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.
Make It Happen
Electronic Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Looking for something new
We stand outside ourselves
Not knowing quite what we should do
I am in debt to you
I owe respect to you
But you've got to learn it's gonna turn,
And though
You caught me naked
I didn't enjoy it
In fact I regret it
[Chorus]
Let's make it happen
Why can't you understand
I am a fraction
A part of a broken man
I hope you understand
It's part of my action plan
To bury you in the sand
The tide's gonna turn
When will you learn
To stop hiding inside yourself
I bet you wish you were someone else
Tell me when will you learn
The day's getting longer
And you're getting common sense
So get right down off that fence
Ain't it time that you turned
And though
You got me thinking
You could be faking
Your ego's inflated and I'm sick of waiting
[Chorus: x2]
My soul is in rapture
If only we could both hold on
Let's cause a reaction
Just like you know we should.
In Electronic's song "Make It Happen," the lyrics explore the struggle of wanting something new but not knowing what to do. The singer finds themselves indebted to someone, owing them respect, but ultimately realizing that neglect may be inevitable. The lyrics in the chorus express the desire to make a change, with the singer feeling like a fraction of a broken man. The second verse continues with urging the other person to stop hiding inside themselves and asking when they will learn to turn away from their current state. The song ends with the hope to cause a reaction, with both parties holding on.
The opening lines of the song set the tone for the theme of feeling lost and wanting change. The use of standing "outside ourselves" suggests they are looking in from an outsider's perspective. Additionally, the phrase "caught me naked" could have a literal interpretation, but the context and regret suggest a metaphorical interpretation of being vulnerable in front of someone.
Line by Line Meaning
Sometimes we find ourselves
Occasionally we discover ourselves in a predicament
Looking for something new
Desiring novelty from what we have already experienced
We stand outside ourselves
We remain puzzled about the course of action to take
Not knowing quite what we should do
Unclear about the correct decision we ought to make
I am in debt to you
I am obliged to show gratitude to you
I owe respect to you
I owe you a sign of respect
But you've got to learn it's gonna turn,
You must realize that it will eventually lead to a lack of respect from others
Into neglect for you
Which will be a form of disrespect towards you
And though
Despite the fact
You caught me naked
You found me exposed
I didn't enjoy it
I didn't relish that experience
In fact I regret it
I genuinely feel sorry about it
Let's make it happen
Let's get things done
Why can't you understand
What makes it difficult for you to comprehend
I am a fraction
I am only a small part
A part of a broken man
A fragment of an emotionally shattered man
I hope you understand
I desire that you comprehend
It's part of my action plan
It is one of my strategies
To bury you in the sand
To suppress you into insignificance
The tide's gonna turn
It's inevitable that circumstances will change
When will you learn
When do you plan to comprehend
To stop hiding inside yourself
To stop avoiding who you truly are
I bet you wish you were someone else
I bet you desire to be anyone but yourself
Tell me when will you learn
Inform me when you plan to understand
The day's getting longer
The duration of the day is expanding
And you're getting common sense
You begin to show signs of practicality
So get right down off that fence
So make a clear decision
Ain't it time that you turned
Isn't it time you changed direction
And though
Despite the fact
You got me thinking
You've made me ponder
You could be faking
Perhaps you're pretending
Your ego's inflated and I'm sick of waiting
Your self-importance is excessive and I am tired of waiting
My soul is in rapture
My spirit is in a state of joy
If only we could both hold on
If only we could keep going
Let's cause a reaction
Let's make things happen
Just like you know we should.
Exactly as you realize we can do it
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: PETER MANSSON, LORNE ALISTAIR TENNANT, JAN KASK, WAYNE ANTHONY HECTOR
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
zagman4502
Electronic is one of the greatest bands in the modern age, hands down!!!
Podders
Love this album, the one where Electronic get heavy.
Would love this album on vinyl someday…
Christopher Conville
Electronic needs to regroup and make more awesome music
Nick R O'Philiac
A million miles from the feel of the first album- and certainly the second. Not even particularly 'electronic' but for a few touches. This IS, however, a staggeringly powerful exemplar what collaboration can achieve
Chuck Rittling
IMO best Electronic song, especially Johnny's guitar.
Kanka
What a great song
Zeneeka0405
Fantastic song Reminds me that I have to buy the album :P
Rafael Fos
amazing...!!!
Pamela
That guitar.....
David Jason
I hear The Chemical Brothers in this, it;s damn thumping!