“Electric Slide” Lyrics & Meaning (Bunny Wailer & Marcia Griffiths)

First things first.

The song Electric Slide is actually called Electric Boogie.

The name Electric Slide comes from the line dance associated with the song.

It seems to be the more commonly used name now, so that is the name we used in the title of this article.

But the song is called Electric Boogie.

As for the meaning of the lyrics, it is not what you may have heard.

If what you heard is a bit naughty.

Keep reading to learn the somewhat dirty meaning many ascribe to the song, and the actual, completely innocent, meaning.

 

Electric Boogie Lyrics And Meaning

Electric Boogie is a dance song written and originally recorded in 1976 by Bunny Wailer, who was an original member of the infamous reggae group The Wailers, along with Bob Marley and Peter Tosh.

As mentioned, the song’s alternate name comes from the “Electric Slide” line dance, which was choreographed for the song by Ric Silver. This dance routine has become hugely popular and a celebratory staple routine performed at weddings.

The most successful recording of the song was performed by Marcia Griffiths, who was a member of Bob Marley’s famous backing group, the I-Threes She released her version in 1983.

Upon its initial release, the song garnered little success. But a remixed version appeared on her album Carousel in 1990 and it went on to reach number 51 on the US Billboard Hot 100.

 

Electric Boogie Lyrics

It’s Electric!

You can’t see it
You gotta feel it
Ooh, it’s shakin’
You gotta know it
Now you can’t hold it
But you know it there,
Yeah here there everywhere

I’ve got to move,
I’m going on a party ride
I’ve got to groove, groove, groove,
And from this music
I just can’t hide.

Are you comin’ with me?
Come let me take you on a party ride
And I’ll teach you, teach you, teach you
I’ll teach you the electric slide

Some say it’s mystic
You can’t resist it
You can’y do without it
Jiggle-a-mesa-cara she’s a pumpin’ like a matic
She’s movin’ like electric
She sure got the boogie

Don’t wanna lose it
But you can’t choose it
But you know it’s there,
Yeah here there everywhere

I’ve got to move,
Come let me take you on a party ride
And I’ll teach you, teach you, teach you
I’ll teach you the electric slide

Some say it’s mystic
You can’t resist it
You can’y do without it
Jiggle-a-mesa-cara she’s a pumpin’ like a matic
She’s movin’ like electric
She sure got the boogie

Don’t wanna lose it
But you can’t choose it
But you know it’s there,
Yeah here there everywhere

 

Electric Boogie Meaning

Following its original release, the song attracted some controversy, when some people pointed out that the lyrics were about a sex toy. Lyrics such as “You can’t see it! It’s electric! You gotta feel it! It’s electric! Ooh, it’s shakin’! It’s electric!” fooled people into believing that the song was referencing a vibrator.

However, both Martha Griffith and Bunny Wailer quashed this rumor, denying the song was about a vibrator. Considering the song’s composer was male, this is an entirely believable denial.

Bunny Wailer eventually went on record, stating in no uncertain terms, “At no time have I ever lent credence to a rumor that the song was inspired by anything other than Eddie Grant’s Electric Avenue,” he said. “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.”

Bunny Wailer, also known professionally as Jah B, Bunny O’Riley, and Bunny Livingston, was born Neville O’Riley Livingston on April 10, 1947, in Kingston, Jamaica. The lyrics to Electric Boogie were penned as a celebration of rhythm and dancing and were influenced by Bunny’s dancehall and reggae roots.

While the vibrator rumours added to the song’s popularity, the plain truth is that the song is celebrating music and dancing, and there are no hidden meanings behind the lyrics.

 

Related Questions

Here are some common questions related to the Electric Boogie lyrics and their meaning. If you have any additional questions, please feel free to ask them in the comments below.

Why is the Electric Slide so popular?

Back in the 1990s, the dance was styled for American line-dancing and became a genre staple. It further gained popularity thanks to the 1999 black rom-com The Best Man, in which the dance is performed to Cameo’s 1986 hit single Candy.

Electric Boogie became a hugely popular song to play at parties and weddings, and the Electric Slide dance is also sometimes called the Candy Dance.

Who were the I-Threes?

The I-Threes are seen as the most influential female singing group in the history of Jamaican music. The trio featured Marcia Griffiths, Rita Marley, and Judy Mowatt.

As a backing group, the I-Threes provided the rich harmonies for Bob Marley’s live performances and studio recordings from 1974 until his death ten years later.

Which instruments did Bunny Wailer play?

As well as being a singer-songwriter, Bunny was also a percussionist. He played the bongos, drums, congas, and tambourine in addition to providing backing vocals.

When did Bunny Wailer leave Bob Marley & The Wailers?

Bunny Wailer left Bob Marley & The Wailers in 1973 after balking when the founder of Island Records, Chris Blackwell, wanted the band to tour the freak clubs in the United States. Bunny refused on the grounds that it went against his Rastafari principles.

 

Electric Slide Lyrics Meaning: Final Thoughts

The Electric Boogie lyrics meaning has nothing to do with a vibrator, despite what you may have heard. Bunny Wailer himself, the writer of the song, has quashed that rumor, in no uncertain terms.

While some may not believe his denial (many musicians have issues completely unbelievable denials, like Madonna did with Like a Prayer), in this case, there is no reason not to believe him or Marcia Griffiths. The song’s lyrics are quite straightforward and innocent. And mostly nonsensical, if we are honest.

Another song with mostly nonsensical lyrics comes from Beck. It is the song that launched him. See our article on the Loser lyrics meaning for more.

A song from the same era comes from the band Toto. It is their signature hit Africa. Learn all about the Toto Africa lyrics meaning.

For a song that seems even more sexual than this one, but where the singer also insists (mot sure I believe him) he did not even consider the naughty connotations, check out our breakdown of the lyrics and meaning of The Stroke by Billy Squier.