Complex (song)

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"Complex"
Gary Numan-Complex.jpeg
Single by Gary Numan
from the album The Pleasure Principle
B-side "Bombers (Live Version)"
Released16 November 1979
RecordedMarcus Music AB, London, 1979
Genre
Length3:13
Label Beggars Banquet
BEG 29
Songwriter(s) Gary Numan
Producer(s) Gary Numan
Gary Numan singles chronology
"Cars"
(1979)
"Complex"
(1979)
"We Are Glass"
(1980)

"Complex" is a song by English musician Gary Numan. It was the second single to be taken from his 1979 album The Pleasure Principle . [1] The single reached number six on the UK Singles Chart in late November 1979. [2]

The recording's backing track uses conventional acoustic drums, acoustic piano, and electric bass guitar, joined by violin (played by Ultravox's Billy Currie), viola and heavily flanged and reverberated analogue monosynth. [3]

Despite the success of the single, which spent two weeks in the UK top 10 during a nine-week chart run, [2] Numan later regretted "Complex" as the choice of a single and that the second single of The Pleasure Principle should have been "Metal". [1]

Live versions of "Complex" are included on Living Ornaments '81 and on the expanded CD release of Living Ornaments '80 . The song was performed live on the "Pleasure Principle 30th anniversary tour" in 2009, featuring guest appearances by Chris Payne who plays viola on the original recording. [4]

Track listing

7" (Beggars Banquet BEG 29)

A. Complex - 3.10

B. Bombers (live version) - 5.47

12" (Beggars Banquet BEG 29 T)

A. Complex - 3.10

B1. Me! I Disconnect From You (Live Version)

B2. Bombers (live version) - 5.47

Live tracks recorded at Hammersmith Odeon, 28 September 1979.

References

  1. 1 2 Harris, Will (7 September 2019). "Gary Numan on 'The Pleasure Principle' at 40 & the 'Luck' That Led to 'Cars'". Billboard. Retrieved 8 February 2024.
  2. 1 2 "Gary Numan". Official Charts Company.
  3. Joseph, Vincent (6 December 2023). "Gary Numan The Pleasure Principle". musicradar.com.
  4. "Chris Payne Interview". The Electricity Club. 25 October 2011.