In 2004, under the current name Autopilot Off, they released their debut album, Make a Sound, which includes the single "What I Want", co-written by Rancid's Tim Armstrong.
"Clockwork" was featured on the soundtrack of the games SSX3 and NHL 2004. "Chromatic Fades" was used in NASCAR Thunder 2004. "Make a Sound", was included in Burnout 3. All of these games were developed by Electronic Arts.
On August 26, 2005, the band decided to take an indefinite hiatus and released the following statement on their official website:
"So, it's been quite a while since we have posted any news. We've been off the road for well over 6 months now. We played a couple of shows over the holidays in NY. But that is about all that has gone on. Rumors have started to fly around about what we are up to. We think its about time that we filled you all in.....
We've decided to take an indefinite break from Autopilot Off. It has been nearly 10 years since the band started, and it has been full speed ahead for the majority of that time. We have all decided to take some time for our lives outside of the band. We are all still the best of friends. In addition to this we decided a few months back to leave our home of 4 years at Island Records. We apologize for leaving you all hanging for so long. Thank you so much for all the support and friendships that you all have given to us over the years. We could never have done it without you."
In 2011, the band reunited and began recording again.
Clockwork
Autopilot Off Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You can't find the strength to close your eyes
You can't let go,
But you can't change everything
Stop laying in this burning bed
Write it on the walls and read it
Bright red so you can see it
Write it on the walls and read it
Until there are no secrets
So safe and sound
At least for now
Time's gonna warn you with a whisper
What it wants to let you know
You can't live in fear of the things that aren't for sure
So stay alive by playing dead
Write it on the walls and read it
Bright red so you can see it
Don't fail me now
Write it on the walls and read it
Until there are no secrets
So safe and sound
Still there are lines for us to write before we close our eyes
And only time will tell the ending when the ink runs dry
Time will tell everything,
It's ever so quiet counting down
Write it on the walls and read it
Blood red so you can see it
Life leaking out
Write it on the walls and read it
Until there are no secrets
So safe and sound
At least for now
At least for now
The song "Clockwork" by Autopilot Off explores themes of exhaustion, fear, and the need for change. The lyrics suggest that the singer is tired of living in an unhealthy situation and cannot seem to find the strength to escape. Despite feeling stuck, they realize that they must take action and make a change, or risk remaining in their current state of exhaustion and fear. The idea of writing on the walls is used metaphorically to represent this need for change - by writing down their desires and fears in a visible way, the singer is taking a proactive step towards self-improvement. However, the lyrics also suggest that change is a difficult process - the singer cannot change everything, and must learn to live with uncertainty and risk. In the end, the song suggests that time is the ultimate arbiter of fate - we cannot control everything, but we can make choices about how we respond to the world around us.
Overall, "Clockwork" is a powerful song that delivers a message about the importance of taking control of one's life and facing fears head-on. The lyrics are poetic and full of vivid imagery, which adds depth and emotion to the song.
Line by Line Meaning
You're probably sick of being tired
You're most likely fed up with feeling exhausted and run down.
You can't find the strength to close your eyes
You're unable to rest, and you feel powerless and unable to relax.
You can't let go,
You're incapable of releasing your emotions and holding on tightly to them.
But you can't change everything
You understand that not everything is under your control.
Stop laying in this burning bed
Stop remaining in a situation that is causing you pain or suffering.
Write it on the walls and read it
Write your thoughts down and remind yourself of them on a daily basis.
Bright red so you can see it
Make it easily noticeable so you won't overlook it.
Don't fail me now
This is a plea to oneself not to give up and persevere.
Until there are no secrets
Reveal everything to yourself, until there is nothing hidden away mentally.
So safe and sound
You'll feel comfortable and secure if you do the above.
Time's gonna warn you with a whisper
Time will clue you in on what is coming for you, but it will be subtle.
What it wants to let you know
Time will only give you the message it deems necessary for you.
You can't live in fear of the things that aren't for sure
You can't be afraid of something that has yet to happen or is unsure of occurring.
So stay alive by playing dead
To survive, one may need to 'play dead' and remain still in tough situations.
Still, there are lines for us to write before we close our eyes
You still possess the ability to leave your mark on the world before departing.
Only time will tell the ending when the ink runs dry
We won't know the conclusion of our story until our time is up.
Time will tell everything,
Time will grant us knowledge of every situation.
It's ever so quiet counting down
The clock is ticking away silently and ominously.
Write it on the walls and read it
Repeat the above advice to oneself to reinforce your thoughts.
Blood red so you can see it
Reinforce the message with passion and emotional attachment.
Life leaking out
This line portrays bleeding out slowly and gradually.
At least for now
These words signify that the last few moments of peace are only temporary.
Lyrics © KENDOR MUSIC, INC., Fintage House Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: CHRISTOPHER HUGHES, CHRISTOPHER JOHNSON, CHRISTOPHER C. HUGHES, CHRISTOPHER C. JOHNSON, GREIG NORI, GREIG ANDREW NORI, PHILLIP ROBINSON, PHILLIP W. ROBINSON, ROBERT KUCHAREK, ROBERT GEORGE KUCHAREK
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