“1999” and “Little Red Corvette” are the two pop smashes on 1999, but “Automatic” is the hidden classic that laid the groundwork for several Purple Rain cuts. Mixing icy synthscapes with programmed Linn-Drums and human percussion? See “When Doves Cry.” Flirting with love and lust through a technical filter? See “Computer Blue.” A hypersexual temptress dominates Prince via S&M bondage? See “Darling Nikki.” Experienced on its own terms, “Automatic” is a steamy, nine-minute stroll through Prince’s red light district playground, replete with cries of torture and a blistering guitar solo.

After years spent with the "1999" song cycle, "Automatic" has slowly crept up the list to become my favorite track on the album. It's the perfect combo of Prince's mindset, his lyrics, the Linn Drum, the band... I love it.

Overlong - but damned if that isn't a great synth riff its built around. This one takes me right back to my misspent youth every time.

GiggityGoo said:

After years spent with the "1999" song cycle, "Automatic" has slowly crept up the list to become my favorite track on the album. It's the perfect combo of Prince's mindset, his lyrics, the Linn Drum, the band... I love it.

Same. At some point, I didn't care much anymore about it.
But the gods of random at work in my playlist had the good taste to surface it more than once, and I found a new love for it. It's full of tiny details, subtle and radical variations, voices doublings, a sonic feast, stuck between organic and mechanical sounds.

It's just incredibly good, from the bass lines near the end, the pan-potted speech, to the production, and most of all, the pure, sheer fun of it. The clash between the invasive technology at the turn of the 21st century and the human feelings, which is basically the concept that traverses the whole album, whether lyrically or stylistically.

That is why I don't get the "Free" haters. This battle bewteen human and machine, the apex of which being Prince trapped in the web of a psychotic Linn's hi-hat that chops his mind into tiny slices all over SITW, is followed by a gospel deliverance, the resurgence of the sould amidst the urban agressivity of modern times.

Machines and urban life are all over 1999. Nuclear bombs, cars (sports cars, car brakes, steering wheels, cabs, electric windows), infidelity, synths, electronic drums, police, soldiers, computers, New York and planes. And I keep hearing Prince was a poor lyricist. Oh well.

[Edited 7/7/17 15:11pm]

probably my favorite track on 1999 - & all those songs are great.

.

I mean, the lyrics. the synths. the guitar solo. the slap bass in the last 3rd of the song.

.

only Prince could have written - or pulled off - this brilliant track.

bonatoc said:

GiggityGoo said:

After years spent with the "1999" song cycle, "Automatic" has slowly crept up the list to become my favorite track on the album. It's the perfect combo of Prince's mindset, his lyrics, the Linn Drum, the band... I love it.

Same. At some point, I didn't care much anymore about it.
But the gods of random at work in my playlist had the good taste to surface it more than once, and I found a new love for it. It's full of tiny details, subtle and radical variations, voices doublings, a sonic feast, stuck between organic and mechanical sounds.

It's just incredibly good, from the bass lines near the end, the pan-potted speech, to the production, and most of all, the pure, sheer fun of it. The clash between the invasive technology at the turn of the 21st century and the human feelings, which is basically the concept that traverses the whole album, whether lyrically or stylistically.

That is why I don't get the "Free" haters. This battle bewteen human and machine, the apex of which being Prince trapped in the web of a psychotic Linn's hi-hat that chops his mind into tiny slices all over SITW, is followed by a gospel deliverance, the resurgence of the sould amidst the urban agressivity of modern times.

Machines and urban life are all over 1999. Nuclear bombs, cars (sports cars, car brakes, steering wheels, cabs, electric windows), infidelity, synths, electronic drums, police, soldiers, computers, New York and planes. And I keep hearing Prince was a poor lyricist. Oh well.

[Edited 7/7/17 15:11pm]

Excellent review!

See, since there is NOW an OFFICIAL Prince Youtube Channel...we should be able to show our appreciation of and love for Prince's song "AUTOMATIC" by posting the video...right here...right now!

Sadly, it is NOT anywhere on Youtube nor the rest of the Internet but I am quite happily watching ithe full versioin of it as I type this because I have it. I've had it for YEARS, could and have watched it any damn time I've felt like. What I've couldn't do, is SHARE it...so that y'all could watch and enjoy it WITH me. Ooops!

[Edited 7/7/17 23:13pm]

this is my favorite Prince song

HatrinaHaterwitz said:

See, since there is NOW an OFFICIAL Prince Youtube Channel...we should be able to show our appreciation of and love for Prince's song "AUTOMATIC" by posting the video...right here...right now!

Sadly, it is NOT anywhere on Youtube nor the rest of the Internet but I am quite happily watching ithe full versioin of it as I type this because I have it. I've had it for YEARS, could and have watched it any damn time I've felt like. What I've couldn't do, is SHARE it...so that y'all could watch and enjoy it WITH me. Ooops!

[Edited 7/7/17 23:13pm]

Are we all sure this is official Prince channel , it seems i posted a comment on one of the videos 1 year ago. As for the song i loved it from the first time i heard it

[Edited 7/8/17 3:05am]

Guitarhero said:

mdmeridius said:

Guitarhero said:

Are we all sure this is official Prince channel , it seems i posted a comment on one of the videos 1 year ago. As for the song i loved it from the first time i heard it

[Edited 7/8/17 3:05am]

You could be mistaken as all of the videos on that channel were uploaded yesterday.

Double checked your right. I posted a comment on the discussion section 1 year ago. Yes the videos are recently uploaded.

great song

No. 1 Prince song.

Went sleep every night with this song for years (!) until about 2002.

TheFman said:

No. 1 Prince song.

Went sleep every night with this song for years (!) until about 2002.

Damn, Automatic was your lullabye? what were your dreams like?

purplethunder3121 said:

bonatoc said:

Same. At some point, I didn't care much anymore about it.
But the gods of random at work in my playlist had the good taste to surface it more than once, and I found a new love for it. It's full of tiny details, subtle and radical variations, voices doublings, a sonic feast, stuck between organic and mechanical sounds.

It's just incredibly good, from the bass lines near the end, the pan-potted speech, to the production, and most of all, the pure, sheer fun of it. The clash between the invasive technology at the turn of the 21st century and the human feelings, which is basically the concept that traverses the whole album, whether lyrically or stylistically.

That is why I don't get the "Free" haters. This battle bewteen human and machine, the apex of which being Prince trapped in the web of a psychotic Linn's hi-hat that chops his mind into tiny slices all over SITW, is followed by a gospel deliverance, the resurgence of the sould amidst the urban agressivity of modern times.

Machines and urban life are all over 1999. Nuclear bombs, cars (sports cars, car brakes, steering wheels, cabs, electric windows), infidelity, synths, electronic drums, police, soldiers, computers, New York and planes. And I keep hearing Prince was a poor lyricist. Oh well.

[Edited 7/7/17 15:11pm]

Excellent review!

As usual. I haven't got into this song yet, it's overlong.

214 said:

purplethunder3121 said:

Excellent review!

As usual. I haven't got into this song yet, it's overlong.

Than listen to the edited version instead. Everybody happy.
AUTOmatic isn't overlong in any way, it's perfect, it's natural, it flows. You could even call PR overlong if you want, but not this one.

I have loved this song for 30+ years. Nobody around me seemed to share my intensity for the song. The video, the bravado, the confidence, the in and out of instruments, the long buildup... I listen to every minute of it every time, and yes, I have heard plenty of people complain (air quotes), "this is a loooong song". And I was on cloud nine when the Revolution included it on their tour! Still sounds great live!

One of my favorites on 1999 since the first time I heard it.

And it is not "overlong." Good grief. I bet you all eat microwave popcorn, too.

Genesia said:

And it is not "overlong." Good grief. I bet you all eat microwave popcorn, too.

Genesia said:

Genesia said:

One of my favorites on 1999 since the first time I heard it.

And it is not "overlong." Good grief. I bet you all eat microwave popcorn, too.

I just happend to have some free time on my hands and...

as soon as I saw these images...it was A U T O MATIC! I may have only been 12 years old at the time but I fastened my seat belt and was prepared for take off...from that moment on! And I will happily testify in ANY court that it was a hellava ride...ever since!

[Edited 7/10/17 22:11pm]

Automatic =

HatrinaHaterwitz said:

I just happend to have some free time on my hands and...

as soon as I saw these images...it was A U T O MATIC! I may have only been 12 years old at the time but I fastened my seat belt and was prepared for take off...from that moment on! And I will happily testify in ANY court that it was a hellava ride...ever since!

[Edited 7/10/17 22:11pm]

3 different sources, huh?
U know... U're just an addict!

I was 12 too. Prince made precocious children out of us. In every way.

bonatoc said:

bonatoc said:

HatrinaHaterwitz said:

I just happend to have some free time on my hands and...

as soon as I saw these images...it was A U T O MATIC! I may have only been 12 years old at the time but I fastened my seat belt and was prepared for take off...from that moment on! And I will happily testify in ANY court that it was a hellava ride...ever since!

[Edited 7/10/17 22:11pm]

3 different sources, huh?
U know... U're just an addict!

I was 12 too. Prince made precocious children out of us. In every way.

LOL...yes! Yes, I am and yes, he did!

TXfan said:

Always loved that song. Very sexual, made me want to hear more Prince when I was a kid.

YES! Very sexual, and the synth made me feel like there's some weird shit going down.

HatrinaHaterwitz said:

I just happend to have some free time on my hands and...

as soon as I saw these images...it was A U T O MATIC! I may have only been 12 years old at the time but I fastened my seat belt and was prepared for take off...from that moment on! And I will happily testify in ANY court that it was a hellava ride...ever since!

[Edited 7/10/17 22:11pm]

Thanx 4 the screen shotz