Eddy Grant — Electric Avenue
Album: Killer On The RampageAvg rating:
Your rating:
Total ratings: 1483
Length: 3:44
Plays (last 30 days): 2
share
tweet
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
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 (91)add comment
lily34 wrote:
Re-posting cause it's a lovely comment.
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.
Re-posting cause it's a lovely comment.
GOOD GOD!
In a good way
In a good way
Clark_Novato wrote:
Speaking of politics, he sang in "Living on the frontline": "Me no want to shoot Palestine, oh I have land, oh I have mine". Today he would be labelled and bullied as anti-Semite
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/
Speaking of politics, he sang in "Living on the frontline": "Me no want to shoot Palestine, oh I have land, oh I have mine". Today he would be labelled and bullied as anti-Semite
settiman wrote:
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.
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.
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. 😂
Can't say this has really stood the test of time well. But it was special back in the day.
Pop Quiz: between "Electric Avenue" and "You Dropped a Bomb on Me", which one is about war and which one is about love?
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/
https://barbadostoday.bb/2021/09/30/judge-declines-to-dismiss-eddy-grants-lawsuit-against-trump-for-using-electric-avenue/
Next time Bill turns down one of my suggestions for an artist or track to play, I will remind he played this.
I remember roller skating to this tune, back in 1982 / 1983 when it first came out. I think there even were disco balls involved !!
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.
This was a very guilty pleasure back in the day:)
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.
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.
"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.
Nowadays, he would be labeled as "antisemite". Good musician and righteous man.
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.
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.
Whatever.
Remember watching this on tv as a kid, I remember it had some sort of pixelated blur which I thought was really cool.
Good stuff. Can you add a share app function under settings please?
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
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
Gourd wrote:
I had no idea. Thank you!
c.
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.
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.
We're watchin Breakin 2: Electric Boogaloo
and reruns of The Wire.
and reruns of The Wire.
Gourd wrote:
Thank you for that insight -- I had no idea. I hear this song completely different now.
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.
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.
you guys JUST played this the other day! surely it isn't that good.
take me back to my youth. cult
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.
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.
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.
"Good Gahd!"
One of my FAVES of the 80's...still rocks today (for me anyways)
On_The_Beach wrote:
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.
"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.
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.
Oh, Cynaera, you still make me smile. Rest in peace, lovely lady.
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.
Oh, Cynaera, you still make me smile. Rest in peace, lovely lady.
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..."
Wow big MTV favorite.
Seems like You play it every 7 years... In my opinion you could play it once a year... at least...
BLADERUNNER wrote:
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.
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.
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........
Olaf_Cummings wrote:
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.
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.
I used to really hate this song. No I only marginally can't stand it. But a nice trip to way-back-when land.
Yaaaaa
Oh yeah!
CinnamonGirl wrote:
Word up!
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!
MORE STUPID SEEMS IMPOSSIBLE!
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.
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.
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.
I HAVE ALWAYS HATED THIS "SONG" EVER SINCE I FIRST HEARD IT. PLEASE MAKE THE BAD MUSIC GO AWAY!!
Sometimes a song is great simply because it came out when you were a freshman in high school.
Bill, we love the work you and Rebecca gift us with. Really no need to show us how bad it could be.
I hate this song...
On_The_Beach wrote:
Or One-Chord wonders...
"I'll take One-Hit-Wonders for 300, Alex."
Or One-Chord wonders...
This is getting me going at midnight, coding. Thanks Bill!
"I'll take One-Hit-Wonders for 300, Alex."
Yeah, you just crank this one and have a bass blast with it. Fun song.
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....
Haha, the votes for this one are all over the place! 
Usually the vote distribution is a more-or-less smooth curve (mountain or valley), but for this song they almost look random.
Usually the vote distribution is a more-or-less smooth curve (mountain or valley), but for this song they almost look random.
Weird. I suddenly feel like going to a roller skating rink. 
Fun! Just don't play Electric Slide!
I see this one's getting dusted off. Thanks Bill!
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.
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.
OUT IN THE STREEEEET. OUT IN THE (Insert expletive) STREEEEET.
Mot wrote:
I think "Eve of Destruction" is a far worse "social commentary song". There are many others as well.
Quite probably the worst social commentary song ever made.
Completely out of place on Radio Paradise! :(
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.
Shesdifferent wrote:
Only if you tell the rest of us how to do the same.
Can I erase this from my memory?
Only if you tell the rest of us how to do the same.
80's memories of partying late night in NYC. Still a fun song.
4 - to fill in the blank
Can I erase this from my memory?
oh noooo. 3. This cynical corporate-music fodder was a joke from day 1. Apologies to Eddy Grant: you're a tool.
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
This isn't even a good song to roller skate to. Bleh.
totally rad.
one of the only 80s tunes that still deserves airplay.
This song should have died with the decade that spawned it.
Quite probably the worst social commentary song ever made.
Completely out of place on Radio Paradise! :(
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.
DMcGaw wrote:
starts walking around on the dancefloor, acting silly and smiling at the other ppl who are having good memories :)
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 :)
song brings back memories...
a little gauche but not that bad.
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.
This song makes me have ear seizures.
Bill, make it stop!
you gotta be kidding! 
hey it's fun and I havent heard it in a long time. thanks RP
That would have been me :) This song is awesome!
Hannio wrote:
What cretin rated this a 10? Must have been a joke rating.
What cretin rated this a 10? Must have been a joke rating.
THIS ROCKS!
Was this really necessary?
Cheesiest of the cheese.
Oy is right!!!!!!! I'm sure there are better cuts from Eddy Grant than this overplayed top 40 fodder.
And while we're at it: how about some Grandmaster Flash & the Furious Five? Please?