolph
the fucking jam🖤
Chrispy
relevant again in 2017 (soon to be 2018)...amazing song and group
Just Somebody
"they're building walls to tonight"
lol this song predicted the future XD
Saurabh
nice track!!
ThomasPinching
god damn this is good
David Briseno-Smith
haha damn i actually like it
Amalgam80
So. So good.