The band initially came together with three of the four Dub War veterans with Jeff Rose and Martin Ford returning alongside Webbe, along with new bassist Daniel Pugsley. The group released their debut LP Babylon in July 2002, with sporadic success in parts of Europe and the U.S. metal underground. However after suffering years of indifference and waning support from Earache Records with Dub War and now seeing the same lack of label support from RCA for Skindred, Rose and Ford amicably left the band in November of 2002, but would continue to offer their support.
Soon Webbe had hooked up with guitarist Mikey Dee, and drummer Dirty Arya and continued on, but it wasn't until a year or so later and Lava Records' involvement that the album really took off. Skindred re-released Babylon in August 2004. Lava's version featured different cover art, and included newly recorded material in addition to the original, Howard Benson-helmed songs. Skindred then headed out on a series of tours with acts like Sevendust, Nonpoint, and Papa Roach, and never looked back.
Discography
Albums
2002 - Babylon
2007 - Roots Rock Riot
2009 - Shark Bites And Dog Fights
2011 - Union Black
2014 - Kill The Power
2015 - Volume
2018 - Big Tings
Singles
2005 - Nobody
2006 - Pressure
2007 - RatRace
2008 - Trouble
2009 - Electric Avenue
2009 - Stand For Something
2011 - Warning (featuring Jacoby Shaddix of Papa Roach)
2011 - Cut Dem
2012 - Game Over
2013 - Ninja
Electric Avenue
Skindred Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And a lots of work to be done
No place to hang out our washing
And I can't blame all on the sun, oh no
We gonna rock down to Electric Avenue
And then we'll take it higher
We gonna rock down to Electric Avenue
Workin' so hard like a soldier
And can't afford a thing on TV
Deep in my heart, I'm a warrior
And can't get food for them kids, good God
We gonna rock down to Electric Avenue
And then we'll take it higher
Oh, we gonna rock down to Electric Avenue
And then we'll take it higher
Oh no...
Oh no...
Oh no...
Oh no..
We gonna rock down to Electric Avenue
And then we'll take it higher
We gonna rock down to Electric Avenue
And then we'll take it higher
Who is to blame in one country
You never can get to the one
Dealin' in multiplication
And you konw you never can to feed everyone, oh no
We gonna rock down to Electric Avenue
And then we'll take it higher
We gonna rock down to Electric Avenue
And then we'll take it higher
Out in the street...
Out in the street...
Out in the daytime...
Out in the night...
We gonna rock down to Electric Avenue
And then we'll take it higher
We gonna rock down to Electric Avenue
And then we'll take it higher
Out in the street...
Out in the street...
Out in the playground...
In the dark side of town..
We gonna rock down to Electric Avenue
And then we'll take it higher
Oh, we gonna rock down to Electric Avenue
And then we'll take it higher
The opening lyrics of Skindred's "Electric Avenue" paint a picture of poverty and violence, with the singer describing how there is "a lot of work to be done" and "no place to hang out our washing". The singer also acknowledges that the sun is not entirely to blame for the troubles being faced. The chorus then kicks in, with the band promising to "rock down to Electric Avenue" and take things higher. As the song progresses, it becomes clear that the problem being faced is one of poverty and inequality, with the singer describing how they are "workin' so hard like a soldier" and yet cannot afford even basic necessities like food or television. The song also touches on political and social issues, with the singer singing "who is to blame in one country" and "dealin' in multiplication".
Overall, "Electric Avenue" is a song that speaks to the struggles of everyday people who are facing poverty and inequality. The song encourages listeners to come together and make a change, with the repeated line "we gonna rock down to Electric Avenue and then we'll take it higher" serving as a call to action.
Line by Line Meaning
Now in the street there is violence
There's a lot of unrest and aggression in the streets
And a lots of work to be done
There are many problems that need to be addressed
No place to hang out our washing
Even basic everyday tasks are difficult due to the circumstances
And I can't blame all on the sun, oh no
These problems can't be attributed to just natural causes or circumstances
We gonna rock down to Electric Avenue
We'll find a place of excitement and release from these struggles
And then we'll take it higher
We'll elevate our spirits and energy even more
Workin' so hard like a soldier
We're putting in an immense amount of effort and sacrifice
And can't afford a thing on TV
Even the simple luxury of entertainment is out of reach
Deep in my heart, I'm a warrior
Despite these challenges, we have an enduring fighting spirit
And can't get food for them kids, good God
But the struggle goes beyond our own needs, as our children are suffering too
Who is to blame in one country
The problems are pervasive and systemic
You never can get to the one
It's difficult to place responsibility or accountability on any one person or entity
Dealin' in multiplication
The focus is solely on profits and growth
And you konw you never can to feed everyone, oh no
This approach is leaving many people behind and unable to provide for themselves and their families
Out in the street...
The struggles continue, day and night, in every corner of the neighborhood
Out in the daytime...
These issues are not hidden away, but visible to all in broad daylight
Out in the playground...
Even the joys of childhood are marred by the harsh reality of the situation
In the dark side of town...
In the areas where things are the toughest, the problems are even more pronounced
Contributed by Adrian R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Demitri EgGe Mackoy
on Nobody
i like the music