Machine Gun (Commodores album)

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Machine Gun is the first album from the Commodores, released on July 22, 1974 on the Motown label. This was also the last album recorded and produced at Motowns' Hitsville USA, being recorded in 1972, then released in 1974. Although pop audiences were not exactly responsive to this issue, R&B audiences met this album with open arms. Unlike other Commodores albums, Machine Gun features only funk music and is devoid of slow-paced ballads. The lead song features Milan Williams on clavinet, which led Motown executive Berry Gordy to the song "Machine Gun" as the clavinet work reminded him of gunfire. This track peaked at #7 on the R&B, while reaching #22 on the overall pop charts.

The second single to be released, "I Feel Sanctified," reached #12 on the R&B charts, and concerns a man spiritually blessed by his girl's love. The song features Ronald LaPread on bass, while Lionel Richie and William King's contributed horn arrangements. The tune also features an acapella introduction with three-way harmonization. The song "The Bump" became a radio and dancehall staple, with Richie and Walter Orange on vocals calling to female listeners to "...do the bump, do the bump, baby!" "The Assembly Line" and "The Zoo (The Human Zoo)" are both socially charged songs concerning the challenges faced those who try to make a difference in society. "The Zoo" features an introduction with Williams playing a melody resembling circus music.

The remaining songs are also funk tunes. On "Superman," Richie sings from the point of view of the superhero himself.

Track listing

1. "Machine Gun" (Milan Williams)
2. "Young Girls Are My Weakness" (William King/Ronald LaPread)
3. "I Feel Sanctified" (Commodores/Jeffrey Bowen/B.Miller)
4. "The Bump" (Milan Williams)
5. "Rapid Fire" (Milan Williams)
6. "Assembly Line" (Gloria Jones/Pam Sawyer)
7. "The Zoo (The Human Zoo)" (Gloria Jones/Pam Sawyer)
8. "Gonna Blow Your Mind" (Thomas McClary/Walter Orange/Milan Williams)
9. "There's A Song In My Heart" (Lionel Richie)
10. "Superman" (Lionel Richie)

Trivia

• On the track "Machine Gun", there seems to be a dog barking intermittently throughout. (00:24)(00:28)(01:08)(01:12)(02:22)
• Although the song "Machine Gun" was a relative hit in the U.S., it was a major hit in Nigeria. At the end of the broadcast day, national television stations would actually play this song following the Nigerian national anthem.
• For a period of time in the early 1980s, "Machine Gun" was the theme music for the weekly BBC chart hits review television series Top of the Pops.
• "Machine Gun" was used in the Wee World game "Pogo for Panties" and the video game NBA Street Homecourt.
• "Machine Gun" also was used in the movie "Boogie Nights".
• "Machine Gun" was also the theme tune to the late 1970s, early 1980s British science/health TV programme, "How To Stay Alive".
• The 01:40 section of "Machine Gun" is sampled on "Hey, Ladies" by The Beastie Boys.