Beatrice Lang
Electric Feel is a song by the American rock band MGMT, released in 2008. The song has been interpreted in various ways, with some believing it to be about sex, cybersex, or drugs such as LSD or DMT. The music video for the song has been described as an ecstasy or acid trip, adding to the speculation about the song's meaning. Lead singer Andrew VanWyngarden has stated that the song is about drugs, and not eels, as some might assume. The song has been covered and remixed by various artists, including Katy Perry, Justice, and Kygo, and has received critical acclaim, peaking at number 14 on the music charts.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Artist | MGMT |
| Genre | Rock |
| Year of Release | 2007 |
| Lyrics | "All along the eastern shore, put your circuits in the sea, this is what the world is for, making electricity" |
| Theme | Sex, drugs, electricity, nature |
| Interpretations | References to Scaler Wave Frequencies, World War I, World War II |
| Covers and Remixes | Katy Perry, Coast Modern, Henry Green, Tash Sultana, Kygo, Jen Cloher & Jordie Lane |
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What You'll Learn
The song's music video
The song "Electric Feel" by the American rock band MGMT has two music videos. The first video, which was nominated for Best Art Direction at the 2008 MTV Video Music Awards, is often described as depicting an acid trip or an ecstasy high. Pitchfork Media described the video as "a krazy, kandy-kolored, loud neon thingamajig video." This description hints at the vibrant and energetic nature of the video, possibly reflecting the electric feel mentioned in the song's lyrics. The video seems to be a representation of the song's interpretation of a drug-induced trip, with its vibrant and surreal visuals.
The video depicts a mix of animated and live-action footage, featuring band members, various people, cartoon characters, and animal-people partying in the Tikal jungle. The video also includes appearances by The Rock-afire Explosion, an animatronic animal band that played in Showbiz Pizza Place and Circus Pizza in the 1980s and 1990s. The video's aesthetic and themes seem to align with the song's energetic and surreal vibe, creating a visual representation of the "electric feel."
The second music video for "Electric Feel" also features The Rock-afire Explosion. This version seems to be less surreal and focuses more on the band's performance. It begins with two individuals, Abby Fuller and Rafael Pulido, stirring a pot with black and white painted faces. They later appear dancing and singing along to the song. This version of the music video has a more lighthearted and playful tone, possibly alluding to the song's playful and energetic nature.
The song "Electric Feel" has sparked a range of interpretations, with some listeners suggesting it is about sex, cybersex, or a combination of both. The song's lyrics, such as "All along the eastern shore, put your circuits in the sea," and "You can feel it in your mind, oh, you can do it all the time," lend themselves to these interpretations. The song's energy and vibrancy have resonated with listeners, who have formed their own connections and meanings.
The music video for "Electric Feel" by MGMT has added a visual layer to the song's interpretation. With its vibrant visuals and surreal themes, the video enhances the song's energy and leaves the interpretation open, allowing listeners to form their own connections and experiences. The video's nomination for Best Art Direction at the MTV Video Music Awards further showcases its impact and creativity in bringing the song to life.
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Interpretations of the lyrics
"Electric Feel" is a song by the American rock band MGMT, released as a single from their debut studio album Oracular Spectacular in 2007. The song's lyrics have been interpreted in several ways by listeners.
Some listeners interpret the song as being about sex or cybersex, with the "electric feel" referring to the ability to turn someone on, either physically or through a screen. The lyrics "You can feel it in your mind, or you can do it all the time" are seen as describing the addictive nature of sexual thoughts or the ease of accessing cybersex.
Others interpret the song as being about drugs, specifically LSD or DMT. The "electric feel" in this interpretation refers to the euphoric sensations associated with hallucinogenic drugs. The song's music video, with its psychedelic imagery, is often cited as evidence for this interpretation. Additionally, the lyric "Shock me like an electric eel" has been associated with the slang term "eel" for the drug LSD.
There are also listeners who view the song as a combination of the above interpretations, suggesting that the song is about the interplay between sex and drugs. In this view, the song explores how sexual experiences can be intensified or altered through drug use, creating an "electric" or euphoric sensation.
Some listeners have also offered more specific interpretations. For example, one listener suggests that the song is about a wild woman in the Amazon, with electric currents running beneath her skin, possibly referencing the spiritual experiences associated with ayahuasca or shamanism. Another interpretation mentions renewable energy, with the lyrics "All along the eastern shore, put your circuits in the sea" being compared to offshore wind farms.
While the song's meaning is open to interpretation, MGMT has provided some insight into its creation. In an interview, band member Ben Goldwasser shared that their songwriting process often involves piecing together different influences and styles, rather than following a planned-out structure.
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Influence and style
"Electric Feel" is a song by the American rock band MGMT. It was released as the second single from their debut studio album Oracular Spectacular in 2007, and then in 2008 as a 7" and CD single, and later on 12" vinyl. The song was ranked at number five on NME's list of the Best Singles of 2008 and came in at number two on Australia's Triple J Hottest 100 countdown the same year.
The song's lyrics and meaning are ambiguous and have been interpreted in various ways. Some listeners interpret the song as being about sex or cybersex, with the "electric feel" referring to the ability to turn someone on, either physically or through a screen. Others see the song as a reference to drug use, specifically LSD or DMT, with the "electric feel" representing the sensations and impulses associated with these substances.
The music video for "Electric Feel" seems to support the interpretation of the song as being about hallucinogenic drug use. It was nominated for Best Art Direction at the 2008 MTV Video Music Awards and is often described as resembling an ecstasy or acid trip, with bright, neon visuals and surreal imagery.
The song's lyrics have also been analysed in relation to nature and the environment, with references to "the Eastern shore" and "circuits in the sea." Some listeners have interpreted these lyrics as being about offshore wind farms or renewable energy, giving the song an ecological dimension.
In an interview, lead singer Andrew VanWyngarden clarified that the song is "not about eels, it's about drugs." However, other band members have suggested that the song's meaning is open to interpretation, and they encourage listeners to form their own opinions and connections with the music.
"Electric Feel" has had a significant impact on popular culture, with several notable covers and remixes. Katy Perry covered the song in 2008, and French electronic duo Justice remixed it the same year, winning a Grammy Award for Best Remixed Recording, Non-Classical in 2009. The song has also been covered and remixed by various other artists, including Tash Sultana, Coast Modern, Henry Green, and Kygo, further extending the reach and influence of the original track.
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Remixes and covers
"Electric Feel" by MGMT has been covered and remixed by several artists since its release in 2008. The song is known for its eclectic sound and ambiguous lyrics, which have been interpreted in various ways by listeners and the media.
One of the earliest notable covers of "Electric Feel" was by Katy Perry, who performed the song in her BBC Radio 1 Live Lounge session in September 2008. Perry's version was later included in the tracklist of the Australian tour edition of her album "One of the Boys" and her "The Hello Katy Australian Tour EP". In the same year, the French electronic duo Justice remixed the song, winning a Grammy Award for Best Remixed Recording, Non-Classical in 2009.
The song has also been covered by artists such as Jen Cloher & Jordie Lane for Triple J's "Like A Version", featured on the album "Like a Version Volume 6". Tash Sultana also covered "Electric Feel" for the same Triple J segment in 2017, with the cover voted 78th in the Triple J Hottest 100 of that year. Coast Modern and Henry Green released covers of the song in 2018, with Green's version being an acoustic take on the track.
Additionally, "Electric Feel" has been remixed by Norwegian musician and DJ Kygo, who incorporated the song into his signature Tropical house style. Frank Ocean used instrumental breakdowns of the song in his track "Nature Feels" from the mixtape "Nostalgia, Ultra." Nipsey Hussle also sampled the song in his track "Call from the Bank" featuring MGMT, from the 2010 release "The Marathon."
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References to nature
"Electric Feel" is a song by the American rock band MGMT, released in 2007. The song includes several references to nature.
The song's lyrics mention "the Eastern shore" and "the sea", indicating a coastal setting. Some listeners have interpreted these lyrics as referring to the Eastern Shore of Maryland, specifically Ocean City. The image of circuits being put into the sea evokes the idea of offshore wind farms along the east coast, blending nature with human technology.
The song also includes references to the Amazon rainforest and its imagery: "I saw her in the Amazon/With the voltage running through her skin/Standing there with nothing on/She gonna teach me how to swim". This has been interpreted as a reference to an "Amazonian Goddess", a spiritual figure associated with ayahuasca (DMT) experiences. The song's music video, with its rainforest setting, further reinforces this connection to the Amazon and its spiritual connotations.
The natural world is also alluded to in the song's title and lyrics through the metaphor of electricity. The "electric feel" is described as a powerful sensation, akin to an electric shock: "Shock me like an electric eel/Baby girl/Turn me on with your electric feel". This electric imagery creates a sense of energy and excitement, reflecting the song's upbeat and vibrant tone.
The song's references to nature, particularly the Amazon and its spiritual associations, contribute to its mysterious and ethereal atmosphere. By blending natural imagery with electric metaphors, MGMT creates a unique and captivating narrative within the song "Electric Feel".
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Frequently asked questions
Interpretations of the song vary. Some believe it is about sex, cybersex, or a love interest, while others think it is about drugs, specifically LSD or DMT.
Electric Feel is by the American rock band MGMT.
Electric Feel was released on the 23rd of June 2008.
Electric Feel was released as the second single from MGMT's debut studio album Oracular Spectacular.
Yes, Electric Feel has been covered by various artists, including Katy Perry, Tash Sultana, and Coast Modern. It has also been remixed by the French electronic duo Justice and Norwegian musician and DJ, Kygo.
