Love Machine (Pt.1) - The Miracles (1975) 3/22/22

It may surprise you to learn that the biggest hit the Miracles ever had came AFTER Smokey Robinson left the group.

In 1972, Smokey went solo and was replaced by Billy Griffin, who was just 20 years old at the time. Billy was quite a talent in his own right: a singer/songwriter with a soulful voice and a great falsetto. All of those talents were put to good use on today's "Great Song of 1975!"

"Love Machine" was co-written by Billy with fellow Miracle Pete Moore, but the instrumental "groove" for the song came from a studio jam session.

According to bassist Scott Edwards, producer Freddie Perren--a long-time Motown jack-of-many-trades--heard what happening and started making suggestions about chord changes and melody lines, etc.

Before the jam session was over, the Miracles had a 7-minute monster that included Billy's lead vocal, Scott's incredible bassline, some growling by secondary vocalist Bobby Rogers and a few random "yeah babys" tossed in by baritone Bobby White.

The song was added to the Miracles' album, "City of Angels, then cut in half and released as a two-sided single for radio play. Discos received a 12-inch single of the entire song.

"Love Machine, Pt. 1" was HUGE!: #1 on The Hot 100, #5 on the Black Singles chart, and #20 on the Record World Disco Chart--selling more than 4.5 MILLION copies! It was, by far, the biggest hit the Miracles ever had.

And it all happened without Smokey Robinson!

Since 1975, the song has been featured on TV shows like "Friends, "Full House," "Ally McBeal, and "Futurama," as well as films like "Donny Brasco" and "Coyote Ugly." It's also been used in commercials for Travelodge and Denny's.

There just no doubt about it: "Love Machine, Pt.1" is a "Great Song of the '70s!" (Add Pt.2, and it's twice as "Great!!)

(Full Version: Pt 1 & 2):