Peak
11
Weeks
13
Score
1,744
Chart Year
1989
The music video for the song was directed by Gibson and Jim Yukich and was nominated for a moonman 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."[6]) hit single, "Let's Go to the Mall.
The title track of Debbie Gibson's second album is about empowering the young generation. As a teenager herself, Gibson felt that the beliefs and ideas held by the youth were just as important as those held by adults. It also reminded them that the future belonged to the youngsters, or the "Electric Youth." Gibson recalled to Billboard magazine regarding the song title in January 2014: "That was one of those channeled titles that I feel was meant to be a phrase infused into pop culture at the time. I never really put any thought into coming up with it. Literally, it, and the song, dropped in and I looked up to the sky, waved and said 'thank you! To me, that's how anything inspired comes. If you and your thinking get out of the way, the universe provides what is supposed to be and it comes on through." Most of Gibson's early hits, including "Out Of The Blue" and "Foolish Beat," are about finding or losing love. "Electric Youth" went in a different direction, with Gibson calling for her generation to be heard. The big hit from the album was the first single, "Lost In Your Eyes," a ballad that went to #1 in the US. "Electric Youth" was released next and was less successful, peaking at #11. Gibson is credited as a director on the video along with Jim Yukich, who did most of her videos around this time. In the clip, Gibson shows off some of the looks and moves that would earn her the role of Sandy in the West End production of Grease in 1993. In 2008, Gibson started a summer camp for kids called Debbie Gibson's Electric Youth. At the camp, kids develop their musical talents, often working with Gibson and other mentors to write songs.
Oh-oh, whoa Zappin' it to ya The pressure's everywhere Goin' right through ya The fever's in the air Oh yeah, it's there Don't underestimate the power Of a lifetime ahead Electric youth Feel the power, you see the energy comin' up Coming on strong The future only belongs to the future itself And the future is electric youth It's true you can't fight it Live by it the next generation It's electric We've got the most time To make the world go round Oh, can you spare a dime? Place your bet on our sound Come back to town Don't lose sight of potential mastermind Remember when you were young Electric youth Feel the power, you see the energy comin' up Coming on strong The future only belongs in the hands of itself And the future is electric youth It's true you can't fight it Live by it the next generation It's electric We do what comes naturally (naturally) You see now, wait for the possibility Don't you see a strong resemblance To yourself? (Oh) Don't you think what we say is important? Whatever it may be The fun is gonna start with me 'Cause I'm bringing it back Electric youth Feel the power, you see the energy comin' up Coming on strong The future only belongs in the future itself And the future is electric youth It's true you can't fight it Live by it the next generation It's electrifying Take it Fred Electric youth Feel the power, you see the energy Comin' up Coming on strong The future only belongs in the hands of itself And the future is electric youth It's true you can't fight it Live by it The next generation It's electric, it's electric, it's electric Electric youth Feel the power, you see the energy comin' up Coming on strong The future only belongs in the future itself And the future is electric youth It's true you can't fight it Live by it the next generation Inflation Flirtation Relaxation Elation Generation of An electric youth
| Week | Chart Date | Position | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Apr 1, 1989 | 62 | 64 |
| 2 | Apr 8, 1989 | 45 | 81 |
| 3 | Apr 15, 1989 | 31 | 95 |
| 4 | Apr 22, 1989 | 25 | 101 |
| 5 | Apr 29, 1989 | 19 | 107 |
| 6 | May 6, 1989 | 17 | 109 |
| 7 | May 13, 1989 | 11 | 115 |
| 8 | May 20, 1989 | 11 | 115 |
| 9 | May 27, 1989 | 11 | 115 |
| 10 | Jun 3, 1989 | 23 | 103 |
| 11 | Jun 10, 1989 | 42 | 84 |
| 12 | Jun 17, 1989 | 71 | 55 |
| 13 | Jun 24, 1989 | 96 | 30 |