Electricity
Talking Heads Lyrics


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And all I see is little dots
Some are smeared and some are spots
Feels like a murder but that's alright

Somebody said, there's too much light
Pull down the shade and it's alright
It will be over in a minute or two
I'm charged up, don't put me down
Don't feel like talking, don't mess around
I feel mean, I feel okay
I'm charged up, electricity

The boys are making a big mess
This makes the girls all start to laugh
I don't know what they're talking about

The boys are worried, the girls are shocked
They pick the sound and let it drop
Nobody know what they're talking about

I'm charged up, I'm kinda wooden
I'm barely moving, I study motion
I study myself, I fooled myself
I'm charged up, it's pretty intense

I'm charged up, don't put me down
Don't feel like talking, don't mess around




And I feel mean, I feel okay
I'm charged up, electricity, that's what I call it

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Talking Heads' "Electricity" are a commentary on the excesses of modernity and the disorienting effects of technology. David Byrne sings of feeling overwhelmed by the constant stream of information and stimulation, describing the sensation as "little dots" and "too much light." He feels "charged up" and "mean," but he is also detached from his surroundings, unable to make sense of the "big mess" the boys are making and the "sound" the girls are dropping. In the end, he embraces this feeling of chaos and intensity, reveling in the raw power of electricity.


Byrne's lyrics are driven by a propulsive beat and a barrage of guitars that evoke the crackle and hum of electricity. The song's sharp, angular structure mirrors the feeling of being jolted by a live wire. The repeated refrain of "I'm charged up" underscores the sense of energy and momentum that characterizes the song.


Line by Line Meaning

And all I see is little dots
The world is too bright and blurry, making it hard to see clearly.


Some are smeared, some are spots
The visuals have a mix of clear and blurry components.


Feel like a murder but that's alright
The singer's frustration with the overstimulating environment makes them feel like they want to lash out.


Somebody said there's too much light
A voice within the artist's head agrees that the overwhelming brightness is a problem.


Pull down that shade and it's alright
Blocking out the light eases the frustration temporarily.


It'll be over in a minute or two
The hope is that the frustration will subside soon.


I'm charged up, don't put me down
The singer is feeling energized and doesn't want anyone to dampen their spirit.


Don't feel like talking, don't mess around
The artist is focused on their energy and isn't interested in idle banter.


I feel mean, but I feel okay
The artist is aware that their intensity may come across as aggressive, but they still feel fine overall.


I'm charged up, electricity
The artist's energy feels electric and intense.


Is that what you calling
The singer is questioning if others are labeling their energy as 'electricity'.


The boys are making a big mess
The males are acting up and being disruptive.


This makes the girls all start to laugh
The females are amused by the males' antics.


I don't know what they're talking about
The singer is confused by the conversation happening around them.


The boys are worried, the girls are shocked
The men are anxious about something and the women are surprised by their behavior.


They pick the sound and let it drop
The group selects a sound or idea, but doesn't follow through with it.


Nobody knows what they're talking about
The conversation amongst the group seems aimless and pointless.


I'm charged up, [Incomprehensible]
The singer is still feeling energized, but the lyrics are unclear.


Don't tell the truth, I just tell lies
The singer is in a heightened emotional state and may not be honest with their words.


I'm picking up, but I left off
The artist is trying to keep up with their energy, but may also have moments of burning out.


It's pretty intense
The energy level is very high.


That's right, [Incomprehensible]
The artist is affirming their own energy, but the lyrics are unclear.




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: DAVID BYRNE, BRIAN ENO

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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