Beatrice Lang
Electric Boogie, also known as The Electric Slide, is a dance song written by Bunny Wailer and performed by Marcia Griffiths. It was inspired by Eddy Grant's Electric Avenue and became the basis for a popular dance called the Electric Slide. The song's lyrics have been interpreted in various ways, with some speculating that it is about a vibrator. However, Griffiths has denied this, stating that the song is about positive vibrations, not vibrators. The songwriter, Bunny Wailer, has also refuted the vibrator interpretation, asserting that the song was inspired by Electric Avenue.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Songwriter | Bunny Wailer |
| Other names | The Electric Slide |
| Song inspiration | Eddy Grant's "Electric Avenue" |
| Song meaning | Rumoured to be about a vibrator |
| Song meaning confirmed by | Bunny Wailer (rumoured) |
| Song meaning denied by | Bunny Wailer, Marcia Griffiths |
| Singer | Marcia Griffiths |
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What You'll Learn
The song's writer, Bunny Wailer, has denied the vibrator interpretation
The song "Electric Boogie" (also known as "The Electric Slide") has been the subject of much speculation regarding its interpretation. Some sources claim that the song is about a vibrator, with interpretations of the lyrics supporting this idea. However, the song's writer, Neville "Bunny Wailer" Livingston, has denied these rumours.
In a statement to EDM, Livingston refuted the vibrator interpretation, stating:
> "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. To state otherwise is a falsehood and offends my legacy, the legacy of the singer Marcia Griffiths, and tarnishes the reputation of a song beloved by millions of fans worldwide."
Livingston's statement aligns with the perspective of singer Marcia Griffiths, who also performed on the song. Griffiths denied that the song had any sexual connotations, asserting that her music aims to "teach, educate, and uplift" rather than focus on sexual themes. She emphasised that the song was about "positive vibrations, not vibrators."
The origins of the song provide further context to Wailer's denial of the vibrator interpretation. "Electric Boogie" was written in response to Eddy Grant's song "Electric Avenue," released in 1982. The song came about spontaneously when Wailer and Griffiths experimented with a rhythm box Griffiths had purchased in Toronto earlier that year. Griffiths has emphasised that the song was created out of innocent fun, reinforcing the notion that it was not intended to be sexual in nature.
While the vibrator interpretation of "Electric Boogie" sparked widespread interest and excitement, the songwriter's intent appears to have been misconstrued. Livingston's statement, along with Griffiths' comments and the song's creative background, collectively refute the notion that the song is about a vibrator.
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The song's lyrics are open to interpretation
The song "Electric Boogie" (also known as "The Electric Slide") has been the subject of much speculation and interpretation over the years. While some claim that the song is about a vibrator, others deny this interpretation, asserting that it is about "positive vibrations" instead.
The lyrics of the song seem to support the vibrator interpretation at first glance. Phrases like "You can't see it/It's electric!/You gotta feel it/It's electric!/Ooh, it's shakin'/It's electric!" and "Jiggle-a-mesa-cara/She's a pumpin' like a matic/She's a movin' like electric/She sure got the boogie" can easily be interpreted as suggestive of a vibrator or a similar sex toy. This interpretation is so prevalent that some sources claim the songwriter, Neville "Bunny" Wailer Livingston, confirmed it himself.
However, Livingston has also vehemently denied this rumour. In a statement to EDM, he asserted that the song was inspired by Eddie Grant's "Electric Avenue" and nothing else. He claimed that suggesting otherwise was a falsehood that offended his legacy and the legacy of singer Marcia Griffiths, who performed on the song. Griffiths herself has also denied the vibrator interpretation, stating that she "doesn't sing about vibrators" and that her music is meant to "teach, educate, and uplift."
The song's association with the Electric Slide line dance and its success as a celebratory staple further complicate interpretations. Some listeners may interpret the song through the lens of its use in celebratory contexts, associating it with happiness and carefree satisfaction rather than any sexual connotations.
Ultimately, the true meaning of "Electric Boogie" may be known only to its songwriter, Bunny Wailer. The song's lyrics are open to interpretation, and different listeners may derive different meanings from them. The song's enduring popularity and the ongoing discussions about its meaning testify to its impact and the resonance it has with audiences, regardless of their interpretation of its lyrics.
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Bunny Wailer was inspired by Eddy Grant's Electric Avenue
Bunny Wailer, born Neville O'Riley Livingston, was a Jamaican singer-songwriter and percussionist. He was a three-time Grammy Award winner and is considered one of the longtime standard-bearers of reggae music.
In 1982, Bunny Wailer composed the hit single "Electric Boogie" for Marcia Griffiths. The song led to the dance craze "Electric Slide" in 1986, which gained popularity in Washington D.C. and other parts of the world. Bunny Wailer also recorded versions of the song for himself, although with less success compared to Griffiths' versions.
Bunny Wailer has stated that his song "Electric Boogie" was inspired by Eddy Grant's song "Electric Avenue", which was also released in 1982. "Electric Avenue" was written and composed by Grant in response to losing his recent batch of songs during baggage transit. The song's music video helped it gain popularity in the United States, and it climbed to the No. 2 spot on the Billboard Hot 100.
"Electric Boogie" provided the basis for the success of the dance fad "Electric Slide", and the song is strongly associated with this line dance. Bunny Wailer noted that the song was made out of innocent fun and denied any sexual connotations.
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Electric Boogie is also known as The Electric Slide
"Electric Boogie", also known as "The Electric Slide", is a dance song written by Bunny Wailer, which was inspired by Eddy Grant's "Electric Avenue". The song was made collaboratively with Marcia Griffiths, who also performed on it. It was written in 1982 after Wailer and Griffiths experimented with a rhythm box that Griffiths had purchased in Toronto earlier that year. The song is strongly associated with the Electric Slide line dance and has become a celebratory staple.
The song's lyrics include:
> Come let me take you on a party ride
> And I'll teach you, teach you, teach you
> I'll teach you the electric slide
> Some say it's mystic (It's electric Boogie woogie, woogie)
> You can't resist it (It's electric Boogie woogie, woogie)
> You can't do without it (It's electric Boogie woogie, woogie)
> Jiggle-a-mesa-cara she's a pumpin' like a matic
> She's movin' like electric
> She sure got the boogie
> Don't want to lose it (It's electric Boogie woogie, woogie)
> But you can't choose it (It's electric Boogie woogie, woogie)
> But you know it's there, Here, there and everywhere
> I've got to move, Come let me take you on a party ride
> And I'll teach you, teach you, teach you
> I'll teach you the electric slide
> You can't see it (It's electric Boogie woogie, woogie)
> You gotta feel it (It's electric Boogie woogie, woogie)
> Ooh, it's shakin' (It's electric Boogie woogie, woogie)
> Jiggle-a-mesa-cara she's a pumpin' like a matic
> She's movin' like electric
> She sure got the boogie
> You gotta know it (It's electric Boogie woogie, woogie)
There have been rumours that the song is about a vibrator. However, the songwriter has denied this rumour, stating that the song was inspired by Eddy Grant's "Electric Avenue". Griffiths also denied the rumour, stating that the song was about "positive vibrations, not vibrators".
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The song is strongly associated with the Electric Slide line dance
"Electric Boogie", also known as "The Electric Slide", is a dance song written by Bunny Wailer in 1982. The song is strongly associated with the "Electric Slide" line dance and has become a celebratory staple.
The song was written in response to Eddy Grant's "Electric Avenue", which was also released in 1982. According to singer Marcia Griffiths, who performed on the song, "Electric Boogie" was created spontaneously after she and Wailer experimented with a rhythm box she had purchased in Toronto earlier that year. Griffiths has emphasised that the song was made out of innocent fun and has denied any sexual connotations.
Despite this, rumours have persisted that the song is about a vibrator. These rumours are based on interpretations of the song's lyrics, such as: "It's Electric! You can't see it/It's electric! You gotta feel it/It's electric! Ooh, it's shakin'". In 2018, it was reported that the songwriter, 71-year-old Neville "Bunny Wailer" Livingston, had confirmed this interpretation. However, Livingston later refuted this rumour, stating that the song was inspired by "Electric Avenue" and that any other interpretation was false.
Regardless of its true meaning, "Electric Boogie" has had a lasting impact, particularly with its association to the "Electric Slide" line dance.
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Frequently asked questions
The song "Electric Boogie" (also known as "The Electric Slide") is a dance song written by Bunny Wailer and performed by Marcia Griffiths. It was inspired by Eddy Grant's "Electric Avenue".
The lyrics to "Electric Boogie" include: "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".
There were rumours that the song was about a vibrator, but this was denied by Bunny Wailer, who said it was inspired by Eddy Grant's "Electric Avenue". Marcia Griffiths also denied the rumour, saying she "doesn't sing about vibrators".
Marcia Griffiths is the singer of "Electric Boogie". She was part of the backup singing group for Bob Marley & The Wailers.
