La Machine
Bagdad Rodeo Lyrics
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Un nouveau compagnon qui rend la vie plus facile
Un ouvrier sans nom qui vaut bien dix imbéciles
Qui ne pensent qu'à leurs congés, nourrir leur famille
Ils sont pourtant plus utiles quand dansent en cadence
Au rythme des machines qui produisent en abondance
De nouvelles machines estampillées made in France
Qu'ils achèteront à crédit en se privant de vacances
En Thaïlande pour les plus riches, goûter aux joies de l'enfance
Où la main-d'oeuvre infantile produit en cadence
Au rythme des machines du malheur en abondance
Ils sont si beaux quand ils dansent, en cadence x4
The song "La Machine" by Bagdad Rodeo is a powerful commentary on the relationship between humans and technology. The first verse speaks to the historical progression of man and machine, with machines becoming an increasingly important part of daily life. The singer notes that machines make life easier, but they also lead to a devaluation of human labor. He argues that workers are treated as interchangeable parts rather than individuals with unique skills and knowledge. This dehumanization is particularly evident in the way that workers are encouraged to sacrifice their own well-being for the sake of consumerism - they buy machines on credit even though doing so means giving up their vacations and other basic comforts. The second verse takes a more global perspective, highlighting the exploitation of workers in developing countries. The singer points out that the same machines that make life easier for some people are used to perpetuate suffering and poverty for others. He notes that even children are forced to work in factories to keep up with the demands of the global economy. Despite the bleakness of his message, the singer finds beauty in the way that people are able to come together to dance and find joy in spite of their situations.
Overall, the song is a reminder that the benefits of technological progress come with a cost. As we become more reliant on machines to solve our problems, we risk losing touch with our humanity and our ability to care for each other.
Line by Line Meaning
Il y a d'abord eu l'Homme suivi de ses machines
Humans created machines to make life easier
Un nouveau compagnon qui rend la vie plus facile
Machines are like new friends that make life easier
Un ouvrier sans nom qui vaut bien dix imbéciles
A skilled and nameless worker is worth more than ten fools
Qui ne pensent qu'à leurs congés, nourrir leur famille
The fools only think about their vacations and feeding their family
Ils sont pourtant plus utiles quand dansent en cadence
The workers are more useful when they dance in step with the machines
Au rythme des machines qui produisent en abondance
The machines produce a lot when they are used in rhythm
De nouvelles machines estampillées made in France
New machines labeled made in France are available
Qu'ils achèteront à crédit en se privant de vacances
The workers will buy them on credit, sacrificing their vacations
Au Maroc, en Tunisie ou sur une plage de Provence
Some workers go to Morocco, Tunisia, or a beach in Provence
En Thaïlande pour les plus riches, goûter aux joies de l'enfance
The richer workers go to Thailand to enjoy childhood pleasures
Où la main-d'oeuvre infantile produit en cadence
Child laborers work in factories in rhythm
Au rythme des machines du malheur en abondance
The machines of misery produce a lot in rhythm
Ils sont si beaux quand ils dansent, en cadence x4
The workers and machines look beautiful when they dance in rhythm
Contributed by Levi M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.