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