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
Showtime
Electric Six Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Do things to make 'em adore you
Show 'em why you were born
And put a little mustard on it
Don't tell me what time it is now
I know what time it is now
Show time!
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
'Cause I'm totally filled with hate now
It's show time!
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
'Cause I'm totally doin' my job now
Show time!
The lyrics to Electric Six's song "Showtime" are all about putting on a good show and getting the audience adoring you. The song starts with encouraging the listener to get onto the dancefloor and show off what they've got. The use of the phrase "put a little mustard on it" is a metaphorical call to action for the listener to add some excitement to their performance. The lyrics similarly discourage anyone from telling them what time it is or who to love or hate, as they are fully focused on putting on a great show.
The chorus of "Showtime!" reinforces the idea that it's time to put on a performance for the ages, and to teach the world to move to your sound. The lyrics describe the need to hop and twirl around to make the performance exciting for those watching. The song ends with a playful nod to the use of technology, with the lyrics "It is all done with computers" suggesting that even the best shows are built on the latest technological advances.
Overall, "Showtime" is a fun and upbeat song that encourages the listener to embrace their performer side and put on a great show for all to see.
Line by Line Meaning
Get out on the floor
Start dancing and performing on the stage
Do things to make 'em adore you
Perform in a way that will impress and gain the admiration of the audience
Show 'em why you were born
Demonstrate your unique abilities and talents to the audience
And put a little mustard on it
Perform with extra energy and enthusiasm
Don't tell me what time it is now
I am aware of the time and don't need anyone reminding me
I know what time it is now
I am well-prepared and ready to perform on stage
It's show time!
It's time to begin the performance
Teach the world to move to your sound
Engage the audience and encourage them to dance and enjoy the music
Hop around and twirl around
Encourage the audience to move and dance in different ways
And put a little mustard on it
Perform with extra energy and enthusiasm
Don't tell me who to love or hate now
I am in control of my emotions and don't need anyone telling me how to feel
'Cause I'm totally filled with hate now
I am filled with intense passion and energy for my performance
It's show time!
It's time to begin the performance
One for the money
A catchphrase to pump up the audience and introduce the performance
Two for the show
A catchphrase to further pump up the audience and introduce the performance
It is all done with computers
A statement that the performance and music is pre-recorded, not live
Hey mister!
A playful and informal way of addressing someone
Put a little mustard on that mustard!
Add even more energy and enthusiasm to the performance
Don't tell me how to do my job now
I know how to perform and don't need anyone instructing me
'Cause I'm totally doin' my job now
I am fully and passionately engaged in performing my job
Show time!
A final call to begin the performance
Writer(s): Dave Kelly
Contributed by Dylan D. 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...