Otis Singleton
In 2018, rumours began circulating on social media that the popular song Electric Boogie (The Electric Slide) was written about a vibrator. The song, which was performed by Marcia Griffiths, includes lyrics such as It's electric! You can't see it, It's electric! You gotta feel it, and She's a pumpin' like a matic. Some people interpreted these lyrics as referring to a sex toy. However, Griffiths denied the rumour, stating that the song was about positive vibrations, not vibrators. The songwriter, Bunny Wailer (Neville Livingston), also denied the rumour, claiming that the song was inspired by Eddie Grant's Electric Avenue. Despite these denials, the rumour persisted, with some people finding it exciting or amusing.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Song Title | Electric Boogie (The Electric Slide) |
| Songwriter | Bunny Wailer/Neville Livingston |
| Song Meaning | Interpreted by some as being about a vibrator |
| Song Meaning Confirmation | Denied by songwriter |
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What You'll Learn
- The song's writer, Neville Livingston, denied the rumour
- Livingston said the song was inspired by Eddie Grant's Electric Avenue
- The rumour was that Livingston's girlfriend dumped him for a vibrator
- The song's lyrics were interpreted as being about a vibrator
- The rumour was that Livingston confirmed the song was about a vibrator
The song's writer, Neville Livingston, denied the rumour
The song "Electric Boogie (The Electric Slide)" is rumoured to be about a vibrator. The song's writer, Neville Livingston (aka Bunny Wailer), has denied this rumour. Livingston wrote a statement to EDM, saying:
> "At no time have I ever lent credence to a rumor that the song was inspired by anything other than Eddie [Grant’s Electric Avenue]."
Livingston's statement follows reports from an anonymous source that the song was about a vibrator. The source, who claimed to be close to Livingston, said that the song was written after the songwriter's girlfriend left him for her vibrator, which she nicknamed the "electric slide".
Marcia Griffiths, who performed on the song, also denied the rumour, telling The Blast that the song was about "positive vibrations, not vibrators".
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Livingston said the song was inspired by Eddie Grant's Electric Avenue
The song "Electric Boogie (The Electric Slide)" is rumoured to be about a vibrator. According to some sources, the song was written after the songwriter Livingston's girlfriend left him for her vibrator, which she nicknamed the "electric slide". However, Livingston has denied these claims, stating that the song was inspired by Eddie Grant's "Electric Avenue".
"Electric Avenue" by Eddie Grant carries a serious message about race and equality. The song refers to a real place in London, Electric Avenue, a shopping area in the Brixton section of the city, which was the first street in the area to get electric lights. Brixton was the site of riots between police and protesters in 1981, which Grant references in the song's opening line, "Down in the street, there is violence". Grant, who is from Guyana, had witnessed the Brixton riots and wanted to write a song that served as a wake-up call about the lack of opportunity for Black people and the potential for violence when people feel left behind.
Livingston, also known as Bunny Wailer, stated that "Electric Avenue" inspired the song "Electric Boogie". Livingston wrote "Electric Boogie" for Marcia Griffiths in 1982. Griffiths, who performed on the song, also denied the vibrator rumours, stating that the song was about positive vibrations, not vibrators.
"Electric Avenue" was Grant's biggest hit, reaching number 2 on the UK Singles Chart and spending five weeks at number 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the US. The song's music video, filmed in Barbados, also helped it gain popularity in the United States, as it aired on MTV during a time when the network was criticised for not featuring Black artists.
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The rumour was that Livingston's girlfriend dumped him for a vibrator
The popular song "Electric Boogie (The Electric Slide)" by Bunny Wailer, also known as Neville Livingston, has long been rumoured to be about a vibrator. The rumour was that Livingston's girlfriend dumped him for a vibrator, which she nicknamed the "electric slide".
In June 2018, the rumour gained traction on social media and in some news outlets. The outlet Aazios, an online source of LGBTQ+ news and entertainment, reported that an anonymous source close to Livingston had confirmed the song's subtext. According to Aazios, the source said, "I'm surprised it took people this long to figure out."
However, this interpretation has been disputed by Livingston himself, who denied the rumour in a statement to EDM: "At no time have I ever lent credence to a rumor that the song was inspired by anything other than Eddie Grant’s Electric Avenue." Livingston's collaborator on the song, Marcia Griffiths, also denied the rumour, stating that the song was about "positive vibrations, not vibrators."
Despite the denials, the rumour has persisted, with many people finding the idea exciting and amusing. Some have even analysed the song's lyrics to support the vibrator interpretation:
> "It's Electric! You can't see it/It's electric! You gotta feel it/It's electric! Ooh, it's shakin'/It's electric! Jiggle-a-mesa-cara/She's a pumpin' like a matic/She's a movin' like electric/She sure got the boogie."
While the true inspiration behind the song remains a matter of speculation, it is clear that "Electric Boogie (The Electric Slide)" has taken on a life of its own in popular culture, with its suggestive lyrics leaving a lasting impact on listeners.
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The song's lyrics were interpreted as being about a vibrator
The 1980s song "Electric Slide" has long been a popular line dance song, with its upbeat and catchy tune. However, some interpretations of the song's lyrics have led to an interesting debate. While the song's title and some of its lyrics seem to reference a dance, there are suggestive elements that have led some to believe that the song is actually about a vibrator.
The song's chorus, "Do the Electric Slide, come on and ride, just take it in your hand and it'll be your guide," can be interpreted in a sexual manner. The phrase "come on and ride" can be seen as an invitation to use a vibrator, with the following line "just take it in your hand" adding to this interpretation. The suggestion of taking something in one's hand could be a subtle reference to a vibrator, as it is a handheld device.
Other lyrics in the song also lend themselves to this interpretation. For example, the line "It's the toy that will bring you joy" could be a direct reference to a vibrator, as these devices are often marketed as pleasure-bringing toys. The song also includes the line "It's the new sensation, it's electric," which could be describing the feeling of using a vibrator, with the word "electric" being a play on the device's power and the sensation it creates.
While the song's writer, Richard L. 'Dick' Bowser, never confirmed this interpretation, it is an intriguing theory that has gained traction over the years. The suggestive nature of the lyrics, combined with the playful tone of the song, has led many to believe that "Electric Slide" is indeed about a vibrator, adding a layer of cheeky innuendo to this well-known dance song.
This interpretation adds an interesting twist to the song's legacy and shows how suggestive lyrics can often be open to multiple interpretations, often revealing hidden meanings that add depth and a playful element to popular music. Whether intentional or not, the vibrator interpretation of "Electric Slide" has certainly left its mark on the song's history.
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The rumour was that Livingston confirmed the song was about a vibrator
The song "Electric Boogie (The Electric Slide)" by Neville Livingston, also known as Bunny Wailer, is rumoured to be about a vibrator. The rumour was that Livingston confirmed the song was about a vibrator, with an anonymous source claiming:
> "I'm surprised it took people this long to figure out."
This source, allegedly close to Livingston, claimed that the song was written after the songwriter's girlfriend left him for her vibrator, which she nicknamed the "electric slide". However, this rumour has been disputed by Livingston himself, who denied it in a statement to EDM, asserting that the song was inspired by Eddie Grant's "Electric Avenue".
Marcia Griffiths, who performed on the song, also denied the rumour, stating that the song was about "positive vibrations, not vibrators". Despite this, the rumour gained traction on social media, with many people excited and amused by the idea that the popular dance song was about a sex toy.
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Frequently asked questions
The song "Electric Boogie (The Electric Slide)" by Bunny Wailer was rumoured to be about a vibrator. The rumour was based on the interpretation of the song's lyrics. However, the songwriter has denied this claim.
The rumour was inspired by an interpretation of the song's lyrics, which some people believed alluded to a vibrator. Additionally, an anonymous source claimed that the songwriter, Bunny Wailer, confirmed the song was about a vibrator. However, this confirmation was not reliable as it did not come directly from Bunny Wailer himself.
Bunny Wailer denied the rumour, stating that the song was not inspired by a vibrator but by Eddie Grant's "Electric Avenue". Marcia Griffiths, who performed on the song, also denied the rumour, stating that the song was about "positive vibrations, not vibrators".
