The lyrics describe the feeling of being on a supermarket shelf, feeling like a product for sale with a corporate logo, and being constantly bought and consumed without any real connection. The speaker feels trapped in a system that dehumanizes them and reduces their worth to mere profit.

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Meaning of "Supermarket" by Iggy Pop


The lyrics in "Supermarket" by Iggy Pop reflect on the dehumanizing nature of consumerism and capitalism. The speaker's comparison of themselves to a product on a shelf highlights the loss of individuality and autonomy in a system that values profit over people. The reference to the corporate logo as something that defines their worth speaks to how identity has become commodified and reduced to a marketable image. The repetition of "Everybody sells and everybody buys" emphasizes the cycle of consumption that perpetuates this dehumanization, leaving no room for genuine connection or empathy. The speaker's longing for recognition and human connection is symbolized by the lack of eye contact, suggesting a deep sense of isolation and alienation within this system. Overall, the lyrics serve as a critique of a society that reduces human beings to mere commodities for exchange, urging listeners to question the dehumanizing effects of unchecked capitalism.