Song Details
- Album Release Date: 2012
- Genre: industrial
Song Meaning of “Automation” by Rome
Automation tells a story about a struggle between man and machine, as people grapple with the effects of rapid automation on their lives. The lyrics evoke feelings of alienation and disappointment as automation replaces skilled labor as the industrial engine of the economy.
The first verse discusses the threat that automation has brought to the world of jobs and labor, stressing that it is a force that human beings have a limited control over. The lyrics speak of a changing world order where “robots and machines” are in control and even “the most skilled hands” can only watch helplessly as the machines take over.
The chorus emphasizes the feelings of displacement and alienation that come along with a rapidly automated world, asking plaintive questions about whether automation can ever feel the same as manual labor. The singer expresses a feeling almost of mourning for lost jobs and opportunities that have been swallowed up by automation.
The second verse brings the song’s message home, reflecting on the individual’s struggles with automation and reminding the listener that despite its pervasiveness, no one really understands how automation will shape the future. The lyrics convey a sense of fear and confusion in the face of a world that is rapidly being taken over by machine-driven technology.
Ultimately, Rome’s song ‘Automation’ serves as a haunting reminder of the ways in which automation has and will continue to shape our lives, leaving us to grapple with its effects on our lives, labor, and the world.