Electric Youth (song)

Last updated

"Electric Youth"
Electricyouthsingle.jpg
North American single cover
Single by Debbie Gibson
from the album Electric Youth
B-side "We Could Be Together (Campfire Mix)"
ReleasedApril 18, 1989 (1989-04-18)(UK)
March 24, 1989 (1989-03-24)(U.S.)
Recorded1988
Genre
Length4:55
Label Atlantic
Songwriter(s) Deborah Gibson
Producer(s) Fred Zarr
Debbie Gibson singles chronology
"Lost in Your Eyes"
(1989)		"Electric Youth"
(1989)		"No More Rhyme"
(1989)
Music video
Electric Youth on YouTube

"Electric Youth" is a song by American singer-songwriter-actress Debbie Gibson. The song was solely written by Gibson and produced by Fred Zarr. It was released on March 24, 1989 as the second single from the album of the same name (1989) by Atlantic Records. [1] Gibson had written the song as a statement about how young people of that era were seen and how their ideas were often ignored. As a teenager herself, she was a firm believer that the beliefs and ideas held by young people were just as important as those held by adults and the song reminded people of this. It also reminded them that the current youth would become the next generation of adults.

Contents

"Electric Youth" became one of Gibson's most famous singles of her career, peaking at number eleven on the US Billboard Hot 100, while also entering the top forty in twelve other countries including top ten positions in Israel, the Netherlands, and Panama. In 2012, Gibson re-recorded the song as "Electric Youth Reloaded", featuring arrangement and rap lyrics by American actor Jace Hall. [2] [3]

Critical reception

Bryan Buss from AllMusic described the song as "a bouncy, frenetic song that is ridiculously sing-alongable, but at the same it is time hard to really identify with it unless you're 12 (or at least young at heart)." [4] The Daily Vault's Christopher Thelen noted that it "capture[s] the playfulness of Gibson's music and the carefree feeling of youth." [5] Pop Rescue said it is "by far the best song" on the album. [6]

Music video

The music video for the song was directed by Gibson and Jim Yukich and was nominated at the 1989 MTV Video Music Awards for Best Art Direction In A Video.

In 2006, elements of the music video (particularly the silhouette dance clips) were parodied by Cobie Smulders in the sitcom How I Met Your Mother for her character Robin Sparkles' own 1990s ("The 80's didn't come to Canada 'til like '93." [7] ) hit single, "Let's Go to the Mall." [8]

Track listing

All songs are written by Deborah Gibson

7" vinyl single/cassette single
No.TitleLength
1."Electric Youth"4:55
2."We Could Be Together" (Campfire Mix)5:33
CD single/12" vinyl single
No.TitleLength
1."Electric Youth" (Deep House Mix)7:35
2."Electric Youth" (Shep's House Dub)5:55
3."Electric Youth" (7" Version)4:57
4."Electric Youth" (The Electro Mix)6:35
5."Electric Youth" (The Electro Dub Gone Haywire)6:32
6."We Could Be Together"5:33

Charts

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Debbie Gibson</span> American singer-songwriter, record producer and actress (born 1970)

Deborah Ann Gibson is an American singer-songwriter, record producer, and actress.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Toy Soldiers (song)</span> 1989 single by Martika

"Toy Soldiers" is a song by American singer-songwriter Martika, appearing on her eponymous debut album (1988) and released in the United States as the second single from the album on April 26, 1989. It was her only song to top the charts in the United States, reaching the number-one on Billboard Hot 100 for two weeks in mid-1989. An edited version of the song is included in the imported version of the album Toy Soldiers: The Best of Martika. Its music video was directed by Jim Shea.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Tide Is High</span> 1967 single by the Paragons

"The Tide Is High" is a 1967 rocksteady song written by John Holt, originally produced by Duke Reid and performed by the Jamaican group the Paragons, with Holt as lead singer. The song gained international attention in 1980, when a cover version by the American band Blondie became a US and UK number one hit. The song topped the UK Singles Chart again in 2002 with a version by the British girl group Atomic Kitten, while Canadian rapper Kardinal Offishall had a minor hit with his interpretation in 2008.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Listen to Your Heart (Roxette song)</span> 1988 song by Roxette

"Listen to Your Heart" is a song by Swedish rock duo Roxette, which was originally released in Sweden in September 1988 as the second single from the duo's second studio album, Look Sharp! (1988). It was written by Per Gessle with former Gyllene Tider guitarist Mats "M.P." Persson. The song went on to become one of the most successful singles of 1989, reaching number one in both the United States and Canada around November 1989. The track was the first song to reach number one in the US without a commercially released 7-inch single.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dangerous (Roxette song)</span> 1988 song by Roxette

"Dangerous" is a song by Swedish pop duo Roxette. Written by Per Gessle, the song was released as the fourth and final single from their second studio album, Look Sharp! (1988). Gessle penned it just before Roxette's first tour in 1987. Released in May 1989, it was the group's third top-10 single on the US Billboard Hot 100, reaching number two. It also entered the top 10 in Australia, Canada, and six European countries. The music video was recorded in the ruins of Borgholm Castle. In the UK and Ireland, "Dangerous" was released as a double A-side with "Listen to Your Heart".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Unforgiven (song)</span> 1991 single by Metallica

"The Unforgiven" is a power ballad by American heavy metal band Metallica. It was released as the second single from their eponymous fifth album Metallica. The song deals with the theme of the struggle of the individual against the efforts of those who would subjugate him.

<i>Electric Youth</i> (album) 1989 studio album by Debbie Gibson

Electric Youth is the second studio album by American singer-songwriter Debbie Gibson, released on January 24, 1989, by Atlantic Records. It is the highest-charting album of Gibson's career, staying at the top of the US Billboard 200 albums chart for five weeks, and reaching number 8 on the UK Albums Chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dressed for Success</span> 1988 song by Roxette

"Dressed for Success" is a song by Swedish pop rock duo Roxette, released in Europe, on 3 August 1988 as the lead single from their second studio album, Look Sharp! (1988). Following the international success of "The Look" – the album's third single in their home country, but the first to be released outside of Sweden – "Dressed for Success" was re-issued internationally in 1989 and became a worldwide hit, most notably in Australia, where it peaked in the top three and was certified platinum by Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Need You Tonight</span> 1987 single by INXS

"Need You Tonight" is a song by the Australian rock band INXS, released as the first single from their 1987 album, Kick, as well as the fourth song on the album. It is the only INXS single to reach No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. It also achieved their highest charting position in the United Kingdom, where the song reached number two on the UK Singles Chart; however, this peak was only reached after a re-release of the single in November 1988. On its first run on the UK charts in October 1987, it stalled at No. 58. It was one of the last songs recorded for the album, yet it would arguably become the band's signature song.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Only in My Dreams</span> 1986 single by Debbie Gibson

"Only in My Dreams" is the debut single by American singer-songwriter and actress Debbie Gibson, who was 16 years old at the time of its release. The song was officially released by Atlantic Records on December 16, 1986. It was later remixed and re-released in February 1987. The song showcased Gibson's songwriting skills as she solely wrote it, with Fred Zarr producing it.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shake Your Love</span> 1987 single by Debbie Gibson

"Shake Your Love" is a song by American singer-songwriter and actress Debbie Gibson. The song was released as the second single to her debut studio album Out of the Blue (1987), and the first internationally by Atlantic Records in September 1987. Like the rest of the album, the song was solely written by Gibson and produced by Fred Zarr.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Out of the Blue (Debbie Gibson song)</span> Debbie Gibson song

"Out of the Blue" is the third single by American singer-songwriter-actress Debbie Gibson. The title track of her debut album, the song was written by Gibson and co-produced and co-arranged with Fred Zarr, with Douglas Breitbart as executive producer. Released as a single in January 1988, "Out of the Blue" gave Gibson her highest chart placing at the time by reaching No. 3 in the U.S. In the UK, it did slightly less well than her two previous singles, stalling at No. 19.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Foolish Beat</span> 1988 single by Debbie Gibson

"Foolish Beat" is a song by American singer-songwriter Debbie Gibson, released as the fourth single from her debut album, Out of the Blue (1987), in April 1988. The single topped the US Billboard Hot 100 on June 25, 1988, giving Gibson the record for the youngest person to write, produce, and perform a number-one single entirely on her own, at age 17.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lost in Your Eyes</span> 1989 single by Debbie Gibson

"Lost in Your Eyes" is a song by American singer-songwriter Debbie Gibson, recorded for her second album, Electric Youth (1989). The song was both solely written and produced by Gibson. The song was released on January 6, 1989, as the lead single from the album.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">No More Rhyme</span> 1989 single by Debbie Gibson

"No More Rhyme" is a song by American singer-songwriter and actress Debbie Gibson. The song was released as the third single from her sophomore studio album Electric Youth (1989) only in North America, Australia, and Japan. Like all of the album, the song was solely written by Gibson. Frequent collaborator Fred Zarr produced the song. "No More Rhyme" was not issued a single in Europe, where the next single "We Could Be Together" was released instead. The song is a pop ballad.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">We Could Be Together</span> 1989 single by Debbie Gibson

"We Could Be Together" is the ninth single by American singer-songwriter-actress Debbie Gibson, and the fourth from the 1989 album Electric Youth. Produced by Gibson and Fred Zarr, the single was edited from its original recording. This song featured the talents of Matt Finders. The single performed better overseas than at home, peaking at No. 22 in the United Kingdom but stalling at No. 57 in Australia and No. 71 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Anything Is Possible (Debbie Gibson song)</span> 1990 single by Debbie Gibson

"Anything Is Possible" is the first single from American singer-songwriter-actress Debbie Gibson's third album of the same title (1990). Written, arranged, and produced by Gibson and Lamont Dozier, LP version was used for the single release worldwide except the United Kingdom and Europe, where an edited version of a remix by Harding and Curnow of PWL Records was used. The single fared relatively well on the US charts, reaching No. 26 on the Billboard Hot 100 in January 1991.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Debbie Gibson discography</span>

American singer-songwriter Debbie Gibson has released eleven studio albums, six compilation albums, one box set, 46 singles, three video albums, and 31 music videos.

Jason "Jace" Hall is an American film, television and video game producer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Too Hot (Kool & the Gang song)</span> 1980 single by Kool & the Gang

"Too Hot" is a song recorded by the American band Kool & the Gang for their 1979 album Ladies' Night. It was written by George Brown and Kool & the Gang, and produced by Eumir Deodato and Kool & the Gang. The song reached number five on the US Billboard Hot 100.

References

  1. ↑ "New & Active - CHR" (PDF). Radio & Records . March 24, 1989. p. 94.
  2. ↑ "Electric Youth Reloaded". Debbie Gibson Official Website. Retrieved October 11, 2020.
  3. ↑ Hall, Jace. "Electric Youth Reloaded by JaceHall". SoundCloud . Retrieved October 11, 2020.
  4. ↑ Buss, Bryan. "Debbie Gibson – Electric Youth". AllMusic . Retrieved November 10, 2020.
  5. ↑ Thelen, Christopher (February 14, 1999). "Electric Youth – Debbie Gibson". The Daily Vault. Retrieved November 20, 2020.
  6. ↑ "REVIEW: "ELECTRIC YOUTH" BY DEBBIE GIBSON (CD, 1989)". Pop Rescue. July 18, 2014. Retrieved December 4, 2020.
  7. ↑ "Quotes from "How I Met Your Mother: Slap Bet"". IMDb. Retrieved August 5, 2017.
  8. ↑ Video on YouTube
  9. ↑ "Debbie Gibson – Electric Youth". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved October 26, 2013.
  10. ↑ "Debbie Gibson – Electric Youth" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved October 26, 2013.
  11. ↑ "Item Display – RPM – Library and Archives Canada (Top Singles – Volume 50, No. 5 May 29, 1989)". RPM . www.collectionscanada.gc.ca. Archived from the original on March 8, 2016. Retrieved April 30, 2012.
  12. ↑ "Eurochart Hot 100" (PDF). Music & Media . May 27, 1989. Retrieved September 25, 2020.
  13. ↑ Pennanen, Timo (2021). "Debbie Gibson". Sisältää hitin - 2. laitos Levyt ja esittäjät Suomen musiikkilistoilla 1.1.1960–30.6.2021 (PDF) (in Finnish). Helsinki: Kustannusosakeyhtiö Otava. p. 89. Retrieved June 25, 2022.
  14. ↑ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Electric Youth". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved October 26, 2013.
  15. ↑ 28 May 1989
  16. ↑ "J-Wave: Tokio Hot 100 Chart". Tokio Hot 100 . May 28, 1989. Retrieved February 15, 2024.(To access the chart date, visit the Tokio Hot 100 Chart and select year 1989, month 5 and week 4)}}
  17. ↑ "Nederlandse Top 40 – Debbie Gibson" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved October 26, 2013.
  18. ↑ "Debbie Gibson – Lost in Your Eyes" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved October 26, 2013.
  19. ↑ "Discos más populares de Latinoamérica". El Siglo de Torreón. July 17, 1989. Retrieved January 21, 2023.
  20. ↑ Fernando Salaverri (September 2005). Sólo éxitos: año a año, 1959–2002 (1st ed.). Spain: Fundación Autor-SGAE. ISBN   84-8048-639-2.
  21. ↑ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved October 26, 2013.
  22. ↑ "Debbie Gibson Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved November 20, 2014.
  23. ↑ "Debbie Gibson Chart History (Dance Club Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved November 20, 2014.
  24. ↑ Whitburn, Joel (2014). Cash Box Pop Hits 1952-1996 . Sheridan Books, Inc. ISBN   978-0-89820-209-0.
  25. ↑ "Offiziellecharts.de – Debbie Gibson – Electric Youth" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved May 22, 2019.
  26. ↑ "The ARIA Australian Top 100 Singles Chart – 1989". ARIA, via Imgur.com. Retrieved January 7, 2020.
  27. ↑ "American single certifications – Debbie Gibson – Electric Youth". Recording Industry Association of America.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.