it's cold outside

and the paint's peeling off of my walls

there's a man outside

in a long coat, grey hat, smoking a cigarette



now the light fades out

and i'm wondering what i'm doing in a room like this

there's a knock on the door

and just for a second i thought i remembered you



so now i'm alone

now i can think for myself

about little deals

and S.U.'s

and things that i just don't understand

like a white lie that night

or a slight touch at times

i don't think it meant anything to you



so i open the door

it's the 'friend' that i'd left in the hallway

"please sit down"

a candle lit a shadow on a wall near the bed



you know i hate to ask

but are 'friends' electric?

only mine's broke down

and now i've no one to love



so i find out your reason

for the phone calls and smiles

and it hurts

and i'm lonely

and i should never have tried

and i missed you tonight

so it's time to leave

you see it meant everything to me





Gary Numan, "Are 'Friends' Electric?", _R_e_p_l_i_c_a_s (Beggars Banquet/ATCO 1979