Molly Ayala
Together in Electric Dreams is a song by British singer and composer Philip Oakey and Italian composer and producer Giorgio Moroder. It was written for the original soundtrack of the 1984 film Electric Dreams and was released as a single in the United Kingdom in September 1984. The song became a major commercial success, reaching No. 3 in the UK Singles Chart and remaining in the charts for thirteen weeks. The song has since been covered by various artists and has been featured in multiple advertising campaigns.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Artist | Philip Oakey and Giorgio Moroder |
| Album | Philip Oakey & Giorgio Moroder |
| Year of Release | 1984 |
| Film | Electric Dreams |
| Director | Steve Barron |
| Music Director | Giorgio Moroder |
| Music Type | Electronic |
| Tempo | 130 beats per minute |
| Instruments Used | Roland Jupiter-8 and LinnDrum |
| EP Released by | Sunday Best Recordings |
| EP Producer | Rob da Bank |
| EP Release Country | United Kingdom |
| EP Release Date | November 2007 |
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What You'll Learn
The song's writers and performers
"Together in Electric Dreams" is a song by British singer and composer Philip Oakey and Italian composer and producer Giorgio Moroder. Oakey is also the lead singer of the British synthpop band The Human League, and "Together in Electric Dreams" was released at the height of the band's international fame. As a result, it is often mistakenly considered a Human League single. However, Oakey recorded the song as a solo artist with Moroder, who also wrote most of the score for the film Electric Dreams (1984), for which the song was originally created.
The song was written and recorded in ten minutes, according to Oakey, who described his involvement as "just a quick thing to do in a robot-like fashion". Moroder wrote the song as a male solo vocal, and Oakey was suggested for the part by the film's director, Steve Barron. The song was released as a single in the United Kingdom in September 1984, reaching No. 3 in the UK Singles Chart and remaining in the charts for thirteen weeks. It also saw commercial success in Australia, New Zealand, and the Netherlands.
The song has been covered by numerous artists, including Lali Puna, whose version was not specifically commissioned for the album but had previously been released on the tribute album Reproductions: Songs of The Human League (2000). Other covers include an upbeat acoustic guitar-based version by the duo Waters/Kinley for a 2019 Strongbow commercial, and a 2021 version by Lola Young, which was featured in a John Lewis Christmas advert. During Christmas 2020, a seasonal version was released by Somerset duo The Portraits and their daughter.
Despite the Human League never officially recording their own version, the band often performs a live version of the song, usually as an encore, with female backing vocals by Susan Ann Sulley and Joanne Catherall, which differ significantly from the original.
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Its use in advertising
"Together in Electric Dreams" was originally released as a song to promote the 1984 film Electric Dreams. However, the song quickly became a major commercial success in its own right, even eclipsing the popularity of the film it was intended to advertise. The song reached No. 3 in the UK Singles Chart and remained in the charts for thirteen weeks, also charting in Australia, New Zealand, and the Netherlands.
The song's popularity has led to its continued use in advertising campaigns decades after its initial release. In 2019, an upbeat acoustic guitar-based version of the song was featured in a Strongbow commercial. The following year, during the Christmas season, a seasonal version of the song was released by Somerset duo The Portraits and their daughter. In 2021, a cover of the song by Lola Young was featured in the John Lewis Christmas advert, marking the second time in two years that a cover of "Together in Electric Dreams" was used in a major advertising campaign.
The continued use of "Together in Electric Dreams" in advertising campaigns decades after its initial release is a testament to the song's enduring appeal and its ability to resonate with new generations of consumers. The song's upbeat and dreamlike melody, coupled with its nostalgic associations, make it an effective choice for advertisers seeking to evoke a sense of warmth, joy, and fantasy in their campaigns.
The original music video for "Together in Electric Dreams" also played a significant role in the song's popularity and its subsequent use in advertising. In the United States, where the film Electric Dreams was not as well-known, the promotional video was often perceived as a music video first, further associating the song with visual imagery and narratives that could be leveraged for advertising purposes.
Overall, the enduring popularity of "Together in Electric Dreams" in advertising can be attributed to a combination of factors, including the song's catchy melody, the nostalgic associations it evokes, and its effective promotion through music videos and previous advertising campaigns. By leveraging these aspects, advertisers have been able to tap into the song's enduring appeal and create campaigns that resonate with audiences of all ages.
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The film it was written for
"Together in Electric Dreams" was written for the film Electric Dreams, directed by Steve Barron and released in 1984. Barron wanted the music in the film to emulate the success of the 1983 film Flashdance and its electronic music by Giorgio Moroder, so he enlisted Moroder as the director of music for Electric Dreams. Moroder wrote "Together in Electric Dreams" as a male solo vocal, and Barron suggested Philip Oakey, the lead singer of the British synthpop band the Human League, for the part. Although the song was originally released as an advertisement for the film, it quickly overshadowed the film itself and became a major commercial success, even eclipsing the original film it was intended to promote. It reached No. 3 in the UK Singles Chart and stayed in the charts for thirteen weeks, while also finding success in Australia, New Zealand, and the Netherlands. The song has since been included in various Greatest Hits compilation albums and has been covered by numerous artists.
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The song's key and instruments
"Together in Electric Dreams" is a song in the key of E-flat major, with a tempo of 130 beats per minute. The song was written by British singer and composer Philip Oakey and Italian composer and producer Giorgio Moroder. It was recorded for the original soundtrack of the 1984 film *Electric Dreams*.
The song features a variety of instruments, including a Roland Jupiter-8 and a LinnDrum. The Roland Jupiter-8 is a polyphonic synthesizer that was released in the early 1980s and became widely used in popular music. The LinnDrum is an electronic drum machine that was also popular in the 1980s, known for its realistic drum sounds and sequencing capabilities.
The song has been interpreted and covered by various artists, each bringing their own unique style and instrumentation. For example, the duo Waters/Kinley released an upbeat acoustic guitar-based version for a Strongbow commercial in 2019. Additionally, the British synthpop band The Human League, of which Oakey is the lead singer, frequently performs their own version of the song during live performances, often as an encore. Their version includes a longer, more dramatic intro and prominent female backing vocals by Susan Ann Sulley and Joanne Catherall.
The song's success has led to its inclusion in various compilation albums and advertising campaigns. It has also inspired numerous interpretations and covers, showcasing the versatility of the original composition and its ability to adapt to different musical styles and instruments.
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The Human League's live performances
The Human League is an English new wave band formed in Sheffield that has been making electronic synthpop music since 1977. The band is comprised of Philip Oakey, Joanne Catherall, and Susan Ann Sulley, with Oakey being the only consistent member.
The band's live performances began to gain momentum and acclaim in the late 1970s, and they were asked to support acts like The Rezillos and Siouxsie and the Banshees. In 1979, they supported Iggy Pop on his European tour. The Human League entered the mainstream by performing in an unorthodox manner, with their stage filled with synths, dancers, and a unique singer. Their instrumentation is all electronic, and they refuse to use playback, always opting to play live and rehearse before every appearance to ensure each performance is unique.
In May 1980, the band toured the UK, and this was the last time all four members performed together live. The band continues to perform sold-out shows and has a dedicated fan base, with Oakey dominating the stage in a mesmerising way. The band members' energy and the quality of their performances of classic songs make their shows enjoyable for audiences of all ages.
The Human League frequently includes their own version of "Together in Electric Dreams" in their live performances, often as an encore. This is despite the song being a solo collaboration between Oakey and Giorgio Moroder, though the band has since adopted it due to its popularity and included it in their Greatest Hits compilation albums.
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Frequently asked questions
"Together in Electric Dreams" is a song by British singer and composer Philip Oakey and Italian composer and producer Giorgio Moroder.
The song was recorded for the original soundtrack of the 1984 film "Electric Dreams".
The instruments used in the track included a Roland Jupiter-8 and a LinnDrum.
The song is set in the key of E♭ major in common time with a tempo of 130 beats per minute.
The director of music for the film was Giorgio Moroder, who also wrote most of the score.
