Tovey began his musical career after studying performance art at Leeds Polytechnic, but started recording upon his move back to his native London, UK. The songs of his early career (under the pseudonym) all feature synthesizers plus, sometimes, machine sounds like that of an electric razor or an electric drill. Almost all of his songs create a dark, mystical atmosphere, with Gadget's voice hovering monotonously over then unheard of, groundbreaking and still brilliant synthesizer sound effects. The lyrics are either very earnest, discussing subjects like guilt or life and death, or convey a black, sarcastic humour.
Initially, Fad Gadget was merely a moniker for Tovey, but as time went on a band was formed (although keeping Tovey as the main focal point). His longest-serving sidekick was drummer Nick Cash. Other members were keyboardist David Simmonds, bassist Peter Balmer, guitarist & bassist David Rogers and viola player & backing vocalist Joni Sackett
Singles included Back To Nature, Ricky's Hand and Collapsing New People. Fad Gadget was the first artist signed to the then-fledgling Mute label, on which he released four full length albums, Fireside Favourites (1980), Incontinent (1981), Under The Flag (1982) and Gag (1984). After 1984's Gag, Tovey released a compilation, (The Fad Gadget Singles), and recorded five more albums under his own name, whose styles ranged from semi-industrial electronic ballads to folk-oriented protest songs. He last appeared on a European tour supporting his latest album in 1993 and then virtually disappeared for some eight years.
In 2001 Tovey (and Cash) resurfaced with a comeback appearance and subsequently supported Depeche Mode on the Exciter tour later that year, again under his pseudonym Fad Gadget and backed by members of Temple X, whose album he had been producing. (Depeche Mode cite Tovey/Gadget as an icon and a paragon, and his influences can be heard in their music.) Tovey died of a heart attack on 3 April, 2002, aged 45, having suffered heart problems throughout his life.
One Man's Meat
Fad Gadget Lyrics
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Sick in the street
I could hardly care about walking
Dragged along with no force in my feet
And all the bones in me knocking
Worn down by caution
Make numb with restrain
In all of my sweetness
One man's meat
But I could not taste the poison
I'm so beat
Now my life is not worth living
I'll just walk the street
'Till I feel like dropping down
I could be steeped in the wwashing and weeping
Or burn up in frenzy or fire
A whistful wish for the having and keeping
A desperate leed led by desire
Wrapped in the moment
Weighed by thought
I stretch on the pavement
And feel myself caught
One man's meat
But I could not taste the poison
I'm so beat
Now my life is not worth living
I'll just walk the street
'Till I feel like dropping down
One man's meat
I'm so beat
One man's meat
I'll just walk the street
Wrapped in the moment
Weighed by thought
I stretch on the pavement
And feel myself caught
One man's meat
But I could not taste the poison
I'm so beat
That I feel like dropping down
One man's meat
Now my life is not worth living
I'll just walk the street
'Till I feel like dropping down
The lyrics of Fad Gadget's song One Man's Meat explore feelings of exhaustion, numbness, and desperation. The singer is physically and emotionally drained, unable to muster the energy to walk, and his bones are knocking from exhaustion. He feels worn down by caution and restraint, unable to fully embrace the moment or pursue his desires. Despite feeling like his life is not worth living, he continues to "walk the street" until he feels like dropping down. The repetition of the phrase "one man's meat" suggests that what one person finds nourishing or satisfying may not be the same for another, and the singer may feel trapped in a life not suited for him.
The lines "I could be steeped in the washing and weeping / or burn up in frenzy or fire" suggest a desire for release from his current state, but he is unable to break free. He describes himself as "wrapped in the moment, weighed by thought" and feels caught in a state of emotional paralysis. The use of contrasting images, such as "whistful wish for the having and keeping / a desperate lead led by desire," illustrates the singer's internal struggle between longing for something more and feeling hopeless.
Overall, One Man's Meat is a powerful exploration of feelings of exhaustion, numbness, and the struggle to find meaning and satisfaction in life.
Line by Line Meaning
I felt like dropping down
I was feeling sick and weak, like I might collapse.
Sick in the street
I was so unwell that I couldn't even stand on my feet.
I could hardly care about walking
I was so weak that I didn't care about walking or moving at all.
Dragged along with no force in my feet
I was barely able to move my feet, and had no strength or energy left.
And all the bones in me knocking
I felt very weak and frail, like all of the bones in my body were rattling against each other.
Worn down by caution
I was tired and stressed from being too careful and cautious all the time.
Make numb with restrain
I had become numb and emotionless from holding back and suppressing my feelings.
In all of my sweetness
In spite of my gentle nature and good intentions,
I retch and I faint
I felt nauseated and dizzy, and could barely function.
One man's meat
What's good for one person may not be good for another.
But I could not taste the poison
I couldn't recognize the harmful or toxic things in my life.
I'm so beat
I'm exhausted, tired and weakened.
Now my life is not worth living
I feel like I have lost all passion and purpose in life.
I'll just walk the street
I'll just wander aimlessly, with no particular destination or goal.
'Till I feel like dropping down
Until I feel so weak that I can't go on anymore.
I could be steeped in the washing and weeping
I could be drowned in sorrow, grief and tears.
Or burn up in frenzy or fire
Or I could be consumed by passion, excitement or anger.
A wistful wish for the having and keeping
I longed for something that I wanted to possess and keep forever, but couldn't.
A desperate lead led by desire
I was running blind, chasing after something I wanted more than anything, but it was only making me more desperate and unhappy.
Wrapped in the moment
In that instant, I was completely absorbed and lost in my own thoughts and emotions.
Weighed by thought
But my thoughts were so heavy and oppressive that they were weighing me down.
I stretch on the pavement
I sprawled out, feeling hopeless and defeated.
And feel myself caught
I felt trapped and stuck, unable to move on or get free.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: IAN GILLAN, RITCHIE BLACKMORE, ROGER DAVID GLOVER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind