Gary Numan

Released: September 7, 1979

Songwriter: Gary Numan

Producer: Gary Numan

"Metal" is a song by Gary Numan from his 1979 album The Pleasure Principle. Lyrically, the song is heavily inspired by science fiction such as the works of Philip K. Dick and William S. Burroughs, and tells the story of an android who wishes to be human but never can be. The song was the B-side of "Cars" in the U.S. The song was released with an accompanying music video. The song recycles lyrics from two outtakes of the songs "The Crazies" and "We Have a Technical" from the recording sessions for Numan's album Replicas Read more on Last.fm.

Length: 4:49

[Verse 1]
We're in the building where they make us grow
And I'm frightened by the liquid engineers
Like you
My Mallory heart is sure to fail
I could crawl around the floor just like I'm real
Like you
The sound of metal
I want to be you
I could learn to be a man
Like you
Plug me in
And turn me on
Oh, everything is moving

[Verse 2]
I need my treatment, it's tomorrow they send me
Singing, "I am an American"
Do you?
Picture this, if I could make the change
I'd love to pull the wires from the wall
Did you?
And who are you? And how can I try?
Here inside, I like metal
Don't you?
All I know
Is no one dies
I'm still confusing love with need

Gary Anthony James Webb (born 8 March 1958), known professionally as Gary Numan, is an English singer, songwriter, composer, musician and record producer.

Born in Hammersmith, West London, he first entered the music industry as lead singer of the new wave band Tubeway Army. After releasing two albums with the band, Numan released his debut solo album The Pleasure Principle in 1979.

With number-one singles “Are ‘Friends’ Electric?” and “Cars”, Numan achieved his peak of mainstream popularity in the late 1970s and early 1980s, but maintains a cult following.

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Metal

The Pleasure Principle (Bonus Tracks)

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The Pleasure Principle

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The Pleasure Principle (1979)

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Gary Numan

The Pleasure Principle