This Wreckage
Encyclopedia
"This Wreckage" is a song written and performed by Gary Numan
. It was featured as the opening track on his 1980
LP
Telekon
and was the third and final single
to be released from that album (although the only one to feature on every configuration of Telekon worldwide).
Described by Numan as a "self-portrait" song, "This Wreckage" foreshadowed his temporary retirement from touring with lyrics that evoke images of reclusion and hiding ("Turn out these eyes / Wipe off my face / Erase me"). It also contains echoes of atheism
("And what if God's dead / We must have done something wrong / This dark facade ends / We're independent from someone"), a belief that Numan would later explore and espouse vocally. Musically, the song has been described as an illogical choice of a single because of its slow tempo and choppy drumbeat mixed underneath the heavy rhythm guitar
. Indeed, Numan originally intended to release "Remind Me to Smile," which is uptempo and potentially more commercially palatable. Compared with many of Numan's other early hits, This Wreckage stalled on the UK Singles Chart
s, peaking at #20 in December of 1980. The single's B-side was the moody piano
-based instrumental
"Photograph."
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...
. It was featured as the opening track on his 1980
1980 in music
This is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1980.-January–March:*January 1**Cliff Richard is appointed an MBE by Elizabeth II.**The Zorros audition drummer Greg Pedley....
LP
Gramophone record
A gramophone record, commonly known as a phonograph record , vinyl record , or colloquially, a record, is an analog sound storage medium consisting of a flat disc with an inscribed, modulated spiral groove...
Telekon
Telekon
Released in 1980, Telekon is the fourth studio album, and second album under his own name, by the British musician Gary Numan. It debuted at the top of the UK charts in September 1980, making it his third and consecutive no.1 album....
and was the third and final single
Single (music)
In music, a single or record single is a type of release, typically a recording of fewer tracks than an LP or a CD. This can be released for sale to the public in a variety of different formats. In most cases, the single is a song that is released separately from an album, but it can still appear...
to be released from that album (although the only one to feature on every configuration of Telekon worldwide).
Described by Numan as a "self-portrait" song, "This Wreckage" foreshadowed his temporary retirement from touring with lyrics that evoke images of reclusion and hiding ("Turn out these eyes / Wipe off my face / Erase me"). It also contains echoes of atheism
Atheism
Atheism is, in a broad sense, the rejection of belief in the existence of deities. In a narrower sense, atheism is specifically the position that there are no deities...
("And what if God's dead / We must have done something wrong / This dark facade ends / We're independent from someone"), a belief that Numan would later explore and espouse vocally. Musically, the song has been described as an illogical choice of a single because of its slow tempo and choppy drumbeat mixed underneath the heavy rhythm guitar
Rhythm guitar
Rhythm guitar is a technique and rôle that performs a combination of two functions: to provide all or part of the rhythmic pulse in conjunction with singers or other instruments; and to provide all or part of the harmony, ie. the chords, where a chord is a group of notes played together...
. Indeed, Numan originally intended to release "Remind Me to Smile," which is uptempo and potentially more commercially palatable. Compared with many of Numan's other early hits, This Wreckage stalled on the UK Singles Chart
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
s, peaking at #20 in December of 1980. The single's B-side was the moody piano
Piano
The piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
-based instrumental
Instrumental
An instrumental is a musical composition or recording without lyrics or singing, although it might include some non-articulate vocal input; the music is primarily or exclusively produced by musical instruments....
"Photograph."