The Miracles, Love Machine | Throwback Vibez

In the 78th edition of Throwback Vibez (2025), we recollect and reflect on “Love Machine” by the iconic Motown group, The Miracles.   

The vibes, the vibes, those Throwback Vibez ! Throwback Vibez is a column that celebrates awesome songs from the past.  The records that grace this column are older, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they’re ancient – no fossils ! All genres of music are welcome. In the 78^th edition of Throwback Vibez ️ (2025), we recollect and reflect on “Love Machine” performed by The Miracles.

“Hoo-hoo-hoo, yeah!” Indeed, Bobby Rogers (1940 – 2013)! “Yeah, baby!” Okay, Ronnie White (1938 – 1995), I hear you! Sometimes, music groups don’t endure the loss of their superstar.  Smokey Robinson (1940 – ) leaving The Miracles, an iconic Motown collective, was a big deal. The good news is that Billy Griffin (1950 – ) did a fantastic job as the new lead singer, replacing Robinson in 1972.  After “Do It Baby” gave The Miracles a top 20 hit post-Smokey, they landed an even bigger hit, “Love Machine” (“Love Machine (Part 1)” is how the single is credited). “Love Machine” is the sixth track on The Miracles’ 1975 album, City Of Angels. It became the collective’s final number one hit on the Billboard Hot 100.  Griffin and Warren “Pete” Moore wrote “Love Machine,” while Freddie Perren (1943 – 2004) produced it.

“I’m just a love machine

And I won’t work for nobody but you (Yeah, baby)

I’m just a love machine

A hugging, kissing fiend.”

The most memorable section from “Love Machine” is the chorus.  It is energetic and playful, while the melody is tuneful to the nth degree. Following the brief intro, the chorus sets the tone.  The verses are also sweet, with their fair share of intriguing lyrics. In the first verse, Griffin sings, “Whenever I think of you / My mind blows a fuse.” Oh, snap! In the second, he sings, “My chassis fits like a glove / I’ve got a button for love.” Oh, snap! Adding to the allure are the pre-choruses (“Electricity starts to flow / And my indicator starts to glow, ooh”) as well as a post-chorus/bridge (“La, la-la-la-la /…Doo-doo-doo”). Beyond fabulous lead vocals by Griffin, The Miracles eat it up on the backgrounds.  Furthermore, the musical backdrop is electrifying with the rhythm section (including the clavinet) and the orchestral elements (horns, strings). No deep analysis is necessary.  “Love Machine” is one of those giant funk/R&B/soul records of the 1970s. The Miracles thrived on this

The Miracles // Love Machine // Motown // 1975

The Miracles, Love Machine: Throwback Vibez ️ No. 78 (2025) [: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; Motown; AcatXlo, OpenClipart-Vectors, Clker-Free-Vector-Images, Speedy McVroom from Pixabay]