"Metal" is the eighth track on Things Falling Apart, a cover of Gary Numan from his 1979 album The Pleasure Principle.
The end of the song features a drawn-out instrumental referencing several other Numan songs: the higher-pitched synth line is taken from "M.E." (also from The Pleasure Principle), while the piano line references "Remember I Was Vapour" (from 1980's Telekon).
Contents
Song Credits
- Writing: Gary Numan
- Published by Beggar's Banquet Music/Momentum Music Ltd. (PRS)
- Manipulation: Trent Reznor, Alan Moulder
Appearances
Halos
- Things Falling Apart
Versions
Metal
This is the only available version.
Live
"Metal" was performed live for the first time on the opening date of the NIN|JA 2009 tour.
Lyrics
We're in the building where they make us grow
And I'm frightened by the liquid engineer
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 should learn to be a man
Like you
Plug me in and turn me on
Oh everything is moving
I need my treatment it's tomorrow they send me
Singing "I am an American"
Do you?
Picture this if I should 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 the metal
Don't you?
All I know is no one dies
I'm still confusing love with need