Behind The Vinyl: "Cars" with Gary Numan

[@juansanez3078]

This song sounds so futuristic, even today, more tan 40 years later, sounds from the future.

[@reddyfreddy]

Wrote the song in 10 minutes, just held the note thinking about what to do...Gary's a fkn genious!

[@metalbearuk]

It amazes me how a lot of electronic music from this period still sounds much futuristic than anything coming out today.

[@humandroid53]

True. Such as Metamatic by John Foxx.

[@badtexasbill5261]

You can only take bleeps and blips so far.

[@masterblaster5705]

People stopped looking to the future when it became too frightening to do so.. That's why art needs to be dangerous again.

[@phillynott2459]

Nothing today can live up to NEW WAVE , today's music is a joke compared to this (To Me )

[@phillynott2459]

@@badtexasbill5261 in your limited imagination 🖕🥴🖕 LMAO n😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😀😀

[@charlesrenniemacki]

He was really big in the 80's when I was school and it's so cool to see that he's still at the top of his game all these years later. And he's just the same - not bloated by drug and alcohol abuse, no in and out of rehab, serial womanising or bodyguards surrounding him. He's just Gary Numan and he's one cool individual.

[@daviddavidov8398]

Charles Edward Renshaw cuz living straight life no drugs or drunk brawls with fans just continues hard work all his life.

[@TheGreatAlan75]

Good

[@mariabaverstock1765]

Ricardo Milos Oily flex power astartes yea, Gary has never smoked or drank, although now before gigs he might force himself to have a got of whisky although he hates the taste & swills it down with water, just for his nerves!

[@krasteff]

Charles Edward Renshaw, what you've written, what does it have to do with music?

[@celticprogeny1569]

@@krasteff It's a comment about Gary Numan. Do you have a problem with that ?

[@JesseWright68]

A really unique piece of music. Still sounds new.

[@dskywalker3397]

Fall of 1980. Autzen Stadium. Eugene, Oregon. Homecoming Football Game. North Eugene vs South Eugene. Homecoming for North. Halftime arrives: late-60's muscle cars down the ramp and out to the 50-yard line carrying the couple for each of the classes. The jam? Cars. LOUD! It was awesome! Cars played loud in a football stadium.

[@jimmyjames6267]

I was 17 when i heard this song for the first time, it got me into Tubeway Army, Kraftwerk and Devo. This is still in my top 5 favorite songs of all time, Thank You Gary..

[@stuartbooth1949]

I've always loved that note. So cool to hear the story behind it.

[@dwtime]

The Vox Humana preset. Haunting sound.

[@Milesco]

Yeah -- it was KEY factor! 😄 2:21

[@kristopherdetar4346]

Lost track of Gary years ago. Had no idea he was still producing. He has aged beautifully, and has maintained to remain a very humble individual.

[@stevedoingstuff3960]

This whole explanation seems like a Nigel Tufnel bit, I love it. "I thought it sounded quite good just hittin' the one note and not goin' anywhere with it."

[@veerchasm1]

Greatest tambourine solo EVER

[@davidyoung5114]

If you really want to see a tambourine solo, then you HAVE to check out the collaboration that Gary Numan did with Nine Inch Nails on this song. It's fantastic!

[@karlmadsen3179]

@@davidyoung5114 Yes. Trent Reznor attacks the tambourine like it's, it's, it's......as important as MORE COWBELL!

[@robertpryor7225]

Funny, tambourine in a "techno" song!

[@andyq9669]

As a kid in Perth, Western Australia, when I heard this on the radio, it was like a the aliens had landed, sitting amongst Abba, AC/DC and all the (now) "classic rock" and schmulzy pop. Life changer....

[@JasonThomas-q3w]

One of the greatest 80s song.....I still play it 2024

[@martinconnor9840]

Love this. Pleasure Principle is easily in my top 10 albums of all time. Years ahead of its time and still stands up over 40 years later. To my great shame I've never seen him live but putting that right in August at Rebellion. Better late than never? Don't think I'd ever tire of listening to this song. It has everything.

[@billkeithchannel]

At age 13 I switched from 70's country to 80's pop music when this song hit the airwaves and I was hooked instantly.

[@Vaelsung1]

And now today's country is pop.

[@LeviBulger]

You chose the right path. I mean, have you seen what has happened to country music since then?

[@michaelwertzy9808]

@@LeviBulger, most is no more than MOR

[@michaelwertzy9808]

@@LeviBulger, What wait?!

[@michaelwertzy9808]

@@LeviBulger, no radio airplay for "authentic, traditional country or bluegrass" besides noble NPR stations that are out there. "Mountain Stage", "American Routes", etc.

[@leechurchill1965]

Love that eerie lingering note. The pulsing bassline. The rich texture of real drums.

[@acerjuglans383]

Fascinating story!

[@flash_flood_area]

Best Numan interview. The creative process is fascinating. Such a phenomenon.

[@Emlizardo]

There's an "odd note" in the synth riff to "Are Friends Electric" that, like the sustained note in "Cars," Gary cites as an unintentional accident he decided to keep. Listening, being aware, and being ready when that Aha! moment happens, are what set Gary apart as an artist.

[@mickmel1000]

An older cousin gave me The Pleasure Principle cassette when I was about 10. Blew my mind and still brings back memories. Personally I think It's a landmark album that is timeless.

[@willrine8614]

I remember waiting for this song to play on f.m. radio with the tape recorder on standby. Couldnt wait to demo that to my buddy Peter!😂

[@scottwaszak698]

One of the best-produced songs ever. It's just so shimmering and clear with insane fidelity.

[@marklee7565]

It was a masterpiece back in 1979 and it’s still a masterpiece 45 years later in 2024…Thank you Gary

[@Nexus.Achiles]

Wow, so cool to know the story behind the music and lyrics. Sounds so easy when told in such a humble way. What a great song still, 38 years later...

[@SilentKnight43]

I was fifteen when this was new on the radio the night I went with a bunch of pals to a amazing farm party out in the sticks - I vividly remember it blastin' on the car stereo on the way to the party that night. That singular song was like a soundtrack to the entire evening...and I can still visualize drivin' down the dark country road with that amazing synth sound and the drivin' beat. A great youthful memory.

[@petebates6576]

He wrote that song in 10 minutes?!! Still sounds great to this day.

[@CthulhuInc]

gary numan fed my depression for 40+ years - thank you, gary!

[@LFOVCF]

Transformed my life, the second I saw it on TOTP

[@nothandybutcheap2086]

My sister loved this song and I became a fan music is a time machine it always takes you back to that moment in time

[@RCAvhstape]

In the US, this was his major hit, driven by MTV, but it wasn't until years later that I discovered all the great music he's made over time.

[@timhoovermusicman]

MTV flashbacks

[@shyman99]

MTV did not exist in 1980 when this song was a major hit. I swear I could spend my entire life correcting all of the inaccurate posts by well-meaning people. I just wish people would leave the music history facts to music historians like myself.

[@timhoovermusicman]

@@shyman99 Jesus H christ ! Where do I start? So in your feeble attempt at "correction" a video that was made before August '81 cannot be played?so what did he say that was inaccurate? he said it was driven by MTV,which it certainly was,as it was a heavy rotation video and due to the fact they didn't have a lot of videos available yet and it got heavy play.

[@shyman99]

@@timhoovermusicman - Take a chill pill. It appeared he was stating it was a major hit thanks to MTV. That's what, "this was a major hit, driven by MTV" suggests. Myself and everyone else who bought this in 1980 (when it was a hit) had no video to look at. We bought it because it was a great song we heard on the radio. It was driven by being great. Not driven by a video. Yes, MTV played it a lot, as an oldie. It did not re-chart in Billboard due to any additional exposure provided by MTV. The people who bought it like myself already had it and loved it when we were introduced to the video.

[@timhoovermusicman]

@@shyman99 do they actually make chill pills? Do you need a doctor's prescription?

[@darthnihilus511]

Underappreciated, underrated, underplayed.

[@mariabaverstock1765]

Ford Prefect true!

[@chad.kensington.84]

this man amazing

[@EzaVinylAddict]

What a legend

[@matheuscavalcante6362]

all respect

[@Pb-ij4ip]

I like this song well enough, but hearing how he wrote it, both musically and lyrically, is pure gold! And honestly...it adds to my enjoyment of the song!

[@gigimurel3877]

Down in the park by Gary numan was awesome

[@SuperBoomshack]

We Are Glass

[@pisces6220]

Are ‘Friends’ Electric? is better in my opinion

[@isabel1983]

that one long hold key into the rundown of the rest of the keys is fantastic!

[@northernlitez1]

this was the first music video I ever saw.... in '79...before MTV. Cool song and video

[@GNeuman]

On his Splinter tour, Gary signed my vintage MXR Phase 100 phaser pedal. He looked at it and laughlingly remarked, "Oh, that's what did the wobbly bit on Cars!" Great sense of humour and he apologized when the silver marker pen ran when he autographed it...A genuinely nice guy....

[@robbabcock_]

It's cool to hear the story of these iconic songs of my youth!🥰🔥🙌

[@user-cruton]

Great song. Great hook. I was in a cover band years ago and we did a version of this song. We did a hard rock version of it. Always fun to play

[@dogbiterabies2547]

thats exsactly how the feeling gets the audio that gets to my ears thats foreverrrrrrrrrr thats neet! thanks gary

[@jelt110]

The four notes repeated all through the song, reminds me of the four beat theme in Beethoven's fifth symphony. Once you hear it, you can't unhear it. :-)

[@capedwonder2833]

That was awesome. I was 12 when this song came out and I remember that I couldn't wait til I was 16 to get my drivers license so I could drive to this song. Then one night while driving on the highway this song comes on and I blast it. I remember the highway lights zooming by, windows open, music blaring, no traffic, just me, my car and my song.

[@OldManDoom]

Gary Numan is such a legend. Always will be one of my all-time favorites. I wish he got more credit for that sound. I mean that sound was pioneered by him. 80s synth wave is the Gary Numan sound

[@silent3135]

Gary and the Tubeway Army crushed this song. Still bang it today.

[@chrisyaz9417]

its easy to forget this song... but so important not to. its fantastic

[@racializedkanadian]

This was one of the 1st 45's I ever bought. I still have it, and it still sounds GREAT !!

[@martinfriis5973]

This was the very first album I ever bought back in the early eighties. Still fresh today.

[@modsleix6]

My favorite era of Numan's career will always be the Beggars Banquet years (though I quite enjoy the material that came after and the current stuff as well). For me, _'Replicas',_ _'The Pleasure Principle'_ and _'Telekon'_ are masterpieces. Wish he would've talked about other songs like _'I Die: You Die'_ and _'Down In The Park'._ Paul Gardiner, Cedric Sharpley R.I.P....

[@PHOENIXHOUSE137]

Me too love that era. I remember seeing an advert for 'Replicas' in Record Mirror in April 79 before he'd hit the big time and thought wow - this looked so cool! Then a couple of months later, AFE was number one and I was hooked forever.

[@devanmoran]

And that one note beautiful genius love the song so much

[@MedalionDS9]

Never thought of Gary Numan as that much of an electronic pioneer... he was just on top of that synth-pop new wave sound earlier than most. New wave still traditionally had instruments like in a regular pop rock band... including guitars and bass and drums, along with synthesizers

[@mikekavalerchik5226]

And a great song indeed

[@nickalkire1187]

I have "The Pleasure Principle" on vinyl LP (Atco U.S. pressing) and I played that song "Cars" at the dance over and over again!! Love the Vox Humana sound of the Polymoog!!

[@andyq9669]

Nick Alkire it sounds fantastic. I found a polymoog in a hock shop (pawn shop) in the late 80's, tried it out, ran home to get some money to buy it, but when I returned it had blown up and wasn't working. Alas.

[@5roundsrapid263]

I found the LP and even the single in thrift shops! The single was released the week I was born, actually.

[@DBMe33]

Cars was a 'crossover' hit here in the US, at least on the radio. Just as fresh & cool now, as it was then.

[@timhoovermusicman]

MTV made it big!

[@helisoma]

thank you so much for this amazing firsthand insight...creativity is so often the daughter of happenstance

[@richardalan5064]

I didnt think I could love this song any more than I do.. already got the vibe lyrically.. but the story bolster is wonderful

[@eckie4679]

It’s an absolute beast of a song in the idiom of less is more. He’s musical treasure 😎

[@EM-hq7hv]

Great to see Gary talking about an early hit that really got him noticed in America. Are friends electric? from his previous album Replicas was huge in England before Cars. Three #1 albums in the charts at the same time isn't something that happens often, so I have much respect for him. He says he's not big on nostalgia, which I can totally understand because he is still touring and writing new records, but he will mix new and old songs while performing to keep his old and new fans happy. He is down to earth, he doesn't come off with that I think I'm special vibe some artists do. I've been a lifelong fan and will always be. I'm very happy he's getting the respect he deserves and wish him and his family health and happiness for years to come!

[@clevelandaeromotive]

Poly saw-wave detune. Very interesting to the ear. Good choice just to let it ride.

[@Bipbop66]

There was nothing better in the early early 80's to hear this song for the first time before MTV and to have access to friends with huge satellite dish to see the ball games without commercials or get cable for the first time...those were the days!

[@andrewSUN17]

Amazing. Sometimes simplicity and not overthinking is an effective tool in songwriting. An unforgettable song, far ahead of it's time. Will always remember hearing it on the radio and how it helped to shape a new inspiring futuristic sound! Cheers Gary!

[@tonymeehan7859]

and a iconic song was born!

[@mikek4288]

One of my favorite songs to drum to

[@Compuscience-Python-Prog-Exps]

That's a Timeless, Fun Song! Totally Electrifying Sound.

[@alisonkovacs9871]

Gorgeous Gary love him so so much forever

[@jackssmirkingrevenge9365]

funny how near mistakes can work out iconic. that held synthesiser note beyond into the next bar is such a small thing yet works out absolutely perfect. to consciously create it that way would be genius, so it figures that the ever modest numan puts it down to a happy accident mixed in with inspiration. awesome stuff

[@Renee-luv]

He's so absolutely brilliant!! Love him. Love that song. As well as all of his others. He's still making music folks!!❤️💜🖤❤️💜🖤

[@thehydronator3021]

its a unique song for sure right on the cusp of the death of disco in the late 70s and the dawn of the synth movement in the 80s, glad theres finally an explanation for the lyrics too, makes me wonder what glass was about now lol

[@stub2022]

Classic tune.

[@JW-ed5vc]

Awesome background on an incredible song. In high school I recorded an entire side of a 90 minute cassette with it. The other side is "Voices Inside My Head" by The Police. This was back when double casstte decks made this easier than ever. Just had to rewind the tape after the song ended to record it again. Took hours but worth it. Still have it. Still blast it.

[@serekithegreat]

Such an iconic tune and one of the most recognizable artists of the early 1980’s. If I remember correctly, MTV coined it as “Gary Numan’s futuristic saga.” Great times back then. 😎✌🏾

[@knowhere60]

I saw Garry in Boston arlt The Channel Club in 1982. Great show! Someone threw him a green light stick, and Garry smiled and put it into his shirt pocket, where it kept glowing for the rest of the show.

[@vanillacoffee]

I wonder if the guys in the van have ever heard this story and recognised themselves as the protagonists to one of the greatest pop records in history?

[@RCAvhstape]

Antagonists, actually. And fuck those guys. I hate road ragers, especially ones who try to beat up Gary Numan. They probably all listen to butt rock.

[@OMGWTFLOLSMH]

People like that often die young. Here's hoping.

[@Rendezvous70]

HEY IT WAS ME IN THE VAN ! YOU GUYS WANA START SOMTHING? Ill kick your arses from here till breakfast time ! 😉

[@robertpryor7225]

...and the arseholes in the van were The Clash

[@Rendezvous70]

@@Lamster66 daves not here

[@durasaxon5131]

Great story. Tank. BOOM!!!

[@b.rodclark7349]

The age of new wave music was so bizzare...but to a 9yr old in 1979 like me, i loved it and 40yrs later @50 i always will!

[@PetePapadakos]

To echo Stuart Booth's comment below, so cool indeed! As a 53 year old who's been a 'couldn't-live-without-it' music lover since - well, since birth, probably (example: I took my first "The Sweet" album to school for our school's music teacher to hear in the first grade!), I'd like to say its 'so cool' to hear all these stories. Having been called a romantic/ nostalgic fool (much) more than once, I'm very pleased to have happened upon your channel and would like to thank you sincerely for sharing these wonderful stories.

[@RiverOfBlacklights]

R.I.P. Paul Gardiner (bass), Cedric Sharpley (drums)...

[@tammierose5043]

💖😎

[@teatimetel174]

my fav song off all time

[@garylockett8118]

Class

[@lorireel8582]

Great song and he is still so cool!!

[@LastTrainToClarkson]

Cars so cold, it's cool

[@TheGreatAlan75]

Always been obsessed with Gary numan

[@costantinovolpe2092]

I still have the vinyl LP. And it’s still awesome

[@donna1215H]

Love that song cutie Gary

[@nervo6321]

Always interesting listening to Gary...no edge or arrogance to him at all.

[@Baldysyoutubechannel]

This was the very first record I had ever purchased on my own. Paper route money! It was a 45.

[@stephanecarrie4649]

Quel artiste !

[@davidyoung5114]

Catch Gary Numan and Nine Inch Nails performing CARS elsewhere on KZbin! You will NOT be disappointed!!

[@charliedontsurf70]

I remember when artists like Gary came out along with "Devo" and "Missing persons" and "Oingo boingo" We thought they were going to take over the world musically, there was a shift in rock that we as kids noticed and thought it was the end of rock as we knew it.

[@lumpyfishgravy]

Loved this as a kid. Listening today, I'm struck but just how solid the mix sounds. Drums especially sound fresh, dynamic and up-front but not dominant.

[@patrickcurley8951]

Timeless song I remembered hearing this at the age of 10 and never looked back

[@aaron2709]

Fantastic.

[@gothdogs6300]

God i love this track..numan fan since '78 & still going strong. ❤🖤

[@lucienaugustusarchibaldmac7904]

This needs 1 billion views !

[@enceladusfox2247]

Gary Numan was big in the 80's and still big to this day and always will be.. i love his music and work.. he's iconic !!

[@richardcoreno]

It occurred a couple years after his popularity cooled in the USA......but Gary Numan and his band showed up (unannounced) at the Cleveland Agora to attend an Iggy Pop show -- and Numan insisted that they pay for tickets before being escorted to a VIP section the club had for special guests. They were in the city on a day off from their tour --- the next stop, the following night....at the Cleveland Agora.

[@spaztekwarrior]

Such an iconic 80s tune.

[@garboil]

I’ve only just discovered this series. Gary brought me here, and now I’ve returned to this video after seeing a ton. I actually believe, personal bias aside, this is one of the best video of the series. Gary breaks the song down as it plays, provides three important backstories to the song, while also talking about concept. Great great video!

[@chelfyn]

I was only 16 when I saw him live, and it was an inspirational gig. Unlike anything I've seen before or since.