Gary Numan / Tubeway Army - Are 'Friends' Electric? | The Story Behind The Song | Top 2000 a gogo

[@MoosesValley]

4+ decades later, and the song is still brilliant and relevant and far better than most of the rubbish out there today. Gary is so down to earth. Great interview !

[@Timekeeper1200]

It still sounds like it's from the future. Absolutely incredible sound

[@davidsmith6355]

that's so true, it was always the striking thing about this at song. 40 years later still has that feel I agree, not sure how they did that!

[@Appleblade]

This song! It has appeared in my life (I'm 62) in so many times and places ... I always loved it, but I never knew a thing about it.

[@ZRXSIX]

What a legend, way ahead of his time.

[@Macleodking]

Gary Numan, the man who fell to Earth from the future.

[@sratus]

Hmm reminds me of someone.

[@eddiepower3876]

​@@sratuswho?

[@sratus]

@@eddiepower3876 Bernard Cribbins obviously

[@nigelpearson9101]

What a delightful bloke! Honest and self deprecating, nice to see an icon with his feet on the ground!

[@kevcatnip7589]

and wiggy played guitar,,, erm no he didnt

[@kevinthetruckdriver353]

Believe it or not. Gary Numan is a pilot. Sometimes his two feet is not on the ground but he's sitting in the cockpit.

[@nigelpearson9101]

kevin the truck driver yes, I did know that! He is highly regarded in the industry. It is refreshing to see someone who had such a successful and genre defining career be so modest about both his own abilities and how much good fortune played a part in his success.

[@antonystringfellow5152]

He's an Aspie. Being honest and self-depreciating tends to go with the territory. In fact, some of us are more comfortable being criticized than praised.

[@theravedaddy]

@@kevinthetruckdriver353 last time i saw him he just climbed out of his harvard at an airshow, that had to be around '85 cos we had a B reg escort!

[@satyricon451]

"You can't dance to it. It doesn't have a chorus. It's really long. And it's about robot prostitutes." Poetic.

[@D33Lux]

It wasn't written for humans, but we have the pleasure of listening to it. Cyborgs in the year 3,000 will build their society over the ashes of humanity and Are friends electric will be their anthem.

[@laurentiusmcmxcv]

@@D33Lux Cyberpunk 3000

[@garyali1966]

i know im randomly asking but does any of you know of a trick to get back into an instagram account..? I was dumb forgot my account password. I love any assistance you can give me!

[@lukelennon548]

@Gary Ali instablaster ;)

[@gilliansnook5583]

Not completely true - The year it was released, I entered a dance competition with this record and won. Possibly as everyone else danced to "safe" tried and tested music..

[@MsLipsticklover]

could listen to his stories all day long

[@MultiTouYube]

Get your head around the fact this is 42 years old and you'll realise just how much ahead of it's time it was.

[@globalturfwar]

40 years ago we were living (and dreaming) of the future. 40 years later we're living and dreaming of the past. We were living our best days and didn't even know it.

[@deborahchesser7375]

globalturfwar I couldn’t have said it better

[@mglenn7092]

We might have been living our best days, but 40 years ago we were also living in the shadow of global nuclear destruction. The Vietnam War had nearly torn the USA apart and we were still staring daggers across the Iron Curtain between NATO and the Warsaw Pact. I was alive then... the world was NOT that great a place. Easy to be nostalgic, too easy to forget the nightmares we were living in, but you can't change the past even if you forget it while dreaming fantasies of a past that never was. Although - yeah, some of the music was absolutely f***ing fantastic. Be nice if we had more like it, and less of the brainless s*** that continues to be made nowadays -- but again, don't fool yourself -- 40 years ago, for every brilliant creator like Mr Numan, there were a hundred and one forgettable disco/corporate rock sell-out machines back then too; and if you dig deep enough, there are some very interesting, creative artists out there today too.

[@globalturfwar]

@@mglenn7092 Hey. Agreed there are elements of rose tinted specs, but despite the so called progress, I think there's less optimism now. Perhaps it's because we were young and high on life. Perhaps its because the planet is in a much worse state - climate, overpopulation, pollution, ideological wars. We had the soviets and MAD, which was being pushed, but the media was more distant so the threat (to us in Harrow anyway) didn't seem so on our doorstep - and possibly we knew there was a way back from the brink. But I genuinely think life was simpler, we had less, but appreciated more. I think our culture sold us dreams - in our music and movies. I remember feeling an excitement to the possibilities of life. I feel life is a lot more dystopic and cynical - the internet is wonderful, but had exposed us to more direct horrors and nightmares - right on our fingertips. Regards the music - there is some fantastic stuff (check out "Soviet Soviet" - the band) but a lot of that harks back to the music of the 80s. I find the music from the 70s/80s and early 90s grand, experimental, mad, held together by string and tape, raw, visionary and ultimately selling us dreams. Of course you had your Birdie Songs but you also had Simple Minds, the Police, Numan, Depeche Mode, U2, Bruce Springsteen, Duran, Thomson Twins, Smiths... Have a great day!

[@dwightgoad1270]

Wow! I really never thought about that. I would go back and do it all over again if I could.

[@globalturfwar]

@@MisterTIBS hi. It depends what past we're clinging to. If it's trying to recapture that youthful feeling of optimism and excitement towards life, then that's not a bad thing in my opinion. You're right, there can be other motives too. I had a great time when I was young. Golden memories. This music was part of those memories

[@JURacing]

This was actually the first single I have bought as a kid and it still rocks. Has always been with me since.

[@ronaldthwaites177]

I loved that song since I first heard it. I still listen now. Absolutely brilliant...

[@slidetek]

He's honest if nothing else (hitting the wrong key). He could have said "I meant to do that!" I can't believe I've been listening to this song for 40 years, and love it as much as the first day I heard it.

[@cnfuzz]

No its a minikorg and payne plays a ppg 1009, probably supplied by tv crew since numan used moog arp and roland in 70s

[@raycroal]

do you think noel gallacher would say he hit the wrong note or just claim he was a genuis again

[@jonneville2287]

The pop music industry is riddled with happy accidents, thank god.

[@Renzsu]

I feel a Gary Numan binge watch coming on.. what a charming guy!

[@ms.carlson3904]

This guy is so humble. He is, in fact, a musical genius.

[@iankilmister3013]

P

[@nicksvinylbutty5488]

This was the first record i ever purchased,it was from WH Smith in Kettering . I still have that very same 7" single today in my record collection. It is one of my most treasured records. Numan is a genius 👍👍👍

[@AndrewPaget-u7k]

A brilliant fluke that changed my life and many many others ... I think I speak for everyone who loves your music, imagery and honesty by saying thanks.

[@herseem]

I think one of the most interesting things to come out of this interview is his clear understanding of what makes something work - the sound, the image, , having obscure lyrics so the true meaning isn't spotted, the lighting, not looking at the camera - details that he paid attention to. Yet he's very modest and acknowledges critical moments of luck that had a pivotal effect. At the same time, I think he probably would have emerged eventually somehow. Quality and talent and ambition in one package tend to.

[@TheKitchenerLeslie]

But did you see him on The Mighty Boosh?

[@NAIVADA]

vision inspiration and soul

[@kjamison5951]

He’s still down to earth. Totally nice bloke. Gary Numan didn’t fall into the Punk, New Wave or New Romantic genres. He was very much his own person. An artist with almost Bowie-like ideas and delivery.

[@kidkique]

You said he was his own thing but then in the same sentence you compared him to bowie.. so which is it?

[@ThreeToesofFury]

LOVE IT. one of my all time fav songs. endlessly infectious.

[@mahonjal]

Brilliant interview and brilliant song.

[@KitCatStudio]

I’m so relieved to learn that Gary is a terrific guy!

[@Workerbee-zy5nx]

In 78 I purchased the Pleasure Principal album and its still entertains me. Well done Gary. 👍👍👍😎🎶

[@mcguinnessus]

He's a great story teller. I want that 60 minute documentary too.

[@Alway213]

The song means so many things to me when I was 16 years old……Gary Numan is a true genius!…..Thank you.

[@dannyinaus]

Gary Numan - a man 150 years ahead of his time. A true musical genius.

[@1940sDream]

And aviation genius.

[@richardharrison1910]

Great story!!!!! Always loved this record......

[@teuntje2863]

This song will always one of my favourite songs ever. Absolutely brilliant.

[@TS-bn7zt]

Yep. What a sound, I remember the first time I heard it back in the day. Walked around all the music instruments shops just looking at synths and quickly realised I could not afford one, £15 a week wages back then. But oh boy the rush of Tubeway Army has stayed with me all my life. Thanks for the video.👍

[@myopenmind527]

Way too nice a guy and way too modest. Still writing, still performing, still touring. He’s unique and still a vastly underrated genius.

[@slyph63]

That was the first record I ever bought. So please you're back Gary

[@mariodriessen9740]

You can't dance to it?!?! Are you kidding me? It's the only song I ever danced to and felt completely ecstatic about. I'll never forget that night! 😁

[@darlahaines6928]

I made Cliff Richard dance to Are Friends Electric by turning down the volume on Power to all Our Friends on my tablet, and turning up Are Friends Electric on my smartphone! Outta sight!! Try it, you'll like it!

[@thesuncollective1475]

Me too, I will dance to nothing else!

[@eddiepower3876]

He means unstoned😂😂

[@eddiepower3876]

Just like "Running up that Hill", this great song is going to be a hit again very soon. It's time is coming. Some movie is going to have it as its soundtrack, and it will blow a new generations minds out of the water, just like it did to us in 1979💥💥💥💥💥

[@gerardjames9971]

In the last few years Gary Numan finally seems to be getting the massive amount of respect and recognition he deserves, and it couldn't happen to a nicer bloke 👍

[@kentborges5114]

GARY NUMAN...Cutting edge as always !

[@clairelouise335]

He's my main man. Been a fan since 1979 and I've just bought tickets to his 2022 tour. What a legend 💕

[@superbootify]

I was briefly signed Garys label, Beggars Banquent, at the same time, in their early days. Gary was into punk/rock when he started...but he suddenly changed direction and embraced technology and came up with this amazing surreal electro-pop classic... and followed up with the equally amazing 'Cars"!

[@yetanotheryoutuber4271]

Such a humble and charming man. And what a great song.

[@marcusmorrison3292]

Don't forget the humble and charming wig too :)

[@jtf2dan]

that wall of sound from the synth though......caught my ear the first time I heard it!

[@onlyme219]

Forget the music for a min, every and I mean every interview I've seen Gary do he is just such a nice, honest and humble bloke. The lyric 'you mean everything to me' Just tears me up on every listen

[@raygrange7312]

It just sounded great at the time. Loved it.

[@danielsherwood3880]

In my 20's but my dad put this on every day when I was a kid and I loved it. Hooked the mic up to sing along. Nice to know that my dad raised me on great music haha

[@dazzasp3]

Fantastic I was there from the beginning 👍🏼

[@leokimvideo]

Great example of taking calculated risks and not being afraid of being different

[@Kidraver555]

Bowie thought numan was a plagiarist, he wrote these lyrics 'same old thing in brand new drag' especially for him.

[@MobiusBandwidth]

@@Kidraver555 he later, fairly recently, said something very nice about Gary, possibly whilst being elbowed by mutual friend Trent Reznor.

[@davidspion9548]

​@@Kidraver555 Would that be the Bowie who took influences from just about everywhere? Facts are Bowie was really threatened by Numan and acted like a spoilt child. Numerous artists ripped off Bowie for years and he never said anything. Yet when the 21 year old Numan arrived and produced some astonishing stuff, Bowie embarrassed himself with his childish reaction, especially on the Kenny Everett show.

[@geoffclarke8934]

Top bloke and a true music visionary.

[@CraigFactsareFacts]

At 54, I remember listening to his stuff in college...in the early 80s. He had that unique sound and his "look"...make-up, costumes, and that stare....all contributed to his total coolness.

[@marcatteberry1361]

I am a musical listening product of you Gary. I am 53, you have tripped me out for 54 years at least.

[@RCAvhstape]

3 years before Blade Runner was released this album was already a cyberpunk masterpiece.

[@dirtydave2691]

Such a wonderful an innovative guy. This song is a dreary day favorite of mine.

[@leepshin]

You've got to hand it to him, Gary is an absolute scream. The kind of man you could have intense discussions yet have a great laugh with. As an "Aspie", being grounded and so down to earth is one of the best attributes Asbergers has.

[@R.Kinney1492]

His Uncle layed down some wicked drums on it! 🥁

[@PabloDeModeOfficial]

This is an iconic song, one of the best in pop history.

[@maureen14]

LOVED "IN CARS" when it came out! Funny so did my Mom. Man I need a hot tub time machine! I'd go right back to 1980 and do it all again!

[@danielratner6810]

Gary should be in the Rock n Roll Hall just for this song!

[@dukecraig2402]

After what happened in Cleveland a few years ago I'd lay odds it'll be a while before that happens.

[@KingLich451]

what happened

[@dukecraig2402]

@@KingLich451 A few years back he was going to Cleveland for a show and his tour bus ran over a 91 year old guy when it pulled into town, they canceled the show that night, I guess no one was charged there were witnesses that said he stepped out in front of it. It was a real shame to because it seemed like a lot of people were going to go to the show and it had been getting some pretty good promotion from the local media.

[@KingLich451]

@@dukecraig2402 oh wow, rip, damn shame.

[@dukecraig2402]

@@KingLich451 Yea it was pretty sad, seems like a lot of people were fired up for the show, I was living in the Cleveland area at the time and was even thinking about going, I don't live there anymore but I hope for the fans sake that he goes back one day, I'll bet he puts a pretty good show on.

[@barrysmith8920]

This song instantly changed my musical life. 🤍 Amazing how fast Numan works; first 4 incredible albums were released in less than TWO years!

[@sticksman1979]

Gary discovering the Moog is like splitting the atom.

[@alexbowman7582]

In the 80's I had a Moog Prodigy and sold it for £5. A guy I knew says can you sell mine for £5. So Sunday afternoon walking around Glasgow music shops no one wanted it.

[@alexbowman7582]

@alwayshair1 hundreds of pounds.

[@Blackadder75]

$1000 if you are lucky

[@gmar7836]

LOL yeah

[@Augfordpdoggie]

geddy lee was playing it long before

[@turnerthemanc]

what a guy. If I ever win some competition to go round a few pubs with a celeb, hes the man

[@sixstanger00]

Gary Numan - a true musical genius. He had the foresight to see where synthesizers were taking music, and he was spot on. Modern electronica/techno/synthpop all owe their existence to people like Numan.

[@turbowillem]

Great guy! Follows his own ideas and has a wide area of intrest.

[@stufen11]

Brilliant, loved it then and now. But 40 years, that hurts.

[@Jade-pd3wm]

Ouch!

[@billnaylor518]

Right?

[@leodaly2310]

There are enough people to carry your touch, my dear man. And after us, those that follow....

[@vannjunkin8041]

Don't count the years.. just be glad he was here with us then and he's here with us now and it's all still relevant..

[@1e0s]

I saw him back in 78 at Sheffield City Hall. Quite extraordinary at the time😎

[@user-yp6nn9vy5x]

not in 78

[@1e0s]

@@user-yp6nn9vy5x yes you are indeed right. I just googled it. It was 8th Oct 79👍

[@seattlebeard]

As humble as this man is, he changed a lot of people's musical lives. Absolutely did mine.

[@sean2me]

What a great interview! love that guy!

[@gary1961]

40 years ago! Where's all that time gone? This is an awesome tune.

[@johnlowdon5809]

it`s gone mate .

[@PeteEdmunds]

He comes across as such a nice guy. Warm and grounded.

[@WarrenCromartie2]

One of the most iconic and groundbreaking hit singles of all time. Incredible sound.

[@boboala1]

Right on! I enjoyed this very much! In my next life, I won't grow up as a shy forgotten preacher's kid living in a giant soybean field during the most tumultuous/influential decades (60s/70s/80s/90s/) of Pop music history! I missed it all...and now I'm old. But thanks to Top 2000 a googly I can get a taste of the musicians, gigs, tour life, musical culture, etc. I missed and crave so dearly now!

[@jamesd7678]

2:12 that is genuine passion right there. Like he's reliving the moment all over again for the first time.

[@marcofioravanti4176]

Just brilliant in every aspect.

[@stefangrant1989]

This song is a musical piece of art........ and listening to Gary speak to this song is a real treat.

[@seanholman9529]

And that is how music is made ,, genius.

[@TheLardzard]

As a guy who always thought you have to have a "good voice" to make it, and then being told I might not. It was a huge relief when those same people also said Gary didn't have a good voice. It helped me to realise that those people didnt know what the hell they're talking about.

[@MalcolmDesigns]

I will NEVER forget listening to this song on the radio in 1979 on Dr. Dementos Radio Show as a 16yo and having my mind blown! It was so groundbreaking, ahead of the times, and exciting. Also his song Cars. Thank you Gary Numan!

[@seegee7728]

Listen to his Allsaints basements sessions version of this song. masterful remix.

[@wiggshosp]

Still a brilliant piece of music. Great to hear Gary telling the back story.

[@mojopin70]

Gary Numan is a national fucking treasure. I was scared of his music as a young boy, but now i truly appreciate his brilliance.

[@VoodooUprising]

Great story told by Gary Numan. I love it when musicians speak about their journey into rediscovering themselves through music. Glad he stayed true to himself and not be swayed into sounding or looking like what record labels want musicians to be, much respect. Cheers 🤘🏾

[@FO_Biggles]

I was in UK when this song came out. A wild journey with the Brits!

[@felixthecat3n2]

A genius, a visionary. Totally unique, very humble, and a great man too.

[@metaforcesaber]

That first album is amazing. Second one too.

[@andreas1963ap]

I loved it from the first time I heard it...Gary Numan is a genius... 😎

[@vernvernon6424]

saw him play IN london few years back , he loved what he does ... and so did... GOD BLESS !

[@timexironman100m]

Amazing listening to how this single came about and the time it happened 1977.. God I loved it then I love it now.. I've lost the f.....ING single I bought back in the day over the years... thanks gary for being different...

[@oscillationcommunications709]

A timeless artist,and all around awesome guy. Thank you all so much for this.⚡️It’s electric.😎⚡️

[@soleus333]

I love how relaxed and at peace with his life he is these days he is. I saw a documentary a few weeks back that talked about how he got a lot of grief for his persona in the early days, and quit the business after 2 years. Had a stumbling restart, but kept at it, and found his footing, now he continues to make music to this day.

[@kevcatnip7589]

lifes one long holiday for him and yoko,,,thanks to you mugs

[@kevcatnip7589]

he has got to finish and remix 3 albums ,,,,w t f is he playing at??

[@alesiaholdcroft1445]

Bloody amazing song. Thanks Gary and Tubeway Army! ❤️

[@andyq9669]

The most adorable man in rock/pop/electronica/industrial/funk/whatever...

[@fsemple]

That award goes to Dave Groehl

[@andyq9669]

@@fsemple a valid alternative

[@joejoejoejoejoejoej]

Bloody nice bloke !! Wasn’t expecting that!!! ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@devingademan]

One of the greatest things I ever heard on the radio. Love the song, Love Gary Numan.

[@elektronmetall148]

Same here!

[@markschroeder5559]

one of the very first albums I bought as a little tiny baby boy based on the cover alone need not say I was different Still an all time favorite song and vinyl

[@devingademan]

Mark Schroeder that’s a great story, Mark! I will cover Gary someday too! He’s just so cool!

[@anuvabastidanakist2437]

It's 2024 I saw Gary Numan in Birmingham UK he played replicas and pleasure principle album just brilliant loved his music them a the way till now n still do

[@johnnyhock]

Absolute diamond of a bloke !

[@castironkorky]

proper man true artist nuff said

[@alex35agm]

His music has been on my playlist since I first heard it in 1979 and I now own most of his albums.Great interview with him here.

[@simonsackett]

I'm so glad I was there at the very beginning... and I really wish I'd kept all my vinyl records and picture discs!!

[@emilyroybal3742]

"you can't dance to it?" i guess i didn't get that memo

[@confuseatronica]

verified- have danced to this, in public. Was not only human moving limbs rhythmically to reproduced audio signal.

[@stonecollide7157]

Same 😂😂😂

[@stephenbarrett8000]

This is as fresh now in 2024 as in 1979

[@morningcoffeecat2271]

Seeing Gary Numan live for the first time in September so excited, love hearing the themes and concept behind this track!

[@mysterymole2255]

what a great guy, legend. this is an awesome series btw

[@777jones]

Never seen Gary Numan so happy in an interview. Great, thanks for being you (all these years), Gary. There is NO one else who’d have done it.

[@unsuccessfullyjari]

That's it?! No no no, I want a full 30 minute documentary about this song! Or a 60 minute documentary about his career! What's it gonna be, Radio 2?!

[@Top2000agogo]

Maybe in the future!

[@frontwing67]

its Dutch Public Broadcast channel 3 😉

[@howdyho4807]

check out Gary Numan: Android in La La Land. Great doc

[@unsuccessfullyjari]

@@howdyho4807 ooh, thanks a lot!

[@ONE_OF_MANY-MANY_OF_ONE]

Do a little Google research to appease your own curiosity. A lot of times I always do some side research to find out more. I also fact check content that's given in narration. This channel gave us something, than nothing. It's up to you if you want to know more. The seed has been planted, are you going grow for more knowledge? Or just wait around for the knowledge you seek to come to you?

[@remainsilent9696]

Absolutely amazing interview