Understanding "Welcome to the Machine"

Watch this full series ad-free on Nebula: nebula.tv/vide...
If you think this video was worth $3 - ko-fi.com/poly...
-
Merchandise: standard.tv/co...
TikTok: / watchpolyphonic
Twitter: / watchpolyphonic
Join the Polyphonic Discord: / discord
Theme Music by Pracs: / pracs
Images Courtesy of Getty

[@sadelmo]

My dad sang "welcome my son, welcome to the machine" on my 18th birthday, as my working life began. I will never forget that.

[@snewti]

Dang

[@tyrammstein6545]

If or when I have a son, I will also do this to him. I've already done it to a few cousins of mine lol. He will also have the opportunity to learn about the importance of 60s and 70s music in the UK and the US... No child should miss it. I wouldn't be mad if high schools had a class dedicated to that importance and how it changed entire communities

[@oceansarchived]

a good ode but man that would just fuckinn depress me 😭

[@cralix2782]

This song always struck me as a song about what happens when you don't put the effort in early in life and end up just another one of the cogs of industry instead of becoming what you were ment to be

[@LCSVAGS]

Geez he was warning you 💀

[@jamesallard7223]

This was a massive moment in my life. My mother, very open-minded in regards to music, heard this song and HATED it from the first note. It was the only time I heard her say "That isn't music, it's noise!" I knew that I have found my people at last.

[@garryiglesias4074]

So did my Mom... She never understood/took time, that PF was "audio movies"... She appreciated some tracks, but some others were almost taken as "satanic" because you know, bigots "knows" when the devil talks through a song... To them it's obvious: strange noises, weird voices, etc. Once she almost suggested that the Beastie Boys were possessed because of the voice of Ad Rock...

[@sample2090]

I never understood that comment. Nothing wrong with noise. Great genre. Also it does NOT apply to this song lol ya mom wrong af

[@lucaswalsh5605]

L mom

[@Ghoulsbay]

I love the ad placement being right after you said “the machine is exploiting the creative”

[@ewan897]

what is this, a crossover episode?

[@lake6748]

I’ve always thought this song had 2 meanings, one is the one you explain here and the other is that it’s meant to be a song about syd barrett’s situation from his perspective. The spooky unnatural sounds echo through his mind as he walks down the hall into the studio, he opens the door and sees a room packed full of equipment and switches similar to a machine. His band mates greet him with concern, further putting a dark twist on his trip.“Where have you been? It’s alright we know where you’ve been. You’ve been in the pipeline filling the time” the band tries to explain to him that he could have everything he’s been working towards his whole life, “You dreamed of a big star, He played a mean guitar, always ate in the steak bar, liked to drive in his jaguar.” They try to help him by pursuading him to stay at the studio(the machine), but in the end Syd continued down his path, shifting his view of the world more and more to a dark, foreign, uncomfortable place

[@garryiglesias4074]

The whole album "echoes" Syd... I mean, beside the obvious... Wish you were here (the song) is an answer to "Dark Globe", welcome to the machine/have a cigar could have been what happened to Syd ("btw, which one is pink?") and contributed to his despair... I think Syd saw "the secret too soon", and would rather live recluse and fall into more marginality in disgust of the superficiality of the business. Also, I believe that somehow, the same thing happened to Kurt Cobain...

[@swansonjoe7121]

I don’t think it had anything to do with Syd I see it as a music record executive greeting this indie artist, basically selling the idea of being an artist, not the actual creation of expressive work, but more so a commodity or status symbol that expensive things will bring happiness.

[@bitegoatie]

The whole album refers to Syd, so yes - and of course much more than just Syd.

[@attiliobastosguarnieri5416]

Fabuloso !

[@sundaynightdrunk]

But that ignores "provided with toys and scouting for boys." That doesn't work in the Syd story that he's been missing practice (which he was) and returning to the studio.

[@adriantheromanian]

Thank you Polyphonic for making a series on this album! My personal favorite!

[@RichardDicksondlyrch68]

I always thought the way the instrumental intro to "Empty Spaces" on The Wall sort of sounds like the intro to this was Waters' way of saying "If you want to know how Pink became this burnt-out cynical rock star, go listen to 'Welcome to the Machine' and 'Have a Cigar.'"

[@aug1422]

Yesssss, i fucking love the intertextuality that waters used to weave all the concepts, specially from wish you were here to the pros and cons (the "the wall" leitmotif playing at the end of one of the lasts songs, for example) with one riff he tells the listener that the character of the album is as demented as Pink by that point without saying a single word, just brilliant. Long live the Floyd

[@AJEDDY97]

@@aug1422 another example, albeit in a different form of media, is the fact that, in The Wall movie, the poem that Pink reads is from Money off of Dark Side.

[@jerewii3797]

Originally saw the music video for this on Mtv at 6am during a nasty bout of insomnia when I was 14. Needless to say I was horrified.

[@jeryth057]

I didn't have MTV so never knew there WAS a video until today!

[@tylerbyrnes7564]

Your anim/motion graphics work is incredible. Consistent and striking, yet always tailored to the subject. Extremely well done, making Polyphonic one of the few music analysis channels worth watching rather than just listening to. Well done on your success, you earned it.

[@MrByebyelove]

This is work that feels like Pad Chennington with a few more years of A/V studies ya

[@bak1358]

Man this song is always been a thing for me. That's the best way I can explain it. I used to make t-shirts in high school in class on the school screen printing machine with a bunch of different designs and they all said welcome to the machine. I love that you're doing this series. This is personally my favorite album

[@brentjohnson5171]

When I had my first MRI the technician asked me if I'd like to listen to music while it was done to help block out the noise from the equipment. I asked him to play some classical music for me but he thought I said classic rock so when the music first came through it was this song. I wasn't quite sure if the technician was trying to mess with me or not, but I appreciated the selection 😄

[@usaturnuranus]

Wow the narration script here is just outstanding. Well done Poly!

[@poindextertunes]

PFs use of synths is so influential its ridiculous. On top of that the conceptual nature of their albums makes them one of the most if not the most important bands of all time 💯

[@coachhannah2403]

Lots of especially British bands railed against the music industry.

[@MrByebyelove]

Ever listen to The Silver Apples

[@filmishit]

I've been saying this for years, Wish You Were Here is Pink Floyd's best album

[@scottydub5785]

you are to be commended for crafting your narration so your videos play the entire song as you speak about it…well done, man

[@patrickm.4469]

Love these Pink Floyd videos! The Echoes video was a masterpiece as well

[@danhunt2048]

Incredible video! I've always had a weird obsession with this song ever since I heard it. Great break down on what its all about!

[@marcushogan6613]

Arguably Pink Floyd's most depressing song. Truly haunting!

[@NBrixH]

I personally think Mother is their most depressing song.

[@marcushogan6613]

@@NBrixH I can see what you mean but mother is certainly more uplifting musically and throws in the occasional funny line. In terms of atmosphere and sound Welcome to the Machine is just so bleak

[@NBrixH]

@@marcushogan6613 yeah, but in mother it’s the irony of the musicality. The lyrics are extremely dark while the music is sort of happy.

[@artofficialmusic5257]

@@NBrixH It's got one of the best guitar solos as well

[@jpe1]

My vote for most depressing goes to “Two Suns in the Sunset” I was 16 when Final Cut dropped, and the possibility of nuclear annihilation felt very very real at that time.

[@kenvyn123]

Amazing work as alway. No one does video essays like you.

[@amstotz]

Great series so far. Thanks a lot. Really, REALLY loved your "Echoes" video.

[@SuperStarr817]

I'm loving these videos, I cannot wait to see the rest of the album here.

[@michaelgerritson2934]

Twenty years ago I was doing an art installation for my Master in Art Education. It was the time No Child Left Behind, and high-stakes testing was dominating the schools. I created a small classroom where soulless student mannequins were literally wired into a testing machine. This song was sampled and used as the background audio in the classroom. PF nailed the feeling that musicians, and in this case schools, had no agency in what kids should be doing.

[@MamaGator]

Such quality work, as usual. My absolute favorite KZbin channel.

[@MamaGator]

If any aspiring artists that appreciate the messages in this song, Black Sabbath’s The Writ is a lovely and powerful song about this issue. I think it’s the only song Ozzy ever wrote and one of his last with Sababth before they parted ways.

[@j0pj0p]

Superb video - thank you. Excellent commentary and visuals. 🙌

[@buskrat7606]

I cant wait for him to do "understanding the wall" I think that is going to be his most ambitious project

[@DrAnxiety17]

The Wall is a pretty straightforward album, there is not much to discuss.

[@getofly313]

@@DrAnxiety17 good one! 😂

[@JesusGomez-ob2qt]

​@Equestria Guy it literally has like 6 different meanings

[@EverydayAvenger]

Pink floyd is the greatest band ever. Also, could you do an analysis on their earlier work saucerful of secrets? Particularly, jugband blues? Such a sad song given the context..

[@Will21st]

I listened to it on acid once and te end sounded like a machine crushing the music, mangling it. Genius.

[@bak1358]

Man everything about this song always has and I figure always will move me to my core.

[@OllinNahui]

Siempre me encantan tus videos, bro, pero este es de los más perrones que has sacado. Kudos para ti ❤️

[@tillis1606]

I would love to see your analysis of "Nights in White Satin" or even "Days of Future Past" as a whole.

[@getofly313]

Both brilliant!! 💯👏

[@MrByebyelove]

HELLO WHAT!(?! LIKE LOL THERE'S NO FRIENDS IN MY LIFE That KNOW THE MAJESTIC BEAUTY OF HAYWARD, LODGE, THOMAS, EDGE, AND PINDER

[@Moody-Boy]

Yes PLEASE!!! The Moody Blues need some love! They tend to be forgotten. As you can probably tell by my KZbin Profile I’m obsessed with The Moody Blues!

[@thomaskinsey3424]

Anybody else get a commercial right at the peak of the video/song, just before going into the final chorus, the level of irony is almost heartbreaking. Welcome to the machine indeed

[@trevorgadd8491]

I started work in 1967 at the age of 15. I remember going through a low doorway into an entry room dimly lit with a wall full of cards of which one took the card and punched it into a clock then placed on the other side of the clock. I was always an inquisitive youngster and felt even then that we were being primed to work as productive slaves for the system ...the MACHINE. I was an apprentice machine tool fitter the factory was old , loud and dirty and had remnants of black out curtains in the roof from the war moving with the breeze . When ever I hear this music even at my age of 72 it reminds me of my first days as a slave to the machine and my punch number 1818.

[@Xtinakattv]

My afternoon was starting to drag and getting this notification perked it right back up!

[@MrMuskadine]

Amazing! Can't wait for more releases

[@reloadnorth7722]

The entire album and concept behind it was absolutely amazing.

[@foreignroads]

This album means so so much to me. I remember listening to it for the first time and knowing the lyrics to shine on already... I asked my parents and they said it was because they had been playing it for me nonstop since before I was born. I absolutely adore your video and think you really hit every point spot on. I can't wait for the rest of the series.

[@noahpauley]

I honestly think this song could be interpreted further to represent the alienation and removal of agency workers are put through under capitalism. The song focuses on how this happens even with musicians and artists, but the overarching theme is one of how capitalism is killing us and the planet all for the accumulation of capital.

[@nachteinfallt8915]

begone, commie

[@josedanielherrera1552]

@@nachteinfallt8915 McCarthyism

[@i_amnot_here2453]

I think this thought can be expounded further. That feeling of alienation does not only limit to capitalism, but I think in a larger sense, being part of a "system", be it communism, religion, etc, and the toll it creates to those individuals belonging to it. I think of the machine as the system, who as a goal being pushed/created by a diversity of individuals. We all like to dream attaining a goal within that system we chose to, and to become a part of it, only to find out that it didn't care about our "self", our own individuality. From there one feels isolated, alienated, "facing the absurd" as Camus says. I think that's the essence of the song. We all dream of something big within that system, only to see that our expectation fails because in the end, we are just pawns to something else.

[@nachteinfallt8915]

@@josedanielherrera1552 he was a good man.

[@noahpauley]

@@nachteinfallt8915 perish

[@daphnelightner6531]

The Minimoog in this song is glorious.

[@dominicmoisant8393]

Great work, can't wait for the rest of the series

[@Anarcath]

This song is also about anyone who's punched a time clock and did a dreary job under a heartless boss for a minimum wage.

[@matthewbateman6487]

I love this song, and I always thought of the 'Machine' as much broader than merely the music industry. 'The Machine' like, the mechanism of modern society, Big Brother, 1984, and maybe how the Music Industry is another tool in the broader context of media directing our thoughts and wants.

[@ShadyCrzy]

I hate/love how good this is. When will you do a meta video about your creation process, especially motion graphics and script writing?

[@flikah3407]

I love the way you analyze the songs during the time they play.

[@joermnyc]

Always remember, the record label is out to make money for the record label. You get a cut of it, but they get a much bigger cut, and then when you have to go on tour (how else do you promote your album to a wider audience?), you have to make sure it makes enough money so you don’t end up on the hook for it.

[@danserralha85]

Just amazing. Rally hard to add something to the discussion, but what a great explanation. Hope someday you get some time to do the same with Animals. You'll sure get more time to talk between the lyrics of the songs hahaha

[@danserralha85]

*really hard

[@remopiccioni9456]

I worked in a steel mill for nearly 19 years. It was 7 days a week swinging shifts. The only time I had off was 24 hours between the weekly shift change. I eventually quit. Make less money but I am a lot happier. Anyway I felt like I was a cog in a large machine. As if I was not even human anymore. This song reminds me of that. It was a very soul crushing existence.

[@goob3826]

This and have a cigar were always my favorite as a kid. So happy my grandparents were such big music fans, all the Beatles, Floyd, and zeppelin I listened to since I can remember really helped me understand real music vs copy and paste pop noise.

[@theproceedings4050]

To me the intro sound always made me think of a locked door that you have to clock in on to unlock. You can even hear the punch card getting punched and rustling.

[@amherst88]

As someone a bit older, having lived through much of the attempted transition you describe, I would suggest that it did not, to use your word, "collapse," the human beings who (individually and collectively) carried the genuine seeds of it were systematically murdered -- looking at it from the 'outside' it is not really possible to understand what occurred.

[@pasi8800]

Gosh, I love this song! And the music video for it is absolutely wonderful. That animation ❤

[@Pedgem]

I always interpreted the beginning EMS VCS III static noises as screams.

[@realhawaii5o]

Whilst of course I always saw the meaning of it being related to the music industry machine, specially in conjunction with have a cigar, I always saw it also as Syd Barrett's experiences.

[@tskmaster3837]

Thanks for reminding me how incredible "Welcome to the Machine" is. I will never think of a song though, it's a mood. Ominous, droning, heavy. This is the closest Floyd ever got to pure musical emotion and, considering the band, it's not a good mood.

[@williamhenning4700]

One of their best.

[@gonnyloyd]

we do really live in a society

[@jerseyforhawks]

I have thoroughly enjoyed ever listening of this song and album - never felt it was 'pulling' me down, it's just sonically special and awesome, nothing more.

[@royfares8372]

maybe i never pushed like on any short documentary you guys did i watched quite a few now they were all true and sincere to all the materials of all documentaries proposed ! A toast to the guys offering such blissful moments with us people who salute your work! thanks for making youtube worth the while

[@freeman10000]

I feel the need to play this song insanely loud.

[@four-en-tee]

Aaaaand this is why I love Bandcamp. Its just a marketplace basically, not a publisher in and of itself, and you're totally able to go indie if you have the talent for it.

[@justinmanser7525]

If I played this video loud enough, David Gilmour would be able to hear it. He lives very close to my apartment in Hove, next to Brighton. I had no idea when I moved in, but was told by numerous people...What's great about this I'd as a songwriter I have so much respect for what Pink Floyd has done, both musically and with their personal lives. However, a glimpse into a recent video shot at his home wasn't at all enjoyable...there was something about the song, the voice and the people he had singing that was underwhelming. This song however is great, when I was unable to busk with my bass due to amplifier problems, a trusty acoustic, soft pick and a few Floyd titles really got me through those days . So respect to you for your analysis of this song, Em to Cadd5 with the occasional D can be so powerful when played in this fashion, lyrics that all can relate to

[@DarienYT]

you deserve way more subs

[@KYCDK]

i think the lines "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 bought a guitar to punish your ma and you didn't like school and you know your knowbodies fool. " is the music industry manufacturing a back story then when they say "what did you dream? it's alright we told you what to dream" is basically the music industry telling them what to write about, what to sing, and what to do. "you dreamed of a big star, he played a mean guitar..." this is then promising the artist with money and riches etc

[@Bokkie100k]

When I heard this for the first time it felt like my diary was read back to me.

[@actionboy3221]

I LOVE this! Amazing job dude.

[@edwardmulholland7912]

I’ve worked in a couple of factories, I always think of those times when I hear this - and shudder.

[@jeffcobb2734]

This song definitely touches on the existential dread that most of us feel: "Why are we here?" It's a universal theme that many artists have touched on before and after "Welcome to the Machine" came out. The song I think sums this concept up best in my opinion is "Bittersweet Symphony" in the lyric..."Try to make ends meet, you're a slave to money, then you die." Bleak and brutally truthful. More esoteric pursuits and artistic expressions which aren't profitable are becoming less and less common.

[@bulkvanderhuge9006]

Strangely enough, it came out a couple of decades before "Record Companies" became "THE MUSIC INDUSTRY" which is what this song is actually describing.

[@matts8012]

I hope you do a series on Animals. My personal favorite Floyd work. Dogs is their best song IMO.

[@grelch]

I always took the ending of the song to be the newly contracted, wide eyed young musician being escorted by elevator to the penthouse where he immediately is exposed to the glad handing insincerity of the music business suits at a cocktail party. It's the, "What have I done?" moment.

[@codeblue389]

love your take on this... on point. i also have thoought the exact same to this song and album

[@Freepaz710]

I’ve always interpreted the machine as life and death, sweeping over everything and everyone. No-one can avoid.

[@flaviomendonca5533]

Very nicely explained ;-) Thank you!

[@teddyfurstman1997]

Best Floyd song that's also underrated. Welcome to the Machine is iconicly dark and haunting. Art like this should challenge and alienate people and be inspired by it. The Machine sound effects were also kinda dope.

[@macsarcule]

More fabulous work, so good.

[@stevieroach]

For better or worse, this song is indelibly linked in my mind with the scene in The Third Policeman where the narrator travels underground to view eternity. I'm not sure why; I think the song started playing in my head while reading the book.

[@rosie5741]

Thanks. I know very little about pink Floyd but I love the way you break things down and I'm excited to watch the rest

[@matts8012]

If you want to hear more Pink Floyd, I would recommend starting with the album Animals. Don't start with The Dark Side of the Moon, if you can listen to Animals all the way through, you'll appreciate the rest of their music more. TDSOTM will sound that much more sweet if you know one of their other albums first. But I hope you get into PF, they've been my shit since high school.

[@settratheimperishable4093]

One of my favourite songs ever

[@eldorados_lost_searcher]

The venom displayed toward the end is definitely appropriate.

[@Mr.Grinch510]

Wow, this little documentary or whatever you want to gets it right on the nose as far as the music industry goes nowadays. It’s all about likes and followers and money. I know I sound like an old codger, but there really is no feeling in Muzik anymore and there hasn’t been for a long time. It is what it is and I still have all the old good stuff to listen to, and there’s Brazillions of hours of it. I pray you all well. Floyd is the best trippy, progressive blues band ever👍🏼🙌🏽🔥💯

[@nickflowers607]

It's funny cause the members of the band describe this song as just being quickly put together with no thought really to fill in a part of the album

[@mrledhead68]

Great insight, sir!

[@ComaDave]

As a younger man, I hated ironing with a passion. To motivate myself to actually tolerate it, I would spark one up then play WTTM exceedingly loudly while playing along with Rick on the ironing board as I ploughed through a mound of creased and crinkled clothing.

[@Noahmarciano]

Been waiting for this :)

[@billschlafly4107]

Welcome to the machine isn't just about artists. It's about people taking their place in civilization. After all, it's easier that hunting for food in the wilderness.

[@ElementalrxKX]

Id love to see you do something on STRFKR or the Portland pop scene. Would be a niche interesting story to tell :)

[@nachteinfallt8915]

Strfkr….some okay music, but they are literal dress wearing soyboys

[@ElementalrxKX]

@@nachteinfallt8915 what does that have to do with their music and you seem kinda rude to even judge people for that. Learn about life dude

[@nachteinfallt8915]

@@ElementalrxKX take the security armor off your profile pic, you're soft and wouldnt last a minute in the old pre-game lobbys.

[@ElementalrxKX]

@@nachteinfallt8915 lol have fun losing in life thats what matters lol. Imagine feeling the need to comment mean things, bet you’re friends and family “really” love ya dude lol

[@nachteinfallt8915]

@@ElementalrxKX imagine not seeing the irony of complaining i write mean things when you suggest im a loser whose friends and family dont love me lol. nah, you'll be thrilled to hear they are even more extreme than i am regarding f4660try. im quite happy with them all because of that.

[@alexblake3818]

Awesome video mate!

[@Nikolai9910]

The way I saw this song was how Syd saw the world as “the machine”, and as how machine would, it creates something and in this example it created syd and how this machine turned him insane

[@GGSpeedruns]

420 on the dot on the west coast. Ready to go back in time to high school when I found this song . Last video was great and I'm sure this will be great too. Always loved Floyd since a kid

[@freesk8]

Wow. Good one. Thanks!

[@umangchauhan8932]

One of my favorite pink floyd songs. Not very popular but I love it.

[@itssekitv4718]

i love your videos man!

[@musamusashi]

Another great production.

[@Silverman160Zero]

“I can’t. That’s how simple it is. One may dye their hair green and wear their grandma’s coat all they want. Capital has the ability to subsume all critiques into itself. Even those who would *critique* capital end up *reinforcing* it instead…”

[@adriantheromanian]

Early gang!

[@nikkifish]

I did always think this song was a bit interesting, I thought it was cool to hear industrial and machinery to be used in music, until I realized that there is a genre that does uses those same factors for those same songs. I like how the song talks about Syd and/or the band getting into the music industry and just feeling isolated and feeling uncomfortable with these new feelings that comes with being popular and famous. Which, makes them feel pressured when making the new album. With these new challenges, they dive deeper into the pit as the song continues. A good song and one I can feel too well 💚

[@janesweeney9644]

So well explained. Now they want us to be the machines!! They were so ahead of their time. Genius!!

[@jdeveloperw]

Thanks!

[@andercert70]

I wasn't sure how I'd like this with you talking over the track as it plays, but man, it just works. I might as well add that you sound a lot like a childhood friend. I have a tape of him reading a Mad Lib and I often think of that recording when I hear your voice. Yeah, that's weird. Sorry. It's been odd to wake up and realize that we're already in the dystopia we've been trying to warn people about. :( I thought a lot about how complicated the timing must be on this. Trying to get out what you want to say before the lyrics you want to highlight are about to happen. So, nice chops on that. I think you give an analysis that tells people exactly why one should objectively regard this song (and the album as a whole) for the value of its sonic and lyrical content and how they've made the music reflect the emotions (or lack thereof) of the words. Peace.

[@cursedtiki213]

0:21 Skip to content.

[@ovestegan]

The music "biznizz" welcomes Syd. Have a cigar.....

[@LanceMcCarthy]

Genius breakdowns, now it's time to go over to Nebula 😉