Wiktor Wise
Electric Avenue is a song by Guyanese-British singer Eddy Grant, initially released as a single in 1983. The song was written in response to the 1981 Brixton riots, which unfolded as a result of racial tension, police brutality, and high unemployment. 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 Avenue is one of the highest-charting reggae-influenced pop songs ever and continues to be a beloved hit from the 1980s.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Artist | Eddy Grant |
| Year of Release | 1983 |
| Genre | Reggae-influenced pop |
| Songwriting Credits | Eddy Grant |
| Production Credits | Eddy Grant, Frank Aggarat |
| Record Labels | Ice Records, Portrait Records, CBS Records, !K7 Records |
| Charts | UK Singles Chart (#2), Billboard Hot 100 (#2), Cash Box (#1), Hot Black Singles (#18), Dance/Disco Top 80 (#6) |
| Awards | Grammy Award Nomination for Best R&B Song of 1983 |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
- Guyanese-British singer Eddy Grant wrote the song in response to the 1981 Brixton riots
- The song's music video helped it gain popularity in the US
- Electric Avenue was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best R&B Song of 1983
- The song refers to a real place in London—a shopping area in Brixton
- The song was not available on music streaming platforms until January 2024
Guyanese-British singer Eddy Grant wrote the song in response to the 1981 Brixton riots
"Electric Avenue" is a song by Guyanese-British singer Eddy Grant. It was released as a single in 1983 and reached No. 2 on the UK Singles Chart and the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The song was written and composed by Grant himself in response to the 1981 Brixton riots, which unfolded against a backdrop of police brutality, racial tension, and high unemployment.
The song's opening line, "Now in the street, there is violence," sets the tone and directly references the riots. Electric Avenue is a real street in the Brixton section of London, which was the first in the area to get electric lights. Brixton was the site of clashes between police and protesters in 1981, an incident that left Grant horrified and enraged.
Grant's personal experience of witnessing the Brixton riots influenced the song's powerful message about race and equality. The lyrics tell the story of a poor man observing the things in life he could never achieve. The song also highlights the contrast between the struggles of those in lower-income areas and the relative comfort of those in more affluent neighbourhoods.
The music video for "Electric Avenue," filmed in Barbados, contributed to the song's popularity in the United States. During that time, MTV was criticized for predominantly featuring white artists. After the success of Michael Jackson's "Billie Jean," the network began showcasing more black artists, including Grant. "Electric Avenue" climbed to No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 and remains one of the highest-charting reggae-influenced pop songs.
"Electric Avenue" has had a lasting impact, with various covers and remixes over the years. It has also been featured in film and television, including a Super Bowl commercial in 2022. The song's relevance and resonance continue to endure, reflecting the powerful message that Grant originally intended.
Quickly Fix Electrical Shorts in Your Home
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The song's music video helped it gain popularity in the US
"Electric Avenue" is a song by Guyanese-British musician Eddy Grant, released in 1982 on his album "Killer on the Rampage". The single was released in 1983 and became an international hit, gaining particular popularity in the US.
The song's music video, filmed in Barbados, played a significant role in its success in the US. In the early years of MTV, the network was criticised for airing music videos almost exclusively by white artists. Following the success of Michael Jackson's "Billie Jean", which opened doors for black artists on the network, the "Electric Avenue" video was aired and helped the song climb to the No. 2 spot on the Billboard Hot 100.
The visual component of music videos has always had a significant impact on musical tastes and pop culture. The "Electric Avenue" video was ready to go at the right time, and the exposure on MTV helped drive the song's popularity in the US. The song's success also had to do with its catchy lyrics and unique sound, with the iconic revving motorcycle sound created by looping a snare drum roll and then distorting it.
The song's lyrics refer to Electric Avenue in Brixton, London, which was the first market street to be lit by electricity in the 1880s. By the 1980s, the area had a high population of Caribbean immigrants and saw tensions grow over unemployment, racism, and poverty, exacerbated by racist policing, which culminated in the 1981 Brixton riots. Grant was horrified by these events, which inspired him to write the song.
The music video for "Electric Avenue" not only benefited from the changing landscape of MTV but also helped open up opportunities for other black artists to gain exposure on the network.
Electricity Costs in Clovis, CA: High or Affordable?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Electric Avenue was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best R&B Song of 1983
"Electric Avenue" is a song by Guyanese-British musician Eddy Grant. Written and produced by Grant, it was released on his 1982 studio album "Killer on the Rampage". In the United States, with the help of the MTV music video he made, it was one of the biggest hits of 1983. The song was nominated for a Grammy Award as Best R&B Song of 1983 but lost to Michael Jackson's "Billie Jean".
The song refers to Electric Avenue in London during the 1981 Brixton riot. The title of the song refers to Electric Avenue in the south London district of Brixton, the first market street to be lit by electricity. According to Grant, he first became aware of the existence of the street during a stint acting at the Black Theatre of Brixton. The area is now known for its high population of Caribbean immigrants. At the beginning of the 1980s, as identified by the Scarman Report, tensions over unemployment, racism, and poverty exacerbated by racist policing culminated in the street events known as the 1981 Brixton riot.
Grant initially released "Electric Avenue" as a single in 1982, and it reached No. 2 on the UK Singles Chart. In 1983, CBS decided to launch the single in the US, where it spent five weeks at No. 2 on Billboard Magazine's Hot 100 charts and hit No. 1 in Cash Box Magazine. It was a hit on two other US charts: on the Hot Black Singles chart, it went to No. 18, and on the Dance/Disco Top 80 chart, it peaked at No. 6.
The music video helped the song gain popularity in the United States. In the early years of MTV, the network ran music videos almost exclusively by white artists and was criticized for not featuring black artists. After Michael Jackson's "Billie Jean" aired and was highly successful, MTV scrambled to get other black artists into their rotation. Once the "Electric Avenue" video aired, it did not take long for the song to climb up the charts.
In 1997, Refugee Camp All-Stars covered the song for the original soundtrack of the film "Money Talks". This version is titled "Avenues" and features reggae artist Ky-Mani Marley. In 2001, Peter Black remixed "Electric Avenue" as the "Ringbang Remix", which was released on 28 May 2001. The single reached number five on the UK Singles Chart in June 2001 and number 16 on the US Billboard Dance Club Play chart. Like most Grant songs, "Electric Avenue" was not available on music streaming platforms until January 2024, as Grant refused to allow his music onto streaming sites because of his dislike of how the platforms pay artists.
Voltage in Japan: Understanding the Electric Current Standard
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The song refers to a real place in London—a shopping area in Brixton
Electric Avenue is indeed a real place in London. It is a street in Brixton, built in 1888, and was the first market street in the UK to be lit by electric lights, which is how it got its name. Today, it is a pedestrianised street and a shopping area in the heart of Brixton, with a mix of national retail chains and local independent shops. It is also home to a part of Brixton Market, which specialises in selling African, Caribbean, South American, and South Asian products.
The song "Electric Avenue", released in 1983 by Eddy Grant, refers directly to this street in London. The song was inspired by the 1981 Brixton riot and gained popularity in the US, reaching No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100. The music video, filmed in Barbados, also helped the song gain traction and climb up the charts.
The song's lyrics refer to the street's name, with the famous line, "We gonna rock down to Electric Avenue/And then we'll take it higher". The song has become so iconic that it has put the street on the map, with a multicoloured neon sign hanging over the street at night, alerting passersby.
The street has become a popular attraction, with TripAdvisor reviews describing it as a "sensory fiesta" with the "smells and sounds of chicken jerk sizzling and tinny reggae playing in the background". It is known for its cultural diversity, with a notable African and Caribbean influence, reflecting the local community's history.
The song's impact on the street's popularity was recognised in 2016 when Eddy Grant was invited to switch on a new illuminated street sign as part of a £1 million refurbishment. This further solidified the connection between the song and the physical location, with Grant's music bringing attention to this once-overlooked neighbourhood in London.
Electric Scooters: Legal or Not?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The song was not available on music streaming platforms until January 2024
"Electric Avenue" is a song by Guyanese-British singer Eddy Grant, released in 1983. It was written in response to the 1981 Brixton riots and the issues of police brutality, racial tension, and unemployment that they highlighted. The song became a hit, reaching No. 2 on the UK Singles Chart and the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the US. Despite its popularity, "Electric Avenue" was notably absent from music streaming platforms for many years. Eddy Grant refused to allow his music on streaming sites due to his disagreement with the way these platforms compensate artists. As a result, the only versions of the song available for streaming were cover versions.
However, this changed in January 2024 when "Electric Avenue" finally became available on streaming platforms. This marked a significant development for fans of the song and those interested in the music of the 1980s. The song's absence from streaming platforms had been a long-standing source of frustration for many, and its addition to streaming services provided a more comprehensive catalogue of music from that decade. The availability of "Electric Avenue" on streaming platforms also offered a convenient and accessible way for listeners to experience the song, discover its context and history, and explore the broader social and musical landscape of the 1980s.
The addition of "Electric Avenue" to streaming platforms in January 2024 is particularly noteworthy due to the song's cultural and historical significance. The song's lyrics refer to Electric Avenue, a real street in the Brixton section of London, which was the first in the area to have electric lights. Brixton was the site of riots in 1981, which the song's opening line, "Now in the street, there is violence," directly addresses. Eddy Grant intended the song to carry a serious message about race and equality, providing a commentary on the social issues of the time.
The availability of "Electric Avenue" on streaming platforms allows for a wider audience to engage with this important message. It provides an opportunity for listeners to explore the song's historical context and gain a deeper understanding of the issues it addresses. Additionally, the presence of the song on streaming services contributes to the preservation of this chapter in musical history, ensuring that its cultural significance is not lost or forgotten. The accessibility of "Electric Avenue" on streaming platforms facilitates its discovery by new generations of listeners, ensuring its relevance and impact continue.
The addition of "Electric Avenue" to streaming platforms in January 2024 is a testament to the song's enduring appeal and cultural resonance. It reflects a shift in Eddy Grant's stance on streaming services, recognising the importance of making his music accessible to a broader audience. The availability of the song on these platforms ensures that listeners can conveniently include it in their personal music collections, creating playlists that blend contemporary sounds with the iconic songs of the past. This development also enables the discovery and appreciation of Eddy Grant's broader body of work, providing a gateway to explore his contributions to music and his impact on the industry.
Setting Electrical Timers: A Simple Guide to Programming
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Electric Avenue was sung by Eddy Grant.
Electric Avenue was initially released as a single in 1983.
The song carries a serious message about race and equality and refers to the Brixton riots that took place in 1981.
Electric Avenue is one of the highest-charting reggae-influenced pop songs ever.
No, Grant was part of a band called The Equals that had three Top 10 hits in England in the 1960s.
