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Are 'Friends' Electric? is a 1979 hit by Tubeway Army that reached #1 in the UK Singles Chart. The song is about robots in the future that look human and perform different services, including prostitution. The song has been covered by various artists, including Republica, Moloko, The Dead Weather, and Weezer. The song has also inspired the name of a Daytona Beach band, Are Friends Electric, known for their punk-laced indie-pop sound. The original song by Tubeway Army has been described as a synth-driven and synthpop classic, with numerous covers paying homage to the original while showcasing advancements in synthesizer technology.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Song Title | Are 'Friends' Electric? |
| Artist | Gary Numan and the Tubeway Army |
| Genre | Synthpop |
| Year of Release | 1979 |
| Chart Performance | #1 in the UK Singles Chart |
| Lyrics | Haunting |
| Theme | Science fiction, robots |
| Covers | At least two dozen, including versions by Republica, Moloko, The Dead Weather, Information Society, Weezer, Kevin Max + Service Unicorn, Coco Morier (ft. Holly Marilyn Solem), and more |
| Remixes | Curses Remix by Djedjotronic |
| Awards | Brit Award for Best Dance Act (Sugababes cover) |
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What You'll Learn
Are 'Friends' Electric? by Gary Numan
"Are 'Friends' Electric?" is a song by Gary Numan, released in 1979 as a single by his band Tubeway Army. It was their breakout single, hitting #1 in the UK Singles Chart, and is often regarded as the song that kick-started synth-pop. After its success, Numan started performing as a solo artist, releasing "Cars", which also topped the UK charts and charted in the US.
The lyrics of "Are 'Friends' Electric?" are based on a short story Numan had written for a possible book. The song is about a man who orders a prostitute who turns out to be an android. The only way to tell them apart from humans is their slightly oblong pupils. Numan has said that the song was influenced by writers Philip K. Dick and William S. Burroughs.
The song has been covered by numerous artists, including Republica, Moloko, The Dead Weather, Information Society, Weezer, Kevin Max + Service Unicorn, and Coco Morier (ft. Holly Marilyn Solem). These covers serve as an homage to both Numan and the synth-driven music he helped pioneer. The song has also been sampled by UK DJ Richard X, who created a bootleg by putting the vocals of Adina Howard's "Freak Like Me" over the instrumental track of "Are 'Friends' Electric?", calling it "We Don't Give A Damn About Our Friends". This became a classic anthem in UK clubs and was later released commercially as a collaboration between Sugababes and Gary Numan, winning them a Brit Award for Best Dance Act.
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Are 'Friends' Electric? by Moloko
"Are Friends Electric?" is a song by the Anglo-Irish electronic/trip-hop duo Moloko, comprising Róisín Murphy and Mark Brydon. Released in 1997, the song is a cover of the Gary Numan classic. Moloko puts their own unique twist on the new wave original, infusing it with their signature quirkiness and funk.
The lyrics of "Are Friends Electric?" paint a vivid picture, with lines like "And the paint's peeling off of my walls/There's a man outside/In a long coat, grey hat, smoking a cigarette." The song delves into themes of loneliness and confusion, as the narrator questions the nature of friendship and love.
Róisín Murphy's baritone jazz vocals effortlessly navigate the staccato delivery of the lyrics, adding a layer of cool sophistication to the track. The result is a catchy, funky groove that has become a fan favourite for lovers of both Moloko and Gary Numan.
The song showcases Moloko's ability to make a cover their own, blending their distinctive style with the essence of the original. "Are Friends Electric?" stands as a testament to the duo's creativity and talent, solidifying their place in the electronic music landscape.
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Are 'Friends' Electric? by Republica
"Are Friends Electric?" is a song by the band Republica, featuring Gary Numan. It is a cover of the 1979 hit song of the same name by Tubeway Army, which featured Numan before he embarked on a solo career.
The original song by Tubeway Army is about robots in the future that perform different services and look human, so their neighbours are unaware of what they really are. Numan himself described the song as "a sci-fi story I was writing about machines who cloned human skin that did all the horrible menial jobs including prostitution, it’s actually about an electronic prostitute".
The lyrics of the Republica version of the song appear to be very similar to the original, if not identical. They paint a picture of a bleak, lonely environment: "It's cold outside / And the paint's peeling off my walls / There's a man outside / In a long coat, grey hat, smoking a cigarette". The narrator wonders what they are doing in such a place, and there is a sense of confusion and isolation: "Now I can think for myself / About little deals / And things that I just don't understand".
The chorus of the song, "Are Friends Electric?", is a poignant and thought-provoking question. It suggests a world in which friends are mechanical and can break down, leaving the narrator alone and without love: "Only mine's broke down / And now I've no one to love". The song's lyrics and themes explore ideas of loneliness, technology, and the nature of human connection in a world increasingly reliant on machines.
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Are 'Friends' Electric? by The Dead Weather
"Are Friends Electric?" is a song by the alternative rock band The Dead Weather. The band formed in Nashville, Tennessee, in 2009 and consists of Alison Mosshart (vocals, guitar), Dean Fertita (guitar, organ), Jack Lawrence (bass, drums), and Jack White (drums, vocals, guitar). All members of the band are from other well-known alternative rock groups.
"Are Friends Electric?" is a cover of the Gary Numan song, which was first released in 1979 as a single by Tubeway Army. Numan's version was his first number-one single in the U.K. In an interview, Numan attributed the song's success to a "lucky combination of a lack of musicianship and songwriting ability." He noted that the song lacked typical elements of a hit single, such as a danceable rhythm and a singing chorus.
The Dead Weather's version of "Are Friends Electric?" maintains the new wave sound of the original while infusing it with their own alternative rock style. The lyrics paint a picture of loneliness and introspection, with references to a cold, isolated setting and a deteriorating relationship. The song's title and refrain, "are friends electric?" introduce a sense of alienation and disconnection, suggesting a metaphor for modern social relationships.
The Dead Weather's cover of "Are Friends Electric?" showcases the band's ability to reinterpret a classic song within their own musical style, contributing to the enduring appeal of the original while offering a fresh and contemporary take.
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Are 'Friends' Electric? by Information Society
"Are Friends Electric?" is a song by Tubeway Army, released in 1979. It was the band's breakout single, hitting #1 in the UK Singles Chart and is often regarded as the song that kick-started synthpop. After its release, Gary Numan, the writer of the song, left the band and began performing as a solo artist.
"Are Friends Electric? 2.0" is a cover of the original song by Information Society. It was released in 1997 as part of the album "Don't Be Afraid". The lyrics of the song are the same as the original, with some minor variations. The song imagines a future where robots look human and can perform a variety of services, including prostitution.
The lyrics of the song paint a bleak picture, with the narrator alone in a room, questioning their existence and the nature of their relationships. They wonder if "friends are electric", suggesting that their understanding of friendship and love may be broken or flawed.
The song "Are Friends Electric? 2.0" by Information Society pays homage to the original while also adding their unique interpretation and style. It showcases the enduring appeal of the song and its ability to resonate with audiences across different generations.
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