Otis Singleton
Are 'Friends' Electric? is a song by Gary Numan, released in May 1979. It was Numan's first number-one hit and is considered to have kick-started the synthpop genre. The song was originally written on an old, out-of-tune, pub piano that Numan's parents had bought, and was eventually recorded using a Polymoog synthesiser. The lyrics are based on short stories Numan wrote as a teenager about a dystopian future in London, where machines that look human come to people's doors to provide services.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year of release | 1979 |
| Artist | Gary Numan |
| Band | Tubeway Army |
| Genre | Synthpop |
| Lyrics | Inspired by short stories Numan wrote as a teenager about what London would be like in 30 years |
| Lyrics | Inspired by sci-fi writers Philip K. Dick, JG Ballard, and William S. Burroughs |
| Lyrics | About a robot prostitute |
| Composition | Written on an old pub piano bought by Numan's parents |
| Composition | Initially two different songs, which is why it's over five minutes long |
| Composition | Meant to sound "weird" and "futuristic" |
| Composition | Contains bass and drums to give listeners "something familiar to connect with" |
| Recording | Recorded on a Polymoog synthesiser played with one finger |
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What You'll Learn
The song's lyrics are based on short stories Numan wrote as a teenager
The lyrics to Gary Numan's "Are 'Friends' Electric?" are based on short stories he wrote as a teenager. Numan has stated that he felt deeply alienated as a teenager and found social interaction difficult. He turned to science fiction writers such as Philip K. Dick, JG Ballard, and William S. Burroughs for inspiration.
Numan's early songs, including "Are 'Friends' Electric?", explore themes of loneliness and feeling misunderstood. The song's lyrics specifically draw from short stories Numan wrote about a futuristic London in which machines, or "friends," come to people's doors to offer various services. These machines appear human, so neighbours are unaware of their true nature. In the song, the "friend" is a prostitute, which is why the word "friend" is in inverted commas.
Numan has described the song as a "futuristic version of getting pornography in the post, what comes in a brown envelope so your neighbours don't know what it is." He also revealed that the song was composed on an old pub piano that his parents had bought, which he didn't realise was out of tune. The song's unique sound, therefore, came about partly by accident, as Numan struggled to write and play the song on the piano. However, when he transferred it to a Polymoog synthesiser, it took on a "very different and futuristic" sound.
"Are 'Friends' Electric?" was released in May 1979 and became a million-selling hit single, reaching number one in the UK Singles Chart. It is considered a groundbreaking song that helped to establish electronic music as a mainstream genre.
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The song's themes include man's relationship with machines
The song 'Are Friends Electric' by Gary Numan explores the theme of man's relationship with machines. Numan has stated that the song is about a robot prostitute, with the lyrics alluding to a futuristic scenario where machines that look human provide various services, including prostitution. The song is based on short stories Numan wrote as a teenager about what London might be like in 20 or 30 years, with the machines, or "friends", coming to the door to offer these services. The use of the word "friend" in inverted commas or quotation marks further emphasises the idea that these machines are not truly friends but androids or replicants.
Numan has also mentioned that the song and its album, 'Replicas', were influenced by writers Philip K. Dick and William S. Burroughs. The themes and ideas explored in the song draw heavily from Dick's novel 'Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?' (adapted into the film 'Blade Runner'), in which genetic engineer Sebastian creates mechanical toys and befriends replicants. Numan's interest in dystopian science fiction and his own experiences with Asperger's shaped his unique perspective on the world, which is reflected in the song's exploration of man's relationship with machines.
The song's sound and production also contribute to its theme. Numan has stated that he first wrote the song on an old, out-of-tune pub piano, and the main melody was a result of him hitting a wrong note. However, when he recorded it using a Polymoog synthesiser, it took on a futuristic quality. This combination of familiar elements like bass and drums with the synthesiser sounds created a unique and innovative sound that became a pivotal moment in the evolution of electronic music.
The song's commercial success and influence on synthpop further highlight its impact on the exploration of man's relationship with machines in music. Despite its unusual subject matter, 'Are Friends Electric' reached number one in the UK Singles Chart and sold a million copies, surprising Numan himself. The song's popularity and its blend of electronic and familiar elements inspired other artists and helped establish electronic music as a significant genre.
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Numan's early songs were about being alone or misunderstood
Gary Numan's early songs, including "Are 'Friends' Electric?", were about being alone or misunderstood. Numan himself has stated that the lyrics of his early songs were inspired by his feelings of alienation and social anxiety as a teenager. Numan was diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome, which caused him to see the world differently and struggle with social interaction. This sense of isolation and otherness is reflected in the themes of his music.
"Are 'Friends' Electric?" specifically explores the idea of human connection and loneliness in a futuristic, dystopian context. The song is set in a future London where machines, disguised as humans, provide various services, including prostitution. The lyrics depict a protagonist who is alone and struggling to understand their place in the world. The use of the word "friend" in inverted commas or quotation marks further emphasizes the sense of alienation and ambiguity in human relationships.
Numan has also cited science fiction writers such as Philip K. Dick and JG Ballard as influences. In particular, "Are 'Friends' Electric?" draws inspiration from Dick's novel "Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?" (adapted into the film "Blade Runner"). Numan imagines a future where robots have become indistinguishable from humans, blurring the lines between friendship, love, and prostitution.
The song's success, reaching number one in the UK Singles Chart in 1979, can be attributed to its unique blend of electronic and punk influences, as well as its intriguing and ambiguous lyrics. "Are 'Friends' Electric?" not only showcased Numan's musical talents but also reflected his personal experiences and imaginative storytelling, solidifying his place as a groundbreaking artist in the electronic music genre.
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The song's sound was inspired by Numan's first synthesiser
The song "Are Friends Electric?" by Gary Numan was inspired by the musician's first encounter with a synthesiser. In 1978, Numan, then the frontman of the punk band Tubeway Army, saw a synthesiser, a Minimoog, for the first time. He described the sound as "blowing him away" and knew it was the type of music he wanted to make.
Numan converted all of Tubeway Army's guitar-based punk songs into electronic songs. He had always been fascinated with dystopian science fiction, and this new sound allowed him to explore that interest in his music. The lyrics of "Are Friends Electric?" were inspired by short stories Numan had written about what London would be like in 30 years. In the song, the "friends" are machines that come to your door to provide various services, including sexual services, but your neighbours don't know they are androids because they look human.
The song was also influenced by writers Phillip K. Dick and William S. Burroughs, with Numan describing the songs on the accompanying album, "Replicas", as "musical versions" of short stories he had been writing. The song's sound was created using a Polymoog synthesiser, which Numan played with one finger. It had a unique and futuristic sound, but Numan also included some bass and drums so that listeners had something familiar to connect with.
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The song has been covered by multiple artists
The song "Are Friends Electric?" by Gary Numan has been covered by multiple artists. The song was initially released in 1979 and became a hit, reaching number one in the UK Singles Chart. It is considered a breakthrough single for Numan and his band Tubeway Army, and it is credited with kickstarting the synthpop genre.
The song's appeal and influence are evident in the numerous covers that have been released over the years. One notable cover is by the electro group Information Society, featuring lead singer Kurt Harland. Their version, titled "Are 'Friends' Electric? 2.0," was included on their album "Don't Be Afraid." Numan himself acknowledged the influence of writer Philip K. Dick on his album "Replicas," from which "Are Friends Electric?" originated, and Harland's interpretation adds a unique twist to the original.
Other artists who have covered the song include Moloko, Kill Switch Klick, Killing Miranda, An Pierle, Nancy Boy, Jessica's Crime, Pig, Failure, and Replicants. Each of these artists has brought their own style and interpretation to the song, showcasing its versatility and enduring appeal.
In addition to these covers, "Are Friends Electric?" has also inspired mashups and samples in other songs. For example, UK DJ Richard X created a bootleg that sampled the music of "Are Friends Electric?" and combined it with the vocals of Adina Howard's "Freak Like Me." This mashup, titled "We Don't Give A Damn About Our Friends," became a popular anthem in UK clubs and led to a commercially successful release by the Sugababes, who re-recorded the vocals. This version, simply titled "Freak Like Me," topped the UK charts in 2002, demonstrating the ongoing relevance and impact of "Are Friends Electric?" in popular music.
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Frequently asked questions
'Are Friends Electric?' was written and performed by Gary Numan.
The song is about robots in the future that perform different services; they look human so neighbours don’t know what they really are. The robot in the song is a prostitute.
The song was inspired by Gary Numan's short stories about what London would be like in 20 or 30 years' time. He was also inspired by writers Phillip K. Dick and William S. Burroughs.
The sound of the song was influenced by Numan hearing a synthesiser for the first time, a Minimoog, which he said "blew him away".
Yes, the song influenced a bootleg by UK-based DJ Richard X, who sampled the music and put the vocals of Adina Howard's "Freak Like Me" on top of it.
