Song of the Moment - Tubeway Army / Are ‘Friends’ Electric?

I don’t know why so many people don’t find Gary Numan to be one of the most amazing and important musicians in all of music history. Other young people can usually get on board with a lot of the music that I deem as epically brilliant. Joy Division? “Sure, Bernard Sumner used killer distortion.” The Cure? “Of course, who doesn’t at least know ‘Friday I’m in Love?’” The Jam? “Oh yeah that’s bloody good cockney fighting music, that is.” But the enthusiasm often dies when Gary Numan is introduced to the equation. (And don’t even get me started on Kraftwerk.)

"Oh my God, ew, this sounds so ’80s! That’s so old!" Is what I have heard before in reference to this music. Apparently everything else can stand the ‘test of time,’ but not music from the 1980s.

Unbelievably, this song is from 1979. But that’s neither here nor there. Why is this sound disgusting to the youth of today? Why do synthesisers make kids giggle? I would very much like to know. Is it because everyone wants to laugh at the soundtrack of a Flock of Seagulls haircut? Is this VH1s fault? Someone please tell me.

I deeply enjoy music that creates the satisfaction of a high—synthetic or otherwise—all the while eliminating the need to put one’s life in danger. You don’t get a hangover or withdrawal from music. Pretty fab stuff, eh?

This song—and a lot of Gary’s other music—probably sounds the way cocaine probably feels. You have the rush, the high, and the comedown, all to the warm drone of a continuous beat. But, as a really glowing bonus, you don’t have to go skiing to have a taste. Lucky for that, because it’s not only the high and the rush put in this music; but also that paranoia and isolation and horrifying sci-fi hallucination. Personally, I wouldn’t want to believe in a Gary Numan song. Without a conscious stream of logic, I’ll bet this would be terrifying.

If you haven’t heard this song (or haven’t in a while), watch first to experience the performance, but then give it a whirl with your eyes closed.

 

There’s  a knock on the door; and just for a second I thought I remembered you.