"Electricity" is a song written by British musician Elton John and lyricist Lee Hall for Billy Elliot the Musical. Released on 11 July 2005, it became John's 63rd UK top-40 hit, peaking at number four on the UK singles chart. Discounting "Step into Christmas", it is his most recent solo top-40 hit in the UK. The song was included as a bonus track on the UK reissue of John's album Peachtree Road.
The song is sung by Billy Elliot in the stage production at his audition for a place at The Royal Ballet School in London. Billy is asked "What does it feel like, when you are dancing?" by one of the panel. Billy responds, hesitantly at first, "I can't really explain it... I haven't got the words..." And then (see full lyrics) the music takes hold, and he goes into an energetic song, describing dancing as "Something that you can't control". After two verses, each with a chorus, Billy leaps into a frenetic dance; in this dance, many skills such as acrobatics are used (the rhythm for this section of the instrumental varies from Billy to Billy, depending on each actor's dance strengths). The number concludes with another verse and Billy doing several pirouettes or tumbles.
A notable lyric in this piece is that of the title: 'Electricity sparks inside of me and I'm free, I'm free!" It was inspired by the scene in the film, which it follows closely, in which Billy describes dancing as "Electricity". His passion, shown in his description, is the implied reason for Billy's acceptance into The Royal Ballet School.
UK CD single
UK maxi-CD single
UK 7-inch single