Plastic Factory
Captain Beefheart & His Magic Band Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Phos'phrous chimney burnin'
Modern-men's a-learnin'
Time and space a-turnin'
Motor's engine churnin'
fac'trys no place for me boss man let me be

Wind and wave all blowin'
Mountain 'n' sky showin'
Bee 'n;'' flower growin'
Boy 'n' girl are glowin'
Fac'trys no place for me boss man let me be

Minds inside are goin'
Muscle 'n' bone are showin''
One thing sure are knowing (sure I'm) knowin'




Get a fire goin'
Fac'trys no place for me boss man let me be boss man let me be boss man leave me be

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "Plastic Factory" by Captain Beefheart are a commentary on the increasing industrialization of society and the negative effects it has on humanity and the environment. The song begins with a reference to a phosphorus chimney, which likely represents the pollution and toxic waste emitted by factories. The next lines reference the idea that modern humans are learning and adapting to this new way of life, but the cost is the destruction of nature and the great changes occurring in time and space. The factory, with its motor churned engine, is not a place for the singer.


The second verse describes the natural world around the factory, the wind, the waves, the mountains and the sky, all of which are contrasted with the sterile, dehumanizing environment of the factory. The beauty of the natural world is juxtaposed against the mechanical and man-made world of industry. The chorus repeats that factories are not a place for the singer, and should be left alone. The final verse appears to suggest that the singer is aware of the dangers of industrialization and wants to return to a more natural way of life, where minds and bodies are more connected and in harmony.


Line by Line Meaning

Phos'phrous chimney burnin'
The smokestack of a phosphorus factory is belching smoke.


Modern-men's a-learnin'
In modern times, people are gaining knowledge.


Time and space a-turnin'
The concept of time and space is constantly changing.


Motor's engine churnin'
The engine of a motor vehicle is running.


fac'trys no place for me boss man let me be
I don't want to work in a factory, boss man, leave me alone.


Wind and wave all blowin'
The wind and waves are blowing.


Mountain 'n' sky showin'
The mountains and sky are visible.


Bee 'n;'' flower growin'
Bees and flowers are growing.


Boy 'n' girl are glowin'
A boy and girl are happy and in love.


Fac'trys no place for me boss man let me be
I don't want to work in a factory, boss man, leave me alone.


Minds inside are goin'
My thoughts are racing in my head.


Muscle 'n' bone are showin''
My physical body is being exerted.


One thing sure are knowing (sure I'm) knowin'
I am certain about one thing.


Get a fire goin'
Start a fire to create warmth and light.


Fac'trys no place for me boss man let me be boss man let me be boss man leave me be
I really don't want to work in a factory, boss man, please leave me alone and let me be.




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: DON VAN VLIET, HERB BERMANN, JERRY HANDLEY

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found
Comments from YouTube:

@ThePowerpointMaster

surprised no one talked about the amazing tremolo effect on the harmonica

@SergeantReese

Outstanding - the Captain is in brilliant form once again.

@patrickdoake6022

Safe as milk, classic 👍also clear spot, many didn't like it they were wrong! 😎

@PeterVonRock

Fantastic song!!!

@Jlipnicki

Everyone is a winner on this albumen.

@dustmemories9937

That fucking riff, classic

@RapedByRepublicansII

I think this is my favorite harp riff of all times..

@slide4180

I still remember the day I said, "Boss man, leave me be!" I've been dumpster-diving ever since, but it was worth it!

@lesbianwalrus

ew

@9Iamthewalrus

thats kuz you have to let yourself be the the boss man

More Comments

More Versions