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The Top 10 Best “Energy Songs” Ever

CUB just wrapped up a month-long contest asking consumers to submit and vote for the best energy-related song of all time. Although Eddy Grant’s “Electric Avenue” ran away with it, there were dozens of great entries. Here are our top ten:

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1. Snap – I’ve Got The Power. An important reminder that while utilities may have the electricity, consumers have the power!

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2. Teddy Pendergrass – Turn Off The Lights. Teddy strikes the perfect balance between energy efficiency and sweet romance.

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3. AC/DC – High Voltage. Bon Scott’s stiff, jolting dance moves are a powerful reminder to stay away from high voltage lines. (Though that doesn’t explain his lace-up shirt, crushed velvet sport coat, or red bow tie.).

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4. Debbie Gibson – Electric Youth. Debbie Gibson’s strobe light and laser-filled production may have set the record for most electricity consumed on the set of a music video. Though clearly a product of the 1980’s, the song’s message still holds true today: We have to change the way we use and produce energy, and who better to lead us than our electric youth?

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5. Journey – Lights. While a quick read of the lyrics would have you believe that Journey front man Steve Perry is brooding over a long-lost romance, a deeper look uncovers a subtle message promoting the importance of demand response programs in managing grid load and preventing widespread outages. At least, that’s CUB’s take.

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6. Debby Boone – You Light Up My Life. Debby Boone’s 1970’s hit spent 10 consecutive weeks atop the Billboard Hot 100, paving the way for her potential future career as spokeswoman for the CFL or LED lighting industry.

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7. R.E.M. – What’s The Frequency, Kenneth? This hit off of R.E.M.’s 1994 album, Monster, searches for an answer to what motivates the youth of younger generations, but finds none. We’re still wondering how to get our kids to turn off the lights when they leave a room.

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8. Eddy Grant – Electric Avenue. It’s no surprise that Eddy Grant’s 1982 hit garnered the most votes in CUB’s Energy Songs contest—“Electric Avenue” runs along Illinois’ Prairie Path in the town of Berkeley.

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9. The Polecats – Make a Circuit With Me. Not only is this energetic Polecats tune jam-packed with electricity terms, it reminds us that romance, much like electricity, should be exciting. “A sweet romance is not for me, I need electricity.”

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10. Ellie Goulding – Lights. Goulding’s airy vocals accompany a laser light show that would make even Pink Floyd blush.

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Least Favorite. Marcia Griffiths – Electric Boogie (Electric Slide). Frequently played at wedding celebrations, this song is known to cause guests to line up, abandon all individuality, and shuffle around the dance floor until the music stops. (Though it should be noted that the dancing seen in this music video is several notches above that usually seen on wedding reception dance floors.)

See CUB’s complete YouTube playlist of energy songs. Did we forget anything? Let us know in the comments.