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Eddy Grant — Electric Avenue
Album: Killer On The Rampage
Avg rating:
6.6

Your rating:
Total ratings: 1214









Released: 1982
Length: 3:44
Plays (last 30 days): 1
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Boy! Boy!

Now in the street, there is violence
And-and a lots of work to be done
No place to hang out our washing
And-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 abhor ya
Can't get food for the kid

Good God, we gonna rock down to Electric Avenue
And then we'll take it higher
Ho, we gonna rock down to Electric Avenue
And then we'll take it higher

Oh no
Oh no
Oh no
Oh no

Oh God, we gonna rock down to Electric Avenue
And then we'll take it higher
Ho, 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
Ho no, we gonna rock down to Electric Avenue
And then we'll take it higher

Ho, 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
Ho, 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

Ho, we gonna rock down to Electric Avenue
And then we'll take it higher
Hey, we gonna rock down to Electric Avenue
And then we'll take it higher

Ohh yeah
Rock it in the daytime
Rock it in the night
Rock it in my
Comments (87)add comment
 settiman wrote:
When I was in high school I had an old clock radio -- you could wake up to the beep or the radio. 
 
Hah !  That is what I use now.  A radio station prize from the early 90's.  A stereo  Magnavox no less.  Must be over 30 years old.

When I was in HS we still only had alarm clocks.  Push buttons phones were yet to be.
Posted 5 months ago by kurtster    [ Reply ]
 lily34 wrote:

this is a very random comment.

my father passed away 12 /21 of this year.

when i was in junior high, this song came out. my father, who had a very silly sense of humor, took a liking to it. whenever it came on he would do this very specific dance that cracked up my best friend and me. both of us to this day think of him when we hear this and do the dance ourselves.


—Love this story! Sounds like a scene from a John Hughes movie. I’m curious, what’s the move?  Post an animated gif if possible. 😂



Posted 6 months ago by bluebeag    [ Reply ]
Can't say this has really stood the test of time well. But it was special back in the day.
Posted 9 months ago by aspicer    [ Reply ]
Pop Quiz: between "Electric Avenue" and "You Dropped a Bomb on Me", which one is about war and which one is about love?
Posted 11 months ago by Hippostar    [ Reply ]
Just saw the Eddy Grant is suing The Donald over nicking this tune for a political ad.  +1 for Eddy!

https://barbadostoday.bb/2021/09/30/judge-declines-to-dismiss-eddy-grants-lawsuit-against-trump-for-using-electric-avenue/

Posted 1 year ago by Clark_Novato    [ Reply ]
Next time Bill turns down one of my suggestions for an artist or track to play, I will remind he played this. 
Posted 1 year ago by Alastair    [ Reply ]
I remember roller skating to this tune, back in 1982 / 1983 when it first came out.  I think there even were disco balls involved !!
Posted 1 year ago by Cyndeeb    [ Reply ]
Electric Avenue is a street in Brixton, London. Built-in the 1880s, it was the first market street to be lit by electric lights. but, of course there is more meaning to this song.
Posted 1 year ago by joshhalloran    [ Reply ]
This was a very guilty pleasure back in the day:)
Posted 1 year ago by jp33442    [ Reply ]
this is a very random comment.

my father passed away 12 /21 of this year.

when i was in junior high, this song came out. my father, who had a very silly sense of humor, took a liking to it. whenever it came on he would do this very specific dance that cracked up my best friend and me. both of us to this day think of him when we hear this and do the dance ourselves.
Posted 1 year ago by lily34    [ Reply ]
"Me no want to shoot Palestine, oh I have land, oh I have mine", he sang in "Living on the frontline".
Nowadays, he would be labeled as "antisemite". Good musician and righteous man.
Posted 1 year ago by grandemarch    [ Reply ]
When I was in high school I had an old clock radio -- you could wake up to the beep or the radio. As a joke my brother set the alarm for the radio to come on at 3 am and then proceeded to turn the volume to 11. This is the song that came on and scared the s**t out of me. Great song, terrible memory.
Posted 1 year ago by settiman    [ Reply ]
I remember when this was in a Montgomery Ward or Circuit City commercial in the late 1980s for electronic appliances.  Eddy Grant's label (Portrait, looks like) was quick to cash in.
Posted 1 year ago by timmus    [ Reply ]
Whatever. 
Posted 1 year ago by Grammarcop    [ Reply ]
Remember watching this on tv as a kid, I remember it had some sort of pixelated blur which I thought was really cool.
Posted 2 years ago by SuperWeh    [ Reply ]
Good stuff.  Can you add a share app function under settings please?
Posted 4 years ago by I_love_beer    [ Reply ]
 cc_rider wrote:

I had no idea. Thank you!
c.
 
Listening to this in 2020 with what I know now gives it so much more context - do appreciate that 
Posted 4 years ago by melsybelys    [ Reply ]
 Gourd wrote:
This song always means something to ME because it refers to the Brixton Riots.

My family is composed of various displaced Carribbean people living in England and the US, so the words are immediately evocative to me.

I can get why some people just think of this is a 'fun' annoying 80's song, but it will always have a powerful effect on me.
 
I had no idea. Thank you!
c.
Posted 4 years ago by cc_rider    [ Reply ]
We're watchin Breakin 2: Electric Boogaloo
and reruns of The Wire.
Posted 4 years ago by ziggytrix    [ Reply ]
 Gourd wrote:
This song always means something to ME because it refers to the Brixton Riots.

My family is composed of various displaced Carribbean people living in England and the US, so the words are immediately evocative to me.

I can get why some people just think of this is a 'fun' annoying 80's song, but it will always have a powerful effect on me.
 
Thank you for that insight -- I had no idea. I hear this song completely different now.
Posted 4 years ago by bseib    [ Reply ]
you guys JUST played this the other day! surely it isn't that good.
Posted 5 years ago by dabeyc    [ Reply ]
take me back to my youth. cult
Posted 5 years ago by johnrah    [ Reply ]
This song always means something to ME because it refers to the Brixton Riots.

My family is composed of various displaced Carribbean people living in England and the US, so the words are immediately evocative to me.

I can get why some people just think of this is a 'fun' annoying 80's song, but it will always have a powerful effect on me.
Posted 5 years ago by Gourd    [ Reply ]
There is an exit on Rt 322 in Lewistown, PA for "Electric Avenue." Named way before this song, I would find myself singing this every time I passed that exist sign.
Posted 5 years ago by NickDanger    [ Reply ]
"Good Gahd!"
Posted 5 years ago by MrStatenIsle    [ Reply ]
One of my FAVES of the 80's...still rocks today (for me anyways)
Posted 5 years ago by Rockit9    [ Reply ]
 On_The_Beach wrote:
"I'll take One-Hit-Wonders for 300, Alex."
 
Eddy Grant had several hits, especially in the UK, in the late 1960s with the band The Equals.  Who also wrote "Police On My Back" which was covered by The Clash.
Posted 5 years ago by Proclivities    [ Reply ]
 Cynaera wrote:

I can remember playing this song really loudly when I lived at home, and Mom said, "What's he saying?  Electrical Banana? What does that mean?"  I've loved this song ever since.


 
{#Roflol}

Oh, Cynaera, you still make me smile. Rest in peace, lovely lady. {#Sad} {#Heartkiss}
Posted 5 years ago by skindy    [ Reply ]
Someone ruined this for me years ago, so now I can't help but hear "We're gonna run down to K-Mart and buy some shoes..."
Posted 5 years ago by nevar23    [ Reply ]
Wow big MTV favorite.
Posted 5 years ago by Sam_Hill    [ Reply ]
Posted 6 years ago by grt5302888    [ Reply ]
Seems like You play it every 7 years... In my opinion you could play it once a year... at least...
Posted 6 years ago by Tankred    [ Reply ]
 BLADERUNNER wrote:
I HAVE ALWAYS HATED THIS "SONG" EVER SINCE I FIRST HEARD IT.  PLEASE MAKE THE BAD MUSIC GO AWAY!!
 
DIY. Hit the mute button for the blessed relief that silence brings. It's what I do when songs come on that offend my ears.

Posted 13 years ago by fredriley    [ Reply ]

It is not the artist of the song "Love Come Back", or "Baby Come Back ", so popular on the radio-stations, many years ago? The song which provided humorous anecdotes when transported to different languages........
     


Posted 13 years ago by calypsus_1    [ Reply ]
 Olaf_Cummings wrote:
Sometimes a song is great simply because it came out when you were a freshman in high school.
 
A simple but powerful truth. Even if I'd been grooving to this song as a freshman, though, I wouldn't regard this song as great today.  
Posted 13 years ago by kcar    [ Reply ]
I used to really hate this song. No I only marginally can't stand it. But a nice trip to way-back-when land.
Posted 13 years ago by dwlangham    [ Reply ]
Yaaaaa
Posted 13 years ago by whtahtefcuk    [ Reply ]
Oh yeah! 

Posted 13 years ago by bluecshells    [ Reply ]
 CinnamonGirl wrote:
I agree this is fun and reminds me of a golden time. Yes, not the best in the grand scheme, but I'm chair dancing and smiling.
 
Word up!{#Dancingbanana_2}
Posted 13 years ago by WayUpNorth    [ Reply ]
MORE STUPID SEEMS IMPOSSIBLE!
Posted 13 years ago by Stingray    [ Reply ]
Dang it, since I heard the first few notes before muting it, it's going to stay with me the rest of the day. Gotta get another ear worm fast.
Posted 13 years ago by SinisterDexter    [ Reply ]
 romeotuma wrote:


This is a great song, and I remember it well...  this song is sweet pop stuff—  it is excellent, but the real poetic power of Eddy Grant is demonstrated in his song Gimme Hope Joanna...

 

 
I can remember playing this song really loudly when I lived at home, and Mom said, "What's he saying?  Electrical Banana? What does that mean?"  I've loved this song ever since.

Posted 13 years ago by Cynaera    [ Reply ]
I HAVE ALWAYS HATED THIS "SONG" EVER SINCE I FIRST HEARD IT.  PLEASE MAKE THE BAD MUSIC GO AWAY!!

{#Frustrated} {#Puke}
Posted 13 years ago by BLADERUNNER    [ Reply ]
Sometimes a song is great simply because it came out when you were a freshman in high school.
Posted 13 years ago by Olaf_Cummings    [ Reply ]
Bill, we love the work you and Rebecca gift us with. Really no need to show us how bad it could be.
Posted 13 years ago by Businessgypsy    [ Reply ]
I hate this song...   {#Puke}
Posted 13 years ago by evansdad    [ Reply ]
 On_The_Beach wrote:
"I'll take One-Hit-Wonders for 300, Alex."
 

Or One-Chord wonders...

Posted 13 years ago by d-don    [ Reply ]
This is getting me going at midnight, coding.  Thanks Bill!
Posted 13 years ago by pherthyl    [ Reply ]
"I'll take One-Hit-Wonders for 300, Alex."
Posted 13 years ago by On_The_Beach    [ Reply ]
Yeah, you just crank this one and have a bass blast with it.  Fun song.
Posted 13 years ago by shutter    [ Reply ]
I have no idea what to rate this....loved it when I was young....don't really care to ever hear it again, but not bothered by hearing it right now.... 
Posted 13 years ago by sbegf    [ Reply ]
Haha, the votes for this one are all over the place! {#Lol}
Usually the vote distribution is a more-or-less smooth curve (mountain or valley), but for this song they almost look random.


Posted 13 years ago by spaceman    [ Reply ]
Weird. I suddenly feel like going to a roller skating rink. {#Think}
Posted 13 years ago by ryuujin23    [ Reply ]
Fun!   Just don't play Electric Slide!
Posted 13 years ago by ronniegirl    [ Reply ]
I see this one's getting dusted off. Thanks Bill!
Posted 13 years ago by iam_overlord    [ Reply ]
Without this song, I'd have absolutely no idea which avenue to rock down to. Or, for that matter, what to do once I arrived there.
Posted 13 years ago by JalapenoJoe    [ Reply ]
I agree this is fun and reminds me of a golden time. Yes, not the best in the grand scheme, but I'm chair dancing and smiling.
Posted 13 years ago by CinnamonGirl    [ Reply ]
{#Sick}
Posted 13 years ago by rdo    [ Reply ]
OUT IN THE STREEEEET.  OUT IN THE (Insert expletive) STREEEEET. 
Posted 13 years ago by smackiepipe    [ Reply ]
 Mot wrote:
Quite probably the worst social commentary song ever made.

Completely out of place on Radio Paradise! :(
 

I think "Eve of Destruction" is a far worse "social commentary song".  There are many others as well.

Posted 13 years ago by Proclivities    [ Reply ]
 Shesdifferent wrote:
Can I erase this from my memory?
 
Only if you tell the rest of us how to do the same.


Posted 13 years ago by aelfheld    [ Reply ]
80's memories of partying late night in NYC. Still a fun song.
Posted 13 years ago by RideMaine    [ Reply ]
4 - to fill in the blank
Posted 13 years ago by paultom84    [ Reply ]
Can I erase this from my memory?
Posted 13 years ago by Shesdifferent    [ Reply ]
oh noooo. 3. This cynical corporate-music fodder was a joke from day 1. Apologies to Eddy Grant: you're a tool.
Posted 20 years ago by ScottFromWyoming    [ Reply ]
LOL! Awesome! :D If you can't handle a little 80's cheese every once in a while, get your shrink to write you a prescription for some Prozac. In the mean time, just chill out for three minutes, it will be over soon. :P
Posted 20 years ago by Chunk    [ Reply ]
This isn't even a good song to roller skate to. Bleh.
Posted 20 years ago by stripes    [ Reply ]
totally rad. one of the only 80s tunes that still deserves airplay.
Posted 20 years ago by Platypus    [ Reply ]
Posted 20 years ago by Monkeysdad    [ Reply ]
This song should have died with the decade that spawned it.
Posted 20 years ago by beelzebubba    [ Reply ]
Quite probably the worst social commentary song ever made. Completely out of place on Radio Paradise! :(
Posted 20 years ago by Mot    [ Reply ]
There's so much great and classic reggae that never gets played here, so how does this overly-commercial piece make it on? Bill please notice the ratings on this one and make it go away please.
Posted 21 years ago by llazare    [ Reply ]
DMcGaw wrote:
hey it's fun and I havent heard it in a long time. thanks RP
yeah!!! starts walking around on the dancefloor, acting silly and smiling at the other ppl who are having good memories :)
Posted 21 years ago by ragna    [ Reply ]
song brings back memories... a little gauche but not that bad.
Posted 21 years ago by Drunkenlilacwine    [ Reply ]
Wow, this really has RP listeners showing their teeth! I like the memory of watching this video, and the song may be a bit silly but it's not THAT bad.
Posted 21 years ago by redeyespy    [ Reply ]
This song makes me have ear seizures. Bill, make it stop!
Posted 21 years ago by aimless    [ Reply ]
you gotta be kidding!
Posted 21 years ago by charlesryder    [ Reply ]
Posted 21 years ago by jeremyleo    [ Reply ]
hey it's fun and I havent heard it in a long time. thanks RP
Posted 21 years ago by DMcGaw    [ Reply ]
That would have been me :) This song is awesome! Hannio wrote:
What cretin rated this a 10? Must have been a joke rating.
Posted 21 years ago by OmegaConcern    [ Reply ]
What cretin rated this a 10? Must have been a joke rating.
Posted 21 years ago by Hannio    [ Reply ]
THIS ROCKS!
Posted 21 years ago by OmegaConcern    [ Reply ]
Was this really necessary?
Posted 21 years ago by dadofsammy    [ Reply ]
Cheesiest of the cheese.
Posted 21 years ago by Hannio    [ Reply ]
Oy is right!!!!!!! I'm sure there are better cuts from Eddy Grant than this overplayed top 40 fodder.
Posted 21 years ago by Keith1022    [ Reply ]