Gary Numan - I Dream of Wires explained | Electric Friends Podcast

First released: 13th Nov 2022
For #GaryNuman's 1980 album Telekon, he channelled his anger and frustration when dealing with the harsh words of the music press of the time. But he was also still inspired by the sci-fi writings of Philip K Dick.
For the album track 'I Dream of Wires', Gary imagines a man who was once called 'The Sparkle', and is now the last electrician alive. It's a fascinating idea for a futuristic story, and is pure Gary Numan.
This episode looks at the writing and meaning of the song, its brilliant cover version by Robert Palmer and more.
Clips used:
Gary Numan - 'I Dream of Wires'
Robert Palmer - 'I Dream of Wires'
Gary Numan - 'I Dream of Wires' (live, 1981)
Gary Numan - (R)Evolution (audiobook)

[@christopheradderley45]

"I Dream of Wires" is one of the greatest tracks ever recorded. I still can't believe my luck that I was sixteen when 1980 arrived. "Organisation", "Travelogue", "Metamatic" and "Telekon" to name but a few. The possibilities seemed endless. It felt like the future had arrived and I needed more of it. Now it's 2024 and I want to go back to 1980 🖤

[@thelwulfeoforlic6482]

Exactly!

[@janicekingham9043]

Telekon was always my favourite album

[@shelterit]

Check out the Robert Palmer "cover" (Gary plays on it) from "looking for clues", it's fantastic! Dony Wynn on drums adds something amazing to it, and Roberts vocals on the second verse really enhanced the song, love it, it's probably my favourite Palmer song / album

[@george_slipstream_atlantis]

Definitely the best track on the album for me. Love the change in dynamic! The funky guitar licks work perfctly with the rhytmn section and add a real danceability to the track. Just genius! Hearing about the Robert Palmer cover was a total revelation to me. Thanks for the upload!

[@christopheradderley45]

Great comment George. 45 years later and as far as a "Telekon" favourite is concerned, I'm still stuck between "I Dream of Wires" and "The Aircrash Bureau". For me "I'm an Agent" would have been a better choice as a single than "This Wreckage". All the best mate 🖤

[@stevenwood4204]

@@christopheradderley45 Yeah, it's hard for me to choose a favourite song from this album.....so many great songs I Dream Of Wires, The Aircrash Bureau, Remind Me To Smile, I'm An Agent, The Joy Circuit and, of course, the 2 non-album singles We Are Glass and I Die You Die (probably the 2 best singles he's released)

[@MobiusBandwidth]

this song hits hard for those of us technicians who have worked for telephone companies, which are now phasing out the copper wire phone networks because they're expensive to maintain, in favour of cell phones, which whilst certainly more popular than land lines these days, have a major disadvantage. when the power goes out in your neighbourhood and you can't charge up your cellphone, you landline still works because the copper wires power it, in addition to transmitting your voices. while landlines will remain an option for people with cable tv, when the power goes, your coaxial or fibre optic cable is not going to power your telephone, and this is very sad to me. I dream of wires, the old ways.

[@robertthrossell4321]

Brilliant stuff thanx for posting

[@cnfuzz]

This is basically Numan's " in the air tonight"

[@prokesuk]

If you read Do Androids Dream Of Electric Sheep, you will see what "I press C for comfort" and "we went to sleep by dialing O" came from. In the book there is a device called a "mood organ" that you would set to control your emotions. Deckard's wife uses it to make her feel depressed. Deckard changes it to make her have a favorable view of her husband. Dick's Flow My Tears the Policeman Said, has other bits that showed up in Numan's songs, including the title.

[@stevenwood4204]

Telekon and Dance are the 2 Numan albums I listen the most.....though I really didn't "get" them on the first few listens. Definately both "growers" that rewarded repeated listens.

[@Dennis-pk7rv]

Hi in 1980 i and my friends were the same age and we were all Numan fans and all wanted this as the next single after This Wreckage but it wasn't to be,Telecon was always my favourite Numan album and always will be even though his new music is better I'll always love this album more, big big thank you for this love your channel and keep up the good work see you soon bye 😊❤

[@lancegfoin9117]

His new music is better?! Really? 🤪

[@Dennis-pk7rv]

Please don't be like that i still love his old stuff as well we are still Numan fans that's what counts but I do know what you mean 😊

[@lancegfoin9117]

@@Dennis-pk7rv Sorry, I didn't mean to offend but for me his "new" music is bland and over produced. Just my opinion. 🙂

[@Dennis-pk7rv]

@@lancegfoin9117 Hi it's okay but for me i always look forward to his new music because i really love the darkness of it and the lyrics to me it says something meaningful or maybe I'm just looking for a new heavier version of Telecon but yeah we Numan fans are very particular but don't worry I wasn't offended 😊