Metal

Album: The Pleasure Principle (1979)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This song is about a robot that wishes to be a human. Many of Numan's songs explore the relationship between man and technology.
  • Numan's The Pleasure Principle album broke new ground in its use of electronic music, and it has been lauded by Nine Inch Nails, The Foo Fighters, Marilyn Manson and many others as a classic. In our 2010 interview with Gary Numan, he explained: "I felt really proud to be part of the electronic thing, in general. You know, it did feel as if it was at the very front end of something new and exciting. The albums that were being made by the electronic people felt as if they were important records, because it felt like an important time - as if this is a new door opening to what music had to offer. And I felt really proud to be just a small part of that. So when I was making Pleasure Principle I didn't think much more than that."

Comments: 3

  • FalconIt's about an android's desire to live like a human.
  • Alec from Lemont Furnace, PaI like Nine Inch Nails version to this song.
  • Cooper from North Salt Lake, Utit has a metallic sound to it the song
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Alan Merrill of The Arrows

Alan Merrill of The ArrowsSongwriter Interviews

In her days with The Runaways, Joan Jett saw The Arrows perform "I Love Rock And Roll," which Alan Merrill co-wrote - that story and much more from this glam rock pioneer.

Dave Mason

Dave MasonSongwriter Interviews

Dave reveals the inspiration for "Feelin' Alright" and explains how the first song he ever wrote became the biggest hit for his band Traffic.

Peter Lord

Peter LordSongwriter Interviews

You may not recognize his name, but you will certainly recognize Peter Lord's songs. He wrote the bevy of hits from Paula Abdul's second album, Spellbound.

Rock Stars of Horror

Rock Stars of HorrorMusic Quiz

Rock Stars - especially those in the metal realm - are often enlisted for horror movies. See if you know can match the rocker to the role.

Bill Withers

Bill WithersSongwriter Interviews

Soul music legend Bill Withers on how life experience and the company you keep leads to classic songs like "Lean On Me."

Al Kooper

Al KooperSongwriter Interviews

Kooper produced Lynyrd Skynyrd, played with Dylan and the Stones, and formed BS&T.