Their debut album, Decadence, was released in August 2004 and featured the modest alternative radio hit "Beating Heart Baby". It was produced by Dan 'The Automator' Nakamura, famous for his work with groups including Gorillaz and Handsome Boy Modeling School. The band issued Popaganda in 2006, which featured the singles "Lying Through Your Teeth" and "Graduation Day"
The current members are:
Daryl Palumbo: Vocals
Jessie Nelson: Keyboards/Backup Vocals
Jarvis Morgan Holden: Bass Guitar
Sammy Siegler: Drums
Craig Bonich: Guitar
Graduation Day
Head Automatica Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
On the drive at night
So daddy froze froze froze on an old stool
I'm cryin' in the corner at 5
Well I've seen black
And I've seen blue
But fine line's I don't see
And just because I am in misery
That I wanna know
That I wanna know
[Chorus]
Graduation Day, Graduation Day
We take back everything we said about you
September thought that she remembers
They don't teach humility
And just because they're always signaling Mayday
It don't mean a thing
That she's faired love
And she's seen war
But fairness she don't see
And just because she is in misery
It don't mean a thing
That she wants to know
That she wants to know
[Chorus]
Graduation Day, Graduation Day
We take back everything we said too.
But comroderie old
Doin' what I'm told
And everybody knows
This is getting out of hand
Everybody is dying for
The chance to be heard, not ignored
And everybody knows
This is getting out of hand
(Chorus)
Graduation Day, Graduation Day
We take back everything we said too
I'm not gonna
I'm not gonna
I ain't goin' to school
I'm not gonna
I'm not gonna
I'm not goin' to school
The lyrics of Head Automatica's song Graduation Day captures the complexity of youth and the bitterness and irony of its commentary on life. The lines "So much fun is in a broken bottle/On the drive at night" portray an image of reckless youth indulgence while "daddy froze froze froze on an old stool/I'm crying in the corner at 5" illustrates an unhappy family life. The mention of "black" and "blue" as well as "fine line" refers to the blurred lines of youth and their inability to distinguish the right from the wrong. The pain that the singer faces is emotional and mental, and it is not resolved by graduation, but carried with them as they move on to new stages in life.
The chorus starts with "Graduation Day, Graduation Day/We take back everything we said about you," which seems defiant, but as the lyrics continue, it points out how these young individuals have grown and now understands that things are not always what they seem. The song seems to acknowledge that many mistakes are made by young people that are influenced by those around them. The lyrics "But comradery old/Doing what I'm told/And everybody knows/This is getting out of hand" is evidence of this, demonstrating the immense pressure that young people face. The last lines of the song "I'm not gonna/ I'm not gonna/ I ain't goin' to school/ I'm not gonna/ I'm not gonna/ I'm not goin' to school" are a final defiance that indicates that the singer is entirely done with the old way and moving on to discover the new and unknown.
Line by Line Meaning
So much fun is in a broken bottle
On the drive at night
The singer associates fun with reckless behavior like drinking and driving at night.
So daddy froze froze froze on an old stool
I'm cryin' in the corner at 5
The singer hints at a troubled childhood, with a father who may have been emotionally distant or abusive.
Well I've seen black
And I've seen blue
But fine line's I don't see
And just because I am in misery
It don't mean a thing
That I wanna know
That I wanna know
The singer has gone through a lot of pain and suffering, but is aware that it doesn't necessarily lead to wisdom or understanding.
Graduation Day, Graduation Day
We take back everything we said about you
The chorus signifies a change in attitude or perspective towards someone or something, perhaps indicating a newfound appreciation or forgiveness.
September thought that she remembers
They don't teach humility
And just because they're always signaling Mayday
It don't mean a thing
That she's faired love
And she's seen war
But fairness she don't see
And just because she is in misery
It don't mean a thing
That she wants to know
That she wants to know
The artist describes someone who has been through a lot but still struggles with finding meaning or understanding in the face of chaos and injustice.
But comroderie old
Doin' what I'm told
And everybody knows
This is getting out of hand
The singer laments the loss of community and individual agency, observing that things are spiraling out of control.
Everybody is dying for
The chance to be heard, not ignored
And everybody knows
This is getting out of hand
The singer acknowledges the universal desire for validation and connection, and recognizes that this need is going unfulfilled in their world.
Graduation Day, Graduation Day
We take back everything we said too
The chorus is once again repeated, emphasizing the theme of reconsideration and redemption.
I'm not gonna
I'm not gonna
I ain't goin' to school
I'm not gonna
I'm not gonna
I'm not goin' to school
The artist is defiant in the face of societal expectations, perhaps suggesting a rejection of mainstream education or career paths.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: DARYL PALUMBO
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Krypton Kid
This song has a place in my heart. It always reminded me of how teens fight with their parents especially in senior year when our ambitions are focused on moving out, traveling, and being independent. Although, farewells aren’t always easy with parents, they’re required. We need to let go of what others think we’ll end up being. People may paint a picture of what we’re gonna be, but they don’t know the half of it—we’re all capable of being incredible things. 🎉
shandrasushisaurus
This song came out right before I started ninth grade in 2006 and I bumped it when I graduated in 2010. Now I'm gonna bump it again when I graduate from college next month. Ahh, the feelings.
Ernest Murillo
congrats on getting out of college!
shandrasushisaurus
Aww, thank you! <3
Dustin Hale
Hope your using your degree well....sorry nostalgia hit me. Loved this song when I was in high-school. Class of 07.
bobcat_ cowboy44
Did you graduate college
Shandra Monterastelli
@bobcat_ cowboy44 yup. And then law school four years later!
Alchemist Asia
This song came out when I turned 9. I’ve been waiting years to use it. I just graduated with my BS in Chemistry yesterday and I blasted this song everywhereeeeee. A huge wave of nostalgia kicked in. Crazy to think a song can motivate you to do something huge!
Mark Miller
This song came about around 2006 or so when I was heading into my senior year of high school. I love the depictions of the different futures in this video. They are most definitely true, and its been 7 years since I graduated HS. SO much time has passed, so many things have changed. So many people I saw for the final time that day and will never see them again. Just an incredible time. :)
Del
You know you're old when the first time you watched this was on Steve's untitled rock show.