Welcome to the Machine
Pink Floyd Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

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 brought a guitar to punish your ma
And you didn't like school, and 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

Overall Meaning

Welcome to the Machine is a song by Pink Floyd that speaks about the music industry and how it can swallow people up and turn them into mindless machinery. The opening lyrics, "Welcome my son, welcome to the machine, where have you been? It's alright we know where you've been" suggests a controlling force that is aware of the path the person has taken. The line "Fill in the pipeline, filling in time, provided with toys and scouting for boys" indicates the systematic way in which people are groomed by the industry. They are fed trivialities and distractions to keep them occupied and subservient.


The lyrics move on to describe the person's resistance to the machine, their desire to strike out on their own and create a name for themselves through music. The line "You brought a guitar to punish your ma" indicates a rebellious spirit, someone who is unwilling to conform to the stifling environment they have emerged from. The words "And you didn't like school, and you know you're nobody's fool" further emphasise this person's individuality.


The second verse goes on to describe the idealised world that is sold to musicians by the industry. The dream is of a big star, someone who is famous and successful, playing a mean guitar, and loved by everyone. But, as the lyrics suggest, this dream is nothing but an illusion created by the machine. The lines "He always ate in the Steak Bar, he loved to drive in his Jaguar" emphasise the shallow nature of this dream, the material trappings of success rather than the art itself. The song as a whole can be seen as a commentary on the state of modern music, of the dangers of making music a commodity, something to be sold rather than an expression of art and individuality.


Line by Line Meaning

Welcome my son, welcome to the machine
Greeting to the mechanism or system that will take control of you


Where have you been?
Questioning where you have been before entering the system


It's alright we know where you've been
Assuring you that your past is known and irrelevant to your entry into the system


You've been in the pipeline, filling in time
You have been in the process, waiting for the right time to enter into the system


Provided with toys and 'scouting for boys'
You have been given distractions and entertainment as a way to lure you into the system


You brought a guitar to punish your ma
You brought a tool of rebellion to show your frustration with your old life


And you didn't like school, and you
You were dissatisfied with the previous structure and regimen


Know you're nobody's fool
You believe you are clever and independent enough to navigate the system without being tricked


So welcome to the machine
You have arrived at your destination and are now fully immersed in the system


What did you dream?
Asking what you imagined happening before you arrived at the system


It's alright we told you what to dream
Assuring you that your desires were not genuine but implanted by the system


You dreamed of a big star
Your desires and fantasies were focused on fame and adoration


He played a mean guitar
The star used his talents to attain fame and fortune


He always ate in the Steak Bar
The star indulged in luxury and extravagance


He loved to drive in his Jaguar
The star flaunted his success by driving an expensive car


So welcome to the machine
Reiterating that you are now part of the same system that created this dream for you




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: George Roger Waters

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

@himadrichoudhury2413

~For them who wants to sing-along~

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 brought a guitar to punish your ma

And you didn't like school
And 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



@ozgur5987

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 brought a guitar to punish your ma
And you didn't like school, and 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



All comments from YouTube:

@fanshinchan1995

Imagine having to wait 40 years to watch your favorite band's official videoclip

@samuelluria4744

We don't have to imagine!😜

@hamishnicholls3314

Myles Frampton Gday type In A Visual History Of Pink Floyd and my name! 40 years is too long enjoy mate.

@vealslab7757

Hahaha! Lol

@toolfool82mostrom63

Myles Frampton kinda I feel your pain , kinda like waiting on the new Tool Album.

@theskoolmustard00

@@toolfool82mostrom63 Last I heard Maynard and his band are finally out of that nasty business between them and their lawyers so they already have that new album done by now

114 More Replies...

@ejret

one of pink floyds best songs.also very effective at parties if you want to kill the mood...

@gunthernakomotter4559

if its so there wasnt a mood anyways, just an illusion of happiness

@ejret

@@gunthernakomotter4559 yes,that's the Pink Floyd spirit right there.

@sebyouthere

@@gunthernakomotter4559 this guy gets it!

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