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.
Idiot Country Two
Electronic Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Well yeah, I guess so. Yeah I used to have spells
where I was afraid to touch a knife for fear I'd cut my throat.
Ever feel that way now?
Woah ho! (repeat)
It's an open act of defiance
We could form some kind of alliance
We could do what we wanted to do
And the young would live forever
And the sun would shine through the blue
If we got our hands on this nation
We could do what we wanted to do
Oh, oh, oh
Make my body move
My name is not important; it's a signal, a sign
It means I'm doing what I do because I do it all the time
I get a lot of fun emotion. I get none if I use ya
I would crawl across the ocean so I could not abuse ya
It's an open act of defiance
And it's beamed directly at you
We could form some kind of alliance
We could do what we wanted to do
And the young would live forever
And the sun would shine through the blue
(Listen to me now!)
If we got our hands on this nation
We could do what we wanted to do
I wanna know yeah
Listen to me now!
It's an open act of defiance
And it's beamed directly at you
We could form some kind of alliance
We could do what we wanted to do
And the young would live forever
And the sun would shine through the blue
If we got our hands on this nation
We could do what we wanted to do
The lyrics of Electronic's song Idiot Country Two can be interpreted in different ways. It starts with a dialogue between two people where one asks if the other has any obsessions or ideas that drive them to do something, and the other responds by explaining that they used to be afraid of touching knives. The chorus, with repeated "woah ho"s, is a call to action for an "open act of defiance" that could lead to the young living forever and the sun shining through the blue. The lyrics suggest a desire to form an alliance and take control of a nation in order to have the freedom to do what they want to do.
The verses seem to have a contradiction between the individual and the collective, with lines like "My name is not important; it's a signal, a sign / It means I'm doing what I do because I do it all the time" followed by "We could form some kind of alliance." The lyrics suggest a tension between individuality and collective action, between getting personal pleasure and working towards a common goal. The repetition of the phrases "Listen to me now!" and "Make my body move" adds to the urgency and call to action of the song. Overall, the lyrics of Idiot Country Two convey a desire for rebellion and freedom, along with the idea that individual and collective desires are not always in conflict.
Line by Line Meaning
You ever had any obsessions? I mean ideas that drive you to do something.
Have you ever had an intense preoccupation or fixation that motivates you to take action?
Well yeah, I guess so. Yeah I used to have spells where I was afraid to touch a knife for fear I'd cut my throat. Ever feel that way now?
Yes, I have experienced similar compulsive thoughts in the past where I was afraid to handle a knife due to fear of self-harm. Do you ever feel that way currently?
It's an open act of defiance
This action is a clear, public act of rebellion.
And it's beamed directly at you
This defiance is directed specifically towards you and your beliefs or actions.
We could form some kind of alliance
We could establish a partnership or bond to accomplish a shared objective.
We could do what we wanted to do
Without barriers, limitations or restrictions, we can pursue our desired goals and actions.
And the young would live forever
Through our actions or vision, the youth can experience perpetual existence or longevity.
And the sun would shine through the blue
The world would be bright, hopeful and full of possibilities.
My name is not important; it's a signal, a sign
Who I am doesn't matter as much as the message I represent.
It means I'm doing what I do because I do it all the time
I am committed to my purposes or beliefs and consistently act in accordance with them.
I get a lot of fun emotion. I get none if I use ya
I experience positive emotions when I act of my own accord, but not when manipulating or using others.
I would crawl across the ocean so I could not abuse ya
I am willing to endure great hardship to avoid exploiting or mistreating you.
Listen to me now!
Pay attention to my words and consider their significance.
I wanna know yeah
I am curious and eager to learn more about a subject or situation.
Contributed by Lily A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.