Friday, January 30, 2009

Welcome to the Machine

Welcome my son, welcome to the machine
Where have you been? It's alright we know where you've been.
You've been in the pipeline, filling in time, provided with toys and 'Scouting for Boys'.
You bought a guitar to punish your ma,
And you didn't like school, you know you're nobody's fool
So welcome to the machine.

Welcome my son, welcome to the machine.
What did you dream? It's alright we told you what to dream.
You dreamed of a big star, he played a mean guitar,
He always ate in the steak bar, he loved to drive in his Jaguar
So welcome to the machine.



- Released September 15, 1975

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The song explores the band's negativity towards the music industry and the whole of industrialized society. The song centers around an aspiring musician (inspired by Syd Barrett) who is getting signed by a seedy executive to the music industry, "The Machine". The voice predicts all the boy's seemingly rebellious ideas ("You bought a guitar to punish your ma, you didn't like school, and you know you're nobody's fool"). The boy's illusions of personal identity are further crushed with lines such as, "What did you dream, it's alright we told you what to dream". The lyrics also allude to the band's disillusionment with the music industry as a money-making machine rather than a forum of artistic expression.


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