Exile

I believe this to be one of Numan's best in his later career. His voice is chilling amongst the almost supernatural atmospheres in the music. I haven't really got an interperation but sonically, it's very scary. It could half be religion, half revenge. The meaning to me is in the way you feel when you hear it.

I think it, and most of the album, is quite diatribal towards Organise Religion. I think he's got it spot on as well.

I'm certainly no one's lyricist, but the popular music era has been a critical part of my life since the late-60s, so I'll make a comment. The song "Exile," a track from the album of the same name, is powerful, dark look at the theme of revenge. Instead of simplifying it as an attack on organized religion, I interpret it as a reaction to any wrong that inherently draws out the vengeful trait that all humans carry in their subconscious. If one feels such a wrong when considering organized religion, so be it ... but this powerful song runs deeper than that ... to the point that it's theme encompasses all manner of horrific acts. As I understand it, Gary's family has suffered attacks by the "yob culture" in England ... perhaps this not only explains the vengeful theme he captured so very well in the lyrics of this song, but also the title itself. After all, the word "exile" is a usually a reference to being driven out of one's native country ... and lest we forget that he felt strongly enough about the word that he used it to identify the entire album.