Beatrice Lang
Electric Dreams is the title of a 1984 science fiction romantic comedy film, a 2017-2018 TV series, and a song by Philip Oakey and Giorgio Moroder. The song was originally released to advertise the film but quickly overshadowed it, becoming a success in its own right. The film and TV series are unrelated, but both are science fiction, and the series is based on short stories by Philip K. Dick.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Film | Electric Dreams |
| Film release date | 20 July 1984 |
| Film genre | Science fiction romantic comedy |
| Film director | Steve Barron |
| Film writer | Rusty Lemorande |
| Film stars | Lenny Von Dohlen, Virginia Madsen, Maxwell Caulfield, and the voice of Bud Cort |
| Song | Together in Electric Dreams |
| Songwriters | Giorgio Moroder and Philip Oakey |
| Song performer | Philip Oakey |
| TV series | Philip K. Dick's Electric Dreams |
| TV series broadcaster | Channel 4 |
| TV series broadcaster region | UK |
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![Electric Dreams (Blu Ray) [Blu-ray]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71mIMb-LFPL._AC_UY218_.jpg)
What You'll Learn
The 1984 film
Electric Dreams is a 1984 science fiction romantic comedy film directed by Steve Barron in his directorial debut. The film stars Lenny Von Dohlen, Virginia Madsen, Maxwell Caulfield, and the voice of Bud Cort. The film received mixed reviews from critics.
The film follows Miles Harding, an architect who is looking for a way to get more organized at work. He buys a personal computer, despite being unsure if he will be able to operate it correctly. He ends up buying several extra gadgets that are not necessary for his work, such as switches to control household appliances. The computer hardware company in the film is called "Pinecone," a play on Apple Computer. The film also explores the commercial link between a movie and its soundtrack, featuring music from popular musicians of the time, including Giorgio Moroder, Culture Club, Jeff Lynne, and Heaven 17.
One of the notable aspects of the film is the song "Together in Electric Dreams," composed by Giorgio Moroder with lyrics written by Phil Oakey. The song became a hit and is featured in the final sequence of the film. The film also includes cinematic trickery to make it appear bigger than it is, with various exteriors shot locally, including local radio personalities and landmarks.
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The 2017-2018 TV series
The series was greenlit for production by Channel 4 in the UK and Amazon Prime in the United States. The first six episodes were screened weekly on Channel 4 in 2017, with the remaining episodes premiering on January 12, 2018, on Amazon Prime. The episode order on Amazon is sequenced differently from the UK broadcast. The series received generally favorable reviews, with an approval rating of 72% on Rotten Tomatoes and a Metacritic score of 68 out of 100.
The TV series "Electric Dreams" explores unique worlds and ideas beyond the reach of the imagination. Each episode is a standalone sci-fi feature with its own distinct world and story. Some episodes, like "The Hood Maker," are inspired by Philip K. Dick's short stories but offer a different interpretation on screen. The series has a darker tone than some of Dick's other works, and some viewers have noted that the plots of the episodes can feel misguided or confusing due to changes made to the endings of the original stories.
Overall, "Electric Dreams" is a well-acted and visually enticing series that explores complex and adult themes. It borrows from and pays homage to other sci-fi works like "Blade Runner, "Black Mirror, "Children of Men." Despite some criticism of its lack of originality and tonal cohesion, the series received mostly positive reviews for its production values and optimistic tone.
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The song by Phil Oakey and Giorgio Moroder
"Together in Electric Dreams" is a song by Philip Oakey and Giorgio Moroder, released as a single in 1984. It was written for the end credits of the 1984 film Electric Dreams, directed by Steve Barron, and became an international hit. The song was originally intended to promote the film but quickly overshadowed it, becoming a success in its own right.
The song is a synth-pop ballad that captures the story of a romance. In the film, the lead character, Miles, finds himself in a love triangle with his neighbour, Madeline, and a supercomputer that comes alive. The lyrics refer to a love that comes as a surprise: "I only knew you for a while/ I never saw your smile/ 'Til it was time to go/ Time to go away/ (Time to go away)/ Sometimes it's hard to recognize/ Love comes as a surprise".
The song was written and recorded in a very short time. Oakey has stated that he wrote the lyrics on the back of a cigarette packet on his way to the recording studio and that the whole recording process took about ten minutes. Despite this, or perhaps because of it, the song became a worldwide hit, whereas some of Oakey's other work, which took over a year to record, did not.
The song has been described as "surprisingly catchy" and "sub-romantic and a bit sentimental", with "dazzling synthwork". It has been featured in numerous films, TV shows, and advertisements and has been covered by various artists. It has also been included in The Human League's Greatest Hits compilation albums, although the band has never recorded their own version.
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The short stories by Philip K. Dick
The TV series is an anthology of standalone sci-fi episodes, each with its own unique narrative and setting. While some episodes are directly inspired by Dick's short stories, they take creative liberties with the source material, altering plotlines and endings. For example, the episode "The Hood Maker" draws on elements from Dick's short stories and the world of Blade Runner, offering a dark and humorous exploration of a complex theme.
Dick's short stories are known for their clear and concise endings, as he aimed to convey meaningful messages through his writing. The adaptations in the TV series, however, often deviate from these original endings, which some viewers find disappointing. Despite this, the series has received generally positive reviews, with an approval rating of 72% on Rotten Tomatoes and an average score of 68/100 on Metacritic.
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The meaning of the song's lyrics
"Together in Electric Dreams" is a song about love and separation. The lyrics speak of a love that has ended, but the memory and dream of that love remain. The song's theme revolves around the idea of being "together" in dreams, even when physically apart. The song also hints at the surprise and unpredictability of love: "I only knew you for a while, I never saw your smile / Til it was time to go, time to go away / Sometimes it's hard to recognize, love comes as a surprise / And it's too late, it's just too late to stay, too late to stay."
The song celebrates the friendship and the courage that the loved one has given: "Because the friendship that you gave / Has taught me to be brave / No matter where I go / I'll never find a better prize." The lyrics also express the lingering presence of the loved one, even after their departure: "Though you're miles and miles away, I see you every day / I don't have to try, I just close my eyes, I close my eyes."
The phrase "electric dreams" itself can be interpreted as vivid, intense, or surreal dreams. The word "electric" adds a sense of energy and vibrancy to the dreams, suggesting that they are powerful and memorable. In the context of the song, the electric dreams are likely a metaphor for the lasting impact and emotional intensity of the love experienced by the narrator.
The song's lyrics have a bittersweet tone, acknowledging the pain of separation while also finding comfort and happiness in the memories of love. The use of the phrase "electric dreams" adds a unique and imaginative twist to the theme of lost love, creating a sense of surrealism and fantasy.
The song "Together in Electric Dreams" was written by Giorgio Moroder and Philip Oakey, the frontman of The Human League. It was featured in the 1984 film Electric Dreams, a science fiction romantic comedy. The song became a success, overshadowing the film itself and becoming one of the staple electronic hits of the 1980s. The song's upbeat and catchy melody, coupled with the emotional and imaginative lyrics, contributed to its popularity and lasting impact.
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Frequently asked questions
Dreaming about electricity can indicate that you feel out of control or overwhelmed. It may also be a sign that you need to shock yourself out of your current thinking or behaviour.
Dreaming about being electrocuted by a live wire may be a warning. It suggests that there is something or someone in your surroundings that has the potential to harm you.
Dreaming about lightning hints at uncontrolled energy and pent-up emotions. According to Carl Jung, lightning striking something or someone signifies transformation.
Dreams about power outages or problems with electric cables can symbolise being jolted out of a comfortable routine or way of thinking. They may also indicate that you feel powerless or out of control in some area of your life.
Dreams about sparks or a bolt of lightning can be a positive omen. They can symbolise power, creativity, or energy, and indicate that something new and exciting is happening in your life.
