AC/DC

AC/DC is Electra the Electric Engine's show-stopping introduction number.

Context[]

The number starts with a 'technical problem' causing a power cut, resulting in the Engines and Carriages powering down. From the gloom and the smoke, a laser pierces the stage, and silhouetted figures appear.

The first to introduce himself is Krupp, the Armaments truck, followed by Wrench, the Repair truck, Purse, the Money truck, Volta, the Freezer truck and Joule, the Dynamite truck. The Components tell us that their master is rich, hot, cool and powerful. As the music builds, the bridge swings overhead, and Electra himself appears.

The choreography usually involves Electra shooting lightning at someone (often times Wrench), to demonstrate he's dangerous. Pearl is drawn to him, they usually have a short passage dancing together, explained by his magnetic powers. Towards the end, his magnetism draws all the other engines and carriages to him, they start to circle around him, before he separates from them again for the final pose with his Components backing him up.

The song has an appropriately strong Electronic sound, being written in 7/8 time^[1] to create an off-balance feel. The intent is a strange, new, modern type of music, especially for 1984. This is a stark contrast to the rock 'n' roll feel of Greaseball's songs.

The original running order places this number immediately after "Entry of the National Engines", as Control calls forward each race competitor in turn. Just as Control calls for any last entries, the power surges and fluctuates, heralding Electra's arrival. In productions which move "Entry of the National Engines" to the start of the show, Electra's entrance loses that context. Instead, Control tries to begin the race proceedings at the end of "Freight", but is interrupted by Electra's approach.

Depending on production and year, during the dance break after the second verse, a female Component (usually Volta or Joule or occasionally both), go to the center of the stage and do aerobics such as splits, backbends, front walkovers, etc.

Lyrics[]

In the original production the Components don't introduce themselves, instead they speak in a form of DOS prompts, language that in the early 1980s seemed very futuristic and "computery". However by 1992, computing was less futuristic and more widely understood, making the passage sound dated. It was replaced by the Components introducing themselves by name, and in some productions, including some banter with the Freight. When Krupp is cut, Purse takes the line "We ask the questions" instead.

Original London Introduction Lyrics[]

KRUPP:	Clear Electra, Verify
WRENCH:	Go to Electra, Load
VOLTA:	Shift Electra
JOULE:	Space Electra
PURSE:	Enter Electra,
	Run Electra,
	Confirm,
	Confirm,
	Enter

COMPONENTS:	Electraaaaaa
	Electraaaaaa
	Electraaaaaa
	Electraaaaaa

Revised London Introduction Lyrics[]

The 1992 Revison

CONTROL:	This is control.
	This is control.

	Listen up!
	Race-time minus 10 minutes.

	Sorry, we have a technical problem.
	Nothing to worry about -

	Oh boy!
	A late entry!
	A superstar challenger!

	These must be his minders...

KRUPP:	Halt! I am Krupp,
	Electra's armaments truck!

ROCKY 1:	Who's Electra?

KRUPP:	We ask the questions!

WRENCH:	I am Wrench,
	Electra's repair truck!

DUSTIN:	Electra must be rich,
To have his own repair truck?

FLAT-TOP:	Or unreliable - hurhurhur

PURSE:	I am Purse,
	Electra's money truck,
	Electra is rich,
	Switch your alliance to Electra

VOLTA:	I am Volta,
	Electra's freezer truck!

JOULE:	I am Joule,
	Electra's dynamite truck!

VOLTA:	Electra is cool!
JOULE:	Electra is hot!
VOLTA:	Cool
JOULE:	Hot

COMPONENTS:	A megastar, a megawatt.
	Rich, hot, powerful,
	Rich, hot, cool.
	Rich, hot, powerful,
	Rich, hot, cool.

	Electraaaaaa
	Electraaaaaa
	Electraaaaaa
	Electraaaaaa

Revised London-Onwards Verse 3 Lyrics[]

ELECTRA:	I am electric,
	Resistance is pointless!
	Feel my magnetism
	You will agree!

	You can't ignore me,
	You must adore me
	I am electric, come closer to me!

	AC/DC,
	It's okay by me.
	I can switch
	And turn you onto me,
	Can switch,
	And turn you onto me,
	Can switch,
	And turn you onto me!

COMPONENTS:	Electraaaaaa
	Electraaaaaa
	Electraaaaaa
	Electraaaaaa

ELECTRA:	I am electric,
	Turn me on, turn me on!
	I am electric.

	I am electric,
	Turn me on, turn me on!
	I am electric.
	Turn me on, turn me on!

	I can switch and change my frequency!

Original London Song Lyrics[]

ELECTRA:	I am electric, feel my attraction,
	Feel my magnetism, you will agree.
	I am electric, I have the contacts
	I am electric the future is me!

	AC / DC is okay by me.
	I can switch and change my frequency.

	I am electric, mind how you touch me,
	I can shock you, I can set you on fire.
	I can reach up and pluck down the lightning,
	Watch the conductor, see the live wire

	AC / DC is okay by me.
	I can switch and change my frequency.

COMPONENTS:	Electraaaaaa
	Electraaaaaa
	Electraaaaaa

ELECTRA:	I am electric, I'm a computer
	Don't attempt to keep no secrets from me.
	If you make me bored, I hit my keyboard,
	You'll be erased from my memory.

	AC / DC is okay by me.
	I can switch and change my frequency
	AC / DC is okay by me.
	I can switch and change my frequency
	Can switch and change my frequency
	Can switch and change my frequency

COMPONENTS:	Electraaaaaa
	Electraaaaaa
	Electraaaaaa
	Electraaaaaa

ELECTRA:	I can switch and change my frequency

1987 Broadway Concept Album Lyrics[]

COMPONENTS:	Electraaaaaa
	Electraaaaaa
	Electraaaaaa
	Electraaaaaa

ELECTRA:	I am electric, feel my attraction,
	Feel my magnetism, you will agree.
	I am electric, I have the contacts
	I am electric the future is me!

	AC / DC is okay by me.
	I can switch and change my frequency.

	I am electric, mind how you touch me,
	I can shock you, I can set you on fire.
	I can reach up and pluck down the lightning,
	Watch the conductor, see the live wire

	AC / DC is okay by me.
	I can switch and change my frequency.
	AC / DC is okay by me.
	I can switch and change my frequency.

COMPONENTS:	Electraaaaaa
	Electraaaaaa
	Electraaaaaa

ELECTRA:	I am electric, I'm a computer
	Don't attempt to keep no secrets from me.
	If you make me bored, I hit my keyboard,
	You'll be erased from my memory.

	AC / DC is okay by me.
	I can switch and change my frequency
	Can switch and change my frequency
	Can switch and change my frequency

	AC / DC is okay by me.
	AC / DC is okay by me.

COMPONENTS:	Turn me on, turn me off
	I am electric
	Turn me off
	I am

(ELECTRA):	Turn me on, turn me off (AC/DC)
	I am electric (I have the contacts)
	Turn me off
	I am

	Turn me on, turn me off (AC/DC)
	I am electric (Mind how you touch me)
	Turn me off
	I am

	Turn me on, turn me off (AC/DC)
	I am electric (I'm a trans resistor)
	Turn me off
	I am

1987 Japan/Australia Tour Programme Translation[]

The translation of the song lyrics featured in the 1987 programme. These lyrics were NOT what were sung live during the tour, which was sung in English

エレクトラ (Japanese):	オレはエレクトりック、この魅カわかるかい	ELECTRA (English):	I am electric, feel my attraction
	この磁カを感じればわかるはず		Feel this magnetism and you will know
	オレは電子制御、コンタクト OK		I am electronically controlled, contact is okay
	オレはエレクトりック、未来はおまかせ		I am electric, the future is ours

	直流交流どちらでも OK		DC AC either are okay
	スイッチひとつでサイクルが変わる		The cycle changes at the flick of a switch

	オレはエレクトりック、気安く触れるなよ		I am electric, don't touch me so readily
	ショックでヤケドしても知らないぜ		I don't care if you get burned by the shock.
	雷のエネルギーも変えられる		I can change the energy of lightning
	車掌も電気仕掛け		Even the conductor is electrified

	直流交流どちらでも OK		DC AC either are okay
	スイッチひとつでサイクルが変わる		The cycle changes at the flick of a switch

	AC/DC、両刀使い		AC/DC, an expert in both fields
	スイッチひとつでサイクルが変わる		The cycle changes at the flick of a switch

ブース:	エレクトラ、エレクトラ、エレクトラ	BOOTH:	Electra, Electra, Electra

エレクトラ:	オレはエレクトラ、オレはコンピューター	ELECTRA:	I am Electra, I'm a computer
	隠し事はしない方がいいぜ		You shouldn't hide things from me, you know
	キーボードひとつで		With just one keyboard
	お前を記憶から消せるんだ		I can erase you from my memory

	AC/DC、両刀使い		AC/DC, an expert in both fields
	スイッチひとつでサイクルが変わる		The cycle changes at the flick of a switch
	スイッチひとつでサイクルが変わる		The cycle changes at the flick of a switch
	スイッチひとつでサイクルが変わる		The cycle changes at the flick of a switch

客車とその仲間:	エレクトラ、エレクトラ、エレクトラ	CARRIAGES + COMPONENTS:	Electra, Electra, Electra

エレクトラ:	スイッチひとつでサイクルが変わる	ELECTRA:	The cycle changes at the flick of a switch

1997 Mexico + Translation[]

Called "Macho/Hembra" (Male/Female) it follows the Original London structure lacking the components introductions, Purse is renamed Gaston and Wrench called Pinza. ^[1]

CONTROL (Spanish):	Aqui control, aqui control	CONTROL (English):	Here is Control! Here is Control!
	Faltan 10 minutos		Ten minutes away from
	Para la primera carrera		The first race
	Ferro al tunel		Rusty to tunnel

	Parece haber un problema técnico		It seems there is a technical problem
	No se preocupen		Don't worry
	Ah!! Un retador de última hora		Ah, a last minute challenger
	Un tren super estrella		A super star train
	Estos deben de ser sus "Warriores"		These must be his "Warriors" (Body guards)

KRUPP:	Despeje, Electra. Verificar...	KRUPP:	Clear Electra, Verify
PINZA:	Ve hacia Electra, cargar...	WRENCH:	Go to Electra, Load
GASTON:	Entra Electra, corre Electra,	PURSE:	Enter Electra, Run Electra
	Confirmar, confirmar entrada...		Confirm, Confirm, enter
VOLTA:	Corriente continua	VOLTA:	Direct Current
JOULE:	Corriente alterna	JOULE:	Alternating current
VOLTA:	¡Electriza!	VOLTA:	Electrifying!
JOULE:	¡Paraliza!	JOULE:	Paralizing!
VOLTA & JOULE:	Un megatren, un mega watt	VOLTA & JOULE:	A mega-train, a mega-watt
COMPONENTES:	Es eléctrico, es poder -	COMPONENTS:	He is electric, he is power
	Electra, ¡Electra!		Electra, Electra!

ELECTRA:	Alto voltaje, alto atractivo	ELECTRA:	High Voltage, High Attraction
	Mi fuerza eléctrica te atraerá		My electric power will attract you
	Soy energía, tengo el enchufe		I am energy, I have the outlet
	Soy el futuro que electrizará		I am the electrifying future

	Macho/Hembra es mi conector		Male/Female is my connector
	Cambio el switch y soy transformador		Change the switch and I'm a transformer

	Soy energía, mira y no toques		I am energy, look and don't touch
	Te electrocuto, te hago carbón		I can electrocute you, make you like ash
	Puedo causar un cortocircuito		I can cause a short circuit
	Llevo en la vía alta tensión		I carry high voltage on the track

	Macho/Hembra es mi conector,		Male/Female is my connector
	¡Para mi mejor!		Better for me!
	Cambio el switch y soy transformador		Change the switch and I'm a transformer

COMPONENTES:	Electra, Electra, Electra...	COMPONENTS:	Electra, Electra, Electra...

ELECTRA:	Mi resistencia es mas que una conga	ELECTRA:	My resistance is more then a conga
	Mi fuerza eléctrica es para ti		My electric power is for you
	Ya no te libras, siente que vibras		Now you don't have freedom, feel the vibration
	Soy magnetismo, acércate a mi		I'm magnetic, come close to me

	Macho/Hembra es mi conector		Male/Female is my connector
	Con mi switch te enchufo al conector		With my switch I connect you to the connector
	Mi switch te enchufo al conector		My switch connects you to the connector
	¡Mi switch te enchufo al conector!		My switch connects you to the connector

COMPONENTES:	Electra, Electra...	COMPONENTS:	Electra, Electra...

ELECTRA:	Soy energía, me prendes, te prendo	ELECTRA:	I am energy you come to me, I come to you
	¡ Soy energía!		I am energy!

	Ven... ven, ven, ¡ven!		Come… come, come, come!
	¡Con mi switch te enchufo al conector!!		With my switch I connect you to the connector!

German Lyrics[]

ELECTRA:	Ich bin elektrisch,
	Steh unter Spannung,
	Hab' magnetische Kraft,
	Fühlst du es nicht?

	Ich bin elektrisch,
	Hab' die Kontakte,
	Ich bin elektrisch,
	Die Zukunft bin ich!

	AC / DC
	Ist okay für mich.

	Gleich dreht sich
	Mein Strom und wechselt sich.

	Ich bin elektrisch,
	Ich bin gefährlich,
	Denn ein Schlag von mir
	Kann Herzen sehr schaden!
	Ein Griff von mir
	Holt den Blitz aus der Leitung,
	Zündet den Funken
	In meinen Adern

	AC / DC
	Ist okay für mich.
	Gleich dreht sich
	Mein Strom und wechselt sich.

COMPONENTS:	Electraaaaaa
	Electraaaaaa
	Electraaaaaa
	Electraaaaaa

ELECTRA:	Ich bin elektrisch,
	Bin ein Computer
	Weiß genaustens
	Bescheid über dich.
	Um mich zu entlasten,
	Drück ich die Tasten,
	Lösch' deine Daten
	Und vergesse dich!

	AC / DC
	Ist okay für mich.
	Gleich dreht sich
	Mein Strom und wechselt sich.

	AC / DC
	Ist okay für mich.
	Gleich dreht sich
	Mein Strom und wechselt sich.
	Dreht sich
	Mein Strom und wechselt sich.
	Dreht sich
	Mein Strom und wechselt sich.

COMPONENTS:	Electraaaaaa
	Electraaaaaa
	Electraaaaaa
	Electraaaaaa

ELECTRA:	Gleich dreht sich
	Mein Strom und wechselt sich.

Revised German Introduction Lyrics[]

The 2013 Bochum Revision

KRUPP:	Ich bin Krupp,
	Electras Rüstungswagen
WRENCH:	Ich bin Wrench,
	Electras Reperaturwagen

PEARL:	Wer ist Electra?

PURSE:	Wir stellen hier die Fragen!
	Ich bin Purse,
	Electras Geldtransporter.
	Electra ist reich,
	Schaltet um auf Electra!
VOLTA:	Ich bin Volta,
	Electras Kühlwagen
JOULE:	Ich bin Joule,
	Electras Sprengstoffwagen

COMPONENTS:	Electra ist cool,
	Electra ist hot
	Cool!
	Hot!
	Ein Megastar,
	Ein Megawatt
	Reich, heiß, volle Kraft
	Reich, heiß, cool
	Reich, heiß, volle Kraft
	Reich, heiß, cool
	Electraaaaaa
	Electraaaaaa
	Electraaaaaa
	Electraaaaaa

Revised German Lyrics + Translation[]

ELECTRA:	Ich bin elektrisch,	I am electric
	Steh unter Spannung,	I‘m a live wire
	Hab' magnetische Kraft,	Got magnetic power,
	Fühlst du es nicht?	Don’t feel it?
	Ich bin elektrisch,	I am electric
	Hab die Kontakte,	I got the contacts,
	Ich bin elektrisch,	I am electric,
	Die Zukunft bin ich!	The future is me!

	AC / DC	AC / DC
	Ist okay für mich.	Is okay to me.
	Meine Energie	My energy
	Verändert sich!	Is changing!

	Ich bin elektrisch,	I am electric
	Ich bin gefährlich,	I am dangerous
	Denn ein Schlag von mir	Because a blow from me
	Kann Herzen sehr schaden!	Can hurt hearts!
	Ein Griff von mir	A grip of mine
	Holt den Blitz aus der Leitung,	Takes the lightning out of the wire
	Zündet den Funken	Ignites the spark
	In meinen Adern.	In my veins

	AC / DC	AC / DC
	Ist okay für mich.	Is okay to me.
	Meine Energie	My energy
	Verändert sich!	Is changing!

COMPONENTS:	Electraaaaaa	Electraaaaaa
	Electraaaaaa	Electraaaaaa
	Electraaaaaa	Electraaaaaa
	Electraaaaaa	Electraaaaaa

ELECTRA:	Ich bin elektrisch,	I am electric
	Widerstand ist zwecklos.	Resistance is pointless.
	Spührst du die	Do you feel the
	Anziehungskraft, die Magie?	Force of attraction, the magic?
	Mich ignorieren	Ignoring me
	Heißt zu verlieren,	Means to lose,
	Ich bin elektrisch	I am electric
	Bin voll Energie	Am Full of Energy

	AC / DC	AC / DC
	Ist okay für mich.	Is okay to me.
	Meine Energie	My energy
	Verändert sich.	Is changing.

	AC / DC	AC / DC
	Ist okay für mich.	Is okay to me.
	Meine Energie	My energy
	Verändert sich,	Is changing,
	Die Energie	The Energy
	Verändert sich,	Is changing,
	Die Energie	The energy
	Verändert sich.	Is changing.

COMPONENTS:	Electraaaaaa	Electraaaaa
	Electraaaaaa	Electraaaaa
	Electraaaaaa	Electraaaaa
	Electraaaaaa	Electraaaaa

ELECTRA:	Ich bin elektrisch,	I am electric
	Mach mich an,	Turn me on
	Mach mich an,	Turn me on

	Ich bin elektrisch.	I am electric

	I am electric,	I am electric
	Turn me on,	Turn me on
	Turn me on,	Turn me on

	I am electric.	I am electric

	Turn me on,	Turn me on
	Mach mich an	Turn me on

	Meine Energie Verändert dich!	My energy Changes you!

At some points in the show's history, the German production has placed "Entry of the National Engines" at the beginning of the show, leading to a different introduction to "AC/DC" from Control. Similar to the later London script, Control attempts to begin the race proceedings when Electra's approach interrupts.

CONTROL:	Hier ist Control,
	Hier ist Control.

	Hört zu, dies sind die Regel:
	Wir haben zwei Vorausscheidungen
	Und die ersten beiden Züge
	Jeder Vorentscheidung nehmen
	An der Endausscheidung teil, klar?

	Zwei Rennen,
	Zwei Kandidaten aus jedem Rennen.

	Noch weitere Anmeldungen?

	Scheint wir haben
	Ein technisches Problem,
	Kleine Störung.

	Oh man!
	Ich glaube, wir haben
	Einen Superstar als Herausforderer!

2018 German Lyrics[]

CONTROL:	Scheint wir haben ein technisches Problem, aber das haben wir gleich.
	Wow! Es gibt noch einen der beim Rennen mitmacht.
	Wir haben einen Superstar als Herausforderer!
	Und das müssen seine Anhänger sein!

KILLERWATT:	Ich bin Killerwatt,
	Electra's Sicherheitswagen!

ROCKY 1:	Wer ist Electra?

KILLERWATT:	Wir stellen die Fragen!

WRENCH:	Ich bin Wrench,
	Electra's Reperaturwagen!

DUSTIN:	Ein Reperaturwagen?
	Dieser Electra muss sehr reich sein!

JOULE:	Ich bin Joule, Electra‘s Sprengstoffwagen!
VOLTA:	Ich bin Volta, Electra‘s Kühlwagen!
	Electra ist cool!
JOULE:	Electra ist hot!
VOLTA:	Cool!
JOULE:	Hot!

COMPONENTS:	Ein Megastar,
	Ein Megawatt
	Reich, heiß, volle Kraft
	Reich, heiß, cool
	Reich, heiß, volle Kraft
	Reich, heiß, cool
	Electraaaaaa
	Electraaaaaa
	Electraaaaaa
	Electraaaaaa
	Electraaaaaa

ELECTRA:	Ich bin elektrisch,
	Steh unter Spannung,
	Hab' magnetische Kraft,
	Fühlst du es nicht?
	Ich bin elektrisch,
	Hab die Kontakte,
	Ich bin elektrisch,
	Die Zukunft bin ich!

	AC / DC
	Ist okay für mich.
	Meine Energie
	Verändert sich!

	Ich bin elektrisch,
	Ich bin gefährlich,
	Denn ein Schlag von mir
	Kann Herzen sehr schaden!
	Ein Griff von mir
	Holt den Blitz aus der Leitung,
	Zündet den Funken
	In meinen Adern.

	AC / DC
	Ist okay für mich.
	Meine Energie
	Verändert sich!

COMPONENTS:	Electraaaaaa
	Electraaaaaa
	Electraaaaaa

ELECTRA:	Ich bin elektrisch,
	Widerstand ist zwecklos.
	Spührst du die
	Anziehungskraft, die Magie?
	Mich ignorieren
	Heißt zu verlieren,
	Ich bin elektrisch
	Bin voller Energie

	AC / DC
	Ist okay für mich.
	Meine Energie
	Verändert sich.

	AC / DC
	Ist okay für mich.
	Meine Energie
	Verändert sich,
	Die Energie
	Verändert sich,
	Die Energie
	Verändert sich.

COMPONENTS:	Electraaaaaa
	Electraaaaaa
	Electraaaaaa
	Electraaaaaa

ELECTRA:	Ich bin elektrisch,
	Mach mich an,
	Mach mich an,

	Ich bin elektrisch.

	I am electric,
	Turn me on,
	Turn me on,

	I am electric.

	Turn me on,
	Mach mich an

	Meine Energie Verändert dich!

2018 German Introduction Translation[]

KILLERWATT:	I am Killerwatt,
	Electra's security truck!

ROCKY 1:	Who's Electra?

WRENCH:	We ask the questions!
	I am Wrench,
	Electra's repair truck!

DUSTIN:	This Electra must be rich
	To have a repair truck!
JOULE:	I am Joule, Electra‘s dynamite truck!
VOLTA:	I am Volta, Electra‘s freezer truck!