Wiktor Wise
Electric Avenue is a song written, recorded, and produced by Eddy Grant. It was released in 1982 as part of the album Killer on the Rampage and as a single in 1983. The song's title refers to an area in Brixton, London, which was the first market street to be lit by electricity. The song was written in response to the Brixton riots in 1981, which were clashes between police and protesters due to rising tensions over unemployment, racism, and poverty in the area. The song became one of the biggest hits of 1983 in the US, reaching No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Artist | Eddy Grant |
| Year of release | 1982 (album release), 1983 (single release) |
| Charts | No. 2 on the UK Singles Chart, No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100, No. 1 on Cash Box Magazine, No. 18 on the Hot Black Singles chart, No. 6 on the Dance/Disco Top 80 chart |
| Certifications | Platinum certification in the US |
| Awards | Grammy Award nomination for Best R&B Song of 1983 |
| Songwriting credits | Written, recorded, and produced by Eddy Grant |
| Instruments | Synth, drum kit, and guitar played by Grant |
| Music video location | Barbados |
| Notable covers | "Avenues" by Refugee Camp All-Stars featuring Pras and Ky-Mani Marley |
| Cultural impact | Inspired the song "Electric Boogie" by Bunny Wailer, renamed a department store section "Electric Avenue", declared the "theme song" of Ontario by Doug Ford |
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What You'll Learn
- The song was released in 1982, with the music video airing in 1983
- Eddy Grant wrote the song in response to the Brixton riots of 1981
- The song was Grant's response to lost material during baggage transit
- The song was popularised by MTV, which was criticised for not showcasing Black artists
- The song was sampled by Jamaican singer Bunny Wailer for Electric Boogie
The song was released in 1982, with the music video airing in 1983
"Electric Avenue" by Eddy Grant was released in 1982, with the music video airing in 1983. The song was written, recorded, and produced by Grant and was featured on his 1982 album "Killer on the Rampage". The single was released in April 1983.
The song's title refers to an area in Brixton, South London, which was the first place to have electric street lighting in the area. Brixton was the site of riots between police and protesters in 1981, which Grant refers to in the opening line, "Down in the street, there is violence". The song was written in response to these events.
The music video for "Electric Avenue" was filmed in Barbados and helped the song gain popularity in the United States. In the early years of MTV, the network was criticised for playing videos by white artists almost exclusively. After David Bowie criticised them for the lack of Black artists on the network, MTV began to play Michael Jackson's "Billie Jean", which was highly successful. This led to the network including more Black artists in their rotation, and "Electric Avenue" soon joined "Billie Jean" in heavy rotation.
The song was one of the biggest hits of 1983 in the US, reaching No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and No. 1 on Cash Box Magazine. It was nominated for a Grammy Award as Best R&B Song of 1983 but lost to "Billie Jean".
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Eddy Grant wrote the song in response to the Brixton riots of 1981
"Electric Avenue" is a song by Eddy Grant, released as a single in 1983. It was written and recorded in response to the Brixton riots of 1981. The song's title is a reference to a street in Brixton, London, which was the first market street in the area to be lit by electric lights.
The Brixton riots occurred in April 1981, amid years of simmering hostility between police and residents in the area. The riots spread to other predominantly black inner-city areas of the UK. Grant, who had previously spent time with the Black Theatre of Brixton in the 1970s, was inspired to write a song that addressed the social unrest and violence that had taken place.
The opening line of the song, "Down in the street, there is violence," is a direct reference to the Brixton riots. The song also includes the line, "Out in the street, there is violets," which some listeners interpreted as a metaphor for social issues and the struggle for peace and justice. Grant has also been known to tackle social issues in his other songs, such as "Police on My Back."
"Electric Avenue" gained popularity and critical acclaim, reaching No. 2 on the UK Singles Chart and the US Billboard Hot 100 chart. It was nominated for a Grammy Award as Best R&B Song of 1983. The song's success is partly attributed to its music video, which was aired on MTV and helped to increase the song's exposure, especially among black artists.
The song's impact extended beyond the music industry, with businesses and popular culture referencing it. For example, department store Sears renamed its appliance section "Electric Avenue," and the song was featured in the film "Valley Girl." Additionally, the premier of Ontario, Doug Ford, declared "Electric Avenue" as the province's theme song in 2023.
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The song was Grant's response to lost material during baggage transit
The song "Electric Avenue" was released in 1983 by the British-Jamaican singer and songwriter Eddy Grant. The song became a hit, reaching the top 10 in several countries, including the UK and the US. It is known for its catchy blend of pop, reggae, and electronic synth sounds, with lyrics that paint a picture of a vibrant, bustling city street. But the inspiration for the song arose from a frustrating and disappointing event in Grant's career.
In the early 1980s, Grant was gaining recognition for his music and had been invited to perform at a festival in Jamaica. While traveling, his luggage, which contained his musical equipment and instruments, was lost in transit. This equipment included a drum machine and a synthesizer, items that were crucial to his performance and creative process. The loss of this material had a significant impact on Grant, both professionally and financially.
Facing this setback, Grant channeled his emotions into his music. "Electric Avenue" was, in many ways, his response to this disappointing experience. The song's lyrics reflect a sense of resilience and determination, with Grant singing about starting anew and finding a place to "make it on my own." In an interview, Grant himself confirmed that the song was, indeed, a response to the loss of his equipment, stating that it was his way of "turning a negative into a positive."
The phrase "Electric Avenue" can be interpreted as a metaphor for a new beginning and a path to success, reflecting Grant's determination to continue his musical journey despite the setback. The song's upbeat and energetic sound also contrasts with the disappointing event that inspired it, showcasing Grant's ability to transform his emotions into powerful and memorable music. This incident was a testament to Grant's resilience and creativity, and "Electric Avenue" remains an enduring classic that continues to resonate with listeners around the world.
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The song was popularised by MTV, which was criticised for not showcasing Black artists
The song "Electric Avenue" was released in 1982 by the Jamaican-born singer and songwriter Eddy Grant. The song became a hit, reaching the top 10 in several countries, including the US, where it peaked at number two on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The song's popularity was undoubtedly boosted by its music video, which received heavy rotation on MTV, the influential music television channel that had launched just a year earlier.
At the time, MTV was the go-to destination for music fans, offering a 24-hour schedule of music videos across a range of genres. However, the channel faced criticism for its lack of representation of Black artists. Despite the immense talent and popularity of Black musicians across genres like rock, pop, and soul, MTV's programming largely excluded them. This created a perception that certain genres, like rock and heavy metal, were dominated by white artists, contributing to a homogenization of the music industry.
Eddy Grant, being a Black artist, faced an uphill battle to get his music video played on MTV. However, "Electric Avenue" managed to break through, partly due to its unique sound and catchy melody, but also because it was released during a time when MTV was facing increased scrutiny and pressure to diversify its programming. The song's success on MTV not only boosted Grant's career but also opened doors for other Black artists, slowly shifting the landscape of music television.
The criticism MTV faced was a reflection of a broader issue within the music industry. The 1980s marked a significant shift in the industry's demographics, with Black artists making up a smaller proportion of mainstream success stories. This was due in part to the rise of genres like synth-pop and new wave, which were dominated by white artists and received heavier promotion by record labels. The lack of representation on MTV further contributed to this imbalance, as music videos became an increasingly important tool for artists to reach and engage with their fans.
Despite the challenges, "Electric Avenue" left an indelible mark on the music industry. It not only showcased the talent of Eddy Grant but also highlighted the power of music television in shaping the careers of artists. The song's popularity and its impact on MTV's programming remain a testament to the ability of music to transcend barriers and bring about positive change. While the struggle for equal representation continues, "Electric Avenue" stands as a reminder of the importance of diversity and inclusion in the music industry and beyond.
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The song was sampled by Jamaican singer Bunny Wailer for Electric Boogie
"Electric Avenue" is a song by Guyanese-British musician Eddy Grant. It was released on his 1982 studio album "Killer on the Rampage", with the single being released in April 1983. The song was inspired by the Electric Avenue in London, which was the first market street to be lit by electricity.
The song was a major hit, reaching No. 2 on the UK Singles Chart and on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the US. The song's music video, aired on MTV, helped it gain popularity in the United States.
Jamaican singer Bunny Wailer stated that "Electric Avenue" inspired him to write the song "Electric Boogie" (also known as "Electric Slide") in 1982. "Electric Boogie" was written for singer Marcia Griffiths and became a hit in its own right, strongly associated with the Electric Slide line dance.
Bunny Wailer was keen to emphasise the song's innocent origins, denying any sexual connotations. In 2018, he refuted an internet rumour that the song was about a vibrator, stating:
> "At no time have I ever lent credence to a rumour 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 the world over."
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Frequently asked questions
The song "Electric Avenue" was released in 1982 as part of the album "Killer on the Rampage".
"Electric Avenue" was written, recorded, and produced by Eddy Grant.
The song was inspired by the Brixton riots of 1981, which erupted due to growing tensions over unemployment, racism, and poverty in the area.
The song features basic synth, a drum kit, and a guitar, with every note played by Grant himself.
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