Song Name: Mechanical Man
Artist: DEVO
Appears On: Mechanical Man EP (edit), Hardcore Volume 1
Run Time: 4:23 (album version)
Year Recorded: 1974
Years Performed: 1988, 2014 [1] [2]
Writing Credits: Mark Mothersbaugh
Sung By: Mark Mothersbaugh
Shorter Versions:
- Mechanical Man EP ["a semi-official bootleg"] (edit)
- Adventures of the Smart Patrol [CD-ROM game] (edit)
Demo Versions: The demo is the official release.
Song Connections: Booji Boy's Funeral (same synth opening line), Mecha-Mania Boy (similar title)
Trivia / Info:[]
- The 1974 demo was released as an edit in 1978 on "semi-official" Mechanical Man EP, packaged with some Virgin releases of Q: Are We Not Men? A: We Are DEVO! .
- The full 1974 demo was released in 1990 on Hardcore Volume 1.
- Mark Mothersbaugh's voice is heard electronically altered here.
- Jim Mothersbaugh plays electronic drums on the demo.
- The synth music from one minute into this demo is on The Truth About De-Evolution soundtrack (with the neon "DEVO") as a lead-in to Jocko Homo.
Onstage Behavior:
- Devo sit and perform in a “basement” stage set. (Hardcore DEVO Live!)
Lyrics:
I'm a mechanical man I'm a mechanical man 2 mechanical arms 2 mechanical legs I'm a 2 + 2 = 4 man I'm a mechanical man I'm a mechanical man I'm a mechanical man I'm a mechanical man I'm a mechanical man I'm a mechanical man 2 mechanical arms 2 mechanical legs I'm a 2 + 2 = 4 man Me feel swell, me work well Me want what you want Me feel swell, me work well Me want what you got Me feel swell, me work well Me want what you want Me feel swell, me work well Me want what you got Me feel swell, me work well Me want what you want
Video:
- Short Film / Music Video: None.
- Videogame Scene: DEVO perform "Mechanical Man" in wheelchairs at Golden Oasis retirement home, in DEVO Presents Adventures of the Smart Patrol.
- Live Video: Hardcore DEVO Live! - “Mechanical Man” is the first song performed.
- Fan Video: "Mechanical Man (Unofficial Music Video)" by [m1r2k3]. Uploaded to YouTube (2021, April 8).
Extra Info:[]
- Fan versions of "Mechanical Man" are available from BBB.[3]
Mechanical Man EP
- "Mechanical Man" appears on the 1978 Mechanical Man EP with the demo tracks "Blockhead", "Blackout", (later titled "Clockout",) "Auto-Modown", and the untitled "hidden track" - "Space Girl Blues".
- This EP is said to be semi-official - reportedly approved by DEVO after it was assembled by a third party.[4]
Notes and References:
Links:[]
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- ↑
- “01/20/88 - Roxy Theatre, Hollywood, CA”. 1985 to 1988. DEVO Live Guide. huboon.com/1985_88.html (From archive.org). “Set - Jocko Homo • Bamboo Bimbo • Mechanical Man. Notes - This was David Kendrick's first performance with DEVO.”
- "06/23/14" to "07/02/14". 2013 to 2014. DEVO Live Guide. huboon.com/2013_14.html (From archive.org).
- ↑
- ↑
- Fan versions of "Mechanical Man" are available:
- boojiboysbasement.com/?s=Mechanical+Man
- ↑
- Jerry says the "Mechanical Man" EP is a bootleg:
- On July 16, 2023, a facebook user posted that:
- “A friend wrote something in 2010 about the original release of the EP. I’ve kept his name hidden for privacy but as he’s been around the music business in London for 50 years I don’t have any reason to doubt him.
- On July 16, 2023, a facebook user posted that:
- A UK facebook user posted, on 10.09.2010 -
- When googling this item, according to some websites it is ‘official’ or ‘semi-official’. Well, it wasn’t. Some members of the group did approve of it after it’s release, but they had nothing to do with it. I did. With the help of a couple of associates. Who are welcome and invited to tag this picture if they so wish (they can’t get us now).
- A UK facebook user posted, on 10.09.2010 -