Metal (Gary Numan song)
Encyclopedia
"Metal" is a song by Gary Numan
from his 1979 album The Pleasure Principle
. Lyrically the song is science fiction, inspired by the works of Phillip K Dick and William S. Burroughs
, and is about an android who wishes to be human, but never can be.
The song has been a regular feature at Numan's live shows since his first tour in 1979, and appears on the majority of his live albums. In 1981 Numan wrote new lyrics to the tune of "Metal" for his album Dance
, and renamed the song "Moral". Numan often performs this version. The song was reworked into his aggressive new style in 1998, and this version is still being performed today. "Metal" has been covered by many artists, including Nine Inch Nails
on their Things Falling Apart
album (2000) and Afrika Bambaataa
(with Numan himself) on Dark Matter Moving at the Speed of Light
(2004).
Gary Numan
Gary Numan is an English singer, composer, and musician, most widely known for his chart-topping 1979 hits "Are 'Friends' Electric?" and "Cars". His signature sound consisted of heavy synthesizer hooks fed through guitar effects pedals.Numan is considered a pioneer of commercial electronic music...
from his 1979 album The Pleasure Principle
The Pleasure Principle (Gary Numan album)
The Pleasure Principle is the third studio album, and debut album under his own name, by electronic music pioneer Gary Numan, released in 1979...
. Lyrically the song is science fiction, inspired by the works of Phillip K Dick and William S. Burroughs
William S. Burroughs
William Seward Burroughs II was an American novelist, poet, essayist and spoken word performer. A primary figure of the Beat Generation and a major postmodernist author, he is considered to be "one of the most politically trenchant, culturally influential, and innovative artists of the 20th...
, and is about an android who wishes to be human, but never can be.
The song has been a regular feature at Numan's live shows since his first tour in 1979, and appears on the majority of his live albums. In 1981 Numan wrote new lyrics to the tune of "Metal" for his album Dance
Dance (Gary Numan album)
Dance is the fifth studio album, the third under his own name, by the British musician Gary Numan, released in 1981. It is his first release after announcing his retirement from touring in April 1981...
, and renamed the song "Moral". Numan often performs this version. The song was reworked into his aggressive new style in 1998, and this version is still being performed today. "Metal" has been covered by many artists, including Nine Inch Nails
Nine Inch Nails
Nine Inch Nails is an American industrial rock project, founded in 1988 by Trent Reznor in Cleveland, Ohio. As its main producer, singer, songwriter, and instrumentalist, Reznor is the only official member of Nine Inch Nails and remains solely responsible for its direction...
on their Things Falling Apart
Things Falling Apart
-Vinyl version:-Chart positions:-External links:* * * * * *...
album (2000) and Afrika Bambaataa
Afrika Bambaataa
Afrika Bambaataa is an American DJ from the South Bronx, New York who was instrumental in the early development of hip hop throughout the 1980s. Afrika Bambaataa is one of the three originators of break-beat deejaying, and is respectfully known as the "Grandfather" and the Amen Ra of Universal...
(with Numan himself) on Dark Matter Moving at the Speed of Light
Dark Matter Moving at the Speed of Light
Dark Matter: Moving at the Speed of Light was a 2004 album by Afrika Bambaata, which was released on Tommy Boy Entertainment.-Track listing:# Got That Vibe - # Metal...
(2004).