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.
Pedestrian
Fad Gadget Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We kept our heads, we laid our track
Pedestrian wait!
The power of steel automation
Turn the key for mass ignition
Pedestrian wait!
Jumbo junks on Air fix glue
Spaceships built for leisure cruise
Baby's feet in brand new shoes
Sunday cleaning chrome and steel
A man-made god, the automobile
Pedestrian wait!
Ford protect us in this race
To find another parking space
Pedestrian wait!
Now you know it takes you nowhere
Now there's nowhere left to go
Every road leads to another
Juggernaut noise and petrol fumes
Twenty five acres every day
To make one mile of motorway
Pedestrian wait!
Don't breathe the air, it's full of lead
Baby's sick, baby's dead
Pedestrian wait!
Now I've got my head screwed on
And my boots are both laced up
Don't want to be a precinct puppet
I'm going to walk just where I choose
The lyrics to Fad Gadget's song "Pedestrian" are a commentary on the industrialization of society and the negative impact that it has had on the environment and the way we live. The first stanza talks about the power of automated transportation such as trains and cars, which have made travel faster and more efficient. The refrain "Pedestrian wait!" implies that those who travel by foot are at a disadvantage in this rapidly moving society. They must be patient and wait for the faster modes of transportation to pass by.
The second stanza paints a picture of the technological advancements of airplanes, jumbo jets, and spaceships. The reference to "Air fix glue" is interesting as it is a brand of plastic model glue that was popular in the 1970s when this song was released. The idea that we can build machines that can take us to the moon, but at the same time struggle to find parking, highlights the absurdity of this new world order.
The third stanza reflects on the impact of technology on our health and well-being, specifically the dangers of air pollution caused by motor vehicles. The line "Don't breathe the air, it's full of lead" refers to the leaded gasoline that was once commonly used in the engines of cars, which contributed to environmental pollution and health problems.
The final stanza is a call to action, encouraging listeners to reject the idea that bigger and faster technology is always better, and to embrace the slower pace of walking. The last line, "I'm going to walk just where I choose," is a powerful statement of individual agency in the face of a world that is increasingly defined by technology and automation.
Overall, "Pedestrian" is a thought-provoking song that highlights the negative effects of industrialization and encourages listeners to consider the costs of progress.
Line by Line Meaning
Locomotion took us there and back
Traveling by train was our mode of transportation, taking us to and fro.
We kept our heads, we laid our track
We remained calm and collective as we forged forward on our journey.
Pedestrian wait!
A warning to those on foot to be aware of their surroundings.
The power of steel automation
Alluding to the dominance of vehicles and the manufacturing of steel materials for those vehicles.
Turn the key for mass ignition
An action to start up a vehicle and set many other vehicles in motion.
Airplanes buzz like Asian flu
Jarring noises of airplanes flying above causing a disturbance on land, making people aware of their presence.
Jumbo junks on Air fix glue
Large airplanes show off their abilities and are often looked at in awe by the public.
Spaceships built for leisure cruise
Alluding to the development of futuristic, almost otherworldly modes of transportation made for pleasure rather than necessity.
Baby's feet in brand new shoes
The innocence of children contrasts heavily with the harsh, futuristic world they are growing up in.
Sunday cleaning chrome and steel
Taking care of and maintaining one's vehicle, as if it was a religious task.
A man-made god, the automobile
With the worship-like attitude towards our vehicles, they become our perceived deities.
Ford protect us in this race
Alluding to the idea that car companies have tremendous power over our lives and how we get around.
To find another parking space
The struggle of finding a place to park in a world oversaturated with vehicles.
Now you know it takes you nowhere
The realization that our constant need for new modes of transportation and faster vehicles has no true end goal.
Now there's nowhere left to go
Our constant search for new destinations mirrors the issue that there are no longer new places left to explore, with everything being connected by roadways.
Every road leads to another
In this world, there is no clear path, as every road leads to a new one.
Juggernaut noise and petrol fumes
The heavy, pervasive negative effects of vehicle pollution on the environment and on public health.
Twenty five acres every day
The sheer amount of land required to create a single mile of roadway, showing the tremendous amount of space being taken by vehicles.
To make one mile of motorway
An explanation of the tremendous amount of space required to create a functional roadway system.
Don't breathe the air, it's full of lead
A warning to those on foot about the dangers of air pollution and vehicle emissions.
Baby's sick, baby's dead
The most vulnerable of our society are the ones most affected by pollution caused by vehicles.
Now I've got my head screwed on
The artist is now aware of the many dangers posed by the vehicle-obsessed society they live in.
And my boots are both laced up
The singer is now prepared to take action and make changes in their own life.
Don't want to be a precinct puppet
A decision to break free from society's expectations and not conform to the car-based lifestyle they are expected to live.
I'm going to walk just where I choose
A newfound sense of freedom to move about on foot, without relying on a vehicle.
Contributed by Adeline P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
BaronCharlesworth
I never tire of this wonderful album. Timeless and magnificent. Get Frank's stuff on vinyl if you can because it sounds so much better in analogue sound as everything does of course.
coldwar1977
I've always loved his voice... SO new wave :-)
Allan Gallagher
Legend. grew up on Frank in the 80's. first heard king of the flies on the radio in 81...tickled my soul...got under my skin...and he is still there R.I.P Frank...still listening dad ;) signed...your wee rat
Dulcimerist
"King of the Flies" and "Pedestrian" are my two most favorite of his songs! :)
Kriztoffer Swank
I've danced to this numerous times recently. Fantastic track.
Georg
the sound of this synth combined with frank`s british accent is just... the heart of electronic music!
Dulcimerist
"Future Sailors" by Mighty Boosh borrowed from this.
Steve Lynch
Cracking track, love the droning synth on this one..
urbandreamer
It's 2021 and the song is still relevant. This band were big in West Germany at the time but not a big ripple in UK
Shame but great band
kennedi cotarelo
always stirs a desire to dance