Machine Gun (4:47)
984,920 plays (217,748 listeners)
“Machine Gun” is a single by Portishead, released in 2008. The song presents a rather raw, industrial sound and troubled lyrics. The promotional video features the band playing the song at the studio. The 12-inch vinyl was out on April 14, while a digital version was made available from Portishead.co.uk from April 10, 2008.
The song begins with a theme featuring electronic snare and kick drum kit sounds, as well as a snippet of a C# minor chord, which is used throughout the entire song. These sounds feature distortion, hall-style reverb and heavy compression, which mimick the sound of a machine gun.
The vocals feature a three-note melodic cell, evident at the chorus (“If only I could see”). This cell is sequenced (“You turn myself to me”) and also used in inversion (“recognise”). The verses’ vocal lines use notes from the C# dorian scale, which contrasts to the chorus’ usage of the C# aeolian scale.
At 2:42 the song is broken up by a section that features new timbres; notably an electronic snare sound that is deeper in pitch. However, the recurring ‘machine gun’ theme is still present in this section. This is followed by a section featuring the original electronic drum timbres with a difference; tape delay is applied to the drum kit sounds. During this section, the feedback time of the delay is varied.
The final section introduces a synthesizer solo. The timbre of the synthesizer is reminiscent of Vangelis’ usage of synthesized brass. It is the sole section of the song that features a solid harmonic foundation. The chord progression is: C# minor - B major/C# - A major - C# minor.
The song begins with a theme featuring electronic snare and kick drum kit sounds, as well as a snippet of a C# minor chord, which is used throughout the entire song. These sounds feature distortion, hall-style reverb and heavy compression, which mimick the sound of a machine gun.
The vocals feature a three-note melodic cell, evident at the chorus (“If only I could see”). This cell is sequenced (“You turn myself to me”) and also used in inversion (“recognise”). The verses’ vocal lines use notes from the C# dorian scale, which contrasts to the chorus’ usage of the C# aeolian scale.
At 2:42 the song is broken up by a section that features new timbres; notably an electronic snare sound that is deeper in pitch. However, the recurring ‘machine gun’ theme is still present in this section. This is followed by a section featuring the original electronic drum timbres with a difference; tape delay is applied to the drum kit sounds. During this section, the feedback time of the delay is varied.
The final section introduces a synthesizer solo. The timbre of the synthesizer is reminiscent of Vangelis’ usage of synthesized brass. It is the sole section of the song that features a solid harmonic foundation. The chord progression is: C# minor - B major/C# - A major - C# minor.
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Shouts
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Daniel_Green wrote:
Perfeita.*
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SID80132 wrote:
This song takes you to another place no matter where you are.
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aminals wrote:
sick
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rights_reserved wrote:
Turn this one up to 11.
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HareMettleAdlib wrote:
The synths at the end are brilliant and fit the song perfectly.
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leijjuva wrote:
the synths at the end are cheesy and unfit, otherwise perfect song
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sofiesea wrote:
this certainly has something going for it.
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exo-skeleton wrote:
death shot's melody
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maryann2version wrote:
-boom tah, tanana nanana boom ta, nananahh-
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PaulKLoV wrote:
this song lifts you into the sky then rips your soul as it gently returns everything back to earth
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deniciodeltoro wrote:
i agree, it certainly does
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concedo wrote:
sounds like the theme from terminator 2 in the end
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DarkPearl wrote:
Intense and captivating. Hypnothic. I love the melancholy/sadness that is underlying all portishead songs. Fuels depression, though.
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frankmarkerink1 wrote:
It´s HUNTING!!
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pavskies wrote:
so fuckin' sick
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ARGBDude wrote:
this is it! this is the shit! @redsnowrose: wonder what kind of fashion show play this kind of music
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Arteic wrote:
The vocals and percussion are intense :)
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Maddddds wrote:
Mmmm yes.
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destructiv wrote:
wow just wow
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DizzyBone2000 wrote:
the drum beat is infectious
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Machine Gun
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