The Big Bright Green Pleasure Machine Lyrics
Does your group have more cavities than theirs?
Do all the hippies seem to get the jump on you?
Do you sleep alone when other sleep in pairs?
Well there's no need to complain,
We'll eliminate your pain.
We can neutralize your brain.
You'll feel just fine
Now.
Buy a big bright green pleasure machine!
Is life within the business world a drag?
Did your boss just mention that you'd better shop around
To find yourself a more productive bag?
Are you worried and distressed?
Can't seem to get no rest?
Put our product to the test.
You'll feel just fine
Now.
Buy a big bright green pleasure machine!
Our limited supply is very nearly gone.
Do your checks bounce higher than a rubber ball?
Are you worried 'cause your girlfriend's just a little late?
Are you looking for a way to chuck it all?
We can end your daily strife
At a reasonable price.
You've seen it advertised in Life.
You'll feel just fine
Now.
Buy a big bright green pleasure machine.
It was actually in The Graduate, it's playing in the background as Ben and Elaine are getting food in his car.
In my opinion, this song is playing on commercialism and advertising, like a parody of that one 'magic product' that will solve all your problems, and how 'you'd better hurry up and order one!' and all the techniques that are used in advertising.
It could also reference drugs, being one of the things that could 'eliminate your pain'
It's about money. well actually i dont know but im gonna say it like i know anyway. Its a good song, if it were about money it would fit the graduate...
I think this song might be about marijuana. It's not big, nor really bright, but it definitely fits the bill of "green plasure machine."
I think the song is heavily talking about buying products, such as products show in Life magazine like the song says, or on TV. I interpret it being about money and also, drugs. The song was released 1966, already a year when drugs were becoming more and more common.
I think it might be about television or tanks.
The "machine" is a literal one, as in mode of transport. It's a hippie van. The lyrics translate to "run away from your troubles and sorrows by buying a green van and tooling aimlessly around in it.
The "machine" isn't some real object, just a gaudy abstract symbol of a consumeristic, instant-gratification-seeking society. (If you absolutely must imagine something, think the Orgasmotron in Sleeper. Only bright and green.)
The "machine" isn't some real object, just a gaudy abstract symbol of a consumeristic, instant-gratification-seeking society. (If you absolutely must imagine something, think the Orgasmotron in Sleeper. Only bright and green.)
Oh, and I was thinking "green van."
Oh, and I was thinking "green van."
This song reminds me of the thought experiment of the "experience machine" put forward by Robert Nozick: he describes a hypothetical machine that can induce all kinds of pleasurable experiences for the rest of your life, and explains the reasons why people shouldn't (and most people wouldn't) want to live in that machine when given a choice.
This can't have been the inspiration for the song, since it wasn't published until 1974, but the song may well be based on a similar thought. (Or maybe Nozick liked Simon & Garfunkel... ;-))