Mass Production

Iggy Pop's song 'Mass Production' delves into the dehumanizing effects of industrialization and modern life. The lyrics paint a bleak picture of a world where individuality is lost, and people are reduced to mere cogs in a machine. The repeated request for a girl 'almost like you' with 'legs almost like you' underscores the idea of interchangeable parts, reflecting a society where uniqueness is undervalued. This theme is further emphasized by the imagery of 'smokestacks belching' and 'breasts turn brown,' which evoke a polluted, industrial landscape that corrodes both the environment and human spirit.

The chorus, with its refrain of being 'back on the line,' captures the relentless, cyclical nature of this existence. The protagonist's attempts to escape ('Though I try to die') are futile, as they are continually 'put back on the line.' This line can be interpreted both literally, as in a factory assembly line, and metaphorically, representing the inescapable routines and expectations of modern life. The repetition of 'again and again' highlights the monotony and sense of entrapment that pervades the song.

The song also touches on themes of identity and self-perception. The protagonist sees their face 'in the mirror' and 'up in the air,' suggesting a fragmented sense of self. This disconnection is a byproduct of the mass production environment, where people are stripped of their individuality and reduced to mere reflections of one another. The closing lines, where the protagonist acknowledges being 'almost like him,' further emphasize this loss of identity, as they become indistinguishable from others in the mechanized world they inhabit.