Machine (band)
| Company type | Musical ensemble |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1977 |
| Founder | Jay Stovall |
| Defunct | 1981 |
| Headquarters | New York City , United States |
| Products | Music albums and singles |
Machine was a musical ensemble from the United States specializing in funk, disco, and rock, originating in New York City. Their initial period of activity spanned from 1977 until 1981. The group is best known for their 1979 disco track "There but for the Grace of God Go I".
Career
Singer and guitarist Jay Stovall established the band in 1973, releasing the single "One Guy Too Late," which was produced by Van McCoy. In 1977, the group was reassembled in New York City with the aim of developing a funk rock sound.
Their debut album, titled Machine and issued in 1979, included the song "There But For The Grace Of God Go I." This track narrates the experience of Latino parents relocating from the Bronx to shield their daughter, who subsequently becomes estranged from her cultural roots and engages in self-destructive behavior. Due to its provocative lyrics, the song underwent censorship on two occasions, modifying mentions of drug use and racial exclusion to more acceptable language.
The single attained position 77 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and remained listed for ten weeks. It received acclaim for its musical qualities; Slant Magazine ranked it among top dance tracks, while Pitchfork Media featured it in The Pitchfork 500. Conversely, reviews for the remainder of the album were mixed, citing a standard black pop/funk/rock style.
In 1980, Machine released their second and last album, Moving On, which produced two singles but did not achieve significant commercial success. The band dissolved in 1981. Producer August Darnell subsequently created Kid Creole and the Coconuts, who covered "There but for the Grace of God Go I" that same year. In 2009, original members Jay Stovall, Kevin Nance, and Clare Bathé reunited to tour under the Machine name.
Albums
- Machine (1979)
- Moving On (1980)
Singles
- "There but For the Grace of God Go I" (RCA Victor, 1979) (Billboard Hot 100 #77, Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs #91, Hot Dance Club Play #8)
- "Is It Love" / "I Finally Found" (RCA Victor, 1980) (Hot Dance Club Play #27)
- "Power and Reason" / "Thunder, Lightning, and Rain" (RCA, 1980)
In popular culture
A modified rendition of "There but for the Grace of God Go I" was featured in the 2016 Netflix series The Get Down. Within season one, episode two ("Seek Those Who Fan Your Flames"), the track is performed with altered lyrics and includes a bilingual chorus, underscoring its cultural impact.
Jay Stovall appeared on a 2017 installment of The People's Court, titled "Sizzling Mad Disco Singer".
Additionally, this song was included in the soundtrack of the video game Grand Theft Auto: Episodes from Liberty City.