Automatic Systematic Habit
Garbage Lyrics


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The lies lies lies
You love those lies,
You tell them straight,
Straight to my face
They feel so right
They keep you safe
And you're so...
Good at it, oh it comes automatic
Lies more lies
I can tell they're lies
I can see right through,
You have see-through eyes

Knocked down like a?
This time I won't be your dirty little secret
Not for you, not for me, not for your other lover
I won't be your dirty little secret

Oh a man like you
Keep me up at night
You want your women at home
And your bed on the side
You've got a telephone girl that you carry around
In your jean back pocket with a?
And you're so...

Sly about it, oh it feels automatic
Yeah, you're so good at it
Oh it feels automatic
Sly about it, oh it feels automatic
Yeah, you're so good at it
A systematic habit

Knocked down like a?
This time I won't be your dirty little secret
Tell mother, tell your father, tell your friends, tell your teacher
I won't be your dirty little secret
I won't be your dirty little secret

Automatic systematic habit x10

Knocked down like a?
This time I won't be your dirty little secret
Not for you, not for me, not for your other lover
I won't be your dirty little secret
I won't be your dirty little secret

Knocked down like a?
This time I won't be your dirty little secret
Tell your mother, tell your brother, tell your friends, tell your teacher
I won't be your dirty little secret
I won't be your dirty little secret
I won't be, I won't
I won't be, I won't




I won't, I won't
I won't be knocked down

Overall Meaning

The lyrics in "Automatic Systematic Habit" by Garbage are about being in a toxic relationship with someone who is a habitual liar. The singer expresses their frustration and hurt due to the lies they have been told by their partner, and reveals that they are done being dragged down by their deceitful behavior. The partner is described as being incredibly skilled at lying, and seemingly unable to help themselves from doing so. Despite this, the singer can see right through them and recognizes the lies for what they are. The chorus emphasizes the singer's determination to stop being a secret and to stand up for themselves, which is highlighted by the repetition of "I won't be your dirty little secret."


Throughout the song, there is a sense of confrontation and defiance, as the singer refuses to be knocked down any longer. The partner is painted as a manipulative character who keeps women on the side, and even carries around a phone for that purpose. The singer recognizes that they cannot change their partner, but they can choose to remove themselves from the situation and refuse to tolerate any more lies.


Ultimately, "Automatic Systematic Habit" is a song about empowerment and taking control of one's own life. The lyrics encourage listeners to recognize when they are being mistreated and to take steps to change that situation. The repetition of the chorus emphasizes the singer's determination to break free from the toxic relationship and start a new chapter in their life.


Line by Line Meaning

The lies lies lies
There are so many lies


You love those lies,
You enjoy telling lies


You tell them straight,
You tell lies directly to my face


Straight to my face
Lies are told to me directly


They feel so right
Lies make you feel good and comfortable


They keep you safe
Lies protect you


And you're so...
You possess these traits


Good at it, oh it comes automatic
You are skilled at lying, it comes naturally


I can tell they're lies
I can distinguish lies from the truth


I can see right through,
I can detect the deception


You have see-through eyes
Your eyes reveal your falseness


Knocked down like a?
This question is not clear and leaves the meaning open to interpretation


This time I won't be your dirty little secret
I refuse to be a hidden secret


Not for you, not for me, not for your other lover
I won't be a secret for anyone


Oh a man like you
You are a type of man


Keep me up at night
I worry about you at night


You want your women at home
You desire a woman at home


And your bed on the side
You want another woman in your bed on the side


You've got a telephone girl that you carry around
You have a girl at your beck and call


In your jean back pocket with a?
This question is not clear and leaves the meaning open to interpretation


Sly about it, oh it feels automatic
You are sneaky and it comes naturally


Yeah, you're so good at it
You are skilled at being sneaky


A systematic habit
Being sneaky is a regular routine for you


Tell mother, tell your father, tell your friends, tell your teacher
I refuse to keep being a secret, so tell everyone


Automatic systematic habit x10
Repeating previous lines about sneaky behavior


I won't be knocked down
I won't be defeated or kept a secret




Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Bryan David Vig, Douglas Elwin Erickson, Shirley Ann Manson, Steve W Marker

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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