I know some threads have talked about this, but I can't figure out how to reply to threads such as

http://prince.org/msg/7/432442

http://prince.org/msg/7/421158

These threads had some great descriptions of Automatic, e.g. this one from 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."

At the time the album came out, I liked the 1999 song, but loved Automatic more. I still feel this way.

Is this just me and my bad taste? Someone made the good point that we have to consider the album version vs. what would have happened on the radio. It's just such a great song. More people could have known and loved it.

Because 1999, Little Red Corvette and Delirious had "single" written all over them?

five singles from an album in 1982/3 that wasn't Thriller was pretty rare.

I love the song but if you haven't bought the album after the first 3 singles you're a lost cause.

[Edited 1/30/17 12:11pm]

I would have released DMSR, LRC and Automatic before 1999. The professionals released 1999 as the first single, so that shows how much I know about picking singles. I think the order of wide single release was 1999, LRC, Delirious, LPWM. Automatic was released in Australia only.

It's a good point about the rarity of an album having 5+ singles in wide release. Genesia said that 1999, LRC and Delirious had "single" written all over them. I honestly don't have much single sense. Can anyone explain what makes songs single-worthy? Genesia seemed kinda incredulous that it's not obvious, but I'm pretty dense.

Why Automatic didn't get played more live is a really good question.

post-1986 listings in Prince Vault: "performed occasionally in shows" in 2002, 2004 and 2016

I think some of the live performances of Automatic and Lady Cab Driver were fantastic. Of course, lots of great lyrics were cut out in shortened live versions, but the dancing, expressions, gestures and interactions between band members rocked. Loved live versions, e.g. Automatic performed at the 1983 MDT benefit.

Well...1999 jumps out of the radio - that synth riff is one of the defining sounds of the entire 80's. The different people singing grabs the attention of your ear immediately, the phrase "party like it's 1999" was invented by the song... it was always going to be the first single. The fact that it wasn't a hit immediately is the real mystery.

Little Red Corvette has that beautiful synth chord progression and a big chorus and enough guitars for white radio to play it. Crossing over to the white audience was the aim back then.

Delirious is upbeat and fun with a melody as catchy as a nursery rhyme. I don't know what else to tell you. It was never going to be the first single but it was definitely going to be a single.

Automatic is a slow building, repetitive, 9 minute track that was too long to be played on the radio as it was - end of story - and then loses most of its impact when edited down. It's hypnotic sure, but this is before dance music was really any kind of thing, never mind a pop thing. I mean, with a lot of luck that kind of song could be picked up in Europe - think O Superman - but no way would it fly on American radio back then.

jaawwnn said:

Well...1999 jumps out of the radio - that synth riff is one of the defining sounds of the entire 80's. The different people singing grabs the attention of your ear immediately, the phrase "party like it's 1999" was invented by the song... it was always going to be the first single. The fact that it wasn't a hit immediately is the real mystery.

Little Red Corvette has that beautiful synth chord progression and a big chorus and enough guitars for white radio to play it. Crossing over to the white audience was the aim back then.

Delirious is upbeat and fun with a melody as catchy as a nursery rhyme. I don't know what else to tell you. It was never going to be the first single but it was definitely going to be a single.

Automatic is a slow building, repetitive, 9 minute track that was too long to be played on the radio as it was - end of story - and then loses most of its impact when edited down. It's hypnotic sure, but this is before dance music was really any kind of thing, never mind a pop thing. I mean, with a lot of luck that kind of song could be picked up in Europe - think O Superman - but no way would it fly on American radio back then.

This exactly.

Genesia said:

Because 1999, Little Red Corvette and Delirious had "single" written all over them?

Exactly - Automatic is great, but its not especially catchy or commerical.

jaawwnn said:

Well...1999 jumps out of the radio - that synth riff is one of the defining sounds of the entire 80's. The different people singing grabs the attention of your ear immediately, the phrase "party like it's 1999" was invented by the song... it was always going to be the first single. The fact that it wasn't a hit immediately is the real mystery.

Little Red Corvette has that beautiful synth chord progression and a big chorus and enough guitars for white radio to play it. Crossing over to the white audience was the aim back then.

Delirious is upbeat and fun with a melody as catchy as a nursery rhyme. I don't know what else to tell you. It was never going to be the first single but it was definitely going to be a single.

Automatic is a slow building, repetitive, 9 minute track that was too long to be played on the radio as it was - end of story - and then loses most of its impact when edited down. It's hypnotic sure, but this is before dance music was really any kind of thing, never mind a pop thing. I mean, with a lot of luck that kind of song could be picked up in Europe - think O Superman - but no way would it fly on American radio back then.

Thank you! This is great! I'm lucky all of you could tell my question was sincere.

I remember 1999 being all over the radio, but didn't know it wasn't immediately a hit. Most people I knew seemed to love it after hearing it for the first time.

Of course, even among people who are very big into an artist, everyone has their own favorites and disconnects. 1999 isn't one of those songs that grabs me so that I run around with it playing in my head. Still, I really like the way the pounding rhythm kicks in after that big synth riff announces itself. And that's a great point about the different people singing. I love the way Jill and Lisa open, and the tone of Dez's voice as he follows with his line.

Speaking of Dez, I loved his description of touring as Little Red Corvette came out. He could see the crossover happening in the changing hue of the sea of faces in the crowd.

Twilite Kid comments that Automatic is "great, but its not especially catchy or commerical." Maybe there are other big things besides being catchy or having commercial potential, that gets a song playing in a person's head. I probably confuse a song playing in my head with a good indicator for single potential.

The Gold Experience is another album where I don't have a good head for picking singles. Good thing I don't do this stuff for a living. : ) I love watching performances of Endorphinmachine, Pussy Control and Billy Jack Bitch, but I don't think any of those were commercial single releases.

My understanding is that even Prince's picks could be heavily disputed. I love If I Was Your Girlfriend, but as the second Sign o' the Times single, it didn't chart nearly as high as the title single, or as U Got the Look.

NorthC said:

And you can't really imagine that video getting a lot of airplay on MTV now, can ya?

No indeed. ; )

Because it's awful.

jaawwnn said:

Well...1999 jumps out of the radio - that synth riff is one of the defining sounds of the entire 80's. The different people singing grabs the attention of your ear immediately, the phrase "party like it's 1999" was invented by the song... it was always going to be the first single. The fact that it wasn't a hit immediately is the real mystery.

Little Red Corvette has that beautiful synth chord progression and a big chorus and enough guitars for white radio to play it. Crossing over to the white audience was the aim back then.

Delirious is upbeat and fun with a melody as catchy as a nursery rhyme. I don't know what else to tell you. It was never going to be the first single but it was definitely going to be a single.

Automatic is a slow building, repetitive, 9 minute track that was too long to be played on the radio as it was - end of story - and then loses most of its impact when edited down. It's hypnotic sure, but this is before dance music was really any kind of thing, never mind a pop thing. I mean, with a lot of luck that kind of song could be picked up in Europe - think O Superman - but no way would it fly on American radio back then.

all points, true...

NorthC said:

And you can't really imagine that video getting a lot of airplay on MTV now, can ya?

i wouldve watched...everytime... JILL JONES' goddess-like presence on screen????....sheeeeeeit....

TheEnglishGent said:

"Automatic" is my favorite Prince song,but I think with this album,all of the right singles were chosen.In my area,our local R&B station played "Automatic" and "DMSR" all the time anyway.

SoulAlive said:

"Automatic" is my favorite Prince song,but I think with this album,all of the right singles were chosen.In my area,our local R&B station played "Automatic" and "DMSR" all the time anyway.

What a great station...hope it's still playing music, and lives to see the dawn. : )

mynameisnotsusan said:

TheEnglishGent said:

Because it's awful.

LMAO

RJOrion said:

mynameisnotsusan said:

TheEnglishGent said:

LMAO

Clarence slapped his &ss into the middle of next week! Acting that scene might have made Prince feel nervous.

>

I think "Automatic" was better suited as a non-promotional cut.

jaawwnn said:

Automatic is a slow building, repetitive, 9 minute track that was too long

There you go, jaaawwnn has nailed it.

Germanegro said:

Releases are commissioned locally, so you'll have to ask the local marketing directors.

.

It's as simple as that.

.

Automatic was released as a single, but Australia only. So at least someone thought it had hit potential.. Never heard the 3.38 minute edit but I am curious what "was left" from the original version.

skipthecharades said:

Automatic was released as a single, but Australia only. So at least someone thought it had hit potential.. Never heard the 3.38 minute edit but I am curious what "was left" from the original version.

Probably just cut out 300 of the times prince sings, A-U-T-O-matic.

TheEnglishGent said:

Probably just cut out 300 of the times prince sings, A-U-T-O-matic.

OP here.

I've got a son young enough to still take spelling tests, so don't knock it!

rednblue said:

TheEnglishGent said:

Probably just cut out 300 of the times prince sings, A-U-T-O-matic.

OP here.

I've got a son young enough to still take spelling tests, so don't knock it!

Me too. And one not quite old enough to yet be taking them

TheEnglishGent said:

rednblue said:

OP here.

I've got a son young enough to still take spelling tests, so don't knock it!

Me too. And one not quite old enough to yet be taking them

Greetings, fellow parent. : ) My son recently discovered today's Top 40 (or whatever they call it now), and he's pretty into it.

Thanks for the honest opinion on how Automatically Awful you find the song.

Do you have favorite songs on 1999 (and/or other albums if you prefer)?