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.
King for A Day
Electronic Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
town Let me begin And I'll tell you a story, how Dracula hunted me down show me
that you care and of my presence you are aware we don't need to shout or make a
fuss we are devout Well I'd like to make a call to my kid and I'd show him all
the things that I did Well I'd show him all the things that I did show him all
the things that I did Some people always come late others arrive in a dreadful
state I didn't get there at all the gun's in the holster and it's too small
Who's that outside my door the house is falling in it's world war again who's
my kid and I'd show him all the things that I did We'll show him all the things
that I did show him all the things that I did The head of state gave up his
crown.
The lyrics of "King For A Day" by Electronic are full of vivid and striking imagery that creates a sense of chaos and instability. The opening lines of "Please let me in cause my house is falling down / There's trouble all over the town" suggest a state of crisis, with the singer desperately seeking refuge from an unknown threat. The reference to Dracula further enhances the sense of danger and adds a layer of supernatural horror to the proceedings.
However, despite the apparent chaos, the lyrics also suggest a hopefulness and a desire for connection: "show me that you care and of my presence you are aware / we don't need to shout or make a fuss we are devout". The singer seems to be searching for someone to reach out to them and offer comfort and support.
The later lines of the song continue to combine images of violence and uncertainty with moments of tenderness and nostalgia. The references to showing a child all the things that the singer has done suggest a desire to pass on knowledge and experience, and to create a sense of legacy and continuity even in the face of chaos.
Overall, "King For A Day" is a powerful and enigmatic song that captures a sense of struggle and resilience in the face of adversity.
Line by Line Meaning
Please let me in cause my house is falling down
I am in dire need of help, my life is falling apart and I need assistance
There's trouble all over the town
The world is in chaos, there's conflict and unrest everywhere
Let me begin And I'll tell you a story, how Dracula hunted me down
Allow me to start narrating an interesting tale about how I was chased by Dracula
show me that you care and of my presence you are aware we don't need to shout or make a fuss we are devout
Demonstrate to me that you value my existence and no grand gestures are necessary, sincerity is paramount
Well I'd like to make a call to my kid and I'd show him all the things that I did
I aspire to call my child and display to him every accomplishment I have achieved
Some people always come late others arrive in a dreadful state I didn't get there at all the gun's in the holster and it's too small
While some people show up tardily or in disarray, I couldn't arrive at all, and even if I did, I'm not sufficiently equipped to handle the situation
Who's that outside my door the house is falling in it's world war again who's that outside my door who's that outside my door
Amidst the pandemonium and turmoil, I hear someone knocking on my door and I'm unsure of who it is
The head of state gave up his crown.
The person in power willingly surrendered their authority and status
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: BERNARD (GB 2) SUMNER, JOHNNY MARR
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
derekbd
Never heard this track, despite loving the duo's 3 albums since release.
Well, I love the first two albums. I was less pleased with the third, of which I liked about half of the tracks.
Ta.
Population Problem
Never really got into Twisted Tenderness...think it was a bit more Johnny's album than Bernards...
Jake G
thanks for putting this up.