"The Current" is a song by

Blue Man Group Blue Man Group is an American performance art company formed in 1987. It was purchased in July 2017 by the Canadian company Cirque du Soleil. Blue Man Group is known for its stage productions, which incorporate many kinds of music and art, bot ...

, released as the first single from their 2003

concept album A concept album is an album whose tracks hold a larger purpose or meaning collectively than they do individually. This is typically achieved through a single central narrative or theme, which can be instrumental, compositional, or lyrical. Some ...

, '' The Complex''. The song features the guest vocals of

Gavin Rossdale Gavin McGregor Rossdale (born 30 October 1965) is an English guitarist and actor, best known as the lead singer and rhythm guitarist of the rock band Bush. He helped form Bush in 1992; on the band's separation in 2002, he became the lead singer ...

of Bush, and was featured in the film, '' Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines''.

Song meaning

The song deals with urban and occupational isolation, the two key themes from the album. The isolation theme is furthered by the setting, which takes place in the underground portion of the urban complex—the location of the phone lines, electrical wires, and Internet connections. According to the

themselves, "We wanted to capture the modern paradox of having access to millions of people through electric current but still being cut off from any real human contact." The song might then be assumed to be about how technology is moving the world forward whilst it moves people backwards.

Promo

Another promo CD was released, in a cardboard slide case.

Track listings

CD single

#"The Current" (Album Version) – 3:49 #"The Current" ( Tee's Freeze Mix) – 7:40 #"The Current" (Blue Radio Mix) – 3:46

12" single

#The Current ( Armand Van Helden Club Mix) – 8:40 #The Current (Armand Van Helden Dub Mix) – 7:58 #The Current (Tee's Freeze Mix) – 7:40 #The Current (Blue Radio Mix) – 3:46

Chart positions

Live performances

The song was performed at The Complex concerts, with vocals from Peter Moore. There was a special performance with Rossdale on The Late Late Show with Craig Kilborn.

References

Blue Man Group songs Songs written for films 2003 songs {{2000s-rock-song-stub