- Friedrich Nietzsche
If you don't know how Joe Fox feels about you or anything else for that matter, you haven't listened closely enough. He'll tell you anything you need to know with ease, albeit in a quiet, no-nonsense manner. You'll know if he loves you or not, what else he loves or hates, and why, if you listen. Joe Fox as you hear him now began about five years ago when he was twenty years old. His collection of instruments consists of guitars, bass, his voice, and a plethora of synthesizers and weird little boxes that hum, buzz and control each other. Given his love of bands like Air and Blonde Redhead, the variety of tools he chose to wield makes perfect sense.
Speaking of electronics: a synth has never sounded so expressive as it has in his songs. 'A' synth? No - I should comment upon the plurality of devices which you will hear....each, like a traveller from a unique, remote crevasse or wrinkle of the globe, stepping up and telling his or her part of the story. The guitars, too, add a sort of urgent narrative.... as if the flesh pressing tightly-wound metal against stained wood knows this isn't possible forever. His vocals, as well, speak with a contempt of his own humanity but a soaring love for all that makes him human. The traces of this human frailty you might pick up from his voice belie his knack for pronounced emotional clarity; you'll never be confused as to how to feel, if you really listen.
Inspired directly by a tragically intense best friend back in the school days, Joe became interested in writing & recording at the age of fourteen. His musical and thematic inspiration could safely be attributed to his family thus: his mother (a teacher of middle eastern music and dance and former pianist) and his father (well-versed in the blues) left many instruments available as precursory playthings to a developing musical personality. He was also most certainly influenced by his sister's musical tastes of the Reagan era, such as the Cure, Devo, & The Talking Heads. Speaking of influences, I feel as if I should mention this: Joe's music and friendship has made probably the most direct and personal effect upon my own tinkering with electronic music and home recording that I can recall.
What you might not find out, however, if your dialogue with him was a bit brief, is that he makes music. Praise be to the attenuation (or volume control) of modern and not-so-modern electronics. Whereas when in person you might be prone to lean in to catch every word, here ... a quick clockwise motion is all that's necessary. This is something you will want to do. You'll probably also feel like moving around quite a bit.
-Ryan Hampton
(for more info, music, photos, etc. go here: http://jfox.raygunarmy.com/)
Autopilot
joe fox Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Heartache is fine
I think I've always had it
I am not someone that you should fall in love with
I am not the one, I'll only disappoint you
Autopilot, Autopilot, Autopilot, Autopilot
Everybody love you when your heart don't make a sound
And everybody love you when you're rich and famous
Nobody love you when you're poor and nameless
Everybody love you when the curtains coming down
Don't waste your time searching for an answer
Heartache is fine
I think I've always had it
I am not someone that you should fall in love with
I am not the one, I'll only disappoint you
Autopilot, Autopilot, Autopilot, Autopilot
Everybody love you when your heart don't make a sound
And everybody love when you're 10 feet under ground
And everybody love you when you're rich and famous
Nobody love you when you're poor and nameless
Everybody love you when the curtains coming down
Sometimes I feel like I'm half dead
Watching waiting on words you said
And dirty pictures, they fill my head
I'll wait for you 'til you save us
And everybody love you when your heart don't make a sound
And everybody love when you're 10 feet under ground
And everybody love you when you're rich and famous
Nobody love you when you're poor and nameless
Everybody love you when the curtains coming down
And everybody love you when you're rich and famous
Nobody love you when you're poor and nameless
Oh, it's over now
And everybody love you when you're rich and famous
Nobody love you when you're poor and nameless
Oh, is it over now?
Oh, it's over now
In Joe Fox's song Autopilot, the artist seems to be giving a warning to someone who might be looking for love from him. He suggests that heartache should not be a dealbreaker because he has always had it. He describes himself as not someone you should fall in love with, and how he will only disappoint the person who tries. The repeated phrase "Autopilot" suggests that his emotions are on autopilot, and he is not fully present or engaged with the idea of love.
The chorus repeats the idea that people only seem to love you under certain circumstances: when you're silent, dead or buried, rich and famous, or when the curtains are coming down. It seems like Fox is commenting on the fickle nature of society and how people tend to only love or appreciate others when they have something to offer them. The verse in the middle suggests that sometimes he feels half-dead waiting for someone's words, and how his mind is filled with dirty pictures while he waits for that person to save them. The final repetition of the idea that nobody loves you when you're poor and nameless further emphasizes the idea that society only values you if you have something to offer.
Overall, Joe Fox is presenting a cynical view of love and society, suggesting that people tend to only value those who can offer them something or are in a certain position of power or fame.
Line by Line Meaning
Don't waste your time searching for an answer
Stop trying to search for a solution
Heartache is fine
It's okay to feel sadness sometimes
I think I've always had it
I have always carried heartache within me
I am not someone that you should fall in love with
I am not the right person for you to love
I am not the one, I'll only disappoint you
I will not meet your expectations and will let you down
Autopilot, Autopilot, Autopilot, Autopilot
Repetition of autopilot emphasizes my feeling of detachment and lack of control
Everybody love you when your heart don't make a sound
When you're emotionless, people tend to like you more
And everybody love when you're 10 feet under ground
People express love more when you're dead
And everybody love you when you're rich and famous
People love you more when you have wealth and fame
Nobody love you when you're poor and nameless
People tend not to care about you when you're poor and unknown
Everybody love you when the curtains coming down
People show affection when things are coming to an end
Sometimes I feel like I'm half dead
I feel a sense of detachment and emptiness
Watching waiting on words you said
I assume everything you say is important and pay close attention
And dirty pictures, they fill my head
My mind is preoccupied with undesirable images
I'll wait for you 'til you save us
I will wait for you to make things better for both of us
Oh, it's over now
The situation has finally come to an end
Oh, is it over now?
Is the situation really over?
Contributed by Sophia T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@Davidsweirdness
I dont understand how this shits not playing everywhere
@sinnedsechsvieracht
What a wonderful song Joe! This is a piece of freedom and liberty for me, thank you so much. Life is good!
@zachlias5181
looking forward to his album. I feel like Joe has a bright future.
@Orcadex
Joe Fox is the next Bob Dylan in my opinion
@JaredKoonProductionsOfficial
all amazing songs!
@nielegaDDL
where is my mind