Propaganda Machine
1927 Lyrics


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Radio, TV and magazines
Tellin’ you how to be to make the scene
It’s all black and white no grey matter in between
And the megalithic media with feet of clay
Suck to the people so the ratings pay
Never give a care who’s caught in the ricochet
Every picture paints a thousand lies
And the airways amplify

Propaganda Machine
With its slanderous schemes
Propaganda Machine
The lies between the lines

Smooth guy standin’ at a pick-up bar
Flashin’ cash like a movie star
Tellin’ everyone he’s got a brand new car
It’s a Porsche, of course
But he’d never admit he’s got a hell of a life
Workin’ hard payin’ off his third ex-wife
Never the time to enjoy the things he’d like to do
Money can’t but a long term smile
It’s just a lie propagated by

Tells you what to think and what to say
And everything is all O.K.
But we’re all victims of the machine
Tells you what to do what point of view to take
To make you mass-produced
One more prisoner of the machine

Petty politicians playin’ schoolboy games
The fallacy of weapons takin’ deadly aim
Huffin’ and puffin’ now it’s all in the name
Of what’s best … they guess
So they wave us goodbye and they wish us luck
Which is just like sayin’ you can all get lost
Hang the cost if the machine keeps makin’ bucks




And the big boys jump at every chance
To do another dance for the

Overall Meaning

Propaganda Machine by 1927 is a song that critiques the media and its manipulation of the masses. The song highlights the ways in which the media controls what we see, hear and think. The lyrics point out how the media shapes our thoughts and behaviors by creating an ideal image of what is desirable and then selling it to us. The media does not care about who gets hurt in the process; they only care about the ratings and the money that they make.


The song starts by listing out the forms of media, including radio, TV, and magazines, which all dictate what is considered desirable in society. It then goes on to describe the media as a megalithic machine with feet of clay, meaning that it is huge, powerful and influential. However, it is also flawed and fragile. The media is willing to sacrifice anyone in its path to success, and it does so by creating a false image of reality.


The lyrics also touch upon the idea of capitalism and how it fuels the media. The media’s primary aim is not to educate but to make money, and it does so by selling lies to the masses. The media promotes a lifestyle that is unattainable for many people, but they still buy into it because they have been told that it is the norm. Overall, Propaganda Machine is a song that warns people to be cautious of the media and to question what they are seeing and hearing.


Line by Line Meaning

Radio, TV and magazines
Popular forms of mass media that shape the way people think and act.


Tellin’ you how to be to make the scene
Instructing people on how to conform to societal norms in order to fit in.


It’s all black and white no grey matter in between
Presenting issues in a simplistic manner, leaving no room for nuance or complexity.


And the megalithic media with feet of clay
The powerful media outlets that are prone to making mistakes and errors.


Suck to the people so the ratings pay
Appealing to people's baser instincts and desires in order to generate higher ratings and more profits.


Never give a care who’s caught in the ricochet
Being indifferent to the potential negative consequences that may result from the media's messaging.


Every picture paints a thousand lies
Visual media conveys messages that manipulate the truth and create false perceptions.


And the airways amplify
The medium of broadcasting (radio and TV) amplifies the reach and impact of the propaganda machine.


Propaganda Machine
A system that disseminates misleading information to control people's thoughts, actions and beliefs.


With its slanderous schemes
Using false and defamatory statements to discredit people with differing opinions or views.


The lies between the lines
The hidden messages and subtext in propaganda that perpetuates myths and misrepresentations.


Smooth guy standin’ at a pick-up bar
An attractive and charismatic person using their charm to manipulate others.


Flashin’ cash like a movie star
Impressing others with displays of wealth and status to gain their favor and influence their behavior.


Tellin’ everyone he’s got a brand new car
Using material possessions to create a facade of success and social status.


It’s a Porsche, of course
An expensive luxury car that symbolizes wealth, status and prestige.


But he’d never admit he’s got a hell of a life
Concealing the hardships, struggles and difficulties that come with pursuing material wealth and success.


Workin’ hard payin’ off his third ex-wife
The cost of pursuing a lavish lifestyle often comes at the expense of one's personal relationships and well-being.


Never the time to enjoy the things he’d like to do
Being consumed by the rat race of materialism and unable to find fulfillment in life's simple pleasures.


Money can’t buy a long term smile
Material wealth provides only temporary happiness and fails to satisfy one's deeper emotional needs.


It’s just a lie propagated by
A myth perpetuated by the propaganda machine that equates material wealth with happiness and success.


Tells you what to think and what to say
Manipulating people's thoughts and opinions by controlling the information they receive.


And everything is all O.K.
Creating a false sense of security and stability through deceptive messaging and propaganda.


But we’re all victims of the machine
Recognizing that everyone is susceptible to the influence of the propaganda machine, regardless of their intelligence or awareness.


Tells you what to do what point of view to take
Instructing people on how to behave and which values and beliefs to adopt.


To make you mass-produced
Reducing individuality and creativity by encouraging conformity and uniformity.


One more prisoner of the machine
Feeling trapped and controlled by the propaganda machine and its influence on society.


Petty politicians playin’ schoolboy games
Self-serving politicians who engage in childish behavior instead of governing responsibly.


The fallacy of weapons takin’ deadly aim
The deception of politicians who rely on the military-industrial complex and its weapons to advance their own interests.


Huffin’ and puffin’ now it’s all in the name
Expending tremendous energy and effort to maintain the illusion of power and authority.


Of what’s best … they guess
Admitting that politicians are often uncertain about how to lead or what policies to pursue.


So they wave us goodbye and they wish us luck
Politicians who abandon their constituents and their responsibilities, without any concern for the consequences.


Which is just like sayin’ you can all get lost
Showing contempt and indifference to the people they are supposed to represent and serve.


Hang the cost if the machine keeps makin’ bucks
Prioritizing profits and economic growth over people's welfare and safety.


And the big boys jump at every chance
The wealthy and powerful elite take advantage of every opportunity to further their own interests and agendas.


To do another dance for the public's trance
Exploiting people's gullibility and susceptibility to propaganda to maintain their power and control over society.




Contributed by Parker D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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