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
Jam It in the Hole
Electric Six Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We're from the 80s and we're here to help.
That's when the lion awoke and Mephistopheles spoke.
He said, "You still got some time, baby, there's still time to choke."
That's where her majesty dines on perpendicular lines.
So, stop making me stop, we are good times.
And I don't even know.
It keeps repeating,
It keeps repeating,
It keeps repeating, and I don't even know.
This job is taking its toll.
Sometime it be so droll.
You gotta jam it baby,
Go on and jam it in the hole.
We are your pleasure, whatever you use.
We are good times, in whatever form you choose.
No battery, but your lights are on.
Flesh fantasy and our love goes on and on.
Jam it in the hole.
Stop! We are good times.
It keeps pushing
It keeps pushing me down,
It keeps pushing.
Tell me are you gonna push, push?
It's just a sick ma-chine,
A certain fantasy,
An alternative version of what I need.
To fly a flag up a pole
It's an attainable goal.
Rock and Roll ride home.
Just go and jam it in the hole.
Jam it in the hole.
Jam it in the hole.
Stop! We are good times.
I am god's love, baby.
I'm Courtney Love, baby.
Who the hell are you?
No battery, but your lights are still on.
Flesh fantasy and our love goes on and on.
We are your pleasure, whatever you use.
We are good times, in whatever form you choose.
No battery, but your lights are still on.
Flesh fantasy and our love goes on and on.
We are your pleasure, whatever you use.
We are good times, in whatever form you choose.
What is the market value of a soul?
Kids keep jamming it into the hole.
The lyrics of Electric Six's "Jam It in the Hole" are a bit tricky to fully comprehend but can be interpreted as a fun, tongue-in-cheek tribute to the hedonistic excess and pleasure-seeking lifestyle of the '80s, mixed with some existential contemplation about the meaning of life.
The opening lines "Stop! We are good times. We're from the 80s and we're here to help" set the tone of the song as a throwback to the era of materialism, big hair, and kitsch. The reference to Mephistopheles, a demon from German folklore, suggests a subversive undercurrent to the upbeat tone, as if the song is acknowledging the devilish allure of excess and consumption.
The chorus is a catchy repeated phrase that highlights the hedonistic, pleasure-seeking nature of the song: "It keeps repeating, and I don't even know... Jam it in the hole." The repeated use of this phrase throughout the song suggests a carnal, primal desire to experience pleasure and excitement, without any deeper meaning attached.
The bridge section, which includes the lines "What is the market value of a soul? Kids keep jamming it into the hole," suggests a deeper, more philosophical level to the song. Here, the lyrics seem to question the meaning and purpose of life, while acknowledging the irresistible force of human desire for pleasure and instant gratification.
In summary, "Jam It in the Hole" is a fun, quirky song that celebrates the excess of the '80s while also acknowledging the fleeting nature of pleasure and the deeper questions of life. It's a song that can be enjoyed on a surface level as a playful dance track but also invites deeper reflection on the human experience.
Line by Line Meaning
Stop! We are good times.
We are here to provide a good time, so halt whatever you're doing and enjoy.
We're from the 80s and we're here to help.
We are a throwback to the 80s and our aim is to assist in the pursuit of hedonistic pleasure.
That's when the lion awoke and Mephistopheles spoke. He said, "You still got some time, baby, there's still time to choke."
This is a reference to the devil and how there is still an opportunity to indulge in pleasure while it is still possible.
That's where her majesty dines on perpendicular lines. So, stop making me stop, we are good times.
The location of the queen's dining is irrelevant, so stop detracting from the good times we're providing.
And I don't even know. It keeps repeating, It keeps repeating, It keeps repeating, and I don't even know.
The repetition is indicative of a monotonous existence and a lack of choice in the matter.
This job is taking its toll. Sometime it be so droll. You gotta jam it baby, Go on and jam it in the hole.
Working life can be dull and tedious, so it's important to find pleasure wherever possible, even in unconventional ways.
We are your pleasure, whatever you use. We are good times, in whatever form you choose. No battery, but your lights are on. Flesh fantasy and our love goes on and on.
We are a source of pleasure for you, offering myriad possibilities for enjoyment. Our energy is endless, fuelled by your fantasies and desires.
Stop! We are good times. It keeps pushing It keeps pushing me down, It keeps pushing. Tell me are you gonna push, push?
We are still providing good times, but the monotony of life can get one down. Will you help us push through it?
It's just a sick ma-chine, A certain fantasy, An alternative version of what I need. To fly a flag up a pole It's an attainable goal. Rock and Roll ride home. Just go and jam it in the hole.
Our existence is like a twisted, pleasurable machine that fulfills a certain fantasy. Though unconventional, it is achievable and worth pursuing. We implore you to indulge in the pleasure we offer.
I am god's love, baby. I'm Courtney Love, baby. Who the hell are you?
We are icons of pleasure and love, and we assert our dominance and superiority over you.
What is the market value of a soul? Kids keep jamming it into the hole.
The value of one's soul is irrelevant when weighed against the pursuit of pleasure. Young people are indulging in pleasure without restraint and embracing life to the fullest.
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Bill Perrin
One of the times I saw E6 live, Dick introduced this as "the best song I've ever written."
I agree.
Pazuzu4All
If all disco was like this, then it never would have "died." This song is that good.
Suttu666
This song is going to be the "credits roll" after I'm gone.... I'll put that in my will!
Night Survivor
'No battery but your lights are on'
THE BEST
Brian Crawford
"Low battery, but your lights are on." FTFY
Kipros Lofitis
If this band was any more underrated, they would triumph in parallel universe. (I don't know what I mean by this, but yet my logic fails me when I'm trying to make any sense of how underrated they are)
longinus
I found e6 because of the high voltage video and listened to more of their stuff because i thought the video was funny. I listened to more of their stuff and that quickly turned into them being one of my favorite bands of all time. The range in the type of music they are able to play well mixed with the comedic nature of the lyrics is vastly underappreciated.
Kipros Lofitis
@longinus Agree. And the frontman is way too charismatic for their under-appreciated status.
nonnipe
Pure brilliance 👍
Not Interested
Just a wonderful song.