☝️ Key Points
- The song addresses power, control, and submission in relationships and society
- It refers to a game of dominance and submission that can exist in both private relationships and society at large
- The song draws a parallel between power structures in intimate relationships and social hierarchies
- Overall, the song comments on social hierarchy and the distribution of power
- It prompts reflection on whether these power structures are inevitable in relationships and society as a whole, or if there are ways to overcome them
Interpretation
"Master and Servant" by
Depeche Mode is a song that deals with the themes of power, control, and submission, both in relationships and in society at large. The words "Master" and "Servant" represent a hierarchy where one person has control and the other is subordinate.
The lines "There's a new game / We like to play you see / A game with added reality / You treat me like a dog / Get me down on my knees" suggest a game of submission and dominance that is played in relationships. However, it could also allude to the social or political climate where people are often forced to obey certain authorities.
The words "It's a lot like life / This play between the sheets" show the analogy between social power structures and power games in intimate relationships. This comparison is further deepened by the lines "Domination's the name of the game / In bed or in life / They're both just the same".
Overall, the song is a commentary on social hierarchy and power distribution, and how these dynamics can also occur in personal relationships. It prompts reflection on whether such power games are inevitable in relationships and in society as a whole, or if there are ways to overcome them."