Automatic

The Pointer Sisters

About Automatic

"Automatic" is a song recorded by American vocal group The Pointer Sisters for their tenth studio album Break Out (1983). The song was released by the Planet label on January 13, 1984 as the second single from Break Out. "Automatic" reached position number five on the US Billboard Hot 100 and became one of their signature songs. Eventually, three other singles from Break Out reached the top-ten on the Hot 100 consecutively. Billboard named the song number 94 on their list of "100 Greatest Girl Group Songs Of All Time". "Automatic" was the group's first Top 40 hit to feature Ruth Pointer's distinctive contralto on lead. 


Year:
1996
4:48
37 

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Look what you're doing to me
I'm utterly at your whim
All of my defenses down

Your camera looks through me
With its X-ray vision
And all systems run aground

All I can manage to push from my lips
Is a stream of absurdities
Every word I intended to speak
Winds up locked in the circuitry
 
No way to control it
It's totally automatic
Whenever you're around
I'm walking blindfolded
Completely automatic
All of my systems are down
Down, down, down
Automatic (automatic)
Automatic (automatic)
 
What is this madness
That makes my motor run
And my legs too weak to stand

I go from sadness
To exhilaration
Like a robot at your command

My hands perspire and shake like a leaf
Up and down goes my temperature
I summon doctors to get some relief
But they tell me there is no cure
They tell me
 
No way to control it
It's totally automatic
Whenever you're around
I'm walking blindfolded
Completely automatic
All of my systems are down
Down, down, down
Automatic (automatic)
Automatic (automatic)

Automatic
Automatic
Automatic
Automatic

Look what you're doing to me
I'm utterly at your whim
All of my defenses down

Your camera looks through me
With its X-ray vision
And all systems run aground

All I can manage to push from my lips
Is a stream of absurdities
Every word I intended to speak
Winds up locked in the circuitry
 
No way to control it
It's totally automatic
Whenever you're around
I'm walking blindfolded
Completely automatic
All of my systems are down
Down, down

No way to control it
It's totally automatic
Whenever you're around
I'm walking blindfolded
Completely automatic
All of my systems are down
Down, down, down

No way to control it
It's totally automatic
Whenever you're around
I'm walking blindfolded
Completely automatic
All of my systems are down
Down, down

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The Pointer Sisters

The Pointer Sisters are an American R&B recording act from Oakland, California that achieved mainstream success during the 1970s and 1980s. Spanning over three decades, their repertoire has included such diverse genres as pop, disco, jazz, electronic music, bebop, blues, soul, funk, dance, country and rock. more »

3 fans

Written by: Brock Patrick Walsh, Mark Goldenberg

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Songtrust Ave

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


16 facts about this song

Song Information
"Automatic" is a song by the American vocal group The Pointer Sisters.
Release Date
The song was released in January 1983 as part of the album "Break Out".
Album Success
It is one of the songs that led to the album's eventual 3x Platinum certification by the RIAA.
Songwriters
It was written by Brock Walsh and Mark Goldenberg, who were both also popular songwriters and musicians.
Chart Performance
"Automatic" performed excellently in music charts, peaking at No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100 and becoming one of their signature songs.
Music Genre
"Automatic" falls under the genre of R&B and synth-pop, which was popular during the 1980s.
Unique Vocal Technique
A unique point about this song is that Ruth Pointer demonstrates a deep, bass vocal intro. This is considered as one of the song's defining signature sounds.
Grammy Award
It was nominated for the Grammy Award for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals in 1984.
International Success
The song had international success, hitting No. 2 in the UK singles chart and it became their biggest UK hit.
Music Video
The music video for the song is a classic 80s style video, featuring the group dancing robotically to the beat.
Song Theme
The song describes a person who has little control over how they feel towards someone they are in love with, hence bringing forth the song title "Automatic".
Cover Versions
Along with the original, there are various cover versions of this song, signifying its influential and popular status in the music industry.
Sample Usage
The song has also been sampled by numerous artists, indicating it's influence and popularity in pop culture.
Concert Performances
This song is frequently performed in concerts by The Pointer Sisters due to its popularity.
Influence on Popular Culture
The song found a revived popularity when it was featured in the 2004 video game "Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas".
Vulnerability Theme
The song is noted for its exploration of the theme of vulnerability in romantic relationships.

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    Automatic

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    Top Hot 100 Songs 1984

    Billboard #5


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