Gary Numan (Tubeway Army) - Are Friends Electric? Reaction

[@jonnno243]

I remember in 1979 when this first came out. We were all crowded around the juke box in the pub, and Phil put his money in the machine, having chosen this song. We all agreed that it was a totally new sound ,despite bands like Kraftwerk having made synth based songs before. And to this day it stands the test of time.

[@markferrett700]

Agree 100%👍

[@SANITIZEDINC]

100%

[@ChristyAbbey]

Saw him in concert last year, and he ended with this. It's still an amazing piece. Easily one of the top four songs about a sex robot.

[@tok1964]

First single I bought

[@69Phuket]

Phil is legend!

[@CHRISANDREOU4199]

Absolute fkkn banger Pushed music forward 20 years

[@midwichyouthclub]

Takes me straight back to my last term at junior school 1979, the future seemed so exotic and exciting, being ushered by in by this song.

[@christopheradderley45]

May 24th 1979 and everything changed. Fifteen years old watching Top of the Pops and Tubeway Army's performance of "Are Friends Electric?". I'd never seen or heard anything like it. I bet that I didn't blink once. It genuinely felt like the future had arrived 🧡

[@Dashriprock4]

And in 2024 it still sounds like the future...

[@christopheradderley45]

@flat_earth_is_the_key Thanks for your kind reply. It's impossible to describe to anyone who didn't witness Tubeway Army and Gary Numan making their debut appearance in '79, how utterly groundbreaking this moment was 🖤

[@grassygnoll3345]

Same, but 11.

[@christopheradderley45]

@@grassygnoll3345 Thanks for your reply Grassy 👍

[@ianip6]

same, but 2

[@SANITIZEDINC]

Swoon. One of the greatest pop songs ever written. I've listened to it millions of times. Been a fan since I was 11. I'm 55 now. So happy he's finally getting the credit he's always deserved. King of synth-pop, godfather of techno, huge influence on early hip hop -- ask Kool Herc if you don't believe me. Freakin' genius, that dude.

[@DamienCalnon-uq7zj]

Simply brilliant and groundbreaking for mainstream audiences in 79. I was lucky enough to see him live a few years back - he is now so energetic live.

[@bigredfella13]

In 79 this song came along and changed everything, it blew everything out of the water and made way for "the electric 80s", it was that important Almost 45 years of this absolute classic

[@theodoreritola7641]

THE ELICTRIC 70s I think it was written in 1978

[@scottpeters5959]

Our whole school went nuts to this.

[@scatton61]

Such a brilliant tune. As a night club DJ i was able to play this when it came out... filled the dancefloor .. trouble was it was there was nothing else quite like it to mix it with. Heart of Glass from Blondie and Message in a bottle from the Police...

[@D1039KING]

The keyboard player behind GNs left shoulder is Billy Currie of Ultravox who was "on loan" at this point!

[@mattleppard1970]

Loved it aged 9 and was quite obsessed with Gary. 52 now and still love it ❤

[@matthewmoulton6159]

I was 9yrs old when saw this on Tv whilst on holiday with parents. I stopped playing pool and was mesmerised. My first and most lasting musical memory

[@Malfie657]

It's hard to explain the massive impact that this had at the time of the original release - nothing had sounded like it and been so commercially successful (it was one of the top 5 best sellers of the year in the UK). There's so much of Gary's work that I could recommend, but I'd actually skip forward nearly 40 years to "My Name is Ruin" to show his longevity - his daughter joins him on vocals for it.

[@markferrett700]

This brought back memories of when I was walking along a London street market back in 1979 when I heard this playing at a"record" stall. It was so different to anything I'd heard before.....I had to buy the album and still have it today.

[@Skiboy74]

I saw the Album cover in Harlequin Records in Watford. Had to buy it, still have it and still play it over 40yrs later.

[@exile220ify]

Believe it or not, this FIVE MINUTE LONG song went to #1 on the British charts, as did the album it came from ("Replicas"). He broke the mold: songs that long RARELY chart well.

[@OnlyGoodMusic_]

#1 for 4 weeks!

[@richey4287]

Such a unique voice. And he's still going strong producing new albums.

[@ExternalInputs]

Unique is one word for it.

[@nancyvandergucht9295]

I was 17 when this came out ..loved it and still gives me the same feeling ,at 62 ..those were the days !! Grts and thanks from Belgium 😊

[@nancyvandergucht9295]

Ps: do you know : My name is ruin - Gary Newman ,later period . 😊

[@hanierfamily]

we did that one on here.

[@stephenmoncur5983]

The reason he was smiling is because this was just a rehearsal that just got recorded. I don’t think it was ever meant to have been put out

[@VOIDComm]

Just watching Cynthia enjoying it, is quite self explanatory. It does that, something quite profound about this track.

[@drewking-wg6fb]

Beautiful music.

[@daviddeath6029]

As someone commented he is still producing music and thier suggestions of my name is ruin with his daughter persia on backing track is a good one.

[@lennyl1978]

This is absolute class, so powerful

[@p.millard557]

Fantastic to see that you appreciate Gary Numan's music.💕💕💕

[@Dannoga]

If you have a chance look up the documentary on Gary & this song! He was writing Sci Fi stories and came up with this song that actually is about Robot prostitutes...Fascinating how he explains it! He is very humble guy, glad to see him still performing!

[@GWHinCA]

I just commented above (before seeing your comment) that they should watch the documentary before reviewing another Gary Numan song. It really explains a lot & I agree he is humble and very likeable!

[@stephenbarrett8000]

Saw him last year. Brilliant!

[@TheSissie]

Brings me back to my teenage times 😄😄 greetings from the Netherlands

[@pepelemoko2820]

I find it fascinating looking back to remember I liked Gary Numan immediately even although I was a huge Northern soul, Ska, Reggae and Punk fan. This was still Punk era but it was like a relief of chiilling a bit but from Punk but still very reactionary. As you said, influences abound and probably why it fitted very well for the time and the fans of other stuff.

[@SorendeSelbyBowen]

Love this for decades! Number 1 in England; didn't chart in the US (before "Cars", his first American hit). The title is a Philip K. Dick reference, which he made several of (and all science fiction).

[@nicensleazy1892]

It's cold outside And the paint's peeling off of my walls There's a man outside In a long coat, grey hat, smoking a cigarette Now the light fades out And I'm wondering what I'm doing in a room like this There's a knock on the door And just for a second I thought I remembered you So now I'm alone Now I can think for myself About little deals And *issues* And things that I just don't understand Like a white lie that night Or a slight touch at times I don't think it meant anything to you So I open the door It's the `friend' that I'd left in the hallway "please sit down" A candle lit a shadow on a wall near the bed You know I hate to ask But, are `friends' electric? Mine's broke down And now I've no one to love So I find out your reason For the phone calls and smiles And it hurts And I'm lonely And I should never have tried And I missed you tonight So it's time to leave You see this means everything to me

[@tonycasey3183]

This was the first "electronic" song I bought. I had been an exclusively rock n roll, guitar kid until then, but this single began the real broadening of my musical horizons.

[@harpingon]

Young me was blown away by this song, coming out of 70s punk and into the electronic age was so wild. Love this song.

[@mightyV444]

Great choice! 🤩👍 Thank you to those who'd suggested it, and thank you Cynthia & Chris for checking it out! 😊 I could write a whole novel to this song now, but I'll restrain myself and just say that you guys chose well with this particular performance because it sure _is_ rare to see Gary smile and obviously enjoying himself in most of his early clips 😀 He'd also confirmed the Bowie influence, and it's mind-blowing from today's perspective that this song alone had made him UK's pioneer of Electronic Music back then 😀 I still cannot believe that I'd never heard it before the early 90's!🤯

[@outpost31737]

Everything right down to the lead synth sound is flawless. It sounds like something from today's mad world not 1979.

[@druidswillow1052]

Great choice, Great Anthem deffo stood the test of time, Cheers Jim, UK

[@freyml]

40+ years ago, I remember hearing this song on our AM radio and it left such an impression that I spent my adult life looking for it.

[@delorangeade]

When this came out it was an absolute game changer. It put synthesizers into the public consciousness in a way they never had been before. Of course there had been electronic music in the charts before, but this was the first that spoke to and for the punk generation, and it really was the future. Down in the Park is an even better track, I think. I think it's fair to say that Gary Numan cultivated a distant, some might say arrogant, attitude that caused him problems with sections of the UK media, and perhaps didn't help is longevity in the mainstream.

[@mightyV444]

I'm pretty sure his Asperger's had contributed to that distant and seemingly arrogant attitude / image too, though. Being socially awkward is one of the main issues for people with that condition, and it's great that he's been able to move past those issues, at least to a large degree 😊👍

[@delorangeade]

@@mightyV444 Yes. He seems more relaxed these days. It's just you know how it is if you wind up certain sections of the British media. They don't need much excuse in the first place.

[@mightyV444]

@@delorangeade - Ah! Okay! Yeah, that's probably something about him I hadn't really been aware of then.

[@Sandy-dd4le]

Ah, big fat slabs of analog goodness! It warms my heart.

[@ghichens3418]

Now thats a term you dont hear very often !!! " Analog " has a certain ring dont it /

[@mightyV444]

I love that particular era, when synths were quite prominent but still surrounded by 'real' instruments 😊

[@ghichens3418]

@tecdessus Do mean like when your twin carbs go out of wack on your Triumph Bonny ? Bit of a pain to start !!

[@brapmanbrap5188]

Ground breathtaking song in 79 this in the uk nothing had ever been as powerful as this and cars and gary paved the way for the electronic invasion of music that was to come he's a genius and total respect to him that's he's still a massive influence on any generation

[@wayne_twentyfive]

Absolute bonafide new wave synth classic ! .. So atmospheric and enigmatic sounding .. I get lost in the feel of it every time I hear it .. Thanks for reacting to this one.👌

[@daviddeath6029]

Thanks mates! He us so underrated and influenced lots of people. Maybe try down in the park next. Thank you for starting with Numan

[@MyMusic-cd3do]

Gary smiled when he pulled his head away from the mic and almost sang the next line away from the mic. Another thing that made him smile was when he did his twirl. In an earlier video he didn't make the twirl in time. It was a mimed show and I think he was just finding it all a bit amusing. If you see Gary in interviews he smiles and jokes a lot. Comes across as a very humble, down to earth guy. But having asperges, I think the austere performance was a good facade to hide behind. Another time I saw Gary smile was when he performed I Am Ruine with his daugher Persia. He snuck a look at her under his arm while holding the mic stand, and you can see he how proud of her he was and a he couldn't help a smile.

[@jasonfrodoman1316]

Attended this GN concert tour at the Queen E theater in Vancouver around 1980ish. Awesome. Wall of sound and light. Great concert.

[@iwannotowidigdo9474]

So glad you like that one. On target comments. Try "I Die You Die" for something less ponderous. Also, his opening act, "Nash the Slash" has some great stuff covers of Smoke on the Water (redone as Dopes on the Water), 19th Nervous Breakdown, and Deadman's Curve as well as original works.

[@roflsan1234]

I loved your head moving and I was 15 when this song came out and it changed my life from being a bogan to a new wave electric friend😀

[@peteelliott9373]

I saw gary numan in concert in Brighton 1980ish .. best concert ever

[@moogdome2562]

Love to our Brothers and Sisters in Canada, from the UK. According to Gary, the song is about going to a brothel. When Gary came along, he was so different, it was like he suddenly came from another planet. Enjoyed as usual.

[@stephenmoncur5983]

Not quite right. It’s about robot prostitutes!

[@ghostnation6950]

@@moogdome2562 it was about a robot prostitute.

[@TheCatBilbo]

Gary was a keen pilot & I remember seeing him flying at an airshow in the 80s. Very interesting man!

[@nicensleazy1892]

He took a lot of inspiration from John Foxx. Gary has always reinvented himself over the years. When you see him, he of course does play some of his classics but he much prefers to look towards the future. Now lives in the USA

[@Sandy-dd4le]

John Foxx did some cool stuff, in and out of Ultravox. Hiroshima Mon Amour would be a good idea for a reaction.

[@roflsan1234]

down in the park...

[@BrixtonTone]

I did like his stuff back in the day, his vocals always reminded me of an early David Bowie.

[@mightyV444]

I just read that Gary had turned 65 only a couple of days ago; Happy Birthday to him! 🥳💚🍾🥂🎂🎶🎉🍀

[@marlquentin]

As mentioned below the SugarBabes combining this with an Adina Howard track was also great, making it a great dancehall record. Gary Numan was first known from music he did for a Lee Cooper add. And everyone wanted to know what that sound was. And then this came.

[@DMCDObidon]

There is an updated version of this he released a few years ago for Allsaints Basement Sessions, def worth a listen to what he can do with modern instruments.

[@robertbagley9199]

I'd love to see a reaction to something newer from him, 'My name is ruin' for example.

[@mrwomby5007]

Yes, preferably the Old Grey Whistle Test performance with his daughter Persia.

[@drdaze1968]

tubeway army is Gary Numan and his Brothers there where a punk band but when there in a studio Gary saw a synthezisers in studio then he change his style music to new wave music if watch this he never look at the camera while the do it because like is smile

[@bluefoot8941]

He's still touring and I'd highly recommend catching a show if you get the chance! Sounds somewhere between this and Nine Inch Nails these days

[@JohnKelly-w2s]

Gary numan absolute legend love his music 😊

[@AndrewPaget-u7k]

Top of the Pop's 1979 in Edinburgh, Scotland... The first time I heard it and saw Gary Numan ... I still remember my dad saying , " Who the hell is this guy" ... I have been a fan ever since ... The memories this song conjures up?? ... That's the beauty of music, it acts like a time machine for the mind and transports you back to your better self.

[@KevinM2732]

"Shes Got Claws" is another great one from Gary

[@mightyV444]

Yep! 😊👍

[@DavidJones-wx4im]

Billy Currie from Ultravox on synths with Chris Payne. The drummer Cedric Sharpley passed away a few years ago. Listen to some of his recent stuff especially A Prayer For The Unborn and Pure.

[@stephenbagwell8275]

It’s brilliant to see Gary Numan playing it live I think the last concert of his I went to was video recorded

[@taliesinechoes4513]

I've seen Gary Numan more than a few times, and I've met him a few times. This video is unusual in that I've never seen him smile as much as he's doing in this video. Back then he was mister serious on stage. Great guy off-stage. People back then use to make references to David Bowie a lot. I never saw it and in later years he said that people got it all wrong. He wasn't so much influenced by David Bowie. He was influenced by and wanted to be a band called Ultravox when a guy named John Foxx was their vocalist. I'd recommend their album titled Systems Of Romance, and either the song Maximum Acceleration or Dislocation.

[@69Phuket]

John Foxx The Garden.. ;)

[@kevhanson1262]

One of the most influential artists of all time including "Africa Bombarta" and is still keeping it fresh .Its worth checking out an all girl band from Britain called "The Sugar Babes "Freakin" they sampled this track and did a really good job.Gary Numan lost his confidence in the late 80s but regained it in the 2000,s and his daughter performed with him live .Try "We take mystery to bed"

[@kadiummusic]

Two great songs but his importance is a bit overblown. There were lots of other bands, even before him, doing similar things with synths. Just a shame his brief fame got to him.

[@mightyV444]

'We Take Mystery (To Bed)' is a cool song already for the great bass lines alone, as is 'Subway I Call You' 😀👍 That Sugababes song was called 'Freak Like Me', by the way 😉

[@kevhanson1262]

Thanks for correcting me I thought id got the wrong title. "Telekon "was the album I used to listen to back in the early 80s especially" This wreckage " I like his last album "Intruder" it's so intoxicating

[@mightyV444]

You're welcome, @@kevhanson1262 😊 I'm far from knowing _all_ of ol' Gazza's stuff so may well check out some more of it some time soon! I have his 'Pleasure Principle' album and a compilation titled 'Document Series presents Gary Numan', with a mix of hits and album tracks from 1978-83 🙂 PS: It's 'Afrika Bambaataa' 😉

[@TheHekateris]

Gary! ♥ His whole catalog is amazing. ETA: If you get the chance to see him in concert, don't miss it!

[@andyyoung9463]

Please check out his Down In The Park for a very sinister futuristic sound and story.

[@malcolmbell5266]

I really enjoyed when he switched from this sort of sound, to the track RIP, having a big influence on Nine Inch Nails

[@kenhewitt7357]

Yeah I remember when it first came out, I was into heavy rock but I loved this!

[@calvink991]

I was at his show on this tour! Cool

[@thenortherner3890]

This changed the world for 15 minutes - A long come the synth bands...

[@MyMusic-cd3do]

Replicas was and still is one of my favorite albums.

[@Teeb2023]

This video is quite famous for Gary not taking himself seriously (for a change :) ) He's fooling around a lot here, smiling and dancing around.

[@Trotter7]

I love this song. Thank you.

[@undergroundwarrior70]

Gary Numan was really into science fiction when he was a kid, and yes he was influenced by David Bowie, Kraftwerk and early Ultravox! with original founder and frontman John Foxx. (One of the keyboardists and synth musician, Billy Currie, who did study and learned classical music from a very early age is in this video and was a member of Ultravox!). Gary Numan also has Aspergers and despite that he was accepted when he applied at an Air Force Academy so he can study to become a pilot. He did receive his pilot license when he was in his early 20's. Gary Numan is a self taught musician as well. "Are The Friends Electric?" is from his second album titled 'Replicas' which it is a concept album about a dystopian society and aliens from other planets. One of his songs on that album is titled "Machmen" which they are cyborgs who kill normal humans. Way before James Cameron's 1984 film 'The Terminator'. His song "Are The Friends Electric?" is about an AI (Artificial Intelligence) prostitute who comes over to his dwelling to give him sexual pleasure but she breaks down, and Gary Numan (the main character in the song) is lonely and he has no one to love. Another song from the 'Replicas' album which was also a popular song in England is "Down In The Park." From his second album 'Replicas', his third 'The Pleasure Principle' and his fourth 'Telekon' are all very futuristic even to this very day. I really enjoyed your reaction to Gary Numan's song "Are The Friends Electric?"

[@RetroKevo429]

To a 10 year old in 1979 this was mind blowing!

[@arrivingarriving5166]

Glad you checked this out, it's stood the test of time well, though definitely sounds much better with far less compression than on here. I recognised a possible David Bowie influence at first, though put that down to how Gary Numan looked when performing more than the music itself, as because I was also listening to early Human League at the time I thought of it more as a parallel development than direct influence. I'm happy to say I couldn't stand Numan's singing voice at the time as I thought it too nasal, but time changes things and I like it better now - it fits.

[@hanierfamily]

TV compression. Sometimes it can't be avoided.

[@arrivingarriving5166]

@@hanierfamily I know, but it's such a shame, especially as this might be a new listener's only hearing of this track. I've just compared the sound here with a lossless version (FLAC), there's a night and day difference.

[@Grithron2]

This song only really makes sense when you've read the backstory to the Replicas album, which involves deadly A.I and cyborgs who variously entertain and oppress the dwindling human population...guess the rest.

[@clannyst]

aw bless her she's really enjoying it.

[@rjart4]

He has also performed with his daughter have a look.

[@anthonyscully2998]

the top of the pop producer may have told him to smile

[@gohumberto]

The Synth sound has reverberated through my brain since I first heard it on "Son of my Father" (Moroder/Chicory Tip).

[@gypsysteve3576]

To me Gary Numan is a reflective 'Mood' rather than something to watch. For me, this is Roller Skating memories from very late 70s ...thanks

[@chriscarter1323]

It's set in the future and all about robot prostitutes,but he never let on about that at the time or he'd have never got it by top of the pops,check out his albums Savage and Intruder,his more up to date stuff,AWESOME!

[@paulcasey5486]

this was his first number 1 in the uk but seems very hard to find everyone goes to cars for some reason.

[@trufflehund]

1979. Astra Hotel, Bondi. Too many beers every night lol. Juke Box playing Computer Games, Message in a Bottle, Are Friends Electric, 2468 Motorway over and over. A new game called Space Invaders was eating all my 20c pieces.

[@donnamacvicar8558]

My name is Ruin! Should be the next Gary Numan song! Love me some Gary Numan!

[@hanierfamily]

We did that one

[@TheAzguardThor]

Billy Currie from Ultravox on keyboards. Memories ... for me

[@robertcislerjr2144]

Down In the Park is amazing , Trent Resnor is a big Neuman fan , Did a few songs on stage together

[@robertpearson9137]

Check out the Gary Numan AllSaints version on youtube. He gets even better with age.

[@charliegeorge9393]

a song about being visited by an AI Robotic Prostitute - Im not joking either.

[@daviddring2365]

This is actually a run through prior to a tv show, hence Gary is smiling. Something he didnt tend to do back then.

[@replicas11]

This song is about being able to order replicant prostitutes over the computer and they turn up at your door on demand. We are not to far away from that becoming a thing.

[@Dale-u5c]

I like how the band is standing stoically, but drummer Cedric Sharpley is bouncing to his beat

[@ianmobbs4482]

Great video bring back childhood memories can i suggest Roman holiday don't try to stop it great 80s feel good song

[@mwsaab9]

I´d recommend listening to "Down in the park" and "M.E.". Loads of bands have covered his songs. The cover version of "M.E." by Wand is fantastic 🙂

[@antscott4922]

Went to see PIL late 78 at the Rainbow, and heard Ultravox (John Fox) was gigging at the Marquee during the day, so bundled down there with a few of our Pompey mob. Cost us less than a £ and was amazing! Anyways, looks like few of Ultravox ended up in Tubeway Army.

[@antscott4922]

I prefer early Ultravox :) x Mr fox

[@astonmartinvee8]

I was 10 when I bought this. I heard it once and went straight to HMV. My Nan paid for it 🙂.

[@themajesticmagnificent386]

Gary is God of the synth..Check out M.E as well as Films and music for chameleons by Gary Numan..The man is a genius.. Great video and all the best from the U.K🇬🇧🇺🇸👍

[@Arfabiscuit]

He was also a acrobatic pilot but gave it up after all his friends got killed .

[@ghichens3418]

Yes ! Great tune ! Great time ! Yep Gary was surely influenced by Bowie ! But how many Artists cant say they were influenced by Bowie , Zep , Lou Reed , or any one else come to that ! Did pave the way for more bands such as "Ultravox " a few years later ! The 3 Bowie albums that would IMO be the influencers ! are the trio recorded in Berlin ! "Station to Station " "Low" and "Heroes" very synthy! on Low they used a "Harmonizer" kinda made the Drums sound so differant ! Also at the time of this release Garys music got him into trouble with BBC band that were sometimes used on Top Of The Pops ! The "Union" didnt like Synthesisers as those new fangled machines were taking their jobs away ! Honestly you couldnt make it up !Cheers !

[@scotstevens5263]

I da hypnotic sounds from Gary

[@jonathancole833]

Apparently some of the early US rappers were influenced by Gary Numan.