Electric Blue Explained: Song Meaning And Interpretation

what is the song electric blue about

Electric Blue is a song by Australian rock band Icehouse, released in August 1987. It was co-written by Iva Davies of Icehouse and John Oates of US band Hall & Oates. The song is about a man who is infatuated with a woman, describing a strange, frozen feeling he gets when she looks at him as electric blue. It is speculated that the song could be about a porn star or a celebrity, with the man feeling vulnerable and captivated by the woman. Electric Blue was a #1 hit in Australia and reached #7 on the US Billboard Hot 100.

Characteristics Values
Song Electric Blue
Artist Icehouse
Genre Rock
Writers Iva Davies, John Oates
Album Man of Colours
Year of Release 1987
Theme Infatuation, vulnerability, unrequited love
Lyrics "I just freeze every time you see through me/And it's all over you, electric blue/On my knees/Help me, baby/Tell me, what can I do?/Electric blue"

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The song's inspiration and meaning

"Electric Blue" is a song by the Australian rock band Icehouse. It was co-written by Iva Davies of Icehouse and John Oates of the US band Hall & Oates. Oates and Davies collaborated after the former expressed his admiration for the latter.

The song is about a man who is infatuated with a woman. In the song, the man thinks he has a chance with a woman who seems unattainable. When she looks at him, he gets a strange, frozen feeling that he describes as "electric blue". The colour blue is often associated with sadness, which could be why the man feels frozen when the woman sees him. The song could also be about a man who is infatuated with a celebrity he has never met and likely never will. This interpretation is supported by the lyrics "Are you hiding somewhere behind those eyes?".

Some listeners have interpreted the song as an homage to the 1980s Playboy TV series "Electric Blue". The association with electricity in the song title could communicate energy, action, and excitement, which may be what the songwriters intended to convey.

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The lyrics and their interpretation

"Electric Blue" is a song by Australian rock band Icehouse, co-written by Iva Davies of Icehouse and John Oates of US band Hall & Oates. It was released in August 1987 as the second single from Icehouse's fifth studio album, "Man of Colours".

The lyrics of "Electric Blue" tell the story of a man who is infatuated with a woman who seems unattainable or out of his league. The colour "electric blue" is used to describe the intense and captivating feeling he gets when she looks at him, leaving him with a strange, frozen sensation. This interpretation is supported by specific lyrics such as "I just freeze every time you see through me/And it's all over you, electric blue".

Some listeners have interpreted the song as a man's vulnerability and openness in front of a woman who has stolen his heart. The lyrics "on my knees/Help me, baby/Tell me, what can I do?" further emphasise this sense of desperation and longing.

There is also a suggestion that the object of affection might be a celebrity or someone he has never met, as indicated by the lyrics "Are you hiding somewhere behind those eyes?". This interpretation is supported by a comment on the website songmeanings.com, where a user suggests that the song is about a teenager with a crush on a celebrity or porn star, highlighting the line "she 'sees through him' from the screen".

Another interpretation of the lyrics suggests that the song is about a man's chance at love with a woman who seems above his station. This interpretation focuses on the lyrics "If a boy had a chance/A chance with someone like you/Are you gonna break his heart?".

Overall, the lyrics of "Electric Blue" by Icehouse explore themes of infatuation, vulnerability, and the complexities of love, all wrapped up in the captivating and energetic imagery of the colour blue.

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Popularity and chart performance

"Electric Blue" by Icehouse became the band's biggest hit in the United States. It was released in August 1987 as the second single from their fifth studio album, "Man of Colours". The song was co-written by Iva Davies of Icehouse and John Oates of the US band Hall & Oates. Oates became involved with Davies after contacting him to express his admiration. The collaboration resulted in the song, which Oates believed was a hit and stated that if Davies did not release it under the Icehouse name, it would have been a Hall & Oates track.

"Electric Blue" was issued through Regular Records in Australia and through Chrysalis Records in Europe and North America. In Australia, the song was available for a limited time on 7-inch blue vinyl. It topped the charts in Australia and reached number 7 in the US. The song continues to be played regularly on Australian radio stations and remains one of their most popular songs.

The song has drawn covers and remixes from various artists. Electropop group Ming and Ping recorded a cover for their 2014 album "The Light of Day/The Darkness of Night". A remix version by Skipraiders was released on the Icehouse album "Meltdown" in 2002. The Killers performed the song in a livestream in August 2020, which Davies praised as "the most impressive" cover he had seen.

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Collaboration between Icehouse and John Oates

"Electric Blue" is a song by Australian rock band Icehouse. It was co-written by Iva Davies of Icehouse and John Oates of the US band Hall & Oates. The collaboration between the two artists came about after Oates contacted Davies, expressing his interest in working together. The song was released in August 1987 as the second single from Icehouse's fifth studio album, "Man of Colours".

The song became a commercial success, reaching number one on the Australian Music Report and number seven on the US Billboard Hot 100. It remains one of Icehouse's most popular songs in Australia, where it continues to receive regular airplay.

In the song "Electric Blue", a man finds himself infatuated with a woman who seems unattainable, either due to her social status or because he has never met her and likely never will. The colour "electric blue" is used as a metaphor to describe the intense and captivating feelings he experiences in her presence. This is evident in lyrics such as "I just freeze every time you see through me/And it's all over you, electric blue".

The collaboration between Icehouse and John Oates resulted in a successful and enduring song that has left a significant impact on the music industry. "Electric Blue" showcases the creative synergy between the two artists, blending their unique styles and appealing to audiences worldwide.

The song's popularity has endured over the years, with many interpretations of its meaning. Some listeners speculate that the song references the 1980s Playboy TV series "Electric Blue", while others focus on the lyrical content, seeing it as a portrayal of infatuation and vulnerability in the face of love.

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Cultural references and impact

"Electric Blue" by the Australian rock band Icehouse has had a significant cultural impact, particularly in their native country, where it was a #1 hit and continues to be a popular song. The song's catchy hook, "All over you... electric blue", has been described as an "earworm", sticking with listeners long after hearing it.

The song's lyrics and themes have been the subject of much interpretation and discussion. Some listeners interpret the song as a love song to an unobtainable woman, with the man singing about his infatuation and vulnerability. The colour "electric blue" in the lyrics has been associated with energy, action, and excitement, adding to the song's appeal and impact.

"Electric Blue" has also sparked memories and nostalgia for listeners, with some recalling hearing the song for the first time during laser light shows at planetariums or associating it with trips to Australia, where the music video was filmed. The song has become an iconic representation of 1980s music and culture, with its synth-driven sound and aesthetic.

Additionally, the song's popularity has led to its inclusion in various media forms. It was featured in a 1980s movie about a computer that comes alive, falls in love, and then goes crazy. The song's impact has also been felt by other artists, with some covering or referencing "Electric Blue" in their work, keeping the song relevant and engaging for new audiences.

Frequently asked questions

"Electric Blue" is a song by the Australian rock band Icehouse. The song is about a man who is infatuated with a woman who seems unattainable, possibly due to her social status or because he has never met her. When she looks at him, he gets a strange, frozen feeling that he describes as "electric blue".

The song was co-written by Iva Davies of Icehouse and John Oates of the US band Hall & Oates. Oates became involved with Davies after contacting him to express his admiration and eagerness to collaborate.

The colour "electric blue" is used to describe the intense and captivating feeling the man experiences when he is around his love interest. It represents energy, action, and excitement.

"Electric Blue" was released in August 1987 as the second single from Icehouse's fifth studio album, "Man of Colours". It was the band's biggest hit in the United States, reaching number 7 on the US Billboard Hot 100.

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