Lyric discussion by Duiel 

Cover art for Heavy Metal Machine lyrics by Smashing Pumpkins, The

i think it's about fame and how you become sort of viewed as a machine (note the name Heavy Metal Machine). i think billy can describe it better than i can. you sort of stop being seen as a person

if i were alive if i were real would you survive what would you feel

and it's sort of about the isolation you get from being a star and how you stop being seen as a person, and maybe even how you become that heavy metal machine, like when you're onstage or something

let me die for rock and roll let me die to save so soul let me die, let me die rock and roll

well, it's a wonderful song. i think it should be a classic.