Machine Gun

About Machine Gun

Machine Gun is the debut studio album by Commodores, released on July 22, 1974, on Motown Records. Unlike subsequent Commodores albums, Machine Gun has only funk music and is devoid of slow-paced ballads. The titular lead song has Milan Williams on clavinet, which led the Motown executive Berry Gordy to name the song "Machine Gun" as the clavinet work reminded him of gunfire. This track peaked at number 7 on the R&B charts, while reaching number 22 on the overall pop charts. Samples from the song were used prominently by the Beastie Boys in their 1989 song "Hey Ladies," and the song itself was featured on the soundtrack for the 1997 film Boogie Nights. In the late 1970s, the track was used as the theme to UK Sunday-morning-filler show about health How To Stay Alive, presented by Colin Welland, and in early 1980s the tune was also used as the opening theme of the New Zealand music show Ready to Roll. The second single to be released, "I Feel Sanctified", reached number 12 on the R&B charts, and concerns a man spiritually blessed by his girlfriend's love. The song has Ronald LaPread on bass guitar, while Lionel Richie and William King contributed horn arrangements. The tune has an a cappella introduction with three-way harmonization. more »