Umair Gaines
Are 'Friends' Electric? is a song by Gary Numan and Tubeway Army, released in 1979. It is considered one of the first cyberpunk songs and is an example of new-wave music. The song is from the album 'Replicas', which is also considered one of the first cyberpunk albums.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Song Title | Are 'Friends' Electric? |
| Artists | Tubeway Army, Gary Numan |
| Genre | New Wave, Post-Punk, Cyberpunk |
| Year | 1979 |
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What You'll Learn
The song's release and the album it featured on
"Are 'Friends' Electric?" is a song by Tubeway Army, released in 1979. It also features on the album 'Replicas' by Gary Numan/Tubeway Army, which was also released in 1979 and is considered one of the first cyberpunk albums. The first two Tubeway Army singles were repackaged and sold as a double pack by Beggars Banquet that same year.
The song is considered a classic of the New Wave genre, with some considering it to be ahead of its time. Numan performed the song at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery, and in this version, he says "see I" at the end of the chorus.
The song's title and lyrics have sparked intrigue and discussion among fans, with some speculating about the meaning of "su" in the lyrics and what Numan might be referring to.
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The genre of the song
"Are 'Friends' Electric?" is a song by the London-based band Tubeway Army, fronted by Gary Numan. The song was released in May 1979 and became the band's first entry on the UK Singles Chart, eventually reaching the No. 1 spot in June of that year. It is considered a breakthrough in the synth-pop genre, marking the band's transition from punk rock to electronic music.
The song is rooted in the new wave movement, both in terms of its sound and visual aesthetics. The band's performance on the BBC show "The Old Grey Whistle Test" and Top of the Pops in 1979 is particularly notable, as they appeared dressed in black and almost motionless, with Numan's performance often described as "android-like". This robotic style became his trademark and fit the song's theme, which is said to be about robots in the future that look human and perform various services, including prostitution.
The song's lyrics draw on dystopian and sci-fi themes, inspired by authors like Philip K. Dick, whose novel "Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?" is referenced in the song. This blurring of human and machine is also reflected in the song's title, questioning the nature of friendship and whether it can extend beyond organic life.
In terms of musical style, "Are 'Friends' Electric?" incorporates the use of the Minimoog synthesizer, marking a shift from the band's earlier guitar/bass/drums-based sound. This synthesizer-based approach not only contributed to the song's success but also positioned it as a pioneer in electronic music, as it was the first synthesiser-based song to top the charts in the UK.
Overall, "Are 'Friends' Electric?" by Tubeway Army and Gary Numan is a seminal song in the synth-pop genre, blending new wave aesthetics with electronic sounds and dystopian sci-fi themes. Its impact extended beyond the charts, influencing both musical and visual styles in the emerging world of electronic music.
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The lyrical content
The song "Are 'Friends' Electric?" by Tubeway Army explores a futuristic narrative where robots disguised as humans perform various services, including prostitution. The lyrics paint a picture of a man alone in a room, observing a man outside through a window. As the light fades, there is a knock on the door, and the man is visited by a "Friend", an android or robot prostitute, whose broken-down state leaves the man feeling lonely.
The song's lyrical content draws from Numan's short story ideas for a possible book, with the song's title and narrative reflecting the theme of androids or robots posing as humans. This theme is further emphasized by the reference to "oblong pupils" in the eyes of these "Friends", a detail that distinguishes them from humans.
In interviews, Numan revealed that the song's lyrics were inspired by two specific women, with the "S.U." line referring to Su Wathan, and "7.4" or "G.D." referring to Gail Deal. Additionally, the song represents a significant shift in Numan's musical style, incorporating synthesizer-driven melodies and alien sounds, marking a departure from his earlier guitar-oriented punk songs.
"Are 'Friends' Electric?" not only showcases Numan's creative storytelling but also highlights his ability to merge music and narrative, creating a unique and impactful listening experience.
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Live performances of the song
Live performances of "Are 'Friends' Electric?" by Tubeway Army and Gary Numan have been described as "incredible" and "one of [the] favourite performances" of the song.
The song was first released in May 1979 and became the band's first entry on the UK Singles Chart. It reached the No. 1 spot in June and remained there for four weeks. The band appeared on the BBC show The Old Grey Whistle Test, followed by a slot on Top of the Pops on 24 May 1979. They performed the song dressed in black and near-motionless, with Numan in particular giving a performance often referred to as being "like an android", a style that later became his trademark.
The song was also performed during a John Peel session in June 1979, which was credited solely to Gary Numan, as he had opted to drop the Tubeway Army name and release music under his own name. However, he retained the musicians from Tubeway Army as his backing band on his subsequent solo releases and tours.
More recently, a Reddit user commented that they saw Gary Numan perform the song "recently" and that he was "incredible". The user noted that during a performance at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery, Numan said something like "see I" at the end of the chorus a few times.
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The impact and legacy of the song
"Are 'Friends' Electric?" by Tubeway Army and Gary Numan, released in 1979, is considered a pioneering song in the new wave and post-punk genres. It is also regarded as one of the first cyberpunk albums, with its themes of science fiction and a dystopian society dominated by technology and corporations. The song's impact can be seen in its influence on subsequent music, with its blend of synthesizers and dark, futuristic lyrics.
The song's lyrical content explores the relationship between humans and technology, asking whether machines can be considered friends and blurring the lines between organic and artificial life. This theme of human-machine interaction has become increasingly relevant in an era where technology plays an ever-larger role in people's lives. The song's exploration of a dystopian future also resonates with audiences, as it serves as a warning of the potential consequences of unchecked technological advancement.
"Are 'Friends' Electric?" has been described as "way ahead of its time," and its influence can be seen in the work of many subsequent artists. It helped to establish the new wave and post-punk genres, and its blend of synthesizers and dark themes set a precedent for many electronic and alternative music acts that followed. The song's success also helped to launch Gary Numan's career, with the artist still performing the song live to acclaim decades later.
The enduring popularity of "Are 'Friends' Electric?" is evident in its continued presence in popular culture. The song has been covered by various artists, ensuring its reach to new audiences, and it has been referenced in various forms of media, including television and literature. It has also inspired discussions and analyses regarding its lyrical content and its place in the science fiction genre.
Overall, "Are 'Friends' Electric?" by Tubeway Army and Gary Numan has had a significant and lasting impact on music and popular culture. Its exploration of themes such as technology, dystopia, and the nature of friendship has resonated with audiences and influenced artists across genres. The song's legacy continues to evolve as new generations discover and interpret its message, ensuring its place as a seminal work in the history of new wave and electronic music.
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Frequently asked questions
A: 'Are "Friends" Electric?'
A: It was released in 1979.
A: The song is considered New Wave.
A: The song is on the album 'Replicas'.
A: Gary Numan was the lead singer of Tubeway Army.
