Throwing back to the week of February 28, 1976, we find the ‘Theme from S.W.A.T.’ by Rhythm Heritage atop the Billboard Hot 100. I wrote about that song during a week about instrumental tracks that reached #1. Paul Simon drops to #2 with his ‘50 Ways to Leave Your Lover.’
In the third spot, a week before its sole week at #1, was The Miracles’ ‘Love Machine Pt. 1.’ The full seven minute album track was split into two parts with ‘Part 2’ serving as the B-side (it’s basically an extended coda).
This was the band’s only #1 hit following Smokey Robinson’s departure in 1972. Billy Griffin served as lead vocalist and brought some grit to the disco track.
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
[Verse 1]
I think it’s high time you knew
Whenever I think of you
My mind blows a fuse (Baby)
When I look in your eyes
My meter starts to rise
And I become confused
[Pre-Chorus]
My voltage regulator cools
When I’m sitting next to you
Electricity starts to flow
And my indicator starts to glow, ooh
[Chorus]
(I, I) I’m just a love machine
And I won’t work for nobody but you (Hoo-hoo-hoo, yeah)
I’m just a love machine (Yeah, baby)
A hugging kissing fiend
La, la-la-la-la
La-la-la-la, la-la
Doo-doo-doo
La-la-la-la-la
La-la-la-la, la-la
(I, I) I’m just a love machine
And I won’t work for nobody but you (Hoo-hoo-hoo, yeah)
I’m just a love machine (Yeah, baby)
A hugging kissing fiend
[Verse 2]
I’m gentle as a lamb
I’m not that hard to program
There’s no way that you can lose (Doo, doo, doo-doo, ow)
My chassis fits like a glove
I’ve got a button for love (Push it, push it, ooh)
That you have got to use (Push it, push it)
[Pre-Chorus]
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
[Chorus]
(I, I) I’m just a love machine
And I won’t work for nobody but you (Hoo-hoo-hoo, yeah)
I’m just a love machine (Yeah, baby)
A hugging kissing fiend
La, la-la-la-la
La-la-la-la, la-la
Doo-doo-doo
La-la-la-la-la
La-la-la-la, la-la
Push it, push it, baby, ow
[Chorus]
(I, I) I’m just a love machine
And I won’t work for nobody but you (Hoo-hoo-hoo, yeah)
I’m just a love machine (Yeah, baby)
A hugging kissing fiend
(I, I) I’m just a love machine
I won’t operate for anybody but you (Hoo-hoo-hoo, yeah)
I’m just a love machine (Yeah, baby)
A hugging kissing fiend
Meet Me In Montauk 