Electric Avenue by Eddy Grant Lyrics Meaning – A Charged Anthem Decoded
Lyrics
Boy
Down in the street there is violence
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
Oh we gonna rock down to Electric Avenue
And then we’ll take it higher
Workin’ so hard like a soldier
Can’t afford a thing on TV
Deep in my heart I’m a warrior
Can’t get food for them kid, 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, oh no
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
Who is to blame in one country
Never can get to the one
Dealin’ in multiplication
And they still can’t feed everyone, oh no
We gonna rock down to Electric Avenue
And then we’ll take it higher, oh no
We gonna rock down to Electric Avenue
And then we’ll take it higher, oh
Out in the street
Out in the street
Out in the daytime
Out in the night
Oh, 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
Out in the street
Out in the street
Out in the playground
In the dark side of town
Oh, we gonna rock down to Electric Avenue
And then we’ll take it higher, hey
We gonna rock down to Electric Avenue (oh, yeah)
And then we’ll take it higher
Rocking in the daytime (we gonna rock down to Electric Avenue)
Rocking in the nighttime (And then we’ll take it higher)
Rocking in Miami, ma-ma-me (Electric Avenue)
(And then we’ll take it higher) (Electric Avenue)
(We gonna rock down to Electric Avenue)
When Eddy Grant’s pulsating rhythms and catchy chorus first burst through the airwaves in the early ’80s, ‘Electric Avenue’ quickly became more than just a dance-floor hit. While the track’s groovy beat invites listeners to move, its lyrics speak to a social consciousness that resonated with audiences worldwide, making it a staple in the realm of protest music.
Beneath the surface-level catchiness, ‘Electric Avenue’ unpacks themes of poverty, inequality, and struggle within urban settings. It’s a call-to-arms, a rallying cry against economic and social injustice wrapped in an infectious musical package. Eddy Grant, with this track, did not just aim to entertain but to evoke and provoke thought among his listeners.
The Thundering Pulse of Urban Struggle
Streets drenched in turmoil and incessant hard work serve as the backdrop for ‘Electric Avenue.’ The opening lines set the scene in a community overcome by chaos, touching upon the daily struggles to achieve even the most mundane tasks. The absence of simple comforts like a space to dry laundry speaks volumes of the cramped and stark urban life.
Against this gritty canvas, Grant’s message is hard to ignore. The implicit violence is not just a physical threat, but a representation of the fight for survival. Constant labor with little to show for it, the song suggests, is a form of violence against the spirit.
Rise Above: The Song’s Hidden Meaning
Delving deeper into the tangle of Eddy Grant’s words, ‘Electric Avenue’ emerges as a metaphor for ascension from the underbelly of societal woes. The refrain ‘We gonna rock down to Electric Avenue, and then we’ll take it higher’ is an invitation to move beyond the struggle, to rise up against the odds.
Grant calls attention to the collective strength within oppressed communities, hinting that while the physical Electric Avenue might represent hardship, the spiritual Electric Avenue is a place of empowerment and triumph.
An Ode to the Unseen Soldier and Warrior
There’s an intimate narrative woven through ‘Electric Avenue’ that mirrors the everyday battles of the unacknowledged soldier and warrior. These figures toil incessantly, unseen and unsung heroes of their own narratives, struggling to provide amidst a system stacked against them.
Here, Eddy Grant captures the relentless fight not for country but for family—’Can’t get food for them kid, good God.’ It’s a stark reminder of the personal and private wars waged daily by those society often overlooks.
Songs of the Street: Celebrating the Survivors
From the light of day to the cover of night, the repetition of ‘out in the street’ reinforces the relentless nature of the struggle faced by those living in poverty. Yet, there’s a celebratory tone to it as well, presenting the street as a stage where life’s drama unfolds and people persist despite adversity.
By highlighting the various times of day and places within the urban landscape, Grant acknowledges the different faces and phases of survival, thus celebrating the resilience of those who ‘rock’ through it all.
Memorable Lines that Echo Across Generations
‘Who is to blame in one country / Never can get to the one / Dealin’ in multiplication / And they still can’t feed everyone’—these lines from ‘Electric Avenue’ resonate with a timeless relevance, echoing the still prevalent issues of mismanagement and failed policies that leave many behind.
Grant hits a nerve with a clear message about the inequality within the systems supposed to protect and provide for its people. It’s a sobering, enduring reminder that, decades later, the challenges he sang about remain, making ‘Electric Avenue’ as relevant as ever.
