Are 'Friends' Electric?
Gary Numan / Tubeway Army Lyrics
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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
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
The lyrics to Gary Numan/Tubeway Army's "Are 'Friends' Electric?" paint a picture of isolation and confusion. The singer is alone in a room with peeling paint on the walls when a man in a long coat and grey hat comes knocking at the door. The light fades out and the singer is left wondering what they're doing in a room like this. They briefly think they remember someone before realizing they're alone.
The rest of the song is a conversation between the singer and a "friend" who inquires about whether or not friends can be electric. The singer explains that their friend is broken and they're now alone and without someone to love. The song concludes with the singer expressing their hurt and loneliness and acknowledging that leaving means everything to them.
The song can be interpreted in a number of ways, but one common interpretation is that it's about the isolation and dehumanization that can come with modern technology. The question of whether or not friends can be electric speaks to the idea that technology separates us from genuine human connection. Additionally, the singer's loneliness and confusion about their situation could be seen as a commentary on the way technology can exacerbate feelings of isolation.
Line by Line Meaning
It's cold outside
The weather is chilly
And the paint's peeling off of my walls
The wall paint is coming off
There's a man outside
A guy is standing outside
In a long coat, grey hat, smoking a cigarette
The man is wearing a long coat and grey hat while smoking a cigar
Now the light fades out
The light begins to dim
And I'm wondering what I'm doing in a room like this
I'm questioning myself for being in this room
There's a knock on the door
Someone is knocking on the door
And just for a second, I thought I remembered you
I had a brief thought that it could be you at the door
So now I'm alone
I am by myself
Now I can think for myself
I can make decisions based on my own ideas
About little deals
Small transactions or agreements
And issues
Complicated topics or problems
And things that I just don't understand
Matters that are difficult to comprehend
Like a white lie that night
A minor untruth that was told that night
Or a slight touch at times
A gentle physical contact at times
I don't think it meant anything to you
I believe it was not significant to you
So I open the door
I unlock the door
It's the 'friend' that I'd left in the hallway
The 'friend' whom I left in the hallway is at the door
Please sit down
Kindly take a seat
A candle lit a shadow on a wall near the bed
A lighted candle creates a shadow on the wall close to the bed
You know I hate to ask
I'm reluctant to ask
But, are 'friends' electric?
Do 'friends' have emotions?
Mine's broke down
My friend has stopped working
And now I've no one to love
I have no one to care about
So I find out your reason
I discover your motive
For the phone calls and smiles
The reason behind your phone calls and cheerful expressions
And it hurts
It's painful
And I'm lonely
I'm feeling lonesome
And I should never have tried
I shouldn't have attempted this
And I missed you tonight
I longed for you tonight
So it's time to leave
It's time to go away
You see this means everything to me
You should realize that this is essential to me
Lyrics Β© Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: GARY ANTHONY JAMES WEBB
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind