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.
Last on
Music Played
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Nine Inch Nails
The Wretched
- The Fragile.
- Universal-Island Records Ltd..
- 4.
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The Prodigy
Spitfire
- Spitfire.
- XL Recordings.
- 1.
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Depeche Mode
Walking in My Shoes
- Songs of Faith and Devotion.
- Venusnote Ltd..
- 2.
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The Mission
Tower Of Strength
- Children.
- EMI.
- 5.
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T. Rex
Telegram Sam
- The Slider.
- Edsel.
- 8.
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Prick
Animal
- Prick.
- Nothing.
- 6.
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Ultravox
Slow Motion
- Systems Of Romance.
- Island Records.
- 1.
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Marilyn Manson
Mobscene
- The Golden Age Of Grotesque.
- Marilyn Manson / Interscope.
- 3.
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Filter
Welcome To The Fold
- Title Of Record (Expanded Edition).
- Craft Recordings.
- 2.
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Fever Ray
If I Had a Heart
- Fever Ray.
- Rabid Records UK.
- 1.
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Tears for Fears
Shout
- Songs From The Big Chair.
- UMC (Universal Music Catalogue).
- 1.
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Siouxsie and the Banshees
Cities In Dust
- Tinderbox.
- UMC (Universal Music Catalogue).
- 4.
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Deftones
Change (In The House Of Flies)
- White Pony.
- Rhino.
- 11.
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Frankie Goes to Hollywood
Relax (Come Fighting)
- Welcome To The Pleasuredome.
- ZTT Records.
- 3.
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The Human League
Being Boiled
- Travelogue.
- Virgin Records.
- 9.
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Linkin Park
In the End
- Hybrid Theory.
- Warner Records.
- 8.
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Raven Numan
My Reflection
- My Reflection.
- BMG Rights Management (UK) Limited.
- 1.
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Johnny Cash
Hurt
- American IV: The Man Comes Around.
- American Recordings Catalog P&D.
- 2.
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Agnes Obel
The Curse
- Aventine.
- Play It Again Sam.
- 7.
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Chris Isaak
Wicked Game
- Heart Shaped World.
- Chris Isaak.
- 5.
Broadcast
- Thu 18 Sep 2025 23:00ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Radio 6 Music