My Gen X Playlist: Cars – Gary Numan

When I was in college, I wanted a BMW 2002. It was a cool classic car that I would see on campus. If it was a convertible, even better. I was your typical poor college kid and couldn’t afford one, but I always thought it would be sweet ride. It’s only human to want things we don’t have. This was one of the things that topped my list back then. But deep down inside, I knew there was more to it than just wanting a nice car to drive.

Another vehicle I often think about is a truck. People often ask why. Without fail, the conversation goes something like this.

“Why do you want a truck?”

“So I can haul shit.”

“Do you need to haul shit often?”

“No, not really. Actually, rarely at all. But I just want to be able to if I have to.”

It makes no sense, I know. I’ve been having this same conversation for over twenty years. It’s literally groundhog day. One of the downsides of actually getting a truck is my groundhog conversation goes away. I don’t know why I haven’t pulled the trigger yet. Sometimes the wanting feels good, which is an odd statement. Saying goodbye to even the most trivial things is not as easy as it sounds. Some things have been with you so long, you just don’t want to let them go.

Gary Numan released his one hit wonder back in 1979. I used to blindly sing the lyrics to Cars without any thought to the meaning of the song. The lyrics make a little more sense after a little digging.

This song is about how people use technology and material goods to isolate themselves from human contact. Numan has stated that he has Asperger syndrome, which is a mild form of autism, but until he was diagnosed, he had a lot of trouble relating to other people.

Numan told Mojo magazine March 2008 about the original inspiration for this song: “A couple of blokes started peering in the window and for whatever reason took a dislike to me, so I had to take evasive action. I swerved up the pavement, scattering pedestrians everywhere. After that, I began to see the car as the tank of modern society.”

– songfacts

It’s interesting that Numan looked to his car as a means of safety. Given his situation, I can understand that. If I were him, I may do the same.

We all have our own shit we carry, influencing how we view certain things. Me, included. As I’ve grown older, I’ve realized I don’t need a car in the same way that I used to think I did. Back then I thought it would fill a gaping void. But if I’m really being technical, a car is a depreciating asset. Each day, it’s value reduces just a little bit more. There is no need to tie my worth to an object that is forever losing its own day after day. While I still have nostalgia for the BMW 2002, it’s not something I need anymore and I’m OK letting it go. What an unexpected way to say goodbye.

I think I’ll still hold on to wanting the truck, though. I don’t need a big tank of a truck that I’m unable to find a space big enough to park in. Just something big enough for that one time when that big haul sneaks up on me. Then all those years of my “hauling shit” conversations won’t be for nothing.

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For a complete playlist, please click here.

For the Spotify playlist, please click here.

Here in my car
I feel safest of all
I can lock all my doors
It's the only way to live
In cars

Here in my car
I can only receive
I can listen to you
It keeps me stable for days
In cars

Here in my car
Where the image breaks down
Will you visit me please
If I open my door
In cars

Here in my car
I know I've started to think
About leaving tonight
Although nothing seems right
In cars