Modern Love Is Automatic

A Flock of Seagulls' song 'Modern Love Is Automatic' delves into the complexities and constraints of contemporary relationships. The lyrics juxtapose the natural and the artificial, suggesting a tension between genuine human connection and the mechanized, impersonal nature of modern love. The repeated phrase 'Modern love is automatic' underscores a sense of inevitability and detachment, as if love in the modern age has become a programmed, predictable process rather than a spontaneous, emotional experience.

The narrative of the song introduces two characters: 'She's an automatic' and 'He's a cosmic man.' These descriptions hint at a blend of the mechanical and the mystical, perhaps symbolizing the clash between the mundane and the extraordinary in modern relationships. Their meeting in a garden in old Japan, where 'young love's forbidden,' adds a layer of historical and cultural context, evoking a sense of nostalgia and longing for a time when love was more mysterious and less constrained by societal norms.

The song also touches on themes of separation and loss. The line 'They locked him away for twenty years they say' suggests a forced separation, possibly due to societal pressures or misunderstandings. Despite this, the narrator holds onto hope, believing that the story isn't over. This reflects a deeper commentary on the resilience of love, even in the face of modern challenges. The repetitive nature of the lyrics, especially the word 'automatic,' emphasizes the cyclical and unchanging nature of these struggles, highlighting the ongoing tension between authentic emotion and the automated, impersonal aspects of contemporary life.