So what is The Emptiness Machine about?

[xektro]

Thoughts?

Is it Mike still talking about how record executives doubted him 25+ years ago?

 

I’m just half joking 😂. But real thoughts?

Edited September 11, 2024 by xektro
less mean

[lpplus]

I kinda think it's about Emily?!

[Coizu]

I would say it can be any one sided abusive relation that just sucks you empty but you still come back to over and over again. Doesn‘t even have to be human, could be a drug as well in my opinion. 
 

I think as with a lot of LP song you can make it your own and if you want to hear something specific that makes sense for you, you can give it that meaning. 

[Bambitt]

I think it's about eating a McDonald's Cheeseburger, regretting your decision and returning again for another one.

 

I apologize for this shitpost. Or maybe not.

Edited September 11, 2024 by Bambitt

[vinifeijo]

don't know what it is about, but the "falling for the promise of the emptiness machine" has the same syllable count, tonic and melody as "standing at the end of the final masquerade".

Edited September 11, 2024 by vinifeijo

[Sabi]

2 hours ago, lpplus said:

I kinda think it's about Emily?!

Since it was already written before Emily even sang on it, I guess it is not about her.

[bloodbath]

It's about how wonderful is being a scientologist. 

[JZLP-Benningstrong]

its about Emily's life

she tried so hard to be someone in the music business but never succeded

 

until now.

[Soeffingnaive92]

Classic LP lyrics about forcing yourself to be liked by someone else and not feel alone. Pretty basic but kind of effective. 

[xektro]

4 hours ago, vinifeijo said:

don't what it is about, but the "falling for the promise of the emptiness machine" has the same syllable count, tonic and melody as "standing at the end of the final masquerade".

My brain kept thinking "You're guilty all the same !!!!"

[Superxer0]

46 minutes ago, xektro said:

My brain kept thinking "You're guilty all the same !!!!"

Same 🤣

[Justin]

6 hours ago, vinifeijo said:

don't know what it is about, but the "falling for the promise of the emptiness machine" has the same syllable count, tonic and melody as "standing at the end of the final masquerade".

 

"Falling for the promise of the emptiness machine" has 13 syllables.

 

"Standing at the end of the final masquerade" has 12 syllables.

 

EDIT: Now that I think about it, the way they sing "at the end of" kind of sounds like they insert an extra syllable, so I guess that's accurate.

Edited September 11, 2024 by Justin

[ChaseChief]

I feel like it’s about the band’s expectation of the inevitable backlash from fans and music critics when they finally to reunite. Eventhough all they want to do is moving forward and be true to themselves, people will keep on shitting on them no matter what they do.

[milkshake227]

20 hours ago, vinifeijo said:

don't know what it is about, but the "falling for the promise of the emptiness machine" has the same syllable count, tonic and melody as "standing at the end of the final masquerade".

dude!!! I’ve noticed the same thing and have been singing both lines in both songs to myself all week haha 

[Soeffingnaive92]

22 hours ago, xektro said:

My brain kept thinking "You're guilty all the same !!!!"

You’re guilty all the same ! Give me back what’s miiiine” lol 

[YRQRM0]

I think it's about the feeling of wanting to be with someone or impress them or fit in and then realizing that you never get a fulfillment from it. You change yourself, try so many times, you want to feel a part of something (relationship, band, club, job) and it never works out. You realize that thing you chased isn't actually gonna ever make you happy, it leaves you feeling empty. 

[xektro]

Given the fact that all of the band members are doing different every day jobs in the video, I take the emptiness machine to refer to the world, or the corporate world, or at the very least the expectations put on us by society.
 

I also thought it could be referring to the Internet, in the sense where people on the Internet want to get famous and be liked by everyone, and when they finally reach that point of fame and status, they realize that it was empty because not only did they lose themselves in order to impress the world (given themselves fully up to criticism, slander, and hyperanalysis of their character, etc.) but also they have no fulfillment in the end, thus, emptiness.

 

As far as the working world idea though, that one is a little bit less deep I would say. Maybe it’s about not being fulfilled by the mundane tasks that society presses on you, get a job, go to school, have 2 1/2 kids, that sort of thing.
 

But I would argue that the fame one is probably more impactful. I’m sure this can be interpreted in a lot of different ways, which is what LP loves to do with their songwriting. 

Edited September 12, 2024 by xektro

[xektro]

Edit: the big Mac analogy is probably the real one though. 

[xektro]

8 hours ago, ChaseChief said:

I feel like it’s about the band’s expectation of the inevitable backlash from fans and music critics when they finally to reunite. Eventhough all they want to do is moving forward and be true to themselves, people will keep on shitting on them no matter what they do.

Do we really think that Mike and Company wrote a song about Mike and Company writing a song and the world not taking it the right way, while trying to get the ol’ bandmates  to hang out and make music again together? 
 

 Like, “ hey guys, what should we write a song about?” 
“ let’s write about how the world isn’t going to like us when we return to the mainstream.” 😂

Edited September 12, 2024 by xektro

[Soeffingnaive92]

Thirty FUCKING nine millions on Spotify in A WEEK. That’s bananas, it’s easily hitting 200 million 

[juancpin]

Hi all! Since minute 1 I thought it was about Social Media Haters (your blades sharpen with precision & I know you,re waiting in the distance) and people in there, or even artists: They open up, they show everything that they made with care, expecting to be part of something, and then, the emptiness machine leaves them hollow, after having given everything of them.

Edited September 16, 2024 by juancpin

[Mak260]

*edit

Our universe is the emptiness machine. It’s the vast, cold, darkness of space with nothing in it.

Edited November 8, 2024 by Mak260
Safety

[SamG]

Brilliant song. The song can have many point of views, which makes it even more awesome. One that I have is about Chester and the horrific insident he has been through (sexual abuse). 

 

"Flashing your favorite point of view 
I know you're waiting in the distance - (the predator creeping up closely)
Just like you always do
Just like you always do

Already pulling me in - (manipulating, sweet talking) 
Already under my skin - (literally under his skin)
And I know exactly how this ends

I let you cut me open, just to watch me bleed - (he allows the abuse) 
Gave up who I am for who you wanted me to be
Don't know why I'm hoping for what I won't receive - (hoping for it to stop but it never does, hoping for better treatment) 
Falling for the promise of the emptiness machine" - (the predator is a empty shell/machine)