Isn't it something when an artist tells it like it is without layers of sugar coating? Enter Gary Numan's song 'This Is Love', released in April 1986 as part of his album 'Strange Charm'. Known for his pioneering electronic music sounds, Numan never shies away from exploring intense themes, and this track was crafted at a time in England where Thatcherism was shaping much of the socio-political discourse. It's explicit about what love is and, perhaps more critically, what it's not.
Who would have thought that a song could ignite such a stir among certain circles? Not just any song, but a Numan classic that hurls us back into the electronic blitz of the 80s. Here, in 'This Is Love', you won't find a trail of rainbow-colored hopes, but rather a crisp, clear narrative that offers no false solace. It’s a musical statement with a heartbeat that refuses to be dictated by societal norms.
This is not your average airwave hit centered on synthetic sentiments. It skips the pretense. The song discusses the stark reality of love – not wrapped up with glossy paper and tied with a bow. Unlike those love songs marinated in clichés, Numan paints a picture using raw strokes, combating the fluffy notions of harmony that inundate pop culture. 'This Is Love' stands as an unyielding piece of art that resonates with those who tire of mainstream illusions.
Creatively, it's a testament to Numan's reluctance to conform, a middle finger to the status quo that forces artists to tread the same old paths. It makes you wonder why more artists today don't dare to break free from their echo chambers. The track’s underlying intensity pulls no punches, making a direct appeal to individual thought over collective swooning.
Numan, the pioneer of electronic music, reaches into the listener's core with rich, synth-laden sounds and direct lyrics. Far from the usual twinkling lullabies of romance, 'This Is Love' sheds a keen and honest light on the strain and authenticity of real-life connections. Its relevance still echoes today as it challenges the foundations of what love songs have become – platforms for draining emotions, scripted neatly to follow mundane expectations.
What's fascinating is how Numan disavows the need for validation from critics and fans who expect music to comfort rather than confront reality. There’s no hand-holding or coddling in his lyrics, just a tough, sincere portrayal of how love can be complex and tested. A reflection of the Thatcher era, it’s much like a relationship under strain, showing how superficial sentiments fail when reality knocks at the door.
The song showcases a resilience that isn’t often celebrated. It's a musical embodiment of personal freedom - an enduring theme that radiates through Numan's music and resonates with those who value strength over saccharine confessions. The song provokes an upheaval against complacency, demanding us to face the gritty side of love head-on. It’s about lifting the veil and seeing beyond the veil of romance, exposing the truth behind the façade.
The melody itself is nothing short of a magnetic force. It’s a sonic expression that centers not on melodies that flatter but on those that awaken and stir. This track grinds the gears of traditional sentimentality, creating vibrations that are both unsettling and liberating.
'Here in my car, I feel safest of all,’ Numan once sang in another classic. Well, in love, as depicted in 'This Is Love', perhaps it's not the car that brings safety but the willingness to confront the challenges that arise. Sure, it may not sit well among those clinging to their rose-colored lenses, but the message is abundantly clear.
Why not take a page from Numan and let your music - and life - be bold, explorative, and unapologetic? This isn’t just love; it’s a powerful nod to how real love represents more than just a montage of fleeting happiness.
So, for those who dare to question the norm, Numan's 'This Is Love' holds a mirror to the sacrificial qualities of true affection. It calls on us to reconsider the different faces of love; a reminder that truthful expressions of such shouldn't fear judgment or rejection. The spirit of the song slams into the consciousness with full force and remains relevant as ever as it refuses to just sing along with the 'approved' choir.