Everyday Robots

Damon Albarn's song "Everyday Robots" paints a poignant picture of modern society's increasing dependence on technology and the resulting isolation. The lyrics describe people as 'everyday robots,' a metaphor for how individuals have become mechanical and detached, engrossed in their phones and digital devices. This imagery suggests a loss of human connection and individuality, as people are depicted as 'standing stones,' immobile and isolated despite being surrounded by others.

The song delves into the idea of control and commodification, with lines like 'in the process of being sold' and 'driving in adjacent cars.' These phrases highlight how technology and consumerism have taken over our lives, dictating our actions and interactions. The notion of 'pressing restart' implies a cyclical, almost futile attempt to break free from this digital monotony, only to find ourselves back in the same routine.

Albarn also touches on the superficiality of digital communication with the line 'just touch thumbs,' referring to the act of texting or using social media. This 'swimming in lingo' leads to a state of 'sleep,' a metaphor for the numbness and lack of genuine engagement that comes with over-reliance on technology. The song concludes with a somber reflection on aging and the passage of time, as 'everyday robots' grow old and cold, still isolated and disconnected, symbolized by the 'vacant seat.'

"Everyday Robots" serves as a critical commentary on the dehumanizing effects of technology and the importance of reclaiming our humanity in an increasingly digital world.