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Thread started 09/17/16 10:33pm

surelyafan

Automatic Song

Why wasn't this song a bigger hit back in the day? It is such a great song and Prince is at his most electric in the video and singing voice, in my opinion.

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Reply #1 posted 09/18/16 8:54am

laurarichardso
n

surelyafan said:

Why wasn't this song a bigger hit back in the day? It is such a great song and Prince is at his most electric in the video and singing voice, in my opinion.


--- It was never releashed as a single but got a lot of radio play back when radio stations played album cuts.
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Reply #2 posted 09/18/16 9:46am

TrivialPursuit

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laurarichardson said:

surelyafan said:

Why wasn't this song a bigger hit back in the day? It is such a great song and Prince is at his most electric in the video and singing voice, in my opinion.

--- It was never releashed as a single but got a lot of radio play back when radio stations played album cuts.


Actually, that's not totally true. Depends where one lives. It was released as a single in August 1983 (the 5th of 6 singles, "Let's Pretend We're Married" was the 6th). However, as far as the US market, it wasn't released here. It was released in a smaller way in other areas of the U.S. (ergo the video).

Sorry, it's the Hodgkin's talking.
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Reply #3 posted 09/18/16 10:56am

TheEnglishGent

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I do not get this song.

RIP sad
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Reply #4 posted 09/18/16 11:07am

laurarichardso
n

TrivialPursuit said:

laurarichardson said:

surelyafan said: --- It was never releashed as a single but got a lot of radio play back when radio stations played album cuts.


Actually, that's not totally true. Depends where one lives. It was released as a single in August 1983 (the 5th of 6 singles, "Let's Pretend We're Married" was the 6th). However, as far as the US market, it wasn't released here. It was released in a smaller way in other areas of the U.S. (ergo the video).

That is were I live in the good old US of A and it was not released here. What countries was it released in as a single.

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Reply #5 posted 09/18/16 11:30am

thisisreece

One of the absolute jewels of his discography. I love how dark and obsessive Prince sounds in this song. Like much of 1999 album it manages to be totally weird, experimental and indulgent, while somehow remaining completely accesible. A hynptoic, erotic, synth-soaked masterpiece.

Hundalasiliah!
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Reply #6 posted 09/18/16 1:09pm

TrivialPursuit

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laurarichardson said:

TrivialPursuit said:


Actually, that's not totally true. Depends where one lives. It was released as a single in August 1983 (the 5th of 6 singles, "Let's Pretend We're Married" was the 6th). However, as far as the US market, it wasn't released here. It was released in a smaller way in other areas of the U.S. (ergo the video).

That is were I live in the good old US of A and it was not released here. What countries was it released in as a single.


When I did a quick glance (because in the back of my head, I knew it had been a single somewhere), the first place I saw was Australia, but only as a 7". "Something In The Water" was the b-side.

Sorry, it's the Hodgkin's talking.
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Reply #7 posted 09/18/16 1:17pm

TrivialPursuit

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TheEnglishGent said:

I do not get this song.


It's just about his body responding naturally to the woman he's with. She doesn't have to ask for anything. Even so, she's even willing to test his ability to perform, and he's willing to submit to her (which is a role we rarely see Prince in with his lyrics, as he's usually the aggressor or seducer) and she cock teases him or gets heavier with the BDSM. He lets it happen and proves that anything he does to/for her is just...automatic.

Sorry, it's the Hodgkin's talking.
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Reply #8 posted 09/18/16 1:49pm

surelyafan

TrivialPursuit said:

TheEnglishGent said:

I do not get this song.


It's just about his body responding naturally to the woman he's with. She doesn't have to ask for anything. Even so, she's even willing to test his ability to perform, and he's willing to submit to her (which is a role we rarely see Prince in with his lyrics, as he's usually the aggressor or seducer) and she cock teases him or gets heavier with the BDSM. He lets it happen and proves that anything he does to/for her is just...automatic.

Ummm....I just took it as a love song. confused His love is automatic for the person he loves.

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Reply #9 posted 09/18/16 1:50pm

surelyafan

thisisreece said:

One of the absolute jewels of his discography. I love how dark and obsessive Prince sounds in this song. Like much of 1999 album it manages to be totally weird, experimental and indulgent, while somehow remaining completely accesible. A hynptoic, erotic, synth-soaked masterpiece.

The video is great, too.

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Reply #10 posted 09/19/16 3:14pm

TheEnglishGent

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Let me put it another way. I understand the lyrical themes, but I don't like the track.

RIP sad
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Reply #11 posted 09/19/16 4:03pm

TrivialPursuit

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surelyafan said:

TrivialPursuit said:


It's just about his body responding naturally to the woman he's with. She doesn't have to ask for anything. Even so, she's even willing to test his ability to perform, and he's willing to submit to her (which is a role we rarely see Prince in with his lyrics, as he's usually the aggressor or seducer) and she cock teases him or gets heavier with the BDSM. He lets it happen and proves that anything he does to/for her is just...automatic.

Ummm....I just took it as a love song. confused His love is automatic for the person he loves.


Could totally go this way with it, too.

Sorry, it's the Hodgkin's talking.
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Reply #12 posted 09/19/16 11:59pm

Bluu

I do think it was a major missed opportunity by Prince or WB to not release this. I think it could have done quite well on radio following the other hits off of the 1999 album. Fabulous song. I still trip off this song when I hear it.

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Reply #13 posted 09/20/16 1:03am

SoulAlive

I agree,this song should have been a single! It's a terrific song.....actually,it's my absolute favorite Prince song.Since he filmed a video for it anyway,they should have released it a single.

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Reply #14 posted 09/20/16 1:15am

SoulAlive

Image result for prince automatic videoImage result for prince automatic videoImage result for prince automatic video

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Reply #15 posted 09/20/16 2:45am

CherryMoon57

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I've always loved everything about this track, and the whole album in fact. I love the synthesizer and all the electric sounds.

Each listen instantly surrounds me with a warm purple satin layer of glittery funk.

Life Matters
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Reply #16 posted 09/20/16 3:01am

skipthecharade
s

I never heard the single edit of this track (3:38 minute). I wonder how it would keep up in the shorter version. The 'Let's pretend we're married' single version for example is, obviously, not as strong as the album version.

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Reply #17 posted 09/20/16 4:31am

callimnate

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One of Prince's top 3.

And how sone people don't "get it", is beyond me.

They say nothing's perfect, but they don't know this song. cool
[Edited 9/20/16 4:32am]
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Reply #18 posted 09/20/16 5:19am

NouveauDance

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TheEnglishGent said:

Let me put it another way. I understand the lyrical themes, but I don't like the track.

My commiserations.

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Reply #19 posted 09/20/16 6:42am

TheEnglishGent

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NouveauDance said:

TheEnglishGent said:

Let me put it another way. I understand the lyrical themes, but I don't like the track.

My commiserations.

lol That's not necessary biggrin

RIP sad
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