Beatrice Lang
Electric Avenue is a song by Guyanese-British musician Eddy Grant, released in 1982 on his album Killer on the Rampage. The song refers to Electric Avenue in Brixton, London, which was the first market street in the area to be lit by electricity. The song's opening line, Down in the street, there is violence, refers to the Brixton Riots of 1981, which were sparked by tensions over unemployment, racism, and poverty in the area. The song was one of the biggest hits of 1983, reaching No. 2 on the UK Singles Chart and spending five weeks at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the US.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Artist | Eddy Grant |
| Year of Release | 1982 |
| Album | Killer on the Rampage |
| Inspiration | 1981 Brixton Riots |
| Location | Brixton, London |
| Genre | Reggae-influenced pop |
| Chart Position | No. 2 in the UK, No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the US |
| Awards | Grammy-nominated |
| Notable Covers | "Avenues" by Refugee Camp All-Stars featuring Pras and Ky-Mani Marley |
| Notable Usage | Donald Trump's 2020 re-election campaign |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
The song's references to the Brixton Riots
The song "Electric Avenue" by Guyanese-British singer Eddy Grant was a response to the Brixton Riots of 1981. The lyrics refer to the violence and unrest that took place during the riots, with lines like "Now in the street, there is violence/And a lot of work to be done" and "Working so hard like a soldier/Can't afford a thing on TV". The song also mentions the high unemployment rate among the Caribbean immigrant population in Britain at the time, with the lyrics "Can't get food for the kid, good God".
The title "Electric Avenue" refers to the street of the same name in Brixton, which was the first market street to be lit by electric lights. The song's upbeat melody and feel-good groove contrast with the darker subject matter of the lyrics, which reflect on the social and racial tensions of the time.
Grant has stated that the song was intended as a "wake-up call" to bring attention to the issues of racial disadvantage and police brutality that contributed to the Brixton Riots. The song was released in 1982 as a single from Grant's album "Killer on the Rampage" and reached number two on the UK and US singles charts. Despite its commercial success, "Electric Avenue" was not Grant's only foray into advocacy through music. In 1988, he released the anti-apartheid song "Gimme Hope Jo'anna", which was later banned by the South African government.
The Brixton Riots, which unfolded in 1981, were a response to police brutality, racial tension, and high unemployment among the Caribbean immigrant population in Britain. The riots resulted in hundreds of injuries and numerous arrests, leading to the release of the Scarman report, which acknowledged racial disadvantage in British life but denied the existence of "institutional racism" within the police force.
Understanding SCFM: Electrical Measurement and Applications
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The song's use in media
"Electric Avenue" has been used in several media since its release. The song was featured in the opening sequence of the film Pineapple Express and in the opening of an episode of Everybody Hates Chris. It was also included in a montage on The Simpsons episode "Sex, Pies and Idiot Scrapes". In the Family Guy episode "And the Wiener Is...", the song was played by the high school marching band during halftime. In addition, the song was featured in the film Jackass 3D during the stunt titled "Electric Avenue".
"Electric Avenue" has also made its way into other forms of media beyond television and film. For example, the song was sampled in a commercial for Montgomery Ward. In 2020, the song was used in a political video tweeted by then-US President Donald Trump, resulting in a copyright complaint from Eddy Grant. The song was also featured in a conference by the premier of the Canadian province of Ontario, Doug Ford, who declared "Electric Avenue" as the province's new "theme song".
The song's popularity and cultural impact have led to its inclusion in various forms of media, both within and outside of traditional entertainment platforms. Its use in film, television, and political events has contributed to its enduring legacy.
Understanding the Meaning of 'MW' in Electrical Terms
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The song's chart performance
"Electric Avenue" is one of the highest-charting reggae-influenced pop songs ever. The song was a commercial success, reaching No. 2 on the UK Singles Chart in 1983 and No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the US, where it spent five weeks. The song also reached No. 18 on the Hot Black Singles chart and No. 6 on the Dance/Disco Top 80 chart. In 2001, a remixed version of the song, the "Ringbang Remix", was released and reached No. 5 in the UK.
The song's chart success can be attributed to several factors. Firstly, the song's catchy and upbeat melody made it appealing to a wide audience. Additionally, the song's music video, which was played on MTV, helped to increase its popularity, especially in the United States. The video's rotation on MTV came shortly after Michael Jackson's "Billie Jean" and contributed to the network's increased acceptance of Black artists. The song's success was also driven by its social and cultural relevance, as it referenced the Brixton Riots of 1981 and the social and economic issues faced by the Afro-Caribbean community in London at the time.
"Electric Avenue" continues to be recognised and referenced in popular culture. In 2023, the premier of the Canadian province of Ontario, Doug Ford, declared "Electric Avenue" to be Ontario's new "theme song". The song has also been featured in various films, television shows, and advertisements, demonstrating its enduring popularity and cultural impact.
Understanding Electricity: What Does mAh Mean?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The song's lyrics
"Electric Avenue" is a song by Guyanese-British musician Eddy Grant. It was released on his 1982 studio album "Killer on the Rampage" and was one of the biggest hits of 1983 in the United States. The song refers to Electric Avenue in Brixton, London, which became the site of the 1981 Brixton riots. The eponymous street was the first market street in the area to be lit by electricity.
The song's opening line, "Down in the street, there is violence", sets the tone, alluding to the unrest and upheaval that characterised the Brixton riots. The lyrics also touch on social and economic issues, with references to unemployment, racism, and poverty, and police brutality. For example, the line "No place to hang out our washing / And I can't blame it all on the sun, oh no" suggests a sense of powerlessness and a lack of agency in the face of systemic issues.
The chorus, "We gonna rock down to Electric Avenue / And then we'll take it higher, Electric Avenue", can be interpreted in a few ways. On the one hand, it could be a call to action, encouraging people to literally take to the streets and elevate their voices in protest. On the other hand, it could be a metaphor for rising above the challenges and finding a way to overcome them, turning a negative situation into a positive one.
The song also includes the line "Working so hard like a soldier / Can't afford a thing on TV", which speaks to the financial struggles of the working class. This is further emphasised in the line "Can't get food for them kids, good God", highlighting the disparity between the rich and the poor.
The song "Electric Avenue" has had a significant cultural impact and has been referenced and featured in various media. It has been covered by other artists and has been used in films, television shows, and advertisements.
Electrical Terminology: Understanding the Language of Electricity
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The street that inspired the song
Electric Avenue is a shopping area in the Brixton section of London. It was named as such because it was the first street in the area to be lit by electricity. The song "Electric Avenue" by Guyanese-British musician Eddy Grant was inspired by this street.
Grant, a native of Guyana, first learned about the street while acting at the Black Theatre of Brixton. Brixton was the setting for the 1981 riots between police and protesters, which are referenced in the song's opening line, "Down in the street, there is violence". The song refers to the tensions over unemployment, racism, and poverty exacerbated by racist policing that led to the Brixton riots. Grant himself stated that the song was intended as a "wake-up call".
The song was one of the biggest hits of 1983 in the United States, aided by the MTV music video. It was nominated for a Grammy Award as Best R&B Song of 1983 but lost to Michael Jackson's "Billie Jean". The song has been referenced and sampled in various media, including films, TV shows, and advertisements.
Understanding RCDs: Electrical Safety and Circuit Protection
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
The song "Electric Avenue" by Eddy Grant refers to the Brixton Riots of 1981 in London, UK.
The song "Electric Avenue" is about the social and economic issues faced by the Afro-Caribbean community in Lambeth, South London, which culminated in the 1981 Brixton Riots.
The title refers to a street in Brixton, London, which was the first market street in the area to be lit by electricity.
"Electric Avenue" was released in 1982 on Eddy Grant's studio album "Killer on the Rampage". It became one of the biggest hits of 1983.
Yes, "Electric Avenue" has been featured in various media including commercials, films, TV shows, and comics. It has also been sampled in advertisements and used in political campaigns.
