Praying to the Aliens
Gary Numan and The Tubeway Army Lyrics
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"There is no one to replace"
Came into view
And he began to cry
Now only boys
That love only boys
The perfect picture
Of a boy/girl age
I'm praying to the aliens
I'm praying to the aliens
Grey overcoat
And he could be anyone
A random poll check
"Do you ever think of women?"
They broke him down
Into a torn old queen
Living somewhere
Between dead and dying
I'm praying to the aliens
I'm praying to the aliens
There are no more
Do you begin to see?
The corner of my eye
Could give me away
Isn't it strange
How times change?
I can't imagine
Living any other way
I'm praying to the aliens
I'm praying to the aliens
The song "Praying to the Aliens" by Gary Numan & Tubeway Army is a melancholic and introspective track that reflects on loneliness, isolation, and sexual identity. The opening lines, "Slowly the thought/'There is no one to replace'/Came into view/And he began to cry" introduce the theme of not being able to find a suitable partner or a sense of belonging. The next verse, "Now only boys/That love only boys/The perfect picture/Of a boy/girl age" suggests a potential homosexual attraction and possibly struggling with societal norms and traditional gender roles.
The chorus, "I'm praying to the aliens," conveys the idea of turning towards something else, that is, something or someone outside of this world for comfort and understanding. This could represent an escape from a difficult reality or a longing for acceptance from an unconventional source. The following verse, "Grey overcoat/And he could be anyone/A random poll check/ 'Do you ever think of women?'" further explores the idea of societal pressure and prejudice and how it can make people feel invisible and insignificant.
The final verse, "Isn't it strange/How times change?/I can't imagine/Living any other way," is a reflection on acceptance and self-discovery. It suggests that despite the difficulties and hardships, the singer has come to accept and embrace themselves and their identity. It reflects a journey towards self-love and acceptance that may have been difficult but ultimately rewarding.
Line by Line Meaning
Slowly the thought
The idea came to him gradually
"There is no one to replace"
He realized he is unique and irreplaceable
Came into view
He finally understood the thought
And he began to cry
It made him emotional and upset
Now only boys
He prefers romantic partners who are male
That love only boys
He likes other boys who share the same preference
The perfect picture
A complete image of him and his partners
Of a boy/girl age
He feels younger and more youthful in this relationship
I'm praying to the aliens
He's seeking guidance and approval from extraterrestrial beings
I'm praying to the aliens
He repeats his plea for help from non-human entities
Grey overcoat
He's wearing a nondescript and dull garment
And he could be anyone
He's feeling anonymous and unremarkable
A random poll check
A survey that selects a sample without bias or preference
"Do you ever think of women?"
He was asked if he has any attraction or interest in women
They broke him down
The questions made him feel analyzed and exposed
Into a torn old queen
He felt like an old and worn out stereotype
Living somewhere
He's not sure where or how he fits in society
Between dead and dying
He feels like he's barely surviving, not really living
I'm praying to the aliens
He's still hoping for intervention and resolution from aliens
I'm praying to the aliens
His repeated prayers suggest desperation and loneliness
There are no more
Something is lacking or missing
Do you begin to see?
He's asking others to understand his situation
The corner of my eye
His peripheral vision or suspicion
Could give me away
He fears being exposed or outed
Isn't it strange
He finds it unusual or ironic
How times change?
He's reflecting on how society evolved and adapted
I can't imagine
He can't picture himself
Living any other way
He's comfortable and happy with his current lifestyle
I'm praying to the aliens
He continues to plead for salvation from aliens
I'm praying to the aliens
His repeated prayers for help show his desperation and hopelessness
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: GARY ANTHONY JAMES WEBB
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind