Telekon

Gary Numan's song 'Telekon' delves into themes of identity, isolation, and the struggle to maintain a sense of self in a world that feels increasingly artificial and pressurized. The opening lines, 'Where is my outline I start to fade / No concentration means 'fail' these days,' set the tone for a narrative of disintegration and loss of focus. Numan's lyrics suggest a fading sense of self, where the protagonist feels like they are losing their distinctiveness and becoming a mere shadow of their former self.

The recurring line 'You end on reel one' evokes a sense of incompleteness and abrupt endings, as if life is a film that never progresses beyond its initial scenes. This metaphor highlights the protagonist's feeling of being stuck in a loop, unable to move forward or find resolution. The mention of 'books on love' and the inability to be sure about anything further emphasize the uncertainty and confusion that pervade the song. The protagonist's plea for protection from 'the likes of you' indicates a deep-seated mistrust and a need to shield oneself from external influences that threaten their already fragile sense of identity.

Numan's use of imagery, such as 'Turn up my collar and mix with dark' and 'The speaker turns on me spot her eyes,' creates a vivid picture of a person trying to hide and blend into the shadows, avoiding scrutiny and judgment. The song's closing lines, 'You are, you are,' repeated with a sense of finality, suggest an acceptance of this fragmented reality. 'Telekon' captures the essence of feeling lost in a world that demands conformity, where the pressure to be 'real' and 'safe' becomes overwhelming, leading to a profound sense of alienation and disconnection.