Otis Singleton
Electric Avenue is a song by Eddy Grant that was featured in the 2008 American buddy stoner action comedy film Pineapple Express. The song was written and performed by Eddy Grant and was released as part of the film's original motion picture soundtrack on August 5, 2008. The film stars Seth Rogen and James Franco as a process server and his marijuana dealer who are forced to flee from hitmen and a corrupt police officer after witnessing a murder. Electric Avenue is just one of the many songs included in the Pineapple Express soundtrack, which also features songs such as Pineapple Express by Huey Lewis and the News, and a cover of Johnny Cash's Ring of Fire by Grace Jones.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Singer/Writer | Eddy Grant |
| Film | Pineapple Express |
| Genre | American buddy stoner action comedy |
| Director | David Gordon Green |
| Writers | Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg |
| Stars | Seth Rogen, James Franco, Gary Cole, Rosie Perez, and Danny McBride |
| Release Date | August 6, 2008 |
| Gross Collection | $102 million worldwide |
| Budget | $26 million |
| Song Duration | 3:48 |
| Album | Pineapple Express (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) |
| Song Release Year | 2016 |
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What You'll Learn
'Electric Avenue' written and performed by Eddy Grant
"Electric Avenue", written and performed by Eddy Grant, was released as a single in 1983. The song was Grant's response to the 1981 Brixton riots, which were a reaction to police brutality, racial tension, and high unemployment among the Caribbean immigrant population in Britain. The song's title was inspired by the actual Electric Avenue street in Brixton, which was one of the first streets in London to be lit by electric lights in the 1880s.
Grant, a Guyana-born singer-songwriter, had previously found success in the 1960s with his band, The Equals. However, "Electric Avenue" established him as a solo artist. The song became an international smash hit, reaching the top 10 in at least a dozen countries, including a number one peak in Canada. In the US, it reached number two, spending five weeks at that spot on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The song was also a hit on the Hot Black Singles and Dance/Disco Top 80 charts, reaching number 18 and number six, respectively.
The song's music video, filmed in Barbados, contributed to its popularity. During a time when MTV was criticized for not featuring enough Black artists, the heavy rotation of Grant's video helped the song gain a wider audience. The success of "Electric Avenue" led to it being featured in various media, including the 2008 film "Pineapple Express" and a 2020 campaign video for Donald Trump's reelection, which resulted in a copyright infringement lawsuit.
The impact of "Electric Avenue" extended beyond its commercial success. In 2016, Grant ceremonially switched on the new multicolored neon signage of Electric Avenue in Brixton, celebrating the street's refurbishment. The song continues to resonate with audiences and has endured as a cultural landmark, even being declared the "theme song" of Ontario, Canada, in 2023.
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'Pineapple Express' is a 2008 American stoner comedy
Pineapple Express is a 2008 American stoner comedy film directed by David Gordon Green. It stars Seth Rogen and James Franco as two stoners who become entangled in a drug conspiracy plot and end up on the run from hitmen and a corrupt police officer. The film also features Gary Cole, Rosie Perez, and Danny McBride.
The film was written by Rogen and Evan Goldberg and produced by Judd Apatow, who was inspired by Brad Pitt's character in True Romance, a stoner named Floyd. According to Apatow, he thought it would be funny to make a movie in which you follow that character out of his apartment and watch him get chased by bad guys. Pineapple Express was released on August 6, 2008, and grossed $12.1 million on its first day, ultimately earning $102 million worldwide.
The film received generally positive reviews from critics, with particular praise for its cinematography and Franco's performance, for which he received a Golden Globe nomination. Pineapple Express has since developed a cult following and is considered a landmark in stoner comedy, influencing the portrayal of weed in film and television. The film's soundtrack also gained attention, with songs like "Electric Avenue" by Eddy Grant and "Paper Planes" by M.I.A. (featured in the trailer) becoming popular.
In conclusion, Pineapple Express is a notable entry in the stoner comedy genre, blending humour with action and a broader discourse on drug legalization. Its impact on pop culture and the evolution of weed-related media continues to be felt and re-evaluated years after its release.
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The song references the struggle for racial equality in England
"Electric Avenue," written and performed by Eddy Grant, references the struggle for racial equality in England. The song, which was featured in the 2008 film "Pineapple Express," carries a serious message about race and equality, according to Grant.
The song refers to a real place in London called Electric Avenue, a shopping area in the Brixton section of the city. Brixton was the site of riots between police and protesters in 1981, which Grant alludes to in the opening line, "Down in the street, there is violence." Electric Avenue was also the site of many civil rights marches, as highlighted in the line, "Now in the streets, there is violence, and lots of work to be done."
The song tells the story of a poor man who beholds the things in life he could never achieve. Grant, a native of Guyana, had experienced success in England and Barbados with his first band, The Equals, which was the first multiracial band to find success in the UK. "Electric Avenue" was written in response to events that horrified and enraged Grant, and it helped to gain popularity for its music video in the early years of MTV, which was criticized for not featuring black artists.
The song's lyrics and message of racial equality resonated with listeners, and it became one of the highest-charting reggae-influenced pop songs. It reached No. 2 on the UK Singles Chart and Billboard magazine's Hot 100 chart in 1983. "Electric Avenue" was also nominated for a Grammy Award as Best R&B Song of 1983.
Beyond its musical success, "Electric Avenue" has had cultural and political impacts. It inspired the song "Electric Boogie" by Jamaican singer Bunny Wailer in 1982. In 1997, Refugee Camp All-Stars covered the song for the film "Money Talks," and in 2020, US President Donald Trump used it in a campaign commercial, leading to a copyright infringement lawsuit. The song continues to be relevant and influential, demonstrating the enduring power of its message about the struggle for racial equality.
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The song features basic synth, a drum kit, and a guitar
"Electric Avenue" is a song by Guyanese-British musician Eddy Grant. It was written, produced, and performed by Grant, who played every note on the track, which features basic synth, a drum kit, and a guitar. The song was released on his 1982 studio album, "Killer on the Rampage", and was one of the biggest hits of 1983 in the US.
The song refers to Electric Avenue in Brixton, London, which was the first market street in the area to be lit by electricity. The street was the setting for riots between police and protesters in 1981, which Grant alludes to in the opening line, "Down in the street, there is violence". The song also includes a sound that resembles a motorbike, which was created using a non-linear reverb and the distortion of a downbeat.
"Electric Avenue" has been featured in several films and commercials. It was included in the 2008 film "Pineapple Express", starring Seth Rogen and James Franco. The song was also used in a 2022 commercial starring Arnold Schwarzenegger and Salma Hayek, and in a 2020 campaign ad by US President Donald Trump, who was sued by Grant for copyright infringement.
The song has had a significant cultural impact, with the Premier of Ontario, Doug Ford, declaring it the province's official theme song in 2023. It has also charted highly in several countries, peaking at number two on the UK Singles Chart and Billboard's Hot 100 chart in the US.
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Paper Planes by M.I.A. is featured in the trailer but not in the film
"Paper Planes" by M.I.A. is a song that was featured in the trailer for the 2008 film "Pineapple Express". The song was a major hit and helped boost ticket sales for the movie. However, it is notable that "Paper Planes" was not included in the actual film or its official soundtrack. This has led to some confusion and disappointment among fans, as the song's placement in the trailer gave it a new lease of life and helped increase downloads and album sales for M.I.A.'s album, Kala.
"Paper Planes" was written and performed by Sri Lankan-born rapper M.I.A. and was originally released in February 2008. The song gained widespread popularity and critical acclaim, reaching #2 on iTunes' most downloaded songs list at the time. Its catchy beat and thought-provoking lyrics struck a chord with audiences, making it a stand-out track in M.I.A.'s discography.
The decision to include "Paper Planes" in the "Pineapple Express" trailer was a strategic one. Trailers are a powerful tool to promote films, and the song's energy and vibe likely aligned with the tone and humour of the film that the filmmakers wanted to convey. However, for reasons unknown, the song did not make the final cut of the film or its official soundtrack.
This discrepancy between the trailer and the film has had financial implications for the music industry. Despite the song's success, the downloads and increased album sales of "Kala" benefited Universal Music Group, a competitor of Sony Music, which held the rights to the Pineapple Express soundtrack. This unexpected turn of events highlights the complex nature of the music industry and how a single song's popularity can have ripple effects across different labels and businesses.
The exclusion of "Paper Planes" from the film "Pineapple Express" remains a talking point among fans and industry professionals alike. It serves as a reminder that the creative process is fluid, and sometimes, as in this case, a song that resonates with audiences in a trailer may not find its place in the final version of the film.
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Frequently asked questions
Eddy Grant.
2008.
The plot centres on a process server and his marijuana dealer, Dale Denton and Saul Silver, who are forced to flee from hitmen and a corrupt police officer after witnessing them commit a murder.
"Deep in my heart, I'm a warrior", "now in the streets, there is violence, and lots of work to be done", and "and then we'll take it higher".
Basic synth, a drum kit, and a guitar.
