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
It's Showtime
Electric Six Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
do things to make em adore ya
show em why you were born
and put a little mustard on it
don't tell me what time it is now
don't tell me what time it is now
i know what time it is now
it's showtime - showtime
teach the world to move to your sound
hop around and twirl around
and put a little mustard on it
don't tell me who to love or hate now
don't tell me who to love or hate now
don't tell me who to love or hate now
don't tell me who to love or hate now
cause I'm totally filled with hate now
I'm totally filled with hate now
it's showtime
one for the money
two for the show
it is all done with computers
hey mister!
put a little mustard on that mustard!
don't tell me how to do my job now
don't tell me how to do my job now
don't tell me how to do my job now
cause I'm totally doin my job now
I'm totally doin my job now
showtime
The lyrics of the song “It’s Showtime!” by Electric Six revolves around the concept of performing and impressing others. The opening lines of the song, “get out on the floor, do things to make 'em adore ya, show 'em why you were born and put a little mustard on it,” encourages the listener to display their talents and abilities to the world. The phrase “put a little mustard on it” can be interpreted as adding a unique touch or flavor to one’s performance.
The chorus of the song, “don't tell me what time it is now, I know what time it is now, it's showtime - showtime,” highlights the idea that the performer is fully aware of the importance of the moment and is ready to seize it. The following lines, “teach the world to move to your sound, hop around and twirl around and put a little mustard on it,” encourages the performer to influence and inspire their audience to move and groove along with them.
The verse “don't tell me who to love or hate now, 'cause I'm totally filled with hate now,” seems to take a pessimistic turn, suggesting that perhaps the performer does not have the same level of enthusiasm or passion for the show they are putting on, and may simply be going through the motions. Overall, the song “It’s Showtime!” serves as a motivating and energizing anthem to encourage individuals to showcase their talents and seize the moment while putting their unique stamp on things.
Line by Line Meaning
get out on the floor
Step up and showcase your talent
do things to make em adore ya
Impress and win over the audience with your abilities
show em why you were born
Demonstrate your purpose and worth through your performance
and put a little mustard on it
Add some extra flair and enthusiasm to your act
don't tell me what time it is now
I am aware of the imminent event
i know what time it is now
I am fully aware and ready for the show
it's showtime - showtime
The show is starting now
teach the world to move to your sound
Make the world dance to your beat
hop around and twirl around
Perform fancy and energetic moves
and put a little mustard on it
Make your moves more exciting and dynamic
don't tell me who to love or hate now
I reject attempts to influence my emotions
cause I'm totally filled with hate now
I am aggravated and hostile
it's showtime
The beginning of the spectacle is here
one for the money
The show is starting and it's lucrative
two for the show
An exciting and entertaining performance is about to happen
it is all done with computers
The performance is aided by technology
hey mister!
An exclamation to grab attention
put a little mustard on that mustard!
Make everything even more flamboyant and vibrant
don't tell me how to do my job now
I am confident in my abilities and decisions
cause I'm totally doin my job now
I am focused and committed to my performance
showtime
The show is underway
Writer(s): SPENCER TYLER
Contributed by Scarlett F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
DoctorStarky
This is a great song to wake up to in the morning. It pumps me up captures exactly how I feel when I wake up early.
anolki
deadass one of my fav electric six songs ever
mantis mantis
i love this song so much..
Devin Olson
They opened with this song once and it was the best thing ever
Peter Hoeller
I love how Dick is channeling the "HEY MISTER!" from Donna Summer's "Bad Girls"
CaptainSkelebones
PUT A LITTLE MUSTARD ON THAT MUSTARD!
hymnofashes
I did a sexy dance and tore off my shirt to this song on New Year's Eve. It works.
mantis mantis
it is all done with computers......yes..i love this so much..!
Sashaa
Hold the line!
Boxboro
Holy shit it's been 8 years...