Danger! High Voltage
Encyclopedia
"Danger! High Voltage" is a song by Electric Six
, released as a single
on 6 January 2003 through XL Recordings
. It was the band's debut single, and reached number 2 in the UK Singles Chart
and was named Single of the Week by the NME
. It was also released on the band's debut album Fire
(2003).
Jack White
of The White Stripes
performed the secondary lead vocals on the track. Members of the band have claimed in interviews that the singer was an auto-mechanic named John S. O'Leary and not White, although some professional music critics correctly suspected this name was a pseudonym for White.
The song was originally recorded in early 2001, when the band went under the name 'The Wildbunch'. They were forced to drop this name following legal pressure from the Bristol trip-hop collective of the same name (aka Massive Attack
). The later album and single version was produced by British Music Producers, Damien Mendis and Stuart Bradbury - who also created 'club mixes' under the name of Soulchild. The song is also featured on the Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle
album.
The song is listed at #234 on the best songs of the 2000s by Pitchfork Media
. It was also featured in the Pitchfork 500.
called the song "catchier than anything on the radio by the White Stripes." The Guardian
called it "insanely catchy", though "the archetypal comic novelty single." Josh Tyrangiel
with Time
magazine also praised the track. NME
's Piers Martin wrote "[Electric Six] rustle up the sort of pop-party thrash which sounds like the idiot half-brother to The Rapture
’s 'House Of Jealous Lovers'. That good."
In May 2010, the song inadvertently made the news when someone hacked into an electronic roadsign in Wisconsin and replaced the message with lyrics from the song "Danger! Danger! High Voltage! When we touch! When we kiss!"
and actress Tina Kanarek outfitted with a brightly flashing codpiece
and brassiere
, respectively.
It was parodied as the 'video' for "I Told You I Was Freaky" in Flight of the Conchords
episode "Wingmen
".
s Season Two promotional commercial.
The song was featured in the 2010 film Diary of a Wimpy Kid
.
The song's chorus is used as the theme tune of The Pain Men segments in British comedy show Balls of Steel
.
In 2003, the song was used in the 'electric fence' segment of the British television series Brainiac: Science Abuse
.
A montage is set to the song in The Simpsons
episode "The Squirt and the Whale
".
Another montage is set to the song in Malcolm in the Middle
episode "Baby (Part 2)".
The song was also used in episode 6 of the television drama "Nearly Famous
".
Electric Six
Electric Six is a six-piece metro Detroit-based band that plays what has been described as a brand of rock music infused with elements of "garage, disco, punk, new wave, and metal." The band met recognition in 2003 with the singles "Danger! High Voltage" and "Gay Bar", and subsequently recorded...
, released as a single
Single (music)
In music, a single or record single is a type of release, typically a recording of fewer tracks than an LP or a CD. This can be released for sale to the public in a variety of different formats. In most cases, the single is a song that is released separately from an album, but it can still appear...
on 6 January 2003 through XL Recordings
XL Recordings
XL Recordings is a British independent record label owned by Richard Russell. It originated as a 1989 offshoot of Beggars Banquet Records.Though only releasing an average of six albums a year, XL Recordings has worked with The Prodigy, Radiohead, The White Stripes, Dizzee Rascal, M.I.A., Vampire...
. It was the band's debut single, and reached number 2 in the UK Singles Chart
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
and was named Single of the Week by the NME
NME
The New Musical Express is a popular music publication in the United Kingdom, published weekly since March 1952. It started as a music newspaper, and gradually moved toward a magazine format during the 1980s, changing from newsprint in 1998. It was the first British paper to include a singles...
. It was also released on the band's debut album Fire
Fire (Electric Six album)
Fire is the debut album of Electric Six, released in 2003.The album received generally positive critical reviews. Rolling Stone called the album "the summer's most brilliantly demented party record" and Blender hailed the music as "convincingly ferocious"...
(2003).
Jack White
Jack White (musician)
Jack White , often credited as Jack White III, is an American musician, songwriter, record producer and occasional actor...
of The White Stripes
The White Stripes
The White Stripes was an American rock band, formed in 1997 in Detroit, Michigan. The group consisted of the songwriter Jack White and drummer Meg White . Jack and Meg White were previously married to each other, but are now divorced...
performed the secondary lead vocals on the track. Members of the band have claimed in interviews that the singer was an auto-mechanic named John S. O'Leary and not White, although some professional music critics correctly suspected this name was a pseudonym for White.
The song was originally recorded in early 2001, when the band went under the name 'The Wildbunch'. They were forced to drop this name following legal pressure from the Bristol trip-hop collective of the same name (aka Massive Attack
Massive Attack
Massive Attack are an English DJ and trip hop duo from Bristol, England consisting of Robert "3D" Del Naja and Grant "Daddy G" Marshall. Working with co-producers, as well as various session musicians and guest vocalists, they make records and tour live. The duo are considered to be of the trip...
). The later album and single version was produced by British Music Producers, Damien Mendis and Stuart Bradbury - who also created 'club mixes' under the name of Soulchild. The song is also featured on the Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle
Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle
Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle is a 2003 American action comedy film. It is the sequel to 2000's Charlie's Angels. It opened in the United States on June 27, 2003, and was number one at the box office for that weekend and made a worldwide total of $259.2 million.The cast again includes Cameron...
album.
The song is listed at #234 on the best songs of the 2000s by Pitchfork Media
Pitchfork Media
Pitchfork Media, usually known simply as Pitchfork or P4k, is a Chicago-based daily Internet publication established in 1995 that is devoted to music criticism and commentary, music news, and artist interviews. Its focus is on underground and independent music, especially indie rock...
. It was also featured in the Pitchfork 500.
CD1
- "Danger! High Voltage (Soulchild Radio Mix)"
- "I Lost Control (Of My Rock & Roll)"
- "Remote Control (Me)"
CD2
- "Danger! High Voltage (Soulchild 12" Blitz Mix)"
- "Danger! High Voltage (Thin White DukeStuart PriceStuart Price is a three time Grammy-winning British electronic musician, songwriter, and record producer whose remixing and production skills are in demand by artists including New Order, Madonna, Kylie Minogue, Take That, Missy Elliott, Scissor Sisters, The Killers, Pet Shop Boys, Brandon...
Mix)" - "Danger! High Voltage (Kilogram Mix)"
Reception
The New York TimesThe New York Times
The New York Times is an American daily newspaper founded and continuously published in New York City since 1851. The New York Times has won 106 Pulitzer Prizes, the most of any news organization...
called the song "catchier than anything on the radio by the White Stripes." The Guardian
The Guardian
The Guardian, formerly known as The Manchester Guardian , is a British national daily newspaper in the Berliner format...
called it "insanely catchy", though "the archetypal comic novelty single." Josh Tyrangiel
Josh Tyrangiel
Josh Tyrangiel is a journalist, and editor of Bloomberg Businessweek. He joined the magazine following its acquisition by Bloomberg L.P. in December 2009. Prior to joining Bloomberg Businessweek, Tyrangiel was deputy managing editor of TIME magazine and managing editor of TIME.com...
with Time
Time (magazine)
Time is an American news magazine. A European edition is published from London. Time Europe covers the Middle East, Africa and, since 2003, Latin America. An Asian edition is based in Hong Kong...
magazine also praised the track. NME
NME
The New Musical Express is a popular music publication in the United Kingdom, published weekly since March 1952. It started as a music newspaper, and gradually moved toward a magazine format during the 1980s, changing from newsprint in 1998. It was the first British paper to include a singles...
's Piers Martin wrote "[Electric Six] rustle up the sort of pop-party thrash which sounds like the idiot half-brother to The Rapture
The Rapture (band)
The Rapture is an Indie rock band based in New York City. The band mixes influences from many genres including post-punk, acid house, disco, electronica and rock, pioneering the post-punk revival genre...
’s 'House Of Jealous Lovers'. That good."
In May 2010, the song inadvertently made the news when someone hacked into an electronic roadsign in Wisconsin and replaced the message with lyrics from the song "Danger! Danger! High Voltage! When we touch! When we kiss!"
Music video
The video for this song was produced by Tom Kuntz & Mike Maguire and stars lead singer Dick ValentineTyler Spencer
Tyler Spencer , also known as Dick Valentine, is a vocalist, best known for his role as lead singer for the six-piece Detroit-based band Electric Six...
and actress Tina Kanarek outfitted with a brightly flashing codpiece
Codpiece
A codpiece is a covering flap or pouch that attaches to the front of the crotch of men's trousers and usually accentuates the genital area. It was held closed by string ties, buttons, or other methods...
and brassiere
Brassiere
A brassiere is an undergarment that covers, supports, and elevates the breasts. Since the late 19th century, it has replaced the corset as the most widely accepted method for supporting breasts....
, respectively.
It was parodied as the 'video' for "I Told You I Was Freaky" in Flight of the Conchords
Flight of the Conchords (TV series)
Flight of the Conchords is an American television comedy series that debuted on HBO on June 17, 2007. The show follows the adventures of Flight of the Conchords, a two-man band from New Zealand, as its members seek fame and success in New York City. The show stars the real-life duo, Jemaine Clement...
episode "Wingmen
Wingmen (Flight of the Conchords)
"Wingmen" is the ninth episode of the second season and twenty first overall of the HBO comedy series Flight of the Conchords. This episode first aired in the United States on March 15, 2009. It is the penultimate episode of the second season....
".
Use in Other Media
The song is used as the background theme for White CollarWhite Collar (TV series)
White Collar is a USA Network television series created by Jeff Eastin, starring Matt Bomer as con-man Neal Caffrey and Tim DeKay as Special Agent Peter Burke. It premiered on October 23, 2009. In December 2009, White Collar was renewed for a second season that began on July 13, 2010...
s Season Two promotional commercial.
The song was featured in the 2010 film Diary of a Wimpy Kid
Diary of a Wimpy Kid
Diary of a Wimpy Kid is a realistic fiction novel by Jeff Kinney. It is the first book in the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series. The book is about a middle-school child named Greg Heffley and his struggles in middle school. Greg also had problems with his best friend, Rowley Jefferson. The books focuses...
.
The song's chorus is used as the theme tune of The Pain Men segments in British comedy show Balls of Steel
Balls of Steel (TV series)
Balls of Steel is a Channel 4 comedy series developed by Objective Productions and hosted by Mark Dolan, his special guests would perform stunts and hold their nerve during hidden camera set-ups in the presence of celebrities or the British public....
.
In 2003, the song was used in the 'electric fence' segment of the British television series Brainiac: Science Abuse
Brainiac: Science Abuse
Brainiac: Science Abuse is a British entertainment TV show with a science motif. Numerous experiments are carried out in each show, often to verify whether common conceptions are true or simply to create impressive explosions...
.
A montage is set to the song in The Simpsons
The Simpsons
The Simpsons is an American animated sitcom created by Matt Groening for the Fox Broadcasting Company. The series is a satirical parody of a middle class American lifestyle epitomized by its family of the same name, which consists of Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa and Maggie...
episode "The Squirt and the Whale
The Squirt and the Whale
"The Squirt and the Whale" is the nineteenth episode of The Simpsons twenty-first season, which premiered on the Fox network on April 25, 2010 as the 460th episode for the series overall. In the episode, the Simpson family attempt to save a beached whale that washed up onshore, only for it to...
".
Another montage is set to the song in Malcolm in the Middle
Malcolm in the Middle
Malcolm in the Middle is an American television sitcom created by Linwood Boomer for the Fox Network. The series was first broadcast on January 9, 2000, and ended its six-and-a-half-year run on May 14, 2006, after seven seasons and 151 episodes...
episode "Baby (Part 2)".
The song was also used in episode 6 of the television drama "Nearly Famous
Nearly Famous
Nearly Famous is a television drama mini-series about a group of British teenagers at a top London school of the performing arts. It is shown in the UK and Ireland on E4. The show has been compared to other teen drama series such as The OC and Skins. The show debuted on E4 on 8 November 2007 and...
".
Charts
| Chart (2003) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Irish Singles Chart Irish Singles Chart The Irish Singles Chart is Ireland's music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by the Irish Recorded Music Association and compiled on behalf of the IRMA by Chart-Track. Chart rankings are based on sales, which are compiled through over-the-counter retail data captured... |
15 |
| UK Singles Chart UK Singles Chart The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ... |
2 |