World Machine (song)

{{Infobox song

| name = World Machine

| version = Shep Pettibone remix

| cover = Level42WorldMachinesingle.jpg

| alt =

| type = single

| artist = Level 42

| album = World Machine

| B-side = "World Machine" (dub)

| released = 1986

| recorded =

| studio =

| venue =

| genre = Jazz-funk

| length = 5:39

| label = Polydor

| writer =

| producer =

Wally Badarou
Level 42

| prev_title = Lessons in Love

| prev_year = 1986

| next_title = Running in the Family

| next_year = 1987

| misc = {{External music video|header=Licensed audio|{{YouTube|Svjb21mjf9Y|"World Machine" (Shep Pettibone remix)}}}}

}}

"World Machine" is a song written by Wally Badarou, Phil Gould, Mark King and Mike Lindup that became the title track of English jazz-funk band Level 42's sixth studio album. A remix of the song by Shep Pettibone was released as a 12-inch single in the US in 1986 and peaked at number 25 on Billboard magazine's Hot Dance/Disco – Club Play in 1987.{{Harvnb|Whitburn|2004|p=152}}.

Critical reception

The review of the 12-inch single remix in Billboard read, "Pulsating electrojazz cut, much requested earlier this year as an album track, newly remixed for club impact."{{cite magazine|title=Reviews >Singles >Dance|author=|date=November 22, 1986|magazine=Billboard |volume= 98 |issue= 47 | page=79|issn= 0006-2510 |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Music/Billboard-Index/IDX/1986/1986-soul-Billboard-Page-0101.pdf#search=%22level%2042%20world%20machine%22|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220830192253/https://worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Music/Billboard-Index/IDX/1986/1986-soul-Billboard-Page-0101.pdf|archive-date=August 30, 2022}} In his review of the World Machine album for Rolling Stone, Steve Bloom wrote that the title track was "their best effort: propelled by Phil Gould's explosive tribal beat, it showcases Mike Lindup's considerable keyboard talents."{{cite magazine|title=Level 42 – World Machine|last=Bloom |first=Steve |date=April 24, 1986|magazine=Rolling Stone |issue= RS 472 | page=60|issn= 0035-791X }} William Cooper's retrospective review of the album for AllMusic noted, "The jazzy, upbeat title track is one of the band's finest moments."{{cite web |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/world-machine-mw0000190657 |title=World Machine – Level 42|website=AllMusic|access-date=30 August 2022 |last=Cooper |first=William|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220831002220/https://www.allmusic.com/album/world-machine-mw0000190657|archive-date=31 August 2022}}

Track listing

12-inch single{{cite AV media notes|title=World Machine (The Shep Pettibone Remix) |others=Level 42|year=1986|type= 12-inch single liner notes|publisher=Polydor Records|id=885 471-1}}

"World Machine" (remix) – 5:39
"World Machine" (dub) – 7:24

Personnel

Credits adapted from the liner notes for the World Machine album.{{cite AV media notes|title= World Machine|others= Level 42 |date= 1985 |type= record sleeve |publisher= Polydor Records |id= 827 487-1 |location= London}}

Level 42