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Gary Numan shares the role of obsession in his music and life

Gary Numan opens up about being autistic and the role obsession plays in both his music and life. With tracks from Nine Inch Nails and with a 20-minute 'calm' mix to end.

Grounding is a series which celebrates the unique perspectives and creativity of neurodivergent artists. Across the series they explore how neurodivergence shapes their relationship with music and highlight the songs that hold personal significance. Critically acclaimed, multi-award winning, musical legend Gary Numan opens up about being autistic and how he interacts with the world differently. For Gary, music isn’t something he listens to for comfort or relaxation, writing music is a tool to cope with the world. He reflects on the intensity of his creative process and the role obsession plays in shaping both his music and his perspective, revealing how his neurodivergence is a gift, not a disorder. Alongside deeply personal stories, Gary shares a selection of music from the early days when he was obsessed with music to now being obsessed with certain songs, with tracks from his daughter Raven Numan and Nine Inch Nails finishing with a 20-minute mix to close the show.

Produced by Granny Eats Wolf, working with The Donaldson Trust, The National Body for Neurodiversity.

2 hours

Last on

Thu 18 Sep 2025 23:00

Music Played

  • Nine Inch Nails

    The Wretched

    • The Fragile.
    • Universal-Island Records Ltd..
    • 4.
  • The Prodigy

    Spitfire

    • Spitfire.
    • XL Recordings.
    • 1.
  • Depeche Mode

    Walking in My Shoes

    • Songs of Faith and Devotion.
    • Venusnote Ltd..
    • 2.
  • The Mission

    Tower Of Strength

    • Children.
    • EMI.
    • 5.
  • T. Rex

    Telegram Sam

    • The Slider.
    • Edsel.
    • 8.
  • Prick

    Animal

    • Prick.
    • Nothing.
    • 6.
  • Ultravox

    Slow Motion

    • Systems Of Romance.
    • Island Records.
    • 1.
  • Marilyn Manson

    Mobscene

    • The Golden Age Of Grotesque.
    • Marilyn Manson / Interscope.
    • 3.
  • Filter

    Welcome To The Fold

    • Title Of Record (Expanded Edition).
    • Craft Recordings.
    • 2.
  • Fever Ray

    If I Had a Heart

    • Fever Ray.
    • Rabid Records UK.
    • 1.
  • Tears for Fears

    Shout

    • Songs From The Big Chair.
    • UMC (Universal Music Catalogue).
    • 1.
  • Siouxsie and the Banshees

    Cities In Dust

    • Tinderbox.
    • UMC (Universal Music Catalogue).
    • 4.
  • Deftones

    Change (In The House Of Flies)

    • White Pony.
    • Rhino.
    • 11.
  • Frankie Goes to Hollywood

    Relax (Come Fighting)

    • Welcome To The Pleasuredome.
    • ZTT Records.
    • 3.
  • The Human League

    Being Boiled

    • Travelogue.
    • Virgin Records.
    • 9.
  • Linkin Park

    In the End

    • Hybrid Theory.
    • Warner Records.
    • 8.
  • Raven Numan

    My Reflection

    • My Reflection.
    • BMG Rights Management (UK) Limited.
    • 1.
  • Johnny Cash

    Hurt

    • American IV: The Man Comes Around.
    • American Recordings Catalog P&D.
    • 2.
  • Agnes Obel

    The Curse

    • Aventine.
    • Play It Again Sam.
    • 7.
  • Chris Isaak

    Wicked Game

    • Heart Shaped World.
    • Chris Isaak.
    • 5.

Broadcast

  • Thu 18 Sep 2025 23:00