Perfect Strangers (album)

Perfect Strangers
Studio album by Deep Purple
Released	16 September 1984
Recorded	August, 1984 at "Horizons" in Stowe, Vermont
Genre	Hard rock, heavy metal
Length	39:28 (Original LP) 44:13 (Original CD) 54:15 (1999 CD re-issue)
Label	Polydor (UK) Mercury Records (US)
Producer	Roger Glover & Deep Purple
Deep Purple chronology
Come Taste the Band (1975) Perfect Strangers (1984) The House of Blue Light (1987)

Perfect Strangers is the eleventh studio album by Deep Purple, released in October 1984. It represents the first album recorded by the reformed, the most successful and popular, 'Mark II' line-up.

It was the first Deep Purple studio album in nine years, and the first with the Mk II lineup for eleven years, the last being Who Do We Think We Are in 1973. Ritchie Blackmore and Roger Glover arrived from Rainbow, Ian Gillan from Black Sabbath, Jon Lord from Whitesnake, and Ian Paice from Gary Moore's backing band.

The CD and cassette versions of the album contained the extra track "Not Responsible" (one of few Deep Purple songs with profane lyrics, as the word "fucking" can be heard in the song). The album was remastered and reissued June 22, 1999 with the bonus instrumental track "Son of Alerik". The latter had previously been available as a B-side on "Perfect Strangers" in 1984.

In 1985 they headlined the Knebworth Festival in England.

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
Source	Rating
Allmusic
Rolling Stone

Deborah Frost of Rolling Stone gave it a review of two out of five stars, remarking that "the material consists of hastily knocked-off jams". The review also stated that "Blackmore's Strat has such a great roar that you're willing to just let it reverberate in your eardrums for a bit. And it's nice to hear Jon Lord's synthesized organ squalls, Ian Paice's electrifying drumming, Ian Gillan's howls and whispers and Roger Glover's solid bass lines once again." The album reached #5 in the UK (staying for four weeks in the top-40) and #17 in the US (staying for 28 weeks in the Billboard 200).

The tour was so successful that the band had to add many additional dates to the U.S. arena tour, as tickets sold out very quickly. Their U.S. tour in 1985 out-grossed every artist that year except Bruce Springsteen.

Track listing

All songs by Ritchie Blackmore, Ian Gillan and Roger Glover except where noted.

Side one

1. "Knocking at Your Back Door" – 7:09
2. "Under the Gun" – 4:40
3. "Nobody's Home" (Blackmore, Gillan, Glover, Jon Lord, Ian Paice) – 4:01
4. "Mean Streak" – 4:26

Side two

5. "Perfect Strangers" – 5:31
6. "A Gypsy's Kiss" – 5:14
7. "Wasted Sunsets" – 3:58
8. "Hungry Daze" – 5:01

Bonus track on the CD

9. "Not Responsible" – 4:53 (originally cassette and CD only—not on vinyl LP)

Additional bonus track on the 1999 CD re-issue

10. "Son of Alerik" (Blackmore) – 10:01 (not on original cassette, vinyl or CD release; used as an edited 7" B-side, or full version on the 12" of the "Perfect Strangers" single)

Personnel

• Ian Gillan - vocals
• Ritchie Blackmore - guitar
• Jon Lord - organ, keyboards
• Roger Glover - bass
• Ian Paice - drums

• Engineered by Nick Blagona
• Produced by Roger Glover and Deep Purple

Charts

Album

Year	Nation	Chart	Position
1984	Norway	Norwegian Record Charts	2
1985	United States	The Billboard 200	17

Singles

Year	Single	Nation	Chart	Position
1984	"Perfect Strangers"	United States	Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks	12
1985	"Nobody's Home"	United States	Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks	20
	"Knocking at Your Back Door"	United States	Billboard Hot 100	61
		United States	Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks	7

Sales accomplishments

Region	Certification	Sales/shipments
Canada (Music Canada)	Platinum	100,000^
Germany (BVMI)	Gold	250,000^
United Kingdom (BPI)	Gold	100,000^
United States (RIAA)	Platinum	1,000,000^
^shipments figures based on certification alone