State of the Art by Gotye Lyrics Meaning – Unveiling the Paradox of Technological Progress
Lyrics
We threw out the television
I’m Model D 575
Has custom flute presets
And Harmony-Plus in addition
Now for an arm and a leg
We get three half-dozen beats to choose from
So now we can pretend
That there’s an orchestra in the lounge room
I put the genie bass on
So my left hand can play the choir
With sixteen foot Diapason
And Lowrey’s patented Orchestral Symphonizer
Banjo’s great on repeat
The kids want to play but they’ll have to be patient
The wife can’t help tapping her feet
It’s a genuine home entertainment revelation
State, state, state, state of the art
(State of the art)
(Hold the phone, it’s so)
State, state, state, state of the art
(Listen to the difference!)
State, state, state, state of the art
(By use of a computer)
(Oh my God, it’s so)
State, state, state, state of the art
Now we don’t want to go out
When we could spend the night at home with the cotillion
Invite the neighbors around
Start the boss a nova beat and limbo from the living to the kitchen
Enjoy the state of the art
The magic swing piano really is astounding
Now we can’t tell them apart
But these amazing simulations end up sounding even better than the real thing
State, state, state, state of the art
(State of the art)
(Hold the phone, it’s so)
State, state, state, state of the art
(Computer controlled tone color)
State, state, state, state of the art
(The marriage of music to computers is quite natural)
(Oh my God, it’s so)
State, state, state, state of the art
(It is time to hear the results)
(Hold the phone, it’s so)
(Oh my God, it’s so)
Within the melodious and buoyant track ‘State of the Art’ by Gotye lies a complex tapestry of meaning, weaving together satirical threads and a nuanced critique of technology’s impact on the arts. The song, cloaked in the veneer of an upbeat tune, belies a profound commentary on modern society’s relationship with technological ‘advancements’ and the sacrifice of authenticity for convenience and novelty.
But what exactly is Gotye conveying through this groove-laden anthem? Let’s delve into the heart of ‘State of the Art’ and explore the layers of interpretation embedded within Gotye’s electronic-rich, evocative lyrics.
The Cotillion’s Arrival: A Foregone Analog Era
The opening lines are much more than a nostalgic reference. Gotye uses the ‘cotillion’—a bygone musical instrument—as a metaphor for the shift from organic to digital, a transformation that both excites and alienates. It’s a eulogy for the analog age, mourning the physical connection to art that is lost in the digital realm.
As he throws out the television, an emblem of passive entertainment, he embraces the ‘Model D 575’, symbolizing the alluring and deceptive complexity of modern gadgets. This new object of affection comes with features promising an enhanced experience, yet there’s a veiled irony in the eagerness to acquire something devoid of the television’s interpersonal drama and imperfection.
The Illusion of Abundance: Critiquing Consumer Culture
Gotye isn’t merely musing on the changing landscape of technology but also satirizing the consumer culture that promotes the illusion of choice. ‘Three half-dozen beats to choose from’ highlights how this perceived variety feeds into the myth of endless options, when in reality, it leads to uniformity draped in the guise of personalization.
The narrative encapsulates the folly of thinking that quantity triumphs over quality. The plethora of selections doesn’t enhance creativity but reduces art to a commodity, something that can be bought ‘for an arm and a leg’, stripping it of its uniqueness and passion.
Living in a Simulated Symphony: The Quest for Perfection
Gotye’s ‘orchestra in the lounge room’ signifies the desire to capture and reproduce perfection, a dream offered by technology. With tools like the ‘genie bass’ and ‘Lowrey’s patented Orchestral Symphonizer’, artistry becomes something reproducible, a formula rather than an expression of human emotion and imperfection.
The song raises a mirror to our willingness to trade the unpredictability and soulfulness of live art for the flawless replication of sounds. Through this, Gotye dares to ask whether the polish and precision offered by modern technology truly enrich our experiences, or if it sterilizes the raw essence of what makes music resonate with us.
A Metaphorical Limbo: The Erosion of Social Connectivity
In the heart of the song, the social setting morphs into a technological playground. The act of inviting neighbors over for a night of artificial beats and computer-generated rhythms serves as an allegory for society’s diminishing direct human contact, as more of our interactions become mediated by screens and devices.
Interpersonal connectivity is put into ‘limbo’ as Gotye illustrates the physical dance through spaces, yet hints at the emotional staticity—the lack of genuine connection—in an era where virtual experiences are becoming indistinct from real ones. Entertainment’s revolution becomes evolution’s devolution.
Unearthing the Hidden Meaning: The Real vs. The State of the Art
Gotye posits a crucial question through his recurring chorus, imbued with subtle cynicism: Are we aspiring to a ‘state of the art’ that no longer requires the human touch? The song’s hidden message uncovers the paradox of our time—where authenticity is often compromised for a synthetic substitute, as ‘amazing simulations end up sounding even better than the real thing.’
This is not just about the authenticity of sound but also about the essence of human experience. In our quest for the pristine and the perfect, we may be losing out on what truly moves us—the imperfections, the fluctuations, and the raw emotions that define our humanity. Gotye’s ‘State of the Art’ serves as an ode to the flawed but beautiful tapestry of organic life, urging listeners to discern the living art amidst the march of digital progress.
