This single was one of two Billboard Hot 100 Top 40 hits recorded by The Miracles with Billy Griffin as lead vocalist; the other is 1973's "Do It Baby". Griffin had replaced Miracles founder Smokey Robinson as lead singer in 1972. The song features a growling sound by Miracle Bobby Rogers.
Engineered and mixed by Kevin Beamish, "Love Machine" was produced by Freddie Perren, a former member of The Corporation brain trust in charge of the early Jackson 5 hits. It was written by Billy Griffin and his Miracles bandmate Pete Moore, who wrote the rest of the City of Angels tracks as well. The song's lyrics, delivered over a disco beat, compare a lover to an electronic device such as a computer or a robot. The seven-minute song was split into two parts for its release as a single, with "Part 1" receiving most notoriety.
"Love Machine" was a multi-million selling Platinum single,[1] and a number-one hit on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100, and was one of the best-selling singles of The Miracles' career .The single went to #5 on the Hot Soul Singles chart, and went to #20 on Record World's National Disco file Top 20 chart. It was also a Top 10 hit in England, peaking at number three on the UK Singles Chart. By 1979, the song saw its first cover version, performed by Thelma Houston. Houston's version became a popular song with club DJs at the time in the United States, although it did not chart. In Asia, and especially in Japan, "Love Machine" became Houston's most successful single, topping the Japanese charts. The success prompted her album Ride to the Rainbow to be reissued as Love Machine for the Japanese release.
The song was featured in the 1995 Disney film Heavyweights and the film Donnie Brasco in 1997, also it was featured in the 2002 film The New Guy.
Love Machine
The Miracles Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm just a love machine
And I won't work for nobody but you
Yeah baby, I'm just a love machine
A huggin', kissin' fiend
I think it's high time you knew
Whenever I think of you
When I look in you eyes
My meter starts to rise, and I become confused
My voltage regulator cools,
When I'm sitting next to you
Electricity starts to flow
And my indicator starts to glow, woo
I, I I'm just a love machine
And I won't work for nobody but you
I'm just a love machine (yeah baby)
A huggin', kissin' fiend
Na, na na na na, na na na na, woo-woo-wooo
Na, na na na na, na na na na, na nah
I, I, I'm just a love machine
And I won't work for nobody but you
I'm just a love machine (yeah baby)
A huggin', kissin' fiend
I'm gentle as a lamb
I'm not that hard to program
There's no way that you can lose
My chassis fits like a glove
I've got a button for love
That you have got-to-use
If you look into my file
I am sure you can find out how
To turn me on just set my dial
And let me love you for a little while, ooh
I, I, I'm just a love machine
And I won't work for nobody but you
I'm just a love machine (yeah baby)
A huggin', kissin' fiend
Na, na na na na, na na na na, woo-woo-wooo
Na, na na na na, na na na na, na naaah
Push it, push it baby
I, I, I'm just a love machine
And I won't work for nobody but you
I'm just a love machine (yeah baby)
A huggin', kissin' fiend
I, I, I'm just a love machine
And I won't work for nobody but you
I'm just a love machine (hey baby)
A huggin', kissin' fiend
Oh, yeah
Love machine
Earth quacking, sole shaking
Love machine
And I won't operate for anybody but you
Love making
Earth quacking, sole shaking
Love machine
And I won't operate for anybody but you
Oh, yeah
Love making
Earth quacking, sole shaking
Love machine
And I won't operate for anybody but you
Love making
Earth quacking, sole shaking
Love machine
And I won't operate for anybody but you
The Miracles' song "Love Machine" is a playful ode to a lover, likening himself to a machine that has one sole purpose - to provide love and affection to their partner. He goes on to describe how he is programmed to work for only one person, and that his love is very versatile; he can be gentle as a lamb, but also can shake the earth with the intensity of his passion. The lyrics are filled with electric imagery and innuendos, with metaphors such as "blowing a fuse" or "voltage regulator cooling," creating a sense of playfulness and energy.
The unnamed narrator expresses his adoration for his love interest with catchy and repeatable choruses that include "na na na na" and "woo-woo-wooo." His voice is buoyant, and the backing music features a funky bassline that complements the song's playful mood. However, the song's lyrics aren't just of a lover boasting about his capabilities but also make a nod to how easily programmable he is, implying he would love to be with someone who could also appreciate and understand him.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh yeah
Expressing enthusiasm and agreement with the song's message.
I'm just a love machine
Describing oneself as someone who is highly skilled in the art of love.
And I won't work for nobody but you
Declaring loyalty and commitment to one person only.
Yeah baby, I'm just a love machine
Reiterating the point that they excel at giving love and affection.
A huggin', kissin' fiend
Emphasizing that they thrive on physical demonstrations of love and intimacy.
I think it's high time you knew
Suggesting that the person they are talking to needs to recognize their abilities and potential as a lover.
Whenever I think of you
Implying that the thought of the other person brings joy and excitement.
My mind blows a fuse (baby)
Using a metaphor to describe intense arousal and passion.
When I look in you eyes
Suggesting that eye contact triggers strong emotions and physical reaction.
My meter starts to rise, and I become confused
Using another metaphor to describe a sudden increase in emotion and sensation.
My voltage regulator cools,
Implying that being near the other person brings a sense of calm and peace.
When I'm sitting next to you
Emphasizing the importance of physical closeness and intimacy.
Electricity starts to flow
Using another metaphor to describe the physical sensation of attraction and arousal.
And my indicator starts to glow, woo
Suggesting that the person is signaling their readiness for romance and love.
If you look into my file
Jokingly suggesting that their expertise in love is coded and can be 'accessed'.
I am sure you can find out how
Encouraging the other person to embrace their potential as a lover and to explore their love techniques.
To turn me on just set my dial
Using a humorous metaphor to describe how to trigger their passion and arousal.
And let me love you for a little while, ooh
Offering to share their love and intimacy with the other person.
Push it, push it baby
Using playful language to encourage the other person to initiate intimacy and romance.
Love machine
Reiterating that the person is skilled in giving love and intimacy.
Earth quacking, sole shaking
Using two vivid metaphors to describe the intensity of their love-making skills.
And I won't operate for anybody but you
Declaring that their love is exclusively for the person they are addressing.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Royalty Network, SOUND OASIS PRODUCTIONS, LLC
Written by: Warren Moore, William Griffin
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@andressa1161
Oh yeah
I'm just a love machine
And I won't work for nobody but you
Yeah baby, I'm just a love machine
A huggin', kissin' fiend
I think it's high time you knew
Whenever I think of you
My mind blows a fuse (baby)
When I look in you eyes
My meter starts to rise, and I become confused
My voltage regulator cools,
When I'm sitting next to you
Electricity starts to flow
And my indicator starts to glow, woo
I, I I'm just a love machine
And I won't work for nobody but you
I'm just a love machine (yeah baby)
A huggin', kissin' fiend
Na, na na na na, na na na na, woo-woo-wooo
Na, na na na na, na na na na, na nah
I, I, I'm just a love machine
And I won't work for nobody but you
I'm just a love machine (yeah baby)
A huggin', kissin' fiend
I'm gentle as a lamb
I'm not that hard to program
There's no way that you can lose
My chassis fits like a glove
I've got a button for love
That you have got-to-use
If you look into my file
I am sure you can find out how
To turn me on just set my dial
And let me love you for a little while, ooh
I, I, I'm just a love machine
And I won't work for nobody but you
I'm just a love machine (yeah baby)
A huggin', kissin' fiend
Na, na na na na, na na na na, woo-woo-wooo
Na, na na na na, na na na na, na naaah
Push it, push it baby
I, I, I'm just a love machine
And I won't work for nobody but you
I'm just a love machine (yeah baby)
A huggin', kissin' fiend
I, I, I'm just a love machine
And I won't work for nobody but you
I'm just a love machine (hey baby)
A huggin', kissin' fiend
Oh, yeah
Love machine
Earth quacking, sole shaking
Love machine
And I won't operate for anybody but you
Love making
Earth quacking, sole shaking
Love machine
And I won't operate for anybody but you
Oh, yeah
Love making
Earth quacking, sole shaking
Love machine
And I won't operate for anybody but you
Love making
Earth quacking, sole shaking
Love machine
And I won't operate for anybody but you
@HISTORYGRL
Heard this song way before but I’m not ashamed to say it always reminds me of heavyweights dance scene 🕺🕺
@MRF1983
When the formally fat skinny camp counselor dances, right? God I loved that movie as a kid. FEEL THE CHI! REPULSE THE MONKEY! PART THE WILD HORSE'S MANE!
@shanefowler9443
YES
@levelimeade9613
Facts 💯👍🏽🍾
@manuelluna5695
You're right
@17Watman
Same
@buddylove346
If I had a nickel for every time I've danced to this song I would be rich. If you got to grow up in the 50's through the 90's with all of the golden classic movies, music and concerts, YOU were blessed!
@tay2944
My Grandaddy loved this song
R.I.P. 1946-2018
@prussianmillionaire5055
he had great taste.rip.
@ownSystem
Guess it was soul that saved his soul. :)