The Miracles vs. Wham! | Head 2 Head

In the 16th edition of Head 2 Head (2025), The Miracles and Wham! contend for the best rendition of “Love Machine.”

Welcome to Head 2 Head! On Head 2 Head, we pit at least two musicians performing the same song and compare their performances.  After deliberation, we decide which performance is the best or moves us more subjectively. In the 16^th edition of Head 2 Head (2025), The Miracles and Wham! contend for the best rendition of “Love Machine.” So, without further ado, let the Head 2 Head commence!

1. The Miracles, “Love Machine”

City Of Angels // Motown // 1975

“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. After “Do It Baby” gave iconic Motown collective The Miracles a top 20 hit post-Smokey Robinson (1940 – ) (Billy Griffin (1950 – ) took over the reins), they landed an even bigger hit, “Love Machine”. “Love Machine” (“Love Machine (Part 1)” is how the single is credited) 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.” 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  

Appears in 🔻:

• The Miracles, Love Machine: Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶78 (2025) 

2. Wham!, “Love Machine”

Fantastic // Innervision // 1983 

“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.” “Love Machine” is a good look for Wham! comprised of two incredibly handsome dudes: Andrew Ridgeley (1963 – ) and the late, great George Michael (1963 – 2016) 😍.  Both were beginning adulthood when they released “Love Machine,” the third track from their 1983 debut album, Fantastic. “Love Machine” was originally released in 1975 by The Miracles, who earned their final number-one hit on the Billboard Hot 100. Wham! had big shoes to fill, given the success of “Love Machine.”

Could two English white guys match the energy and infectiousness of The Miracles? Can you say, “Hoo-hoo-hoo, yeah!” Even though it’s a big ask and a tall task, George Michael excels channeling his inner Billy Griffin as the lead vocalist (Ridgeley plays guitar). Michael gets assistance from background vocalists George Chandler, Jimmy Chambers, and Tony Jackson. It makes sense – this was a male group song originally. Groovy from the jump, it maintains the soulful, sexy, and carefree vibes of the original. Fittingly, the growled vocals, originally sung by Bobby Rogers (1940 – 2013), are firmly in play. Solid production (Michael and Steve Brown) captures the sounds of the original with some tasteful tweaks (Ah, the power of keyboards). Considering the original arrived in the mid-1970s, few changes were necessary to make “Love Machine” fit the early 1980s aesthetic. Ultimately, Wham! makes their rendition of “Love Machine” fun, fun, fun!

Appears in 🔻:

• Wham!, Love Machine: Covers No. 14 (2025)

The Verdict 👨🏿‍⚖️ 

So, who was the better “Love Machine”? Was it the original, number-one pop hit by The Miracles or the energetic cover by pop duo Wham!? A young George Michael put in work in his entertaining cover.  To quote Coming To America, “Goddamn, that boy can sing… He good”! That said, Michael and Wham! didn’t supplant or usurp the original by The Miracles.  The Miracles win this Head 2 Head hands down. “Love Machine” was a number one hit and remains one of the legendary group’s most beloved hits.  George and Andrew covered well, but Billy Griffin and The Miracles ate this up!

The Miracles vs. Wham!: Head 2 Head No. 16 (2025) [📷: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; Innervision, Motown; Israel Torres, KoolShooters, Los Muertos Crew, RDNE Stock project, Thomas Ronveaux from Pexels]