The band consisted of three members, Robin Proper-Sheppard (born Gary Sheppard) (guitar/vocals), Jimmy Fernandez (bass) and Ronald Austin (drums), and they first performed officially under the name The God Machine in 1991. They released an EP, Purity with the record label Eve, and were later given contracts with the label Fiction. They released two albums in their career, both with their trademark dark and industrial-sounding alternative rock, before Jimmy Fernandez suddenly died from a cancerous brain tumor in 1994. Robin went on to form The Flower Shop Recordings label, and bands Sophia and The May Queens.
The first full-length album, Scenes from the second storey, was released in 1993.
Their second album, One Last Laugh in a Place of Dying, was recognized by Alternative Press as one of the "90 greatest albums of the 90s" (#88) in their December 1998 issue.
Their San Diego incarnation was called Society Line and also featured guitarist Albert Amman, who left the band before its move to London.
Dream Machine
The God Machine Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Listen because no one else will
And shine your star
Shine your star
Shine your star
Lock your door
And keep the strangers away
Talk to your imaginary friends
And stare
Stare into your dream machine
See what you see but don't say that you see it
Hide yourself less someone will steal it
Hide your love
Hide your love
Sunday velvet
The lyrics to The God Machine's song Dream Machine are evocative and poignant. They speak to the universal human experience of loneliness and the desire for connection. The opening lines, "Talk to yourself / Listen because no one else will / And shine your star" suggest that the singer feels disconnected from the world around them and has turned inward to find comfort and solace. They encourage themselves to "shine" and be their own source of light and happiness.
The imagery of "Lock your door / And keep the strangers away" speaks to this sense of isolation and the need for protection. The singer is afraid of being hurt or taken advantage of, and so they withdraw from the world. They seek companionship in the form of imaginary friends, "That only you can see," and spend their time lost in their own thoughts and dreams. The final lines, "Hide yourself less someone will steal it / Hide your love," further underline this sense of vulnerability and the need to protect oneself from harm.
Overall, the song speaks to the human condition of feeling isolated and alone in the world, and the ways in which we seek connection and companionship through our own imagination and dreams.
Line by Line Meaning
Talk to yourself
Have a conversation with yourself as you possess the most valuable insights.
Listen because no one else will
The only person who genuinely cares about your thoughts is you, so pay attention to what you say to yourself.
And shine your star
Embrace your uniqueness and show the world who you are.
Lock your door
Protect yourself from negative external influence and maintain a safe and secure environment.
And keep the strangers away
Be cautious of people who may not have your best interests at heart and who you don't trust.
Talk to your imaginary friends
The power of your imagination is limitless, and it's okay to have conversations with the characters you create in your mind.
That only you can see
Your imagination is a personal sanctuary only accessible by you.
And stare
Allow yourself time to disconnect from the world and focus on your thoughts.
Stare into your dream machine
Tap into your imagination, and let it take you to new and exciting places.
See what you see but don't say that you see it
Your imagination is yours alone, so keep it to yourself.
Hide yourself less someone will steal it
Keep your imagination to yourself to protect it from being taken or corrupted by others.
Hide your love
Protect your heart from those who may not appreciate or reciprocate your feelings.
Hide your love
Don't allow your emotions to be exposed to those who may take advantage of your vulnerability.
Sunday velvet
A reference to the fabric's richness and beauty, reflecting the wonder and beauty of the imagination.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: GARY PROPER-SHEPPARD, JIMMY FERNANDEZ, RON AUSTIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
jeffthrow6892
The album "Scenes From The Second Storey", was one of my favs back in the early '90's!!! Excellent stuff!!!!
BorkBork
It's 2019, I've known this song for ages. Never ever anything came close to this one. Are you lost ? We're here...
Frederick Maes
This remains so amazing over all these years...
Sonny Karlsson
Miss this band, one of the best bands ever
WND
Miss them 2 !!
avamira deocho
No doubt about it
Robb l'enfant du malin
one of the most influencial band with only living witness and kyuss..... near perfection
DannO)))
Love OLW and Kyuss
Taylor Orion
So few people know OLW. Glad to see fans in the wild
ludwig71
This album rules. Too bad it's not available on any DSPs... gonna make me pull out my old CD now aren't ya?