The most immediately striking component of Human Televisions sound is the g… Read Full Bio ↴The most immediately striking component of Human Televisions sound is the guitar. Its perpetually jangly and deliciously upbeat, calling to mind all those underrated Teen Beat and Sarah Records bands who stood at the forefront of what some considered a Golden Age for our lovably nerdy counterculture. The production style is understated and really, barely noticeable; everything's crisp and relatively clear, but refreshingly free of any sterilizing sheen. The subject matter covered by frontman Billy Downing boredom, failed relationships, etc. is far from revolutionary, but the phrasing and presentation of his lyrics boast enough subtle nuance to take something fairly standard and make it extraordinary. There are hints of textured gloominess (Im Moving On) every now and then, but its not a mood that suits them particularly well. They're at their best on upbeat tracks like "I Laughed" and "In Front of the House," where their sunshiny melodies take center stage.

automobile
Human Television Lyrics

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Hey you, don't move
Have I crossed your mind this afternoon?
Well, oh yeah, me too
'Cause we'll all be leaving pretty soon

Hear me out for now at least
Your descriptions are different, I think
The waste of time we'll both foresee

From all of the beauty you keep

Hey you, don't move
Have I crossed your mind this afternoon?
Well, oh yeah, me too
'Cause we'll all be leaving pretty soon

Cannot believe the sound
That comes out of your mouth
Your voice much like a didgeridoo
What did you do?

Hey you, don't move
Have I crossed your mind this afternoon?
Well, oh yeah, me too
'Cause we'll all be leaving pretty soon

Hey you, don't move
Your voice is like a bridge to the moon

And lookout, without
'Cause we'll all be leaving pretty soon

Overall Meaning

The song "Automobile" by Human Television is a melancholic piece about the fleeting nature of life and how everything we hold dear is temporal. The song begins with the singer addressing someone, pleading with them to stay still and asking if they have thought about him that day. The person's response is that they also have been thinking about the singer. Here, the singer is suggesting that their thoughts about each other will be forgotten in time, suggesting that everything in life is transient.

Towards the end of the first verse, the lyrics "the waste of time we'll both foresee, from all the beauty you keep," suggest that the two individuals have shared some beautiful memories but they will be wasted because they won't last forever. In the chorus, the singer repeats the opening lines, with the addition of "we'll all be leaving pretty soon." This emphasizes the theme of transience and suggests that they must cherish the moments they have right now because they will soon be gone.

The second verse is more cryptic, with the singer singing about how he cannot believe the sounds that come out of the other person's mouth, comparing their voice to a didgeridoo. The third verse suggests that the person's voice is magical in some way, acting as a bridge to the moon. Here, the singer is using the moon as a metaphor for the afterlife, which humans believe in different ways. The singer is suggesting that the person's voice has something other-worldly and that it is powerful enough to transcend death. Overall, "Automobile" is a poignant song that encourages us to treasure the people and moments we have today.

Line by Line Meaning

Hey you, don't move
I need your attention right now

Have I crossed your mind this afternoon?
Were you thinking about me today?

Well, oh yeah, me too
Because I was also thinking about you

'Cause we'll all be leaving pretty soon
We don't have much time left together

Hear me out for now at least
Listen to what I have to say

Your descriptions are different, I think
What you say and what I say are not the same

The waste of time we'll both foresee
We'll both regret wasting our time

From all of the beauty you keep
From all the things you hold on to

Cannot believe the sound
I can't believe what I'm hearing

That comes out of your mouth
What you're saying is surprising/unexpected

Your voice much like a didgeridoo
Your voice is unique and interesting