Gary Numan — Down In The Park
Album: The Pleasure PrincipleAvg rating:
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Total ratings: 107
Length: 4:15
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Down in the park with the machmen
Meet the machines playing kill by numbers
Down in the park with a friend called five
I was in a car crash or was it the war
But I've never been quite the same
Little white lies like I was there
Come to Zom-Zom's the place to eat
Like it was built in one day
You can watch the humans trying to run
Oh look there's a rape machine
I'd go outside if it'd look the other way
Wouldn't believe the things they do
Down in the park
Where the chant is death, death, death
'Til sun cries morning
Down in the park with friends of mine
We are not lovers, we are not romantics
We are here to serve you
Different face but the words never change
Meet the machines playing kill by numbers
Down in the park with a friend called five
I was in a car crash or was it the war
But I've never been quite the same
Little white lies like I was there
Come to Zom-Zom's the place to eat
Like it was built in one day
You can watch the humans trying to run
Oh look there's a rape machine
I'd go outside if it'd look the other way
Wouldn't believe the things they do
Down in the park
Where the chant is death, death, death
'Til sun cries morning
Down in the park with friends of mine
We are not lovers, we are not romantics
We are here to serve you
Different face but the words never change
Comments (34)add comment
EXCELLENT! Thanx RP! 
Just listened to the foo fighters cover - this must be due for a play soon...
Well this is certainly different. I only know Gary Numan from "Cars," which is a cool song, but thankfully Bill is digging deeper into musoterica ("musical esoterica"). Not sure I like it, and maybe would rather hear Thomas Dolby instead, but it's cool in a kind of post-modern way.
A century from now, archeologists and musicologists studying the 1980s will come across this and no doubt still ponder over it.
neat - what if we were all paranoid robots?? Maybe a fun dorm room discussion, but just not good music.
hey, that was cool, anyone have some of those Afrikaa Bambaataa / Gary Numan remixes to upload?
THANK YOU!! Just too cool to hear this again!
masterhead wrote:
Still you are worng...Try this... he was artist that uses synth to cover up his lack of creativity...I would mention as an INNOVATOR on synth Walter Carlos
I hate being "worng".
Numan WAS a pioneer, and very creative. Still has a huge cult following.
You don't like him. I do. We disagree.
Wow, this is a surprise. Probably my favorite old Numan track, I had to double-check I was really listening to RP :)
His old stuff was great (if a bit repetitive in places), his 90s albums were pretty awful, but his new stuff again rocks - Exile is a great darkwave album, it could be used as-is as soundtrack for the Hellblazer and/or Preacher graphic albums. Good stuff.
ARGH! Play the Foo Fighter's version!!! This one hurts my ears.
WOW...haven't heard this in like 20 years....nice job RP!!!
I love the Foo Fighters cover of this. I had no idea it was orig. Gary Numan.
thanks for the edumacation!
I have a new Casio, I have a new Casio, I have a new Casio, I have a new Casio............
I had this on vinyl back in 1979 or so, excellent!
Same era as first Pretenders, B-52's...
Two words: This sucks
8)
and covered by Jimi Tenor on this tribute album
Nuance wrote:
Sorry, my enthusiasm got ahead of me.
How 'bout "This guy was ONE of the innovators of synth-alternative" :)
Still you are worng...Try this... he was artist that uses synth to cover up his lack of creativity...I would mention as an INNOVATOR on synth Walter Carlos
Sounds like bad Bowie.
LazyMF wrote:
The Foo Fighters covered this song also.
I uploaded it and it got added, but I've yet to hear it...
Great to hear gary Numan here. His first album as Gary Numan and the Tubeway Army was the best.
The Foo Fighters covered this song also.
beag wrote:
>>This guy was THE innovator of synth-alternative
Much as I like Numan, you're a little off the mark there. John Foxx (with Ultravox) did it first. Numan's even said that Foxx was an inspiration to him.
Sorry, my enthusiasm got ahead of me.
How 'bout "This guy was ONE of the innovators of synth-alternative" :)
>>This guy was THE innovator of synth-alternative
Much as I like Numan, you're a little off the mark there. John Foxx (with Ultravox) did it first. Numan's even said that Foxx was an inspiration to him.
Pipes wrote:
Alternative but not that interesting. It's easy to see why he's no longer around!
This guy was THE innovator of synth-alternative. What seems pale now was groundbreaking at the time. He created several albums (one with Nash the Slash on violin) that had very unique and interesting sounds, rthyms, and melodies. He came from a punk background, in fact I have his first album that has no synths on it at all, only guitar.
He disappeared becuase he was black listed by the English media after he disagreed that they had the power to make or break an artist. He was panned and dropped from airwaves but continued on with a strong underground following.
His work in the 90's was dreadful. According to his own words he started writing to try to make money. He lost his fortune, and many fans, including myself
Zoom to now. He's back recording and has created a cottage industry with his music. Re-releases of all his work on CD has brought in mcuh needed coin. His products available on his website is packaged by his dad & dropped off at the local post office! Talk about a small business!
His music now is better thanks to writing from the heart and the production help of others. IMHO there is nothing worse than writing, playing & producing your own stuff. No chemistry or outside opinions.
Anyways, check out his latest work which is called Hybrid. It's a 2 CD set that collaborates with other bands & producers on his material. Very cool stuff and hopefully a sign of what's to come.
Pure android. Awesome!
For the Gary Numan fans that didn't know, he took a really dark approach later, with "Pure." Pretty decent album too.
I'm digging the song though, nothing like 80's :)
Very happy to hear this make the leap from the LRC. The live version of is also worthwhile-can be found on the soundtrack to the concert film URGH! A MUSIC WAR.
If you can ferret out a copy of the movie/soundtrack, you will be treated to some choice sets from Numan, XTC, Magazine, the Police, Gang of Four, X, the Cramps, and others.
Love this song. Reminds me of listening to this album (on vinyl) in my friend's basement. thanks.
Pipes wrote:
Alternative but not that interesting. It's easy to see why he's no longer around!
He did crash a plane, but he's still around. I think the cut's worthwhile, but it would definitely not be interesting to be a pop star for twenty years+. Gary's still recording and has a current hit, Crazier, in the UK
love it.
though i have to admit to enjoying Marilyn Manson's cover version a lot more. far more sinister.
audio sample
ladyj wrote:
interesting alternative to the oh so popular "cars" song.
Alternative but not that interesting. It's easy to see why he's no longer around!
I love your ear! It is fun to say, this is good and see an old friend.
8O gary numan ? .... wait a minute GARY NUMAN ! My god Bill, you OK 
?
"Cars" was a classic !
?
"Cars" was a classic !psychic playlist strikes again:
The other day we were talking about the various X-Files albums (on the Better Than Ezra "One More Murder" comments page), and that got me to thinking how I should upload the Foo Fighter's cover of "Down in the Park" from the first X-Files album today, and here's the original.
interesting alternative to the oh so popular "cars" song.