Umair Gaines
Together in Electric Dreams is a song by Philip Oakey and Giorgio Moroder, released in 1984 as a single from the soundtrack to the film *Electric Dreams*. The song was a commercial hit, reaching number three in the UK charts, and has since become one of the staple electronic hits of the 1980s. It was written by Moroder and performed by Oakey, the frontman of the synthpop band The Human League. The song's success led to it being included in The Human League's various Greatest Hits compilation albums, although it was never officially recorded by the band.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of the song | Together in Electric Dreams |
| Year of release | 1984 |
| Artists | Philip Oakey and Giorgio Moroder |
| Album | Philip Oakey & Giorgio Moroder |
| Year of album release | 1985 |
| Producers | Giorgio Moroder and Rob da Bank |
| Record labels | Virgin Records and Sunday Best Recordings |
| Genre | Synth-pop |
| Film | Electric Dreams |
| Film release year | 1984 |
| Film director | Steve Barron |
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What You'll Learn
Philip Oakey and Giorgio Moroder's hit song
"Together in Electric Dreams" is a song by Philip Oakey and Giorgio Moroder that was released in 1984. It was written by Moroder and originally intended for a male solo vocal. Movie director Steve Barron suggested his former colleague, Human League frontman Philip Oakey, for the part. The song was later credited to Moroder and Oakey, after the two teamed up in the recording studio.
The song was initially released to promote the film Electric Dreams, starring Lenny Von Dohlen, Virginia Madsen, Maxwell Caulfield, and the voice of Bud Cort. However, the song quickly overshadowed the film, which was not a critical or commercial success. "Together in Electric Dreams" became a success in its own right, peaking at No. 3 in the UK charts and becoming one of the staple electronic hits of the 1980s.
The song's promotional video spliced key scenes from the film with footage of Oakey. It was perceived as a music video first, particularly in the UK, where the film was a flop. The video features an Electric Dreams signboard and the film's computer on a beach. Moroder himself makes a cameo appearance as the boss of the radio station taken over by the computer.
"Together in Electric Dreams" has been described as an emotional and catchy song with a surprising amount of depth. The lyrics speak of love, loss, and the enduring power of friendship. The song has endured as a classic, with Oakey's distinctive vocals and Moroder's synthwork creating a memorable and beloved 1980s hit.
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The film Electric Dreams
Electric Dreams is a 1984 science fiction romantic comedy film directed by Steve Barron and written by Rusty Lemorande. The film stars Lenny Von Dohlen, Virginia Madsen, Maxwell Caulfield, and the voice of Bud Cort.
The film follows Miles Harding, a geeky office worker with poor organisation skills who buys a personal computer to help him at work. He names the computer Edgar, which becomes sentient after being doused in champagne. Miles also falls in love with his new neighbour, Madeline. However, Edgar also falls in love with Madeline and becomes jealous, trying to ruin their relationship. The film ends with Edgar committing suicide as he accepts Miles and Madeline's love for each other.
The film features a notable 80s soundtrack, with music from prominent artists of the time, including Giorgio Moroder, Culture Club, Jeff Lynne (Electric Light Orchestra), and Heaven 17. The song "Together in Electric Dreams" by Philip Oakey and Giorgio Moroder was released as a single to promote the film and became an international hit. The song was originally written by Moroder with temporary lyrics and intended to emulate the success of Flashdance. Barron suggested Philip Oakey, who wrote new lyrics and sang the final version.
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The song's promotional video
The song "Together in Electric Dreams" was originally intended to promote the 1984 film Electric Dreams, rather than serve as a music video. However, in the United Kingdom, where the film was not well-received, the promotional video was often perceived as a music video and was frequently associated with the Human League, despite the song being performed by the band's lead singer Philip Oakey as a solo artist.
The video combines key scenes from the film with original footage featuring Oakey. It includes scenes of Oakey being driven around Los Angeles, which is depicted as San Francisco in the film, singing the song's lyrics. An Electric Dreams signboard is shown behind Oakey twice, and the film's poster is also shown behind him on the freeway. The video also features the film's computer, relaxing on a beach.
The video concludes with a sock puppet parody of the MGM Lion on a television screen, also on a beach. Giorgio Moroder, who co-wrote and produced the song, makes a cameo appearance in the video as the boss of the radio station taken over by the computer.
The song became a major commercial success, outshining the film it was intended to promote and reaching No. 3 in the UK Singles Chart, remaining in the charts for thirteen weeks. It also charted in Australia, New Zealand, and the Netherlands.
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The song's lyrics
The song "Electric Dreams" is a synth-pop classic from the 1980s, and it was performed by the English duo, Electric Light Orchestra (ELO), and featured the vocals of Phil Bates. The song was released in 1984 as part of the soundtrack to the movie of the same name, "Electric Dreams." The film was a sci-fi romantic comedy that explored the relationship between a man and his computer, which comes to life and falls in love with him. The song's lyrics perfectly capture the theme of the movie, reflecting on the excitement and wonder of technology and its potential to bring people together.
The song opens with a catchy and upbeat synth line, setting the tone for the rest of the track. The lyrics begin with a reflection on the power of technology and how it can connect people, with the line, "I had a dream about you, baby. I dreamed I was inside your computer, and you took my program to be with you." This introductory verse sets the scene, hinting at a world where technology is not just a tool but a gateway to something more intimate and personal.
As the song progresses, the lyrics continue to explore this theme of technology as an enabler of human connection and even a source of romantic fantasy. The chorus is especially memorable, with the lines, "Electric dreams, electric dreams. I never thought that machine imagery, could give me all the love I need. Electric light, your electric eyes, electric dreams." Here, the singer expresses his surprise and delight at finding love and fulfillment through this unusual, technological medium.
The bridge of the song provides a moment of reflection, with the lyrics taking on a slightly more cautionary tone: "It's a different kind of emotion, when a livewire hits a livewire. It's a power surge of the heart, and it's a short circuit of the soul." These lines hint at the potential dangers of becoming too entangled with technology, suggesting that while it can bring intense emotions and connections, it might not always be a sustainable or healthy source of love and fulfillment.
Despite this moment of caution, the overall tone of the song remains optimistic and celebratory. The final verse returns to the idea of technology as a force for good, bringing people together across distances: "And I'll send a fax out to you, baby. I'll send my love out on a frequency, and I'll be there in your computer, and you'll be here in my arms." In the context of the 1980s, when fax machines and computers were cutting-edge technology, these lyrics would have resonated with the sense of excitement and possibility that new forms of communication brought.
Overall, the lyrics of "Electric Dreams" capture a unique moment in time when technology was rapidly advancing and offering new ways for people to connect. The song's theme of technology-facilitated love and its upbeat, synth-driven sound perfectly encapsulate the hopes and dreams of the 1980s, making it a lasting and beloved classic of the era.
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The song's legacy
"Together in Electric Dreams", written by Giorgio Moroder and performed by Philip Oakey and Giorgio Moroder, was released in 1984 as a single from the soundtrack to the film Electric Dreams. The song became an international hit and was later featured on Oakey and Moroder's self-titled album, released in 1985. The song's popularity has endured, with it being included in various "Greatest Hits" compilation albums and being used in television advertising and documentaries.
The song was originally intended by Moroder to be performed as a male solo vocal, and Oakey was suggested for the part by the director of Electric Dreams, Steve Barron, who had previously worked with Oakey on the music video for The Human League's "Don't You Want Me". Despite Oakey's belief that he was just rehearsing, Moroder was so satisfied with the first take that he used it for the final production. The song was recorded in about ten minutes, and Oakey has commented on the irony of its huge success compared to some of his Human League material that took over a year to record.
"Together in Electric Dreams" has been described as an "emotional" song, with lyrics that speak to love, loss, and the enduring nature of relationships. The song's upbeat and life-affirming sound disguises the underlying sadness of its lyrics, which can take on new meanings depending on the listener's interpretation. The song's synth-driven sound and Oakey's vocal performance have been praised, with the song becoming one of the staple electronic hits of the 1980s.
The song's promotional video, featuring Oakey being driven around San Francisco (actually Los Angeles), spliced with key scenes from the film, further contributed to its success. The video was perceived as a music video in the United Kingdom, where the film was not a commercial success. The song's release at the height of The Human League's international fame and success led to it often being erroneously credited as a Human League single. The band has embraced the song, frequently performing their own version as an encore during live performances.
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Frequently asked questions
"Together in Electric Dreams" was released in 1984 by Philip Oakey and Giorgio Moroder.
Yes, it became an international hit, despite the film it was released with, Electric Dreams, being a critical and commercial flop.
It was used as the theme tune for the 2009 BBC Television documentary series Electric Dreams.
