They released three albums during the '90s, with their debut Electronic selling over a million copies worldwide. However, the follow-up Raise the Pressure, despite debuting in the UK Top 10, was a commercial flop by comparison. The group's highest charting singles is 1992's Disappointed, which reached #6 in the UK. The band's biggest American hit was 1989's Getting Away With It which reached #38 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Twisted Tenderness was released in 1999 and again hit the UK Top 10. This third and final studio album was co-produced by influential New York club DJ and dance producer Arthur Baker, with whom Sumner had previously worked on New Order's 1983 hit Confusion, amongst other songs. Marr and Sumner remained the only official members of the band, but were joined by Doves Jimi Goodwin on bass and Black Grape drummer Ged Lynch.
In September 2006 the duo's work was compiled on the album Get The Message - The Best Of Electronic.
Breakdown
Electronic Lyrics
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The lyrics to Electronic's song Breakdown paint a picture of a relationship that has gone sour, as one person decides that they need to leave their partner behind. The singer of the song is clear that they do not love their partner and they feel that they are wasting their time being together. The use of the phrase "come on give me a reason" suggests that the partner has been trying to convince the singer to stay, but they have decided that they need to move on.
The verses of the song describe the singer's feelings of being trapped in the relationship, with lines like "I'm a victim of your misfortune in a terminal decline" and "My heart is on fire but it's burning low, I can't get much higher there's nowhere to go." These lyrics suggest that the singer feels drained and suffocated by the relationship, and they see no hope for the future.
The repeated use of the refrain "breakdown, breakdown" adds a sense of urgency to the song, as if the singer is trying to convince themselves that they need to leave before they have a breakdown. Overall, the lyrics to Breakdown convey a sense of frustration and desperation, as the singer struggles to find a way out of a toxic relationship.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm gonna leave you baby so far behind
I am going to distance myself from you, my beloved partner.
cause you're upset and twisted and you're out of your mind
You are emotionally unstable and irrational, causing stress and chaos in our relationship.
and you know I don't love you and we're wasting our time
You are aware that my love for you is fading, and we are simply prolonging the inevitable break-up.
come on give me a reason help me make up my mind
Please provide me with a justification to end this relationship once and for all.
There are cold days in this winter but it's not my design
Although the current circumstances may be unpleasant and chilly, it is not my intention for things to turn out this way.
I'm a victim of your misfortune in a terminal decline
I feel as though I am being dragged down by your unfortunate experiences and current downward trajectory.
breakdown, breakdown, breakdown, breakdown, breakdown, breakdown, breakdown, breakdown,
Repetition of the word 'breakdown' suggests a looming sense of chaos, frustration, and disconnect in the relationship.
I'm gonna leave you baby so far behind
Reiteration of the desire to distance oneself from the relationship.
cause you're fucked up and twisted and you're out of your mind
A more blunt and vulgar way of saying that the partner is emotionally unstable and irrational.
and you know I don't love you and we're wasting our time
Restating the awareness that love is diminishing and the relationship is futile.
come on give me a reason help me make up my mind
Repeating the plea for justification to end the relationship.
I don't know what lies in the future I don't know how long it will last
Uncertainty towards the future of the relationship and its longevity.
you could lose yourself in the task
The singer is warning the partner that they could easily become consumed by the relationship, to the point of losing themselves to it entirely.
My heart is on fire but its burning low I can't get much higher there's no where to go
The singer's passion and excitement for the relationship has dwindled significantly, and there is no room for growth or further development.
breakdown breakdown, breakdown, breakdown, breakdown, breakdown, breakdown, breakdown, breakdown, breakdown, breakdown, breakdown, breakdown, breakdown, breakdown, breakdown
Repetition of the word 'breakdown' doubles down on the sense of impending chaos and disconnect.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: JEREMY DAVIS, NIGEL EVANS, STUART NEALE, MICHAEL NEWMAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@shannonstearns3008
Impossible to find now, thank you so much!
@sharpclay
I bought this CD at random when it first came out......... I was totally floored when I realized that I had stumbled upon a masterpiece. Incredible from beginning to end! Many Thanks from Florida!!!
@BreconWalsh
@jamesdeanlovespunk
4 years ago
It still TOTALLY AMAZES ME that the Pet Shops Boys, New Order and The Smiths effectively came together to form Electronic. It's astounding - and it was brilliant!
@josephboston7354
This album is so damned good.
@Bagpuss47
plus bernard played bass on this with jimmi from doves
@georgestricker9156
so good
@chuckrittling7421
bow to Johnny!
@TheSuperSuke
This song predicted what would happen to Japan in near the future after its release, according to the lyrics...
@BozCobra
Really?