Fresh off the shuttle from planet 1974, Paul Layton has a sharp understandi… Read Full Bio ↴Fresh off the shuttle from planet 1974, Paul Layton has a sharp understanding of the link between ELO and Tubeway Army, a post-androgynous head full of showtunes and a seemingly innate harmonic kinship with Abba. A musical savant who reminds you that "bedroom musician" means Brian Wilson at least as much as it does Aphex Twin, Layton approaches songwriting with broad gestures, creating calculated, lush music that is equally awkward and brilliant in it's unique vision. You'll find yourself thinking that this guy really does come from another planet altogether, and that he's brought alittle of the music with him.

L.A. Alternative Press

Shock Me Wide Awake
Layton Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

It′s time to feel alive
It's time to feel alive

Oh electric blue
My eyes are glowing with attitude
And I′m thinking
You, you're lighting my fuse
I got this feeling that I just can't lose

Can′t shake it

You′re a live wire
Taking me higher
Capturing a lightning strike
Jacking my style
Loving me wild
Ooh ready to ignite

It's time to feel alive
Shock me wide awake
It′s time to feel alive
So electric today

You've got the power too
A little spark and you′re feeling good
Now don't you
Like a shot of deja vu
Like a lazer beam moving through you

You′re a live wire
Taking me higher
Capturing a lightning strike
Jacking my style
Loving me wild
Ooh ready to ignite

It's time to feel alive
Shock me wide awake
It's time to feel alive
So electric today

It′s time to feel alive
Shock me wide awake
It′s time to feel alive
So electric today

It's time, it′s time, it's time
I′m on my way
It's time, it′s time
So electric today
It's time, it's time, it′s time
I′m on my way
It's time, it′s time
So electric today

It's time to feel alive
Shock me wide awake
It′s time to feel alive
So electric today

It's time to feel alive
Shock me wide awake

It′s time to feel alive
So electric today

Overall Meaning

The song "Shock Me Wide Awake" by Layton is about someone feeling alive and electric, possibly due to a new love interest or a new experience that has sparked a feeling of excitement within them. The lyrics are filled with electricity-related metaphors, such as "electric blue," "lighting my fuse," and "capturing a lightning strike," which add to the overall theme of feeling alive. The chorus, which repeats the phrase "Shock me wide awake," emphasizes the importance of feeling fully alive and awake in the present moment, rather than simply going through the motions of life.

The verses describe the electrifying feeling the singer experiences when they are with their love interest or in the midst of their new experience. There is a sense of anticipation and excitement, as well as a feeling of being consumed by the feeling, as seen in the lines "I got this feeling that I just can't lose/Can't shake it." The bridge of the song includes the line "You've got the power too," which suggests that the sense of electricity and aliveness is not only within the singer but also shared with the person who is the object of their affection.

Overall, "Shock Me Wide Awake" is a song that encourages listeners to embrace feelings of excitement and aliveness in their lives, whether it be through new experiences or new relationships. It reminds us to fully engage with the present moment and to savor life's electric moments.

Line by Line Meaning

It's time to feel alive
The singer realizes that he needs to start enjoying life to the fullest.

Oh electric blue My eyes are glowing with attitude
The singer's eyes are full of energy and positivity, symbolized by the color blue.

And I'm thinking You, you're lighting my fuse I got this feeling that I just can't lose Can't shake it
The singer is feeling an intense attraction towards someone who is filling him with energy and excitement.

You're a live wire Taking me higher Capturing a lightning strike Jacking my style Loving me wild Ooh ready to ignite
The person the singer is interested in is electrifying, exciting, and igniting a passion within the singer.

Shock me wide awake So electric today
The singer wants to be woken up from his mundane existence and experience the excitement of life.

You've got the power too A little spark and you're feeling good Now don't you Like a shot of deja vu Like a lazer beam moving through you
The person the singer is interested in also has the power to feel alive and sparks joy and excitement within themselves.

It's time, it's time, it's time I'm on my way
The singer is ready to take action and start living life to the fullest.

So electric today
The singer is feeling full of energy and excitement, ready to embrace all that life has to offer.

Writer(s): Paul Layton

Contributed by Kylie S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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