Released 1983 | Format 7" single | |
B-side "Something in the Water (Does Not Compute)" Recorded Sunset Sound and Minneapolis 1982 Genre Pop, new wave, funk, dance Length 9:28 (Album version)
3:38 (Single edit) | ||
"Automatic" is a song by American musician Prince from his 1982 album, 1999. It was released as a 7" single only in Australia, with "Something in the Water (Does Not Compute)" as the B-side. Almost six minutes were edited from the album track for its single release.
A promotional music video directed by Bruce Gowers, who previously directed the "1999" video as well as videos from Queen, Rod Stewart and John Mellencamp, was produced for the song, which features band mates Lisa Coleman and Jill Jones whipping Prince in a simulated S&M session. The video was not released through conventional outlets (It was only released as a promotional video for dance clubs), possibly due to its risqué content in regard to the aforementioned masochistic whipping, but circulates amongst collectors.
"Automatic" was first played during the 1999 Tour. Later it was a featured number during Prince's 1986 Parade tour. The song was part of a mini-1999 medley consisting of a short instrumental segment of "Lady Cab Driver", "Automatic", and a very brief "D.M.S.R.". The song reappeared in 2002 at some aftershows in a medley with the Graffiti Bridge song "Shake!".