Working on the Machine

This one is like an old-school anti-corporate country novelty song about software development and LLMs, which I find really funny.

 

Lyrics © Keith Pickering

 

Hey Mr. Boss Man,
I’m awful sorry for always bein’ costs of goods sold
It’s just I got this stupid heart with blood pumpin’ through it
And I know you think it’s gettin’ old
But the pump takes energy
So I always gotta feed
On this stupid thing called food
And food costs money, so I cost money
But I understand I’m bein’ rude

And I know you hired me to build you
Generational wealth
But I ain’t got no time, you see
I’m clackin’ my keys

Busy programmin’ the Machine
That’ll take my job away
So I can lay in the sun all day
Without a roof over my head blockin’ my view

I’m teachin’ the Machine
Make it do everything I do
Everything but talk back to you
Somethin’ only a person could do
’Cause that’s just what we’re made of
And now we’re makin’ a Machine

Well, I’m a grown man
I can read a room, and I can tell you’re rippin’ off the band-aid
’Cause you’re a busy guy, ain’t got no time to cry
About the outcomes of choices you’ve made
Duty calls and it hollers,
The almighty dollar’s
Waitin’ for you at the end of the race
So if I’m just a hurdle
Take me at my word, I’ll
Give permission to be shot in the face

’Cause self-reflection and introspection
Don’t put asses in seats
So my productivity’s
Multiplyin’ by three
Until you can be

With the Machine
That’ll take my job away
So I can bake in the sun all day
Without any clothes all over my back crampin’ my style

Vibin’ with the Machine
It can say what you wanna hear
Life is measured in fiscal years
The future’s already here
We made it to the pinnacle
And then we made a Machine

Well, it’s a long time comin’
Spent too long bummin’
These paychecks offa you
You got real ambition
Really got me wishin’
I’d afford ambition too
Yeah, but sometimes in life, you’re a brick in a wall
’Til they pull you out and you’re nothin’ at all
And I build walls outta zeroes and ones
Couple more commits, and I’m almost done

With the Machine
That’ll take my job away
I think I’ll prob’ly be okay
As long as the guys who own everything decide to make it all free
Now they own the Machine
I taught it everything that I know
Everything except how to say "No"
Enjoy your robot slave, I suppose
I’ll leave you two alone
Alone with the machine