Episode 9

full
Published on:

11th Sep 2022

Music for Chameleons

40 years ago, Gary Numan had just completed his round-the-world trip in a plane, and then released his latest album I, Assassin.

The album continued the experimental nature of Dance, but with a twinge of funk that later influenced Prince among others, and featured the fretless bass work of the soon-to-be in-demand Pino Palladino.

This episode focuses on the album's main single, Music for Chameleons. Including its video that may have inspired Michael Jackson, and its infamous use in I'm Alan Partridge.

Clips used:

  • Gary Numan - Music for Chameleons (Beggars Banquet)
  • BBC News
  • Gary Numan - I, Assassin (Beggars Banquet)
  • Paul Young - Wherever I Lay My Hat (That's My Home) (CBS)
  • Gary Numan - Glitter and Ash (Beggars Banquet)
  • Judy Collins - Send in the Clowns (Elektra)
  • Michael Jackson - Smooth Criminal (Epic)
  • Gary Numan - Noise Noise (Beggars Banquet)
  • I'm Alan Partridge (BBC)
  • This Time with Alan Partridge (BBC)
Show artwork for Electric Friends: A Gary Numan Podcast

About the Podcast

Electric Friends: A Gary Numan Podcast
Celebrating the songs by a musical pioneer
Celebrating the music of electronic pioneer Gary Numan, track-by-track. Each episode delves into a different Gary Numan song from various albums and eras in a non-linear journey.

About your host

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Tom Eames