Deep Purple Songs - My Personal Favorites

Here's my Top-5 of Deep Purple songs. Their live double album Made In Japan features all five of these songs the way I like to listen to them.

Space Truckin
Originally released in 1972, the song was the seventh track of the Machine Head album. The lyrics take listeners on a music odyssey into space travel where they are "space truckin round the stars" and showcases the incredible skills of the bands musicians. It appears in different versions on almost every live album the band put out.

My favorite part is after Ritchie Blackmore's mellow guitar notes with about five minutes left in the song; the audience thinks the song is over. Then five seconds later they blow your head off. I have stated before this is my all time favorite song performed LIVE.

Highway Star
This one first appeared on the 1972 album Machine Head. The track was the band's set opener for many years. "Highway Star" kicks off with a long bass guitar riff and is known for both Jon Lord's organ solo as well as Ritchie Blackmore's guitar solo. Ian Gillan often improvised its lyrics at live gigs. Made In Japan features a live version.

It's one of the most popular Deep Purple songs which is reflected by the many cover versions recorded by other bands. I loved driving down the highway with this song blaring out of my speakers; in fact I still rock out on the road today with this song.

Child in Time
With over 10 minutes long, this is one of longest Deep Purple songs. The story goes that it was also written in 10 minutes, based on a riff that Jon Lord had heard on a recording by the psychedelic rock band It's A Beautiful Day.

The song is best known for Ian Gillan's incredible howling and screaming, that builds up to a fast-paced climax and abrupt end. The studio version appeared on 1970's Deep Purple in Rock, the even better live version on the 1972 double album Made in Japan.

This song helped me perfect my signature CALL (read my story). You can really hear the power of Ian's voice with this one.

Smoke on the Water
How many kids wanted to learn this song on their new guitar? This was probably the first song many of you would learn. The most recognized guitar riff in the world.

The songs tells a true story. In 1971, the band was recording an album with a mobile recoring unit at the casino of Montreux, Switzerland. During a gig of Frank Zappa and his Mothers of Invention at the casino theatre, the place suddenly caught fire and burnt down completely. The "Funky Claude" who appears in the song is Claude Nobs, the legendary director of the Montreux Jazz Festval.

"Smoke on the Water" was included on the Deep Purple album Machine Head, released in early 1972, and became a single (and a major hit) one year later.

Strange Kind of Woman
Originally released as a follow up single after "Black Night" in early 1971, this song is about a friend of the band. According to Ian Gillan, he met an evil woman, fell in love with her despite her bad character. The lady died shortly after their marriage. The song, originally called "Prostitute", appeared on the re-release of their 1971 album Fireball.

The live version is known for the spectacular guitar-vocal duel played by Ritchie Blackmore and Ian Gillan. I would practice this guitar-vocal duel off the Made In Japan release loud and proud it was a great way to keep my voice (CALL) in shape.

These Deep Purple songs along with jogging everyday really built up my lung power.

Learn more about Deep Purple songs and why this band should enter the rock hall of fame.