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.
Getting Away with It
Electronic Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I've been forcing myself not to forget just to feel worse
I've been getting away with it all my life
(Getting away)
However I look it's clear to see
That I love you more than you love me
However I look it's clear to see
I hate that mirror, it makes me feel so worthless
I'm an original sinner but when I'm with you I couldn't care less
I've been getting away with it all my life
Getting away with it all my life
(Getting away)
However I look it's clear to see
That I love you more than you love me
However I look it's clear to see
I love you more than you love me
I love you more than you love me
More than you love me
I thought I gave up falling in love a long long time ago
I guess I like it but I can't tell you, you shouldn't really know
And it's been true all my life
Yes, it's been true all my life
I've been talking to myself just to suggest that I'm selfish (getting ahead)
I've been trying to impress that more is less and I'm repressed (I should do what he said)
However I look it's clear to see
I love you more than you love me
However I look it's clear to see
I love you more than you love me
I love you more than you love me
I love you more than you love me
(Getting away with it)
(Getting away with it)
The lyrics of Electronic's song "Getting Away With It" delve into a complex mix of self-doubt, self-pity, and complicated love emotions. The phrase "getting away with it" represents a sense of guilt, that despite the "rain" and "mirror" making the singer feel worthless and self-absorbed, they keep getting away with it. The singer acknowledges their own selfishness, trying to convince themselves they are satisfied with less, while at the same time, they admit feeling unrequited love toward someone who doesn't reciprocate their feelings.
The first stanza suggests that the singer is intentionally making themselves feel worse by walking in the rain, forcing themselves not to forget. The repetition of "getting away with it" indicates that the singer feels they've been living a life of privilege, free of consequences. In contrast, the second stanza talks about the singer's perception of their own self-worth. They hate the mirror, and they acknowledge their own sinfulness, feeling worthless, yet when they're with their love interest, they feel care-free, implying they think their self-worth comes from this person.
The chorus repeats a couple of times, with the singer expressing their love for someone who doesn't return those same feelings. In the final stanza, the singer admits they thought they gave up on falling in love long ago. However, they are still conflicted about their feelings, and they feel they can't openly express them. The song concludes once again with the assertion that the singer is "getting away with it."
Line by Line Meaning
I've been walking in the rain just to get wet on purpose
I intentionally seek discomfort and pain to feel something, even if it's not good.
I've been forcing myself not to forget just to feel worse
I am actively reminding myself of past mistakes and regret to continue the cycle of self-punishment.
I've been getting away with it all my life
I've been able to keep up this destructive behavior without any consequences for a long time.
However I look it's clear to see
That I love you more than you love me
No matter how I try to hide it, it's obvious that I care about you more than you care about me.
I hate that mirror, it makes me feel so worthless
I'm an original sinner but when I'm with you I couldn't care less
Seeing my reflection reminds me of my flaws and failures, but I feel better about myself when I'm with you despite being guilty of wrongdoing.
I thought I gave up falling in love a long long time ago
I guess I like it but I can't tell you, you shouldn't really know
And it's been true all my life
Yes, it's been true all my life
I thought I was jaded and incapable of love, but I am experiencing those feelings again, although I fear revealing them to you.
I've been talking to myself just to suggest that I'm selfish (getting ahead)
I've been trying to impress that more is less and I'm repressed (I should do what he said)
I've been trying to convince myself that I'm only looking out for my own interests and that suppressing my emotions is the correct way to live, even though I know deep down it's not.
I love you more than you love me
I love you more than you love me
(Getting away with it)
(Getting away with it)
Despite all my flaws and destructive tendencies, I still have strong feelings for you that I can't ignore or deny.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: NEIL TENNANT, BERNARD SUMNER, JOHNNY MARR
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@richardbroderick2374
2024 anyone ?
@paulaandosakai2666
Me🙋🏻♀️
@troyclegg9849
Yep and until yesterday listening to Satellite Radio and discovering this NOT the Pet Shop Boys. Always learning
@wanderjoy1589
❤ this song always
@angiemoody626
@@troyclegg9849 But Neil Tennant's vocals are distinctive and sublime, so he's a standout on this. Great song.
@allankimani2724
Reporting in 2024
@RICKONORATO
Please, can we just bring back the 80's already?
@antonymay3799
33 years old and still feels so fresh
@btdfw
There is no way in the world to express just how wonderful and meaningful this song is to me. It will forever be my favorite. Never ever getting tired of this. MAGIC!
@petshopboysactually
Agreed! Timeless