Interpretations:Unctuous Robot

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Aspbergers + Imposter Syndrome

I think there's at least two layers here:

1: Narrator is "on the spectrum" and thinks everyone is using too many unnecessary smarmy words - unctuous. And can't figure out the true intentions or even the reason others are talking to him - they are robots that can't be understood or deciphered.

2: Then narrator goes a step further and thinks that he isn't actually doesn't deserve credit for anything positive - Imposter Sydrome.

Now neither of these themes is new to the Johns. Most direct to #1 is "Hope you don't become a Robot!" which also (from allusion to how they're numbers and that's great) I personally think reflects someone on the spectrum too. And very recently for #2 is "The Greatest". —Preceding unsigned comment added by Minimumwage (talk • contribs) 13:34, July 11, 2018‎

I'm sorry, John, I'm afraid I can't do that

These lyrics make me wonder if Linnell recently watched 2001 and had HAL on the brain. Talk about unctuous robots! --MisterMe (talk) 16:07, 11 July 2018 (EDT)

I'd like to add that the chorus can also be read "You're an Unctuous Robot: U.R., U.R." --202.67.117.245 09:53, 26 October 2018 (EDT)

Great observation! I assume you are referring to the Karel Čapek play. Another way: "You: R.U.R." --Nehushtan (talk) 11:39, 14 September 2019 (EDT)

He's Talking To His Reflection

This theory is actually pretty obvious, as the narrator even states in the first line of the first verse:

"I know you are but what am I/Is what I say when I'm admiring my reflection."

Because of this, I argue that the "Unctuous Robot" is actually himself (his reflection). This explains why each phase in the chorus is sung twice,

"Stop repeating things I'm saying/Stop repeating things I'm saying/You're an unctuous robot /You're an unctuous robot/You are you are"

because after all, if you say something to your reflection, it is going to repeat the same thing back. This also explains the line

"While dressing in the clothes/I found in your room"

since again, he is talking about his own clothes in his own room. It's as if the reflection is it's own being; the "Unctuous Robot." But here's the kicker...both parties are the Unctuous Robot! Who's to say which man is the reflection and which is real? Each of them think that they are the real man, and the other is the Unctuous Robot. This is why in the chorus they accuse each other of repeating the things the other is saying, and that the other is an unctuous robot.

The end of the second verse and bridge, I'm not as clear on the meaning.

"But here's the thing nobody knows: Inside me there's a smaller man at the controls

All my works are forgeries Impressive, yes, but worthless forgeries Impressive, yes, until you learn they're forgeries."

Maybe the narrator is not real after all? Maybe he is the reflection. If the narrator is the reflection, then anything he does would be a forgery: just a copy of his real-world counterpart.

- Kierancaspian

Great insights! I think the mirror explanation is right. I'm wondering now whether Linnell felt the need to "choose" between two mirror-crazy songs - I Am Alone and this one - and the former "won". Alone ended up on Phone Power, while Unctuous landed on the "remains" compilation.

So, I'm going to put this in the pile of "Linnell songs about obscure & funny psychological disorders", like Mountain Flowers and Apophenia. In I Am Alone the narrator thinks his reflections are spies who have somehow invaded his bathroom. In this one, he accuses his reflection of being a robotic doppelganger. --Nehushtan (talk) 08:37, 9 July 2022 (EDT)

A Song About Amazon

The intro and outro are references to every Alexa user. An "Unctuous Robot" is one that overwhelmingly flatters you while wanting something from you. It's the perfect title for this song

The first verse is about how he is finding self worth with the things he is purchasing from Amazon’s site.

The first chorus is about how happy he is that Amazon can find him the things he didn’t think he’d want.

Also a reference to a small (weak) man that controls him, showing his lack of self-control. The forgeries thing is a reference to how a big strong man didn’t make a thing. A weak man did.

ON A SIDE NOTE REGARDING THE MUSIC VIDEO: The woman is shown with her stack of money, giving it to the faceless man she is in love with. As she's handing over more and more money, she gets concerned, then elated.