"The Pleasure Principle" is the debut solo studio album by English new wave musician Gary Numan, released on September 7, 1979, by Beggars Banquet Records. The album followed closely on the heels of Replicas (1979), his second and final studio album with Tubeway Army. The Pleasure Principle achieved significant commercial success, reaching No. 1 on the UK Albums Chart. It features a distinctive electronic sound and is noted for its influence on the new wave and synth-pop genres.
Following the release of Replicas, Gary Numan quickly moved to establish his solo career. In April 1979, he recruited a permanent drummer and keyboard player, and began demoing new material for his debut solo album. This was done before his previous single, "Are 'Friends' Electric?", had even been released. Subsequent sessions produced additional tracks, and shortly after "Are 'Friends' Electric?" topped the UK Singles Chart, Numan recorded four of these new songs for a John Peel session, now credited solely to Gary Numan rather than Tubeway Army.
As Replicas climbed to number one on the UK Albums Chart, Numan was already in the process of recording The Pleasure Principle at Marcus Music Studio in London. This album, released on September 7, 1979, marked Numan's transition to a solo artist and featured a distinctive electronic sound that helped define his career.
