Silver Machine (3:59)

Silver Machine is a 1972 song by the UK rock group Hawkwind. It was originally released as a single on 9 June 1972, reaching #3 on the UK singles chart. The single was re-issued in 1976, 1978 reaching #34 on the UK singles charts, and in 1983 reaching #67 on the UK singles charts. The original mix is currently available on the remasters version of In Search of Space.

The single

“Silver Machine” was recorded live at a Greasy Truckers benefit gig at The Roundhouse, London on 13 February 1972 and this version was released on the Various Artists compilation album Glastonbury Fayre and the 2007 box set of Greasy Truckers Party. Overdubs were applied and mixing took place at Morgan Studios with Douglas Smith and Dave Robinson overseeing the process. Dave Brock took production credits using an alias of Dr Technical.

Personnel

* Robert Calvert - vocals
* Dave Brock - guitar, vocals
* Nik Turner - saxophone, flute, vocals
* Lemmy - bass guitar, vocals
* Dik Mik Davies - Synthesizer
* Del Dettmar - Synthesizer
* Simon King - drums

Music

The music was composed by Dave Brock who used his then wife Sylvia Macmanus’ maiden name for credits in order to put pressure on his publishing company to improve his deal. The verse is an 8-bar Rock and Roll boogie whose riff is an adaption of the standard riff that can be heard on the likes of Johnny and the Hurricanes’ “Red River Rock”.