The Vibrators recorded sessions at for John Peel at BBC Radio 1 in October 1976, June 1977, and February 1978. They were one of the pioneering punk bands that played at London's Roxy Club. They headlined in January 1977, supported by The Drones, and in February they played twice at the venue. In March 1977 the band supported Iggy Pop on his British tour. Later that year they backed ex-Mott the Hoople frontman Ian Hunter.
The band signed to Epic Records in early 1977. Their debut album, Pure Mania was co-produced with Robin Mayhew, the sound engineer for David Bowie's Ziggy Stardust live shows, and reached the Top 50 of the UK Albums Chart. The album is well regarded by some music critics and, 17 years after its release The Guinness Encyclopedia of Popular Music named Pure Mania one of the 50 best punk albums of all time.
Their follow-up album, V2, narrowly missed the UK Top 30. The only single to be taken from that album, "Automatic Lover", was the only Vibrators’ single to reach the UK Top 40 where it reached #35. It earned the band a TV appearance on the prime-time TV show Top of the Pops. The Vibrators’ final single on Epic, "Judy Says (Knock You In The Head)", was released in June 1978. It reached #70 in the UK singles chart. Years later it was included in Mojo magazine’s list of the best punk rock singles of all time.
A lack of further chart activity, and with only one UK Top 40 single to their credit, sees the Vibrators join the list of one-hit wonders; a list that includes other UK punk and new wave acts such as The Banned, John Cooper Clarke, The Flying Lizards, Jilted John, 999, the Radio Stars, and the Rich Kids.
During the 1980s, John Ellis recorded and toured frequently with Peter Hammill, and subsequently The Stranglers, eventually joining the latter full-time in the 1990s. Pat Collier went on to work closely with The Soft Boys, producing their seminal album, Underwater Moonlight, and Robyn Hitchcock, producing and mixing some of his solo albums (to which Knox also sometimes contributed). Despite numerous line-up changes, The Vibrators are still touring to this date as a three-piece, "Knox" and "Eddie" being the only original members.
Automatic Lover
The Vibrators Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Automatic lover
Automatic lover
Automatic lover
Here she comes, she's crazy
But she knows the scene
Carries an automatic pistol
Run for cover, girl, run for cover
She's the kinda thing
I was warned of by my mother
Automatic lover
Automatic lover
Well, here I am
Outta my brain
Everything is comin'
Back 'round again
Well, there you are
Movin' real, real fast
It's a long, long night
I don't think you're gonna last
Run for cover, girl, run for cover
She's the kinda thing
I was warned of by my mother
Automatic lover
Automatic lover
Automatic in her hand
She wants to wear the pants
[Incomprehensible]
Give me half a chance
Automatic lover
Automatic lover, alright
You talk about
This or that glory
But me, honey
I'm a different story
When you go mad
And start countin' up to ten
I'm outta that door
And on the street again
Run for cover, girl, run for cover
She's the kinda thing
I was warned of by my mother
Automatic lover
Automatic lover
Automatic lover
Automatic lover
The Vibrators's song "Automatic Lover" is about a woman who is described as crazy and carries an automatic pistol. She is a wild and unpredictable lover who wants to be in control. The singer is both attracted and scared of her. He advises the listener to run for cover, as she is the kind of woman that his mother warned him about. The woman is referred to as an automatic lover, which can be interpreted in two ways. It can be understood literally as she uses an automatic pistol, or it can be seen as a reference to her sexual behavior, where she is in control and robotic in her actions.
The song has a dystopian and apocalyptic feel to it, with a sense of danger and instability. The repetitive chorus of "Automatic lover" adds to the feeling of unease and alienation. The singer seems to be struggling to keep up with the woman's fast-paced and erratic behavior. The line "When you go mad and start counting up to ten" suggests that she has moments of instability and perhaps even madness. The song is a commentary on how technology and automation can dehumanize our lives, including our relationships.
Line by Line Meaning
Automatic lover
Repetition of the chorus line emphasizing the focus of the song.
Here she comes, she's crazy
A woman is approaching and seems to be exhibiting eccentric behavior.
But she knows the scene
She's familiar with the surroundings and knows what's going on.
Carries an automatic pistol
She's carrying a gun that automatically reloads.
She ain't got my magazine
She doesn't have any bullets that suit the singer's gun magazine.
Run for cover, girl, run for cover
An exclamation advising a woman to look for shelter because of the approaching woman with an automatic pistol.
She's the kinda thing
The woman with an automatic pistol is not someone to mess with.
I was warned of by my mother
The singer's mother had previously warned him about someone like the approaching woman.
Well, here I am
The singer is present.
Outta my brain
The singer is not thinking straight at the moment.
Everything is comin'
The situation is becoming intense and hectic.
Back 'round again
The situation is repeating once more.
Well, there you are
The woman with the automatic pistol is present in the scene.
Movin' real, real fast
The woman is moving swiftly, making it difficult to catch her.
It's a long, long night
The night seems to be dragging on and getting exhausting.
I don't think you're gonna last
The woman with the automatic pistol wouldn't survive for long in that situation.
Automatic in her hand
The woman is holding an automatic weapon in her hand.
She wants to wear the pants
She wants to be in control.
[Incomprehensible]
The lyrics are not clearly audible.
Give me half a chance
The singer might have a chance with the woman if given just a little opportunity.
You talk about
Referring to someone else's boasting or bragging.
This or that glory
The person is talking about their own achievements, but the singer isn't concerned with that.
But me, honey
The singer has a different approach.
I'm a different story
The singer has his own narrative, which sets him apart from others.
When you go mad
Referring to when someone loses their temper or becomes irrational.
And start countin' up to ten
Referring to someone needing to calm down or count to ten to prevent themselves from doing something foolish.
I'm outta that door
The singer quickly leaves the scene for his own safety.
And on the street again
The singer is back to the streets and continues living his life.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: IAN MILROY CARNOCHAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@stevemance2812
Nostalgia is the best feel-good drug EVER!!!!!
@cuttyrut1611
It's even better with drugs😮
@RnREnglands
Vibrators2 ...sound great in 2023
@tiltmonger9448
They never miss
@maddog8621
What a band!
@melsmall6200
BRILLIANT memories 👏 👏👏👏👍
@douglas2902
First time hearing this not bad. I've got this on a compilation cd set. This actually pretty cool
@sevenantony7376
yes my first single
@askminde8926
luv it
@lolamyers2227
Interesting video!