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

[@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

[@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!

[@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

[@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 !

[@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!

[@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.

[@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.

[@ms.carlson3904]

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

[@iankilmister3013]

P

[@ZRXSIX]

What a legend, way ahead of his time.

[@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..

[@Renzsu]

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

[@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.

[@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😂😂

[@mahonjal]

Brilliant interview and brilliant song.

[@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.

[@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?

[@songlove7777]

He's so humble for someone who stood there on Top of the Pops like a man from the future.

[@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

[@drott150]

....and happy accidents!

[@dazzasp3]

Fantastic I was there from the beginning 👍🏼

[@dannyinaus]

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

[@1940sDream]

And aviation genius.

[@ThreeToesofFury]

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

[@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.

[@KitCatStudio]

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

[@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..

[@ronaldthwaites177]

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

[@Workerbee-zy5nx]

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

[@JURacing]

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

[@RCAvhstape]

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

[@yetanotheryoutuber4271]

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

[@marcusmorrison3292]

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

[@turbowillem]

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

[@mcguinnessus]

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

[@slyph63]

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

[@teuntje2863]

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

[@R.Kinney1492]

His Uncle layed down some wicked drums on it! 🥁

[@gary1961]

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

[@johnlowdon5809]

it`s gone mate .

[@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.

[@PabloDeModeOfficial]

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

[@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👍

[@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

[@richardharrison1910]

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

[@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.

[@raygrange7312]

It just sounded great at the time. Loved it.

[@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.

[@Alway213]

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

[@clairelouise335]

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

[@jtf2dan]

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

[@kentborges5114]

GARY NUMAN...Cutting edge as always !

[@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 👍

[@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.

[@PeteEdmunds]

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

[@andyq9669]

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

[@fsemple]

That award goes to Dave Groehl

[@andyq9669]

@@fsemple a valid alternative

[@sean2me]

What a great interview! love that guy!

[@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.

[@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

[@WarrenCromartie2]

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

[@remainsilent9696]

Absolutely amazing interview

[@jamesd7678]

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

[@seanholman9529]

And that is how music is made ,, genius.

[@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!

[@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.

[@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

[@barrysmith8920]

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

[@metaforcesaber]

That first album is amazing. Second one too.

[@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!

[@mysterymole2255]

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

[@birthabutt9555]

This mans songs sound like they are from 2072. Visionary genius.

[@AttitudeCharter]

Agree.

[@marcofioravanti4176]

Just brilliant in every aspect.

[@seattlebeard]

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

[@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💥💥💥💥💥

[@Random_Blip]

Gary is such a humble guy.

[@geoffclarke8934]

Top bloke and a true music visionary.

[@tonyjones4940]

I was at Top of Pops that day & I got Gary's Autograph ......thanks mate!

[@tonyjenkins7156]

I was at Top of the Pops and got Jimmy Saville's autograph........J shaped cum soaked boy scout shorts.......thanks mate

[@Only_Fools_and_Audits]

@@tonyjenkins7156 I bet you still have them though and they've never been washed.

[@Decimator-jh4gu]

@@tonyjenkins7156 WAAAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHH😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@Decimator-jh4gu]

@@Only_Fools_and_Audits I bet you dream about them and you wish they were on your face......

[@Decimator-jh4gu]

@@tonyjenkins7156 .... Like Jimmy's ball sack bouncing on your chin.

[@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

[@emfer3010]

For all you comenting on Gary's "wig", he did a hair transplant some years back. You can find video's of him wearing a hat, that's the time he did the hair transplant. Whatever he does with his hair it's his choise, and I'm perfectly fine with it.

[@CoolGobyFish]

he might have had some "plants", but this is clearly a wig. but I don't he pretends that it's his hair. i think he decided to go Andy Warhole, as crazy as possible

[@cnfuzz]

His 1982 hairtransplant at age 24 scarred him so much that he cant be bald to show al stitches that is why he wears a wig, really true

[@celtictillidie67]

He coukdhave went a bit darker tha don't u think ? .....🤣

[@SandraLovesSun]

I’ll critique it. It’s there to make a statement, so...

[@NorthernKitty]

Anyone who thinks it's important AT ALL to critique his hair definitely misses the point of his music and probably should go watch TV or something equally shallow.

[@crystalclarke5880]

My daughter is18 and she loves him . friends electric is her favourite track.

[@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.

[@justin1230smith]

What a great interview 👏

[@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??

[@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 👍👍👍

[@stefangrant1989]

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

[@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.

[@oscillationcommunications709]

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

[@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?

[@sportsfansports3353]

He's a good storyteller. Nice video.

[@prog1962]

40 years later...still love the song

[@FO_Biggles]

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

[@holden6104]

For me, that "little bit of bad playing" with those two characteristic notes is really what made this song so distinctive.

[@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.👍

[@felixthecat3n2]

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

[@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 🤘🏾

[@Hot80s]

Thank God, he kept everything, his own way, win or lose he took his chances and won.

[@bertiodvonrastenburger1129]

Great little video, and Numan is honest, humble and engaging.

[@vernvernon6424]

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

[@davidrowell3191]

Where do you find an artist like him anymore? He's down to earth, self-deprecating, open minded and thoroughly original. This song to me was the zenith of synthesized electropop - it matched a martial beat and an irresistible melody line with a disconnected vocal, creating a jarring, distant but compelling mood. It comes on lonely and futuristic, but it retains an underlying mood of desperation, hinting at a real need for some kind of human connection. It's this tension that makes it a classic of its kind. "And now I've no one to love"...cold, beautiful, sublime.

[@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!

[@mikehydropneumatic2583]

Numan was the first ever electronic musician I heard. It was a Tubeway Army album and I was about 10 years old (1980-82 or abouts). Later got into Skinny Puppy and Kraftwerk. Epic stuff.

[@joejoejoejoejoejoej]

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