Deep Purple is an English rock band formed in Hertford, England in 1968. Originally a psychedelic rock and progressive rock band, Deep Purple are considered to be among the pioneers of heavy metal and modern hard rock. The band is perhaps best known for their hit single “Smoke on the Water”, which reached number 4 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1973. Released on their iconic 1972 album Machine Head, “Smoke on the Water” is widely considered to be Deep Purple’s signature song.
History of Deep Purple
Deep Purple were originally formed in 1968 by guitarist Ritchie Blackmore, keyboardist Jon Lord, bassist Nick Simper, drummer Ian Paice, and vocalist Rod Evans. The classic “Mark II” lineup featured Ian Gillan on vocals and Roger Glover on bass, replacing Evans and Simper in 1969. This lineup recorded Deep Purple’s most commercially successful albums, including In Rock (1970), Machine Head (1972), and Made in Japan (1973).
The band went through various lineup changes over the years, going on hiatus from 1976 to 1984. They reunited in 1984 with the classic “Mark II” lineup and have remained active with changing members ever since. Throughout their long career, Deep Purple have sold over 100 million albums worldwide and have gone through various musical phases, from early progressive and psychedelic rock to hard rock and heavy metal.
Writing and Recording of “Smoke on the Water”
“Smoke on the Water” was recorded by Deep Purple in December 1971 at the Grand Hotel in Montreux, Switzerland. The song tells the true story of the Montreux Casino fire and the events leading up to Deep Purple’s recording of the Machine Head album.
Here are some key facts about the writing and recording of “Smoke on the Water”:
– The band was originally going to record the album at the Montreux Casino. However, during a Frank Zappa and the Mothers of Invention concert, an audience member fired a flare gun toward the ceiling, setting the venue on fire.
– Deep Purple were in the audience for the concert and witnessed the fiery incident firsthand. They later immortalized the event in the lyrics to “Smoke on the Water.”
– After the fire, Deep Purple had to find another location to record the album. They rented out the nearly-empty Grand Hotel and converted the hallways and rooms into a makeshift recording studio.
– Guitarist Ritchie Blackmore came up with the iconic guitar riff while jamming with the band at the hotel. Roger Glover is credited for coming up with the title “Smoke on the Water” based on the smoke from the casino fire spreading over Lake Geneva.
– The lyrics were written by vocalist Ian Gillan, inspired by the true events they had just witnessed. The song was recorded in about half an hour, with only one take of the vocals.
– “Smoke on the Water” was released in 1972 on the Machine Head album. While it was not originally issued as a single, the song became Deep Purple’s biggest hit and a staple of their live shows.
Lyrics and Meaning
“Smoke on the Water” opens with the unforgettable guitar riff by Ritchie Blackmore, which has become synonymous with the song. The lyrics tell the story of the casino fire from the perspective of the band:
We all came out to Montreux
On the Lake Geneva shoreline
To make records with a mobile
We didn’t have much timeFrank Zappa and the Mothers
Were at the best place around
But some stupid with a flare gun
Burned the place to the ground
The chorus hook goes:
Smoke on the water, fire in the sky
Smoke on the water
The “smoke on the water” refers to the smoke from the burning casino that spread over Lake Geneva. “Fire in the sky” references the flaming debris flying from the casino roof during the fire.
The verses continue to describe the aftermath of the fire and how the band ended up recording Machine Head at the hotel:
They burned down the gambling house
It died with an awful sound
Funky Claude was running in and out
Pulling kids out the groundWhen it all was over
We had to find another place
But Swiss time was running out
It seemed that we would lose the race
“Funky Claude” refers to Claude Nobs, the director of the Montreux Jazz Festival who helped evacuate people from the casino during the fire. The song ends by describing the band quickly setting up their mobile recording unit in the hotel to lay down tracks before their time ran out.
Overall, the lyrics capture Deep Purple’s direct perspective and experience witnessing the shocking casino fire unfold right before their eyes. “Smoke on the Water” immortalized a true moment in rock history that Deep Purple happened to be a part of.
Legacy and Impact
“Smoke on the Water” is regarded as Deep Purple’s signature song and one of the most influential rock songs of all time. Here are some of its key legacies:
– The song reached #4 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1973, helping cement Deep Purple’s status as a top rock band. It remains their highest charting US single.
– Thanks to its iconic guitar riff, “Smoke on the Water” is often cited as one of the most recognizable riffs in rock music history. It introduced the Deep Purple “sound” to mainstream audiences.
– The Machine Head album reached #1 on UK album charts and #7 US, driven by the success of “Smoke on the Water.” The song helped boost Deep Purple’s popularity globally.
– It became a staple of rock radio airplay in the 1970s and beyond. The live version on Made in Japan also got extensive play and helped establish Deep Purple as a must-see live act.
– Ritchie Blackmore’s guitar work on the track demonstrated his pioneering distorted hard rock guitar tone and cemented his stature as a guitar virtuoso.
– “Smoke on the Water” is often cited as an influence by later heavy metal and hard rock musicians. Its use of heavy riffing and distorted guitars helped shape those genres.
– The song remains one of the most covered tunes in rock, with versions recorded by bands like Metallica, Pink Floyd, and Carlos Santana.
– It has become deeply ingrained in pop culture, appearing in countless films, TV shows, video games, and commercials. The opening riff alone is instantly recognizable.
Live Performances and Later Versions
“Smoke on the Water” has been a concert staple for Deep Purple since its release. The band’s 1973 live album Made in Japan features an incendiary version with an extended guitar solo by Ritchie Blackmore. This recording helped cement the song’s legendary status. Other notable live versions appear on the albums Nobody’s Perfect (1988) and In Concert with the London Symphony Orchestra (1999).
Deep Purple’s many personnel changes over the years meant that subsequent live versions featured guitar work by later members like Tommy Bolin and Steve Morse instead of Blackmore. In 1984, the reunited classic MK II lineup recorded a new studio version of “Smoke on the Water” for their Perfect Strangers album.
Other official versions include:
– A remix entitled “Smoke on the Water ’97” released on the album Purpendicular (1996)
– An orchestral version with the Northwest German Philharmonic Orchestra on In Concert with the London Symphony Orchestra
– Alternate takes and live recordings included on anniversary reissues of Machine Head
In more recent years, the current Deep Purple lineup has continued performing “Smoke on the Water” live. In 2012, they played it at the closing ceremony of the London Olympics before a global audience. 50 years on from its genesis, the song remains deeply engrained in pop culture as Deep Purple’s quintessential anthem.
Conclusion
In summary, “Smoke on the Water” is undoubtedly the song that Deep Purple is most known for. Born out of unusual circumstances when the band witnessed the Montreux Casino fire firsthand, the song captures a memorable moment in rock history through its iconic lyrics and riff. It cemented Deep Purple’s place among the pioneers of heavy metal while also becoming their most recognizable hit single. “Smoke on the Water” introduced the band’s guitar-driven hard rock sound to the masses and inspired countless future metal musicians with its proto-metal distortion. The song demonstrated the talents of guitarist Ritchie Blackmore and vocalist Ian Gillan and has become a staple of radio airplay. Its indelible riff alone makes “Smoke on the Water” one of the most identifiable rock songs ever recorded. Though Deep Purple have an extensive catalog, “Smoke on the Water” remains their signature tune over 50 years since its release, earning its reputation as a true rock anthem.
