Electronic music group founded by Karl Bartos (former member of Kraftwerk) … Read Full Bio ↴Electronic music group founded by Karl Bartos (former member of Kraftwerk) and Lothar Manteuffel (former member of Rheingold) in 1992.

Their first album Esperanto (1993) features guest vocals by Andy McCluskey (of OMD) on the track Kissing The Machine. The tracks "Crosstalk" and "Overdrive" were co-written with Kraftwerk collaborator Emil Schult, who also created the graphics for early Elektric Music releases. The sound of ‘Esperanto’ is reminiscent of Kraftwerk and the more recent solo work of Karl Bartos.

Manteuffel left the group following the release of 'Esperanto' and all future releases were credited to Bartos alone. The second eponymous titled album (now spelled Electric Music) appeared in 1998 and represented something of a departure in style. Envisaged as an exploration of 60’s pop music, this album was less driven by the electronic sound normally associated Bartos and Kraftwerk and sought to create "guitar pop out of the computer!" The single "Sunshine" (1998) remains the last release credited to Elektric Music as Bartos reverted to using his name for the album Communication

Overdrive
Elektric Music Lyrics

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Underground overdrive
I blew the fuse
I blew my mind
Kiss of life
Overdrive
Now now now now now now
Underground overdrive
Underground overdrive

Below that sound (?)
Overdrive underground
Hyperactive
Strobolight
Off-beat jive
Overdrive
Overdrive
I blew the fuse
I blew my mind
Kiss of life
Overdrive
Now now now now now now
Underground overdrive
Underground overdrive
Below that sound (?)
Overdrive underground
Overdrive overdrive overdrive overdrive

Overdrive overdrive overdrive overdrive
Overdrive overdrive

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Elektric Music's song "Overdrive" suggest a frenzied, high-energy experience. The repeated phrases "Underground overdrive" and "Overdrive underground" create a sense of being caught in a dizzying cycle of movement and sound. The repetition of "I blew the fuse, I blew my mind" emphasizes the overwhelming intensity of the experience, while "kiss of life" suggests a kind of euphoria or release.

The use of language in this song is intentionally vague, with phrases like "below that sound" and "off-beat jive" suggesting a subculture or world that is both mysterious and exhilarating. The repeated use of "now now now" emphasizes the urgency of the experience, and the final repetition of "overdrive" reinforces the idea that the intensity of the moment is the main focus.

Overall, "Overdrive" by Elektric Music paints a picture of an intense, overwhelming experience of sound and movement, where the energy of the subculture surrounding it is just as important as the experience itself.

Line by Line Meaning

Underground overdrive
Going beyond normal capacity secretly

I blew the fuse
I overstimulated and damaged myself

I blew my mind
I had an intense experience that overloaded my thoughts

Kiss of life
A sudden moment of rejuvenation

Overdrive
Operating at maximum speed and intensity

Now now now now now now
Emphasizing the sense of urgency and immediacy

Below that sound (?)
Reaching a sub-level of energy that is difficult to detect

Hyperactive
Extremely active and unable to slow down

Strobolight
A flashing light that creates a sense of disorientation

Off-beat jive
Dancing to a rhythm that is not traditionally followed

Overdrive overdrive overdrive overdrive
Repeating the intensity over and over again