The music video was recorded in an empty London warehouse days after Girls Aloud were formed. The song has been performed by Girls Aloud in a number of live appearances including Popstars: The Rivals and each of Girls Aloud's concert tours. Critically appreciated for its juxtaposition of surf guitar against electronic beats, "Sound of the Underground" was praised for its quality for both a girl group and a reality television act. The song was referred to as a defining moment of the decade musically, credited with reshaping British pop for the 2000s.
Sound of the Underground
Girls Aloud Lyrics
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Beats are pumping on my stereo
Neighbor's banging on the bathroom wall
You're saying crank the bass
I gotta get some more
Water's running in the wrong direction
Got a feeling it's a mixed up sign
Something funny's going on inside my mind
Don't know what is pushing me higher
It's the static from the floor below
And then it drops and catches like fire
It's a sound I, it's a sound I know
It's the sound of the underground
The beat of the drum goes 'round and 'round
Into to the overflow
Where the girls get down to the sound of the radio
Out to the electric night
Where the bass line jumps in the backstreet lights
The beat goes around and 'round
It's the sound of the under, sound of the underground
Chain reaction running through my veins
Pumps the bass line up into my brain
Screws my mind until I lose control
And when the building rocks I know it's got my soul
Water's running in the wrong direction
Got a feeling it's a mixed up sign
I can see it in my own reflection
Something funny's going on inside my mind
Don't know what is pushing me higher
It's the static from the floor below
And then it drops and catches like fire
It's a sound I, it's a sound I know
It's the sound of the underground
The beat of the drum goes 'round and 'round
Into to the overflow
Where the girls get down to the sound of the radio
Out to the electric night
Where the bass line jumps in the backstreet lights
The beat goes around and 'round
It's the sound of the under, sound of the underground
I don't know what is pushing me higher
It's the static from the floor below
And then it drops and catches like fire
It's a sound I, it's a sound I
It's a sound I, it's a sound I know
It's the sound of the underground
The beat of the drum goes 'round and 'round
Into to the overflow
Where the girls get down to the sound of the radio
Out to the electric night
Where the bass line jumps in the backstreet lights
The beat goes around and 'round
It's the sound of the under, sound of the underground
Where the bass line jumps in the backstreet lights
It's the sound of the under, sound of the underground
Where the bass line jumps in the backstreet lights
It's the sound of the under, sound of the underground
The lyrics to Girls Aloud's song Sound of the Underground are an ode to the pulsating and hypnotic effect of music, as well as a commentary on the societal pressures of conformity. The song starts with a scene of disco dancing with the lights down low, and the beats pumping on the stereo. However, the neighbor banging on the bathroom wall shows that not everyone is appreciative of this music. The reference to "water's running in the wrong direction" and "something funny's going on inside my mind" creates a sense of disorientation in the listener, as if the music is tapping into something primal and uncontrollable.
The chorus "It's the sound of the underground, the beat of the drum goes round and round" captures the energy and excitement of the song, while the line "Where the girls get down to the sound of the radio" speaks to the unifying power of music across different groups. The second verse talks about a "chain reaction running through my veins, pumps the bass line up into my brains", emphasizing the physical and emotional effect of music. The final chorus repeats the refrain, driving home the message that this sound is powerful and undeniable.
Line by Line Meaning
Disco dancing with the lights down low
I am dancing to disco beats in a low-lit place
Beats are pumping on my stereo
The music playing on my speakers is energetic and rhythmic
Neighbor's banging on the bathroom wall
My neighbor is disturbed by the loud music coming from my bathroom
He's saying 'Crank the bass, I gotta get some more'
My neighbor wants me to increase the bass of the music
Water's running in the wrong direction
Things seem to be disorienting and confusing
Got a feeling it's a mixed up sign,
I feel like there is a sign or signal that I am misinterpreting
I can see it in my own reflection
I can sense that something is off by looking at my own reflection
Something funny's going on inside my mind.
My thoughts are not coherent and there is a sense of confusion
Don't know what is pushing me higher
I don't know what is causing me to feel more energized and excited
It's the static from the floor below
The vibrations from the floor below are adding to the excitement
And then it drops
The music suddenly changes or intensifies
And catches like fire
The music ignites a strong emotional response
And it's a sound I, it's a sound I know
I recognize and am familiar with this type of music
It's the sound of the underground,
The music I am listening to is not mainstream
The beat of the drum goes round and round
The rhythm is consistent and continuous
Into to the overflow
The excitement is overflowing and intense
Where the girls get down to the sound of the radio
The music is so good that girls dance to it spontaneously
Out to the 'lectric night
The music takes me out into the electric, energetic nightlife
Where the bass line jumps in the backstreet lights
The bass tone in the music reverberates throughout the backstreets with flashing lights
The beat goes around and round
The rhythm continues to inspire and excite
It's the sound of the under, sound of the underground
The music I am listening to is not mainstream, and is a unique sound
Chain reaction running through my veins
The rhythm is causing a physical reaction in me
Pumps the bassline up into my brains
The music is intensifying and affecting me strongly
Screws my mind until I lose control
The music is so good that I am losing myself in it
And when the building rocks I know it's got my soul
The music is so good that it feels like it is taking ownership of my very being
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing, WORDS & MUSIC A DIV OF BIG DEAL MUSIC LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Brian Thomas Higgins, Miranda Eleanor De Fonbrune Cooper, Niara Scarlett
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@markturner1970
Sarah was so vibrant and full of life during the auditions, I'm glad she got into the group and had her time in the limelight. Rest in peace Sarah.
@diegoxx9867
we will always love Sarah!!
@natureclips5849
FACT: Sarah Harding sang the first and last vocals in the history of the G.A. Catalogue.The only one who could sing
@natureclips5849
@@diegoxx9867 I compare her to Dusty Springfield her talent was completely wasted by X factor
@XY-wy3rh
rip
@GeorgeSmith1066
R.I.P Sarah Harding - an Angel returning home.
@wowiggy5333
Who is here after hearing the news about Sarah? Rest In peace you beautiful soul. Wouldn’t be who I am today without GA ❤️
@randomcommentsdouche
My mum literally just told me about this
@ewokbustrainenthusiast8748
Yeah I am what talent she will be sadly missed 😪
@evi6199
Insensitive much? You could just say RIP Sarah not who's here after the news just to get attention out of likes.