The Lovin' Machine
| The Lovin' Machine | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | July 1966 | |||
| Studio | RCA Studio A (Nashville, Tennessee) RCA Studios New York (New York, New York) | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 31:34 (original) 35:22 (reissue) | |||
| Label | Little Darlin' Records | |||
| Producer | Aubrey Mayhew | |||
| Johnny Paycheck chronology | ||||
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| Singles from At Carnegie Hall | ||||
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| Reissue cover | ||||
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The Lovin' Machine is the second studio album by American country music artist Johnny Paycheck. The album was released in July 1966, via Little Darlin' Records. It was produced by Aubrey Mayhew.
Background and recording
[edit]Paycheck's rise to national recognition began with early charting singles like "A-11," a hit that established him as a star during the mid-1960s country music boom.[1] His rapid success brought him to prestigious venues such as Carnegie Hall, the namesake of his debut album, At Carnegie Hall.[1]
Following this momentum and success of his previous album, Paycheck released "The Lovin' Machine", which became his biggest hit up to that point.[1] The single set the tone for the album of the same name, putting it in a bold direction with hard-country sounds that helped solidify his outlaw image, years before the movement was widely recognized.[2]
Themes
[edit]Musically, The Lovin' Machine is considered one of the hardest-edged honky-tonk records of its era. The album showcases a no-compromise approach, blending gritty realism with dark humor and emotional intensity. It features a unique fusion of honky-tonk, psychobilly, and outlaw country aesthetics.[2]
The title track is a tongue-in-cheek number where it's unclear whether Paycheck is praising a woman or the car he uses to charm women.[2] This ironic tone recurs throughout the album. One of the most infamous tracks is "I've Got Someone to Kill," a chilling ballad of revenge and murder that showcases Paycheck's ability to inhabit disturbing characters. Pedal steel guitar player Lloyd Green adds haunting atmospheric tension throughout the album.[2]
Critical reception
[edit]| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |  [2] |
The Lovin' Machine has been described as a "true masterpiece" of golden-era honky-tonk, notable for its refusal to follow Nashville conventions and its raw, uncompromising content.[2] Critics praised the album's intensity, stark lyrical narratives, and Paycheck's fearless vocal delivery. The record's blend of psychobilly energy and honky-tonk grit stood out even in the context of the evolving country music scene of the 1960s.[2]
Tom McEntee, editor of Cashbox, remarked on Paycheck's rising stardom and called the album a clear indicator of the singer's enduring talent and future success.[1]
Track listing
[edit]Track lengths from the original release in 1966, the album was reissued and featured slightly different track lengths.
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "The Lovin' Machine" | Larry Kingston | 2:30 |
| 2. | "Miller's Cave" | Jack Clement | 3:12 |
| 3. | "Florence Jean" | "Country" Johnny Mathis | 2:39 |
| 4. | "Hang On Sally" | Kingston | 2:10 |
| 5. | "Is That All I Meant to You" | Woody Guthrie | 2:05 |
| 6. | "I've Got Someone to Kill" | 2:31 | |
| 7. | "I Want You to Know" | Mathis | 2:21 |
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Swinging Doors" | Merle Haggard | 2:29 |
| 2. | "We're the Kind of People" |
| 2:42 |
| 3. | "The Johnson's of Turkey Ridge" |
| 1:57 |
| 4. | "Between Love and Hate" |
| 2:50 |
| 5. | "Don't You Say Nothin' at All" |
| 2:20 |
| 6. | "I Don't Know What Keeps Us Together" |
| 2:04 |
| 7. | "I Know I Never Will" | Mathis | 2:35 |
| Total length: | 31:34 | ||
Paycheck is a co-writer credited under his birth name, Donald Lytle, on "I've Got Someone to Kill," "We're the Kind of People," "The Johnson's of Turkey Ridge," "Between Love and Hate," "Don't You Say Nothin' at All," and "I Don't Know What Keeps Us Together."