1. An alterna… Read Full Bio ↴There are two artists that have used the name Electric Six
1. An alternative rock band from the United States
2. A musical group from South Africa
1. Electric Six is a six-piece Detroit-based rock band consisting of Dick Valentine (vocals), Tait Nucleus? (synthesizers), Johhny Na$hinal (guitar), Da Ve (guitar), Percussion World (drums), and Smorgasboard (bass) who play a mix of rock, funk and disco.
The band's first notorious formation comprised Valentine, Rock and Roll Indian (guitar), Surge Joebot (guitar), Disco (bass, former member of Detroit Cobras), and M (drums). Dick Valentine (real name Tyler Spencer) has always been the primary songwriter (both music and lyrics) of Electric Six, currently and under their former incarnation, when they were known as the Wildbunch. During the band's temporary split at the end of the 1990s, Spencer formed his own band called The Dirty Shame and released one CD entitled Smog Cutter Love Story which featured, among other tracks, a first version of Fire track "Vengeance and Fashion". The band reformed by 2001 to record and release the first release of 'Danger! High Voltage' and record the track 'Dealin' With Death N' Stealin' In The Name Of The Lord' with Troy Gregory for his Sybil album.
Electric Six fuses rock and punk with the laid-back funky rhythms and falsetto vocals of disco, and a distinctly comic touch. However, they tend to reject such genre classifications as disco-metal and disco punk. They formed the band in 1996 and were initially known as The Wildbunch, eventually dropping that name due to pressure from the Bristol trip-hop collection of the same name. Throughout the latter half of the '90s, they played about once a month at the Magic Bag in Ferndale, Magic Stick, and the now-defunct Gold Dollar in Detroit, the center of a scene that produced breakout acts like the White Stripes.
Electric Six's 2002 breakout single "Danger! High Voltage" was an infectious dance-rock number, and Jack White from The White Stripes helped sing back up vocals to this track. White has denied this, though Spencer has confirmed it in several interviews. The single reached number 2 on the UK singles chart, and they enjoy icon status in that nation.
Their second single, "Gay Bar", released in 2003, became a hit as well in the UK, reaching #5 in the charts and further aided the group's growth. Curiously, in the American Radio Edit of this track, The words "Nuclear War" are censored with whip-crack sound effects. After fulfilling their recording duties (namely their debut album) three members left in June, leaving Dick Valentine, Tait Nucleus? (synthesizer), and M.
The Colonel (Zach Shipps, guitar, ex-member of Brendan Benson and Mood Elevator), John R Dequindre (guitar and whose stage name is a combination of two Detroit streets) and Frank Lloyd Bonaventure (bass) subsequently joined the group, though they had all been credited on the album and most had been associated with the group for some time. At that time, they were touring in the UK, and they managed to seamlessly replace the members without interrupting the gigs. In time, Johnny Na$hinal joined the group on guitar, Dequindre switched to bass, and Bonaventure switched to law school.
The band's sophomore album, Señor Smoke, was released in the UK on February 14, 2005. Percussion World replaced M on drums around the same time.
The first single from the album put the band at the center of controversy, especially with Queen fans following a cover of the Queen hit song "Radio Ga Ga". The controversial music video shows lead singer Dick Valentine as the ghost of Queen's flamboyant lead singer Freddie Mercury and a backing band of poodles. Queen drummer Roger Taylor, who wrote the song, said that he was "unimpressed" with the video; however, Queen guitarist Brian May reportedly liked it. Electric Six claims they were contractually obligated to commit the song to the album. Issues with Warner Brothers caused a switch to Metropolis Records, who released Señor Smoke in the US.
Switzerland was released in September 2006. A plethora of videos have also been released, and a fan contribution contest led to the video for the single "I Buy the Drugs."
I Shall Exterminate Everything Around Me That Restricts Me From Being the Master was released in October 2007. Their next album, titled Flashy, was released in October 2008. In October 2009, their sixth album, KILL, was released. The 7th album, Zodiac was released on September 28, 2010, with one tour-exclusive single ("Jam it in the Hole") and the 8th, Heartbeats and Brainwaves, on October 11th 2011.
A double live album is set for release in 2012.
2. Electric Six was a Soweto-based South African combo active in the 1960s and 1970s
I'm the Bomb
Electric Six Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
In the body of a beautiful girl?
And I suspect heavy gerrymandering
At the single's bar
And now
I'm a man with conversation skills
And I'm a man with hundred dollar bills
Is all it's gonna take now
Come on
I know you think I'm just another sucker perpetrator
Livin' in the two-one-three.
And I don't care what you say about any of that, no
It don't matter to me, and
I see you drivin' the wheel in your fancy car
You're a superstar livin' in the three-one-oh
And I will freak you like you've never been freaked before, now
And I'm ready to go, yeah
Come on now
Three two one I'm the bomb
And I'm ready to go off on your ship
Three two one I'm the bomb
And I'm ready to go off on your ship
Three two one I'm the bomb
And I'm ready to go off
Ready to go off, now
Hey girl, when I'm fuckin' you
It's like nothin' else matters.
Maybe we'll reach down between my legs
And ease the seat back.
Three-two-one I'm the bomb
And I'm ready to go off on your ship
Three-two-one I'm the bomb
And I'm ready to go off on your ship
Three-two-one I'm the bomb
And I'm ready to go off on your ship
Three-two-one I'm the bomb
And I'm ready to go off
Ready to go off, now
The lyrics of Electric Six's "I'm the Bomb" are a commentary on power dynamics, gender roles, and social status in relationships. The opening lines challenge the listener with the question, "Who elected you judge and jury in the body of a beautiful girl?" This suggests that the person being addressed is taking on a dominant role in the relationship simply by virtue of their physical appearance, rather than through any qualities of character or intelligence. The second line, "And I suspect heavy gerrymandering at the single's bar," reinforces this sense of corruption and manipulation, suggesting that the object of desire is unfairly manipulating the social scene to their advantage.
Despite this, the singer claims to possess both conversation skills and financial resources, suggesting that they too have power to bring to the table. However, they are also aware that their attraction to the other person is largely based on physical desire, as they admit that "just a look" in their direction is all it takes to captivate them. The second verse further emphasizes this sexual attraction, with graphic references to the sexual act itself. This theme is expressed more directly in the chorus, with its repeated declaration that "I'm the bomb," reinforcing the idea that the singer sees themselves as powerful and desirable, even if in reality they are being manipulated by the object of their desire.
Overall, "I'm the Bomb" is a critique of toxic relationship dynamics, in which power is unequally distributed and people are objectified or degraded. The song encourages listeners to think critically about the power dynamics at play in their own relationships, and to strive for mutual respect and healthy communication.
Line by Line Meaning
Now who elected you judge and jury
Why do you think you have the power to judge others?
In the body of a beautiful girl?
Do you think your beauty makes you superior?
And I suspect heavy gerrymandering
I think the singles bar is rigged
And now
But now that I am here
I'm a man with conversation skills
I am confident in my ability to communicate
And I'm a man with hundred dollar bills
I have financial security
And just a look my direction one time
If you give me a chance and look towards me once
Is all it's gonna take now
I know I can impress you with just one glance
Come on
Let's get this started
I know you think I'm just another sucker perpetrator
You underestimate my worth
Livin' in the two-one-three.
Living in the city (zip code) 213
And I don't care what you say about any of that, no
I don't need your validation
It don't matter to me, and
Your opinions do not affect me
I see you drivin' the wheel in your fancy car
I notice your luxurious lifestyle
You're a superstar livin' in the three-one-oh
You live in the city (zip code) of 310, and you think you're a star
And I will freak you like you've never been freaked before, now
I can excite you in ways you've never experienced
And I'm ready to go, yeah
I am eager and willing
Hey girl, when I'm fuckin' you
During the act of sex
It's like nothin' else matters.
Nothing else is as important as being intimate with you
Maybe we'll reach down between my legs
Perhaps you will touch me in a way that gives us both pleasure
And ease the seat back.
And recline the seats of our car
Three-two-one I'm the bomb
I am confident and ready
And I'm ready to go off on your ship
I am prepared to give you the best experience
Ready to go off, now
I am ready for action
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: ANTHONY SELPH, CORY MARTIN, JOSEPH FREZZA, STEPHEN NAWARA, TYLER SPENCER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Hurribrain
Hello! Director here. I have no idea why or how this video still remains relevant over a decade later, but believe me when I say it sincerely warms my heart to know it's had such an insanely positive effect on so many of you. You are all the best!
@redcoltken
as long as lectures have empty rooms - this vid will always be relevant
@camillosteuss
Seen this vid a long time ago, before i even knew anything about e6, then i forgot about this video for over a decade, and now i see it again, remembering the thing just by seeing the first few seconds... Wow... Been a while... And now i actually know of e6 and like their stuff, so it makes the whole thing even more interesting as a tangent from the past...
@keithcromwell8872
It's honestly so well done that it just stuck with so many of us. Hell it's so well done that at one point I assumed it was the official music video for the song lol
@ww1980kolo
I come back to this regularly over the years. Brilliant stuff. Great job.
@jenniferwininger4970
Thanks.
@funkydanieluk
I only just realised that this wasn't the official video.
I don't care what anyone says, this guy in this video right here is officially The Bomb and always will be.
@waffleMccoy
what do you mean this isn't the official video?
@dusandragovic09srb
Ron Swanson: it's Art, anything is anything or everything is everything. =) Art! <3
@otherpatrickgill
yeah, "official" or not, this is the legitimate music video as it adds to the song.