After listening to this song for the thousandth time—some 16 years later—on a super stoned night in June, I can’t help but realize that this song is essentially about succumbing to one’s will and expectations.
More specifically, in regards to the year 2021, it’s as if no one is capable of having their own opinion anymore… or “voice” (See music video).
If you express one opinion then you’re labeled “X”, and if you express a different opinion, then you’re labeled “Y”. There is no tolerance for different voices… you’re better off silenced.
And—per the lyrics & tone of the song—one senses anger, frustration, and sarcasm in regards to succumbing to societal expectations “the machine”.
“You can have it…”
“Turn me into…someone more like yourself”
“….I swear not to scream at my becoming part of the machine”
(Referring to the singer’s succumbing to society’s will to be silenced)
“Let it be known that this is what you get for falling out of line…no one wins against the machine, so get back in line”
(Referring to the idea that there is no beating the majority/society/“machine”, and that speaking out only brings more trouble)
“Are you the man now?”
(More a rhetorical question since the singer has been silenced by the end of the song: Is society truly better off this way? Well let’s hope so, because it’s too late now)
After listening to this song for the thousandth time—some 16 years later—on a super stoned night in June, I can’t help but realize that this song is essentially about succumbing to one’s will and expectations.
More specifically, in regards to the year 2021, it’s as if no one is capable of having their own opinion anymore… or “voice” (See music video).
If you express one opinion then you’re labeled “X”, and if you express a different opinion, then you’re labeled “Y”. There is no tolerance for different voices… you’re better off silenced.
And—per the lyrics & tone of the song—one senses anger, frustration, and sarcasm in regards to succumbing to societal expectations “the machine”.
“You can have it…” “Turn me into…someone more like yourself” “….I swear not to scream at my becoming part of the machine”
(Referring to the singer’s succumbing to society’s will to be silenced)
“Let it be known that this is what you get for falling out of line…no one wins against the machine, so get back in line”
(Referring to the idea that there is no beating the majority/society/“machine”, and that speaking out only brings more trouble)
“Are you the man now?”
(More a rhetorical question since the singer has been silenced by the end of the song: Is society truly better off this way? Well let’s hope so, because it’s too late now)