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
Nuclear War
Electric Six Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
On the dance floor
Nuclear war
On the dance floor
Electric Six is on time
Your a pretty, pretty, pretty,pretty,pretty,pretty,pretty,pretty,pretty,
Pretty,pretty,pretty,pretty,pretty girl
You can do a lot of things with that.
Nuclear War
On the dance floor
Nclear war
On the dance floor
[Solo]
The lyrics to Electric Six's song Nuclear War in itself is quite provocative and references to a potential apocalypse, but it is sung in a satirical way that masks the darker meaning behind the words. The phrase "Nuclear war, on the dance floor" is repeated multiple times throughout the song but is sung in a lighthearted way that seems to make light of an event that would be devastating to humanity if it were to actually occur.
The song appears to be about mixing pleasure with danger and considering the callous references to sex and nuclear war, it can be viewed as a metaphor for the way humankind often recklessly ends up entangled in precarious situations without realizing the danger. Lyrics like "Electric Six is on time, Electric lovin a sex crime" with a repeated refrain of "You're a pretty girl. You can do a lot of things with that" seem to imply a sense of urgency to live in the moment because the end of the world might be just around the corner.
Overall, it is clear that the lyrics to Nuclear War in the dancefloor are provocative, satire, and not to be taken too seriously. However, it is an interesting commentary on how we approach danger and pleasure in life, ultimately leaving listeners with the question of whether we should focus on living in the moment or preparing for the worst.
Line by Line Meaning
Nuclear war
A figurative war occurring on the dance floor, potentially referencing the intense competitiveness and chaos of dance battles or club culture.
On the dance floor
The location of the 'war' or intense competition referenced in the song.
Electric Six is on time
The band is punctual and reliable, potentially as a statement of their confidence and readiness for this figurative 'war.'
Electric lovin a sex crime
The band's aggressive and intense energy is potentially sexual in nature and may be seen as taboo or controversial.
Your a pretty, pretty, pretty,pretty,pretty,pretty,pretty,pretty,pretty, Pretty,pretty,pretty,pretty,pretty girl
Addressing a female subject, potentially describing her as exceptionally beautiful with the repetition of the word 'pretty.'
You can do a lot of things with that.
The subject's beauty can potentially be leveraged for power or influence in the ongoing 'war' on the dance floor. This line may also carry provocative or sexual undertones.
Nuclear War
Repeating the song's central theme of a figurative 'war,' potentially indicating that the song itself will continue to build in intensity and competition.
On the dance floor
Reiterating the location of the 'war' and emphasizing its importance to the song's message and energy.
[Solo]
A musical break in the song, potentially giving the listener a moment to reflect on the energy and meaning of the song thus far.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: ANTHONY SELPH, CORY MARTIN, JOSEPH FREZZA, STEPHEN NAWARA, TYLER SPENCER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind