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.
Warning Sign
Electronic Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It would appear that we don't agree,
And without warning sign I stopped just in time,
When you ran straight in front of me.
Well I don't listen to the rumours,
And I don't care who you have for tea,
I think you'll find that the thief commits the crime,
You tore me right down,
You've got a hold on me,
I can't believe it's true,
But I believe in me.
It's been so long,
It's been so long.
Don't ever talk to strangers,
You never know what they're gonna say,
And it may be a surprise right in front of your eyes,
They get up, and they walk away.
So the next time you see me listen,
Cos I've got something I want to say,
You've got the wrong attitude and you act like a fool,
And you will pass by within a day.
You tore me right down,
You've got a hold on me,
I can't believe it's true,
But I believe in me.
You tore me right down,
You've got a hold on me,
I can't believe it's true,
It's just the end of time.
You tore me right down,
You've got a hold on me,
I can't believe it's true,
But I believe in me.
You tore me right down,
You've got a hold on me,
I can't believe it's true,
But I believe in me.
It's been so long,
It's been so long.
It's been so long,
It's been so long.
It's been so long.
The lyrics of "Warning Sign" are about a personal conflict and the attempt to resolve it. The first verse mentions fate taking a wrong turn and a lack of agreement between the singers. The absence of a warning sign causes them to nearly collide, which is symbolic of their opposing perspectives. In the second verse, the singer asserts their independence by not listening to rumors or caring about others' opinions. They believe that the culprit is revealed at the end of the story, suggesting that the current conflict will eventually be resolved. The chorus emphasizes the emotional impact of the conflict, with the singer feeling torn down and under someone else's control, but ultimately believing in themselves. The final verse is a call to action for the other person to change their attitude and behavior, or they will be left behind. The repetition of "It's been so long" at the end is a reference to the duration of the conflict and the desire for it to end.
Line by Line Meaning
Fate just took a wrong turn,
It seems like destiny has taken an unexpected path and things are not going according to plan.
It would appear that we don't agree,
There is a disagreement or conflict between two parties.
And without warning sign I stopped just in time,
Suddenly, without any signs or signals, the singer had to slam the brakes to avoid a collision.
When you ran straight in front of me.
Someone unexpectedly crossed the artist's path, creating a potentially dangerous situation.
Well I don't listen to the rumours,
The artist disregards gossip or hearsay when making decisions.
And I don't care who you have for tea,
The singer is indifferent to the company or associations of the other party.
I think you'll find that the thief commits the crime,
The actual perpetrator of a crime is typically the one who blames and accuses others, rather than taking responsibility for their actions.
At the end of the book you'll see.
The true motives and actions of a person will eventually be revealed and made known.
You tore me right down,
The other party has caused emotional harm or distress to the artist.
You've got a hold on me,
The other party has some sort of emotional, psychological, or manipulative power over the artist.
I can't believe it's true,
The singer may be in denial or disbelief about the situation and their feelings towards the other party.
But I believe in me.
Despite the situation or hardship faced by the artist, they have faith in their own abilities and strength to overcome.
Don't ever talk to strangers,
The singer advises caution and suspicion towards those who are unfamiliar or unknown.
You never know what they're gonna say,
The words or actions of an unknown person can have unpredictable or harmful consequences.
And it may be a surprise right in front of your eyes,
Something unexpected or shocking can happen, even when it seems obvious or predictable.
They get up, and they walk away.
Unknown persons, once they have caused harm or chaos, may easily leave or escape without consequences.
So the next time you see me listen,
The artist requests that they be given attention or consideration when speaking or expressing their thoughts.
Cos I've got something I want to say,
The singer has a message or information that they wish to communicate to the other party.
You've got the wrong attitude and you act like a fool,
The other party's behavior or mindset is inappropriate or unacceptable.
And you will pass by within a day.
The other party's presence or impact on the artist's life is temporary and fleeting.
It's just the end of time.
Perhaps referring to the end of a certain phase or relationship, or simply just the passage of time.
It's been so long,
A sense of time passing or elapsed since a significant event or change.
It's been so long.
Repetition of the previous statement possibly for emphasis or impact.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: BERNARD (GB 2) SUMNER, JOHNNY MARR
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Boz Ajanovich
It's raining and I'm listening to this on a sad Saturday...can't get any better than this! :)
MrBumat
Wow ! Been listening to Electronic since -91 and this tune is totally new to me ! Fantastic song !!!!! ❤️
Jane Doe
what amazing chord progressions, wish we could see how the guitar parts are played
Lord Bayla
I had this on CD. Thought this was on the twisted tenderness album because I once owned it for several years.
Andre Driks
Todos fazem parte da minha trajetória de vida até hj
derekbd
Glad to hear this again.
Someone Else
Awesome B-Side from Electronic
Pascual Egea
:)