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
People Like You
Electric Six Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But the more I think about it that someone must have been you
Did you actually read your books at school?
'Cause you really don't seem ready for the drop of the other shoe
Wasting all your time howling at a half moon
Adding a little doom and gloom to your doom and gloom
You can do what you do
And I-I-I-I don't like you
And I-I-I-I don't want you here
Oh dear
Is that the best that you can do?
'Cause it really doesn't seem like you went ahead and thought it through
Yelling 'til you turn blue
But you better call that bluff before it goes ahead and calls you
And I really don't care whose side you're on
This here ain't a sprint
This is a marathon
You can say what you say
But I'd really like it if you just went away
And I-I-I-I can't take you
And I-I-I-I don't want you here
Not near
You say:
Can we talk about this later?
Can we talk about this later?
Blinded by your self adulation
Deafened by your heinous orations
Hey hey!
Give us a break you big baby!
Solo!
You can do what you do
But I got bigger fish to fry than you
And I-I-I-I don't like you
And I-I-I-I don't want you here
And I-I-I-I can't take you
And I-I-I-I don't want you here
The lyrics to Electric Six's song "People Like You" seem to be addressing someone who may have portrayed themselves as cool or important, but the singer doubts their personality and actions. It starts off with the suggestion that someone told the singer that this person was cool, but the more they think about it, they believe that the person may have been the one who claimed to be cool in the first place. This suggests a sense of skepticism and doubt.
The following lines question the person's level of education, asking if they really read their books at school, implying that they do not seem prepared for future challenges. The line about "the drop of the other shoe" suggests that there may be more negative aspects to this person's character that have yet to be revealed.
The chorus emphasizes the singer's indifference and dislike towards this person. They have more important things to focus on and do not want the person around. The lyrics express a desire for the person to go away and leave them alone.
The second verse continues to criticize the person, questioning if their actions were well-thought-out and highlighting the ineffectiveness of their yelling. The line about not caring which side the person is on suggests that their stance is irrelevant in the grand scheme of things. The mention of a marathon implies that life is not just a short race but a long journey, suggesting that the person's actions are insignificant.
The bridge mocks the person's request to talk about the issue later, as the singer believes they are too self-absorbed and loud to engage in a productive conversation. The plea to give others a break and the use of the phrase "big baby" reinforce the idea that the person is acting immaturely.
Overall, the song seems to be a critique of someone who falsely presents themselves as important or cool, but is ultimately seen as insignificant and annoying by the singer.
Line by Line Meaning
Someone told me you were cool
Somebody may have given the impression that you are cool
But the more I think about it that someone must have been you
However, upon reflection, it appears that you were the one who spread that notion about yourself
Did you actually read your books at school?
Are you truly knowledgeable or did you just pretend to study?
'Cause you really don't seem ready for the drop of the other shoe
You don't appear prepared for the consequences or repercussions that may arise
Wasting all your time howling at a half moon
You're wasting your time and effort on something insignificant or futile
Adding a little doom and gloom to your doom and gloom
You're compounding negativity onto an already negative situation
You can do what you do
You are free to continue behaving as you do
But I got bigger fish to fry than you
I have more important matters to attend to than dealing with you
And I-I-I-I don't like you
I do not have a positive opinion or feeling towards you
And I-I-I-I don't want you here
I do not desire your presence or involvement in this situation
Oh dear
Expressing a mild sense of concern or disappointment
Is that the best that you can do?
Are the actions or arguments you're presenting the best you can offer?
'Cause it really doesn't seem like you went ahead and thought it through
It appears that you didn't fully consider the implications or consequences before acting or speaking
Yelling 'til you turn blue
Continuously shouting or arguing until exhaustion or frustration
But you better call that bluff before it goes ahead and calls you
You should expose or challenge the deceptive or insincere aspects of your behavior before they are exposed by others
And I really don't care whose side you're on
I genuinely have no interest or concern regarding whose support or alliance you have
This here ain't a sprint
This situation or circumstance is not a short-term, quickly resolved event
This is a marathon
It is a long, enduring challenge or task
You can say what you say
Feel free to articulate your opinions or statements
But I'd really like it if you just went away
However, it would greatly please me if you simply departed from this situation
And I-I-I-I can't take you
I am unable to tolerate or handle your presence or actions
And I-I-I-I don't want you here
I have no desire for you to be present in this situation
You say:
You express the following:
Can we talk about this later?
Would it be possible to discuss this matter at a later time?
Blinded by your self adulation
You are unable to see or acknowledge your own excessive self-praise or admiration
Deafened by your heinous orations
Your abhorrent, offensive speeches have caused significant aural discomfort
Hey hey!
An exclamation used to catch attention or express emphasis
Give us a break you big baby!
Please grant us some respite from your immature and childish behavior
Solo!
An instruction for a solo performance or musical interlude
You can do what you do
You are capable of continuing your current actions
But I got bigger fish to fry than you
I have more significant matters to address than dealing with you
And I-I-I-I don't like you
I have a strong distaste or aversion towards you
And I-I-I-I don't want you here
I have no desire for you to be present in this situation
And I-I-I-I can't take you
I am unable to tolerate or cope with your presence or conduct
And I-I-I-I don't want you here
I have no interest in having you near me or involved in this situation
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
THCSecular
I wouldn't have thought electric six could make me really feel something. This is an amazing piece of work.
Mr Frodizzle
One of their finest love songs.
Dick you are my favorite escaped lunatics who somehow managed to write pure poetry, bravo sir.
And now tears and a smoke should do it.
Lewis Wilkinson
This deserves some major attention...