Released 24 March 2008 Recorded 2005–2008 | Format Digital download, 12" Length 4:45 | |
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"Machine Gun" is the first single taken from the 2008 LP Third by English band Portishead. The song made its radio and download debut on 24 March 2008. It premiered on Zane Lowe's BBC Radio 1 show and was made available for download on the band's official website. A UK one-sided 12 inch vinyl was released on 14 April 2008.
Contents
The music video features the band playing the song at the studio. The 12-inch vinyl was released on 14 April, while a digital version was made available from the official site on 10 April. On 29 May, during the first concert at the Estrella Damm Primavera Sound Festival in Barcelona, Chuck D of Public Enemy joined the band onstage to perform a rap section on the instrumental part at the end of the song.
The song's beat was sampled by The Weeknd on his song "Belong to the World" from his debut album Kiss Land. According to Geoff Barrow, the sample was used without the band's permission.
Track listing
- "Machine Gun" – 4:43
In popular culture
Charts
"Machine Gun" entered the UK Singles Chart at number 52 on 30 March 2008, their first singles chart entry for ten years since "Only You" in March 1998.