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.
Get the Message
Electronic Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Built like an angel, six feet tall
Six feet tall
And when you go away, I start to weep
You're too expensive girl to keep
Isn't it sweet?
I don't know where to begin, living in sin
I've counted the nights of living in sin
How can we talk? Look where we've been
Take my independent point of view
I've loosened my wallet, thanks to you
Don't do me any favors
Hark, the herald angels sting
Please repair my broken wing
Why won't you look at me? I live and breathe
(We can make it all the time, to live or die)
Blame it on appearance
It might seem
A shame that we're
Not you or me
The song "Get the Message" by Electronic is a love song that explores the complexities and difficulties of a romantic relationship. The lyrics "I've always thought of you as my brick wall, built like an angel, six feet tall" suggests that the singer views their lover as someone strong and dependable, but also perhaps impenetrable, as a brick wall. The mention of them being "six feet tall" could also be interpreted as them being larger than life, important, and influential in the singer's life.
However, the second line "And when you go away, I start to weep, you're too expensive girl to keep" suggests that the relationship is not easy, perhaps due to financial struggles or differing priorities. The singer is sad when their lover leaves, as they cannot afford to keep them around. The repetition of the phrase "living in sin" indicates that there might be societal or moral pressures on the couple, as they are not married, adding to the complications of their relationship.
The lines "Please repair my broken wing, why won't you look at me? I live and breathe" further emphasize the singer's vulnerability and need for their lover's attention and care. The use of imagery of a "broken wing" suggests that the singer is wounded and in need of healing, but their lover is not paying attention, adding to their emotional pain. The song's chorus "We can make it all the time, to live or die" suggests that the singer is willing to work through the difficulties of the relationship and is hopeful for a brighter future together.
Line by Line Meaning
I've always thought of you as my brick wall
I have always considered you to be someone I can always rely on, someone who is very strong.
Built like an angel, six feet tall
You are an exceptional creation and incredibly strong. An angel-like figure, you stand tall at a height of six feet.
Six feet tall
You are six feet tall, a towering figure.
And when you go away, I start to weep
When you leave or go away from me, I start to cry as I will miss you dearly.
You're too expensive girl to keep
You are really precious and valuable to me, and it's an immense effort to hold onto you.
Isn't it sweet?
Isn't it great to have someone like you in my life?
I don't know where to begin, living in sin
I don't know where to start discussing our relationship, which some people may consider immoral.
How can we talk? Look where you've been
We cannot have a conversation without evaluating your past actions, which might not be considered acceptable.
I've counted the nights of living in sin
I have been counting the number of nights we've lived together, considered sinful by some, with immense guilt and apprehension.
How can we talk? Look where we've been
It's challenging for us to communicate effectively, considering our history and the way we've lived together.
Take my independent point of view
Please accept and consider my unbiased, independent perspective on things.
I've loosened my wallet, thanks to you
To show my appreciation and gratitude, I have spent more money than I would have, all thanks to you.
Don't do me any favors
You need not offer me any significant help, as I can take care of myself.
Hark, the herald angels sting
Hear the painful reality of our love being broadcast, similar to the piercing sharpness of an angel's sting.
Please repair my broken wing
I'm in agony and despair; please help me heal my wounds and feel better.
Why won't you look at me? I live and breathe
I am alive and breathing, and I have immense love for you. Thus, why won't you pay attention to me?
(We can make it all the time, to live or die)
We can triumph over all odds, even if it costs us our lives.
Blame it on appearance
You can attribute it to my physical appearance or the way I look.
It might seem
It may appear or sound as such, but it's not accurate.
A shame that we're
It's regrettable that we, as a couple or individuals, have to face such hardships.
Not you or me
It's not your fault or mine, but rather the consequences of our actions and love story.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: BERNARD (GB 2) SUMNER, JOHNNY MARR
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
dulapeep
I've always thought of you as my brick wall
Built like an angel, six feet tall
Six feet tall
And when you go away, I start to weep
You're too expensive girl to keep
Isn't it sweet?
I don't know where to begin, living in sin
How can we talk? Look where you've been
I've counted the nights of living in sin
How can we talk? Look where we've been
Take my independent point of view
I've loosened my wallet, thanks to you
Don't do me any favors
Hark, the herald angels sting
Please repair my broken wing
Why won't you look at me? I live and breathe
Blame it on appearance
It might seem
A shame that we're
Not you or me
Shau Kanto
[Verse 1]
I've always thought of you as my brick wall
Built like an angel, six feet tall
Six feet tall
And when you go away, I start to weep
You're too expensive girl to keep
Isn't it sweet?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[Chorus]
I don't know where to begin, living in sin
How can we talk? Look where you've been
I've counted the nights, living in sin
How can we talk? Look where we've been
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[Verse 2]
Take my independent point of view
I've loosened my wallet, thanks to you
Don't do me any favors
Hark, the herald angels sting
Please repair my broken wing
Why won't you look at me? I live and breathe
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[Chorus]
I don't know where to begin, living in sin
How can we talk? Look where you've been
I've counted the nights of living in sin
How can we talk? Look where we've been
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I don't know where to begin, living in sin
How can we talk? Look where you've been
I've counted the nights of living in sin
How can we talk? Look where we've been
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
(We can make it all the time, to live or die)
(We can make it all the time, to live or die)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[Outro]
Living on peanuts ain't my scene
A shame that word rhymes with "mean"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Produced By
Johnny Marr & Bernard Sumner
Written By
Johnny Marr & Bernard Sumner
Release Date: April 15, 1991
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Blindfold
Rest In Peace Denise Johnson who provided the wondrous backing vocals to this track. A true Manchester legend.
Perrynn
I had no idea she had passed. RIP. Sad to hear.
Great comment and big respect to Electronic for an icon track.
Pamela Miller
@n N "We can make it all the time, to live or die. We can make it all the time, to live or die"
n N
I also just discovered Denise Johnson was the singer who sang at the very end of this song and I've been trying to figure out what she's singing for the last 30 years! Anyone have a clue?
Brian Cox
Denise Johnson was great. She did backing for Bernard Butler too.
SURRIE27
She had a Manchester voice we all loved and she was so underrated. Rest in peace Manchester bee. 🐝
God's Struggler
Everything that Bernard Sumner turns his hand to manages to soothe my soul. The partnership with Johnny Marr was inspired, producing such melodic and melancholic songs that I still love today. Timeless.
Lori N
I love that my 23 year old son just told me that he's been looking for this song forever, after hearing me play it for him as a little child.
350125GOW
You did good.
Phil Burkhill
How lovely ❤