Automatic

Album: Break Out (1984)
Charted: 2 5
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Written by Brock Walsh and Mark Goldenberg, this song is an amusing take on the way technology was becoming an increasingly dominant part of music in the 1980s. The singer is no more than a controlled automaton in the hands of her lover.
  • The eldest Pointer Sister Ruth sang lead on this song. Her deep vocals played a prominent part in the success of this track. >>
    Suggestion credit:
    Edward Pearce - Ashford, Kent, England, for above 2
  • This won the 1984 Grammy Award for Best Arrangement for Two or More Voices.
  • On the 2018 Black-ish episode "Bow Knows," the character Ruby Johnson (Jenifer Lewis) declares this the best song ever made. "It has everything," she says. "You've got Ruth Pointer's amazing alto, that funky guitar line, those synthesizers..."

Comments: 2

  • Toneyjon from North CaliforniaThe song “Automatic “ is timeless and so are the Pointer Sisters. I never get tired of listening to their tunes, vibes, and beats.
  • AnonymousWas ''The Pointer Sisters' singing about death in the song "Automatic"? Answers Please !
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Donnie Iris (Ah! Leah!, The Rapper)

Donnie Iris (Ah! Leah!, The Rapper)Songwriter Interviews

Before "Rap" was a form of music, it was something guys did to pick up girls in nightclubs. Donnie talks about "The Rapper" and reveals the identity of Leah.

Timothy B. Schmit

Timothy B. SchmitSongwriter Interviews

The longtime Eagle talks about soaring back to his solo career, and what he learned about songwriting in the group.

Boz Scaggs

Boz ScaggsSongwriter Interviews

The "Lowdown" and "Lido Shuffle" singer makes a habit of playing with the best in the business.

Best Band Logos

Best Band LogosSong Writing

Queen, Phish and The Stones are among our picks for the best band logos. Here are their histories and a design analysis from an expert.

Philip Cody

Philip CodySongwriter Interviews

A talented lyricist, Philip helped revive Neil Sedaka's career with the words to "Laughter In The Rain" and "Bad Blood."

Billy Steinberg - "Like A Virgin"

Billy Steinberg - "Like A Virgin"They're Playing My Song

The first of Billy's five #1 hits was the song that propelled Madonna to stardom. You'd think that would get you a backstage pass, wouldn't you?