| Machine Gun | |
| Cover: | Portishead - Machine Gun.jpg |
| Type: | single |
| Artist: | Portishead |
| Album: | Third |
| Released: | 24 March 2008 |
| Recorded: | 2005–2008 |
| Genre: | Electro-industrial |
| Length: | 4:45 |
| Producer: | Portishead |
| Prev Title: | Only You |
| Prev Year: | 1998 |
| Next Title: | The Rip |
| Next Year: | 2008 |
"Machine Gun" is a song by English band Portishead. The song made its radio and download debut on 24 March 2008, acting as the lead single from their third studio album, Third (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.[1]
The 12-inch vinyl was released on 14 April, while a digital version was made available from the official site on 10 April. A music video for the song was released. It features the band playing the song at the studio. 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.[2] The song’s beat was also sampled in “Field Trip” by hip hop supergroup ¥$, composed of American rapper Kanye West and singer Ty Dolla $ign. According to a tweet made by Geoff Barrow, he seemed to hint that the sample was also used without the band’s permission.[3]
"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.
| Chart (2008) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australia (ARIA)[4] | 87 |
| Belgium (Ultratip Flanders)[5] | 12 |
| Belgium (Ultratip Wallonia)[6] | 17 |
| France (SNEP)[7] | 82 |
| UK Singles Chart (Official Charts Company)[8] | 52 |