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 7"
Electronic Lyrics
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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
In the song "Get the Message" by Electronic, the singer is addressing their lover or romantic interest who has been a support system for them, like a brick wall. The use of the metaphor of the brick wall is interesting as typically, this concrete structure would imply a barrier or obstacle, but here it takes on a positive connotation, as if the person is strong, reliable and dependable. The next line "built like an angel, six feet tall" continues this juxtaposition of strength and grace, as well as playing on the idiom, "six feet under" which connotes death. The singer implies that their admiration of this person is almost spiritual.
However, when the person leaves, the singer is filled with sadness and feels that their company is too expensive to keep. This could be interpreted in different ways; the person might be high maintenance or emotionally draining in some way, or simply too good for the singer to keep up with. This creates a sense of unease or confusion, and the singer doesn’t know how to handle the situation, leading to sin or immoral behavior. The singer's point of view is then introduced as independent, but they become vulnerable and reliant on the lover, who they ask to "repair my broken wing" which could represent a part of them that is damaged, possibly emotional or mental. Overall, the song seems to deal with themes of love, dependence, and confusion around the nature of relationships.
Line by Line Meaning
I've always thought of you as my brick wall
I have long considered you my strong foundation
Built like an angel, six feet tall
You possess a heavenly, imposing figure
Six feet tall
I am emphasizing your impressive height
And when you go away, I start to weep
When you are absent, I become emotional and cry
You're too expensive girl to keep
Your upkeep demands more than I am willing or able to provide
Isn't it sweet?
I am being ironically sentimental
I don't know where to begin, living in sin
I am at a loss as to how to address our morally questionable lifestyle
How can we talk? Look where you've been
Your actions have put us in a difficult position, how can we communicate about it?
I've counted the nights of living in sin
I have spent many sleepless nights reflecting on our morally questionable behavior
How can we talk? Look where we've been
Our past actions have made it challenging to have open and honest discussions
Take my independent point of view
I offer you my objective perspective
I've loosened my wallet, thanks to you
I have spent more money because of you, whether I wanted to or not
Don't do me any favors
I am not interested in receiving any special treatment
Hark, the herald angels sting
I am alluding to the carol 'Hark! The Herald Angels Sing', but with a negative twist
Please repair my broken wing
I am vulnerable and in need of help
Why won't you look at me? I live and breathe
I am frustrated that you are not acknowledging my existence and importance to you
(We can make it all the time, to live or die)
We have the ability to succeed or fail together
Blame it on appearance
We are judged based on our physical appearance
It might seem
This could be the appearance, but not necessarily the truth
A shame that we're
It is unfortunate that we are
Not you or me
We are not identical, but we do share responsibility for our situation
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: BERNARD (GB 2) SUMNER, JOHNNY MARR
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind