Reverend (aka Jon McClure) hails from the musically-renowned land of Sheffi… Read Full Bio ↴Reverend (aka Jon McClure) hails from the musically-renowned land of Sheffield, UK. Before this project he sang for Judan Suki and 1984 finding underground local fame and getting a name for himself. He has already collaborated with Arthur Brown, John Cooper Clarke, Tim Hampton (Bromheads Jacket), Mike Hughes (Trap2), Chris McClure, Laura Manuel (ex Judan Suki), Andy Nicholson (ex Arctic Monkeys), Tom Rowley (Milburn), and Alex Turner (Arctic Monkeys) as well as working with producer Alan Smythe. For live gigs Reverend has assembled 'The Makers', a superband of relatively unknown musicians.

In October 2006, following extensive touring and having built up a hardcore fanbase, the band signed to Wall of Sound records. Their first single "Heavyweight Champion of the World" recieved good airplay on Radio 1 and hit the UK Top 10, and has become of this summer's anthems for many clubbers and festival goers alike, appealing to fans of both dance and indie.

Another single (He Said He Loved Me) is to be released at the end of August, alongside an album (State Of Things) in September.

www.iamreverend.com

www.myspace.com/reverendmusic

The Machine
Reverend and the Makers Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

TJ don't want no less
Can't think, can't talk, must process
No practice, no sample
Must earn, must learn, must trample

And don't forget you can get off the conveyor
And don't forget you can get off the conveyor
And when you want you can get off the conveyor

And when you want you can get out...

And don't forget you can get off the conveyor
And don't forget you can get off the conveyor
And when you want you can get off the conveyor
And when you want you can get out of the machine

TJ don't want no less
Can't think, can't talk, must process
No choice, no prospectus
More money you must respect us

And don't forget you can get off the conveyor
And don't forget you can get off the conveyor
And when you want you can get off the conveyor
And when you want you can get out...

And don't forget you can get off the conveyor
And don't forget you can get off the conveyor
And when you want you can get off the conveyor
And when you want you can get out of the machine

Get born, get stupid
Get born, get stupid
Get born, get stupid
Get born, get stupid
Get born, get stupid
Get born, get stupid
Get born, get stupid
Get born, get stupid

Don't forget you can get off the conveyor
Don't forget you can get off the conveyor
When you want you can get off the conveyor
When you want you can get out...

Don't forget you can get off the conveyor
Don't forget you can get off the conveyor
When you want you can get off the conveyor
When you want you can get out...

Don't forget you can get off the conveyor
Don't forget you can get off the conveyor

When you want you can get off the conveyor
When you want you can get out

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Reverend and the Makers' song "The Machine" are an indictment of the modern corporate world and the pressures it places on individuals to conform and fit into the system. The repetition of the phrase "TJ don't want no less" reinforces the idea that there is a constant demand for more productivity, more efficiency, and more profits, and those who cannot keep up are seen as failures. The line "can't think, can't talk, must process" highlights the dehumanizing nature of this system, reducing individuals to mere cogs in a machine.

The chorus serves as a reminder that it's possible to break free from this system and reclaim one's autonomy. The repeated phrase "don't forget you can get off the conveyor" emphasizes that individuals have agency and the power to choose a different path. The final verse repeats the phrase "get born, get stupid" as a call to reject the overly rational and calculating mindset demanded by corporate culture and embrace a more spontaneous and free-spirited approach to life.

Overall, the song is a rallying cry for those who feel trapped in the relentless pursuit of profit and productivity, urging them to remember their humanity and take control of their lives.

Line by Line Meaning

TJ don't want no less
TJ is not satisfied with mediocrity

Can't think, can't talk, must process
TJ feels like a machine, with no capacity for free thought or communication, just mechanical processing

No practice, no sample
TJ has not been given the opportunity to practice or experiment

Must earn, must learn, must trample
TJ is under intense pressure to constantly prove themselves worthy, learn and acquire skills, and push others down in the process

And don't forget you can get off the conveyor
There is a way out of this oppressive situation

And when you want you can get off the conveyor
The decision to leave is entirely up to the individual

And when you want you can get out of the machine
By getting off the conveyor, one can escape the dehumanizing effect of the machine-like system

No choice, no prospectus
TJ feels trapped with no alternatives or hope for the future

More money you must respect us
In this system, money is the only thing that matters, and those who have it demand respect and obedience

Get born, get stupid
The system starts to brainwash us from the moment we are born, making us obedient and uncritical

Don't forget you can get off the conveyor
Reiterating the message that there is a way out

When you want you can get off the conveyor
Emphasizing the importance of individual choice and agency

When you want you can get out...
Encouraging listeners to take action and escape the dehumanizing effects of the machine

Contributed by Amelia M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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