Smoke on the Water
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"Smoke on the Water" | ||||
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![]() Cover of the 1973 German single | ||||
Single by Deep Purple | ||||
from the album Machine Head | ||||
B-side | "Smoke on the Water" (live) | |||
Released | May 1973 | |||
Recorded | December 1971 | |||
Genre | ||||
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Songwriter(s) | ||||
Producer(s) | Deep Purple | |||
Deep Purple singles chronology | ||||
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Machine Head track listing | ||||
Template:Machine Head tracks | ||||
Audio sample | ||||
"Smoke on the Water" is a song by the English rock band Deep Purple. It was first released on their 1972 album Machine Head. In 2004, the song was ranked number 434 on Rolling Stone magazine's list of the 500 greatest songs of all time,[4] ranked number 4 in Total Guitar magazine's Greatest Guitar Riffs Ever,[5] and in March 2005, Q magazine placed "Smoke on the Water" at number 12 in its list of the 100 greatest guitar tracks.[6]
Composition
![]() | This section possibly contains original research. (August 2019) |
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/c/c1/Smoke_on_the_Water_riff.jpg/220px-Smoke_on_the_Water_riff.jpg)
"Smoke on the Water" is known for and recognizable by its central theme, developed by guitarist Ritchie Blackmore. It is a four-note blues scale melody in G minor, harmonised in parallel fourths. The riff, played on a Fender Stratocaster electric guitar by Blackmore, is later joined by hi-hat and distorted organ, then the rest of the drums, then electric bass parts before the start of Ian Gillan's vocal. Blackmore later claimed that the riff is an interpretation of inversion of Symphony No. 5 by Ludwig van Beethoven, and that "I owe him a lot of money".[7]
The opening lyrics are:
We all came out to Montreux, on the Lake Geneva shoreline
To make records with a mobile, we didn't have much time
Jon Lord doubles the guitar part on a Hammond C3 organ played through a distorted Marshall amp, creating a tone very similar to that of the guitar. Blackmore usually plays the main riff using a finger pluck[8][infringing link?]
A performance by the original Mark II lineup was filmed in 1973 in colour during a US concert in New York City for Live in Concert 1972/73. Blackmore played the intro on the 3rd and 5th fret of a 3 tone sunburst Fender Stratocaster, often turning his back to the camera or the audience. Later on, he can be seen using his thumb top-down on the E and A strings on 8th and 10th fret, as follows:
------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------- ------8-10-----8-11-10--------8-10--8------ ---10-8-10--10-8-11-10-----10-8-10--8-10--- ---10-------10-------------10---------10---
There are two solos in the song; the first was performed on guitar by Ritchie Blackmore, and the second was performed on an organ by Jon Lord until the song fades out.
History
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The lyrics tell a true story: On 4 December 1971, Purple were in Montreux, Switzerland, to record an album using a mobile recording studio (rented from the Rolling Stones and known as the Rolling Stones Mobile Studio—referred to as the "Rolling truck Stones thing" and "a mobile" in the lyrics) at the entertainment complex that was part of the Montreux Casino (referred to as "the gambling house" in the song lyric). On the eve of the recording session, a Frank Zappa and The Mothers of Invention concert was held in the casino's theatre. This was to be the theatre's final concert before the casino complex closed down for its annual winter renovations, which would allow Deep Purple to record there. At the beginning of Don Preston's synthesizer solo on "King Kong", the place suddenly caught fire when somebody in the audience fired a flare gun toward the rattan covered ceiling, as mentioned in the "some stupid with a flare gun" line.[9][10] Although there were no major injuries, the resulting fire destroyed the entire casino complex, along with all the Mothers' equipment. The "smoke on the water" that became the title of the song (credited to bass guitarist Roger Glover, who related how the title occurred to him when he woke from a dream a few days later) referred to the smoke from the fire spreading over Lake Geneva from the burning casino as the members of Purple watched from their hotel. "It was probably the biggest fire I'd ever seen up to that point and probably ever seen in my life" said Glover. "It was a huge building. I remember there was very little panic getting out, because it didn't seem like much of a fire at first. But, when it caught, it went up like a fireworks display." The "Funky Claude" running in and out is referring to Claude Nobs, the director of the Montreux Jazz Festival who helped some of the audience escape the fire.
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a4/Claude_Nobs1.jpg/220px-Claude_Nobs1.jpg)
Left with an expensive mobile recording unit and no place to record, the band was forced to scout the town for another place to set up. One promising venue (found by Nobs) was a local theatre called The Pavilion, but soon after the band loaded in and started working/recording, neighbours took offence at the noise. The band was only able to lay down backing tracks for one song (based on Blackmore's riff and temporarily named "Title No.1"), before local police shut them down.
After about a week of searching, the band rented the nearly-empty Montreux Grand Hotel and converted its hallways and stairwells into a makeshift studio, where they laid down most of the tracks for what would become their most commercially successful album, Machine Head (which is dedicated to Claude Nobs).
The only song from Machine Head not recorded entirely in the Grand Hotel was "Smoke on the Water" itself, which had been partly recorded during the abortive Pavilion session. Its lyrics were composed later, primarily by Gillan and based around Glover's title, and the vocals were recorded in the Grand Hotel.
Because of the incident and the exposure Montreux received when "Smoke on the Water" became an international hit, Purple formed a lasting bond with the town. The song is honoured in Montreux by a sculpture along the lake shore (right next to the statue of Queen frontman Freddie Mercury) with the band's name, the song title, and the riff in musical notes. The new casino in Montreux displays notes from the riff as decoration on its balustrade facing the gambling hall.
On the Classic Albums episode about Machine Head, Ritchie Blackmore claimed friends of the band were not fans of the "Smoke on the Water" riff, which they thought too simplistic. Blackmore retorted by making comparisons to the first movement of Beethoven's 5th Symphony, which revolves around a similar four note arrangement.
"The amazing thing with that song, and Ritchie's riff in particular," observed Ian Paice, "is that somebody hadn't done it before, because it's so gloriously simple and wonderfully satisfying."[11]
Impact
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"Smoke on the Water" was included on Machine Head, which was released in early 1972, but was not released as a single until a year later, in May 1973. ("Never Before" and "Highway Star" were the first singles issued from the album.) The band members have said that they did not expect the song to be a hit, but the single reached number 4 on the Billboard pop singles chart in the United States during the summer of 1973, number 2 on the Canadian RPM charts, and it propelled the album to the top 10. Live performances of the tune, featuring extended interplay between Blackmore's guitar and Jon Lord's Hammond organ would become a centrepiece of Deep Purple's live shows, and a version of the song from the live album Made in Japan became a minor hit on its own later on in 1973.
The principal songwriters included the song within their subsequent solo ventures after Deep Purple had split up. Ian Gillan in particular performed a jazz-influenced version in early solo concerts. The band Gillan adopted a feedback-soaked approach, courtesy of Gillan guitarist Bernie Torme. This song was also featured live by Ritchie Blackmore's post-Deep Purple band Rainbow during their tours 1981–83, and again after Rainbow was resurrected briefly in the mid-1990s and for three European concerts in June 2016.
During Ian Gillan's stint with Black Sabbath in 1983, they performed "Smoke on the Water" as a regular repertoire number on encores during their only tour together. It remains one of the few cover songs that Black Sabbath has ever played live.
The song is popular among beginner guitarists, but Blackmore himself has demonstrated that most who attempt to play it do so improperly. Actually played using "all fourths" (or double stops) as specified by Blackmore, a power chord-driven variation on the main recognizable riff is not difficult, and is consequently often played by learners.
"Smoke on the Water" has received the following rankings:
- 434 on Rolling Stone magazine's The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time (2004)[4]
- 37 in VH1's 40 Greatest Metal Songs[12]
- 12 in Q magazine's 100 Greatest Guitar Tracks (March 2005)[6]
- 11 in VH1's "100 Greatest Hard Rock Songs" (January 2009)[13]
- 4 in Total Guitar magazine's "Top 20 Greatest Guitar Riffs Ever"[5]
Chart history
Weekly charts
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Year-end charts
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Certifications
Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
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United States (RIAA)[27] | Gold | 1,000,000^ |
Italy (FIMI)[28] | Gold | 25,000‡ |
United Kingdom (BPI)[29] | Silver | 200,000‡ |
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. |
Alternative versions
- The 1997 Roger Glover Remix version which appears on the 25th Anniversary Edition reissue of Machine Head features a version of the song with an alternate Blackmore guitar solo recorded at the time, and includes Ian Gillan uttering the phrase "Break a leg, Frank", among other comments. This is a reference to injuries that Frank Zappa had sustained as a result of being attacked onstage by an audience member at a concert in London, six days after the Montreux fire. A broken leg was among those injuries.
- The version that appears on Deep Purple in Concert also includes Gillan's "Break a leg" comment.
- Pat Boone included a big band version on his 1997 release "In a Metal Mood." https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/In_a_Metal_Mood:_No_More_Mr._Nice_Guy
Personnel
- Ritchie Blackmore – guitars
- Ian Gillan – lead vocals
- Roger Glover – bass guitar
- Jon Lord – Hammond organ
- Ian Paice – drums
Rock Aid Armenia version
"Smoke on the Water" | |
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![]() Cover for the "Rock Aid Armenia" charity release | |
Single by Rock Aid Armenia | |
Released | 1989 |
Recorded | 8–15 July 1989 |
Songwriter(s) | |
Producer(s) | |
Music video | |
"Smoke on the Water" (Rock Aid Armenia) on YouTube | |
1990 reissue cover | |
![]() Cover of the 7" reissue of the Rock Aid Armenia single |
Rock Aid Armenia, a charity project to help victims of 1988 Armenian earthquake made a charity re-recording of Deep Purple's "Smoke on the Water", with different vocalists singing various verses. The single made it to the UK Top 40 Singles Chart.
The track was recorded by an elite group of contemporary prog rock, hard rock and heavy metal musicians who gathered at the historic Metropolis Studios in Chiswick, London. Recording began on 8 July 1989 and was completed over 5 different sessions.
The rock musicians involved in the recording included Bryan Adams, Ritchie Blackmore, Bruce Dickinson, Geoff Downes, Keith Emerson, Ian Gillan, David Gilmour, Tony Iommi, Alex Lifeson, Brian May, Paul Rodgers, Chris Squire and Roger Taylor. John Paul Jones and Jon Lord were credited as "helping" behind the scenes with the track. The track's producers were Gary Langan and Geoff Downes. Talent co-ordination for the record was overseen by Jon Dee, with David Gilmour being the first to join up after a call from Dee. Ian Gillan's manager Phil Banfield also helped out with talent recruitment.
In world records
In 1994, in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, 1,322 guitarists gathered to play the world-famous riff all at the same time for a place in the Guinness Book of World Records.[30] On Sunday 3 June 2007, in Kansas City this record was topped with 1,721 guitarists.[30] Just 20 days later, in the German city of Leinfelden-Echterdingen by the group 'Party Blues In Bb' with over 1,800 other people involved.[31] The record was again topped on 1 May 2009, in Wrocław, Poland, when 6,346 guitar players, joined by current Deep Purple guitarist Steve Morse, performed the song during the Thanks Jimi Festival.[32][33]
References
- ^ Andrew Winistorfer. "VH1's 100 Greatest Hard Rock Songs list only slightly less annoying than their hip-hop list". Prefix. Archived from the original on 7 July 2013. Retrieved 1 July 2013.
11 Deep Purple - "Smoke On The Water" - ^ Gary Graff (1996). Visible Ink Press (ed.). MusicHound rock: the essential album guide. ISBN 978-0787610371. "Purple's heyday came during the early 70s- when "Smoke on the Water" entered the pantheon of hard rock classics"
- ^ Christe (2003), pg. 13, " Though Deep Purple's "Smoke on the Water" was a bona fide metal anthem and the first basic riff of a longhairded guitarist's repertoire, the band did not consider itself heavy metal."
- ^ a b 500 Greatest Songs of All Time: Deep Purple, 'Smoke on the Water' Archived 3 July 2012 at the Wayback Machine Rolling Stone. Retrieved 18 December 2011
- ^ a b Guns N' Roses top rock riff poll, BBC News, 2 May 2004, archived from the original on 14 August 2009, retrieved 4 January 2010
- ^ a b Tracks 100 Greatest Guitar Tracks Ever! Archived 17 January 2013 at the Wayback Machine Q Magazine. Retrieved 18 December 2011
- ^ Thompson, Dave (2004). Smoke on the Water: The Deep Purple Story. ECW Press. p. 128. ISBN 978-1-55022-618-8.
- ^ Classic Albums - Machine Head. BBC. Archived from the original on 1 January 2011. Retrieved 30 October 2009.
- ^ The Real Frank Zappa Book by Frank Zappa with Peter Occhiogrosso, pg. 112, ISBN 0-671-63870-X
- ^ Bang Your Head by David Konow, page 26, ISBN 0-609-80732-3
- ^ Rees, Paul (April 2017). "To Infinity… and Beyond?". Classic Rock #234. p. 39.
- ^ "VH1 40 Greatest Metal Songs", 1–4 May 2006, VH1 Channel, reported by VH1.com Archived 29 February 2012 at the Wayback Machine; last accessed 10 September 2006.
- ^ "spreadit.org music". Archived from the original on 20 February 2012. Retrieved 7 February 2009.
- ^ "Deep Purple – Smoke On The Water" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40.
- ^ "Deep Purple – Smoke On The Water" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50.
- ^ "Smoke on the water in Canadian Top Singles Chart". Library and Archives Canada. Archived from the original on 21 April 2016. Retrieved 3 June 2013.
- ^ "Deep Purple – Smoke On The Water" (in Dutch). Single Top 100.
- ^ "Smoke on the water in French Chart" (in French). Dominic DURAND / InfoDisc. 1 July 2013. Archived from the original on 27 November 2013. Retrieved 1 July 2013. You have to use the index at the top of the page and search "Deep Purple"
- ^ John Samson. "Smoke on the water in South African Chart". Archived from the original on 21 September 2013. Retrieved 3 June 2013.
- ^ "Machine Head awards on Allmusic". Allmusic. Archived from the original on 16 November 2013. Retrieved 3 June 2013.
- ^ "Cash Box Top 100 Singles, August 4, 1973". Archived from the original on 9 June 2015. Retrieved 5 September 2018.
- ^ "1977 Top 40 Official UK Singles Archive - 7th May 1977". Official Charts Company. Archived from the original on 15 March 2013. Retrieved 3 June 2013.
- ^ "Deep Purple – Smoke On The Water" (in French). Les classement single.
- ^ Canada, Library and Archives (26 December 2017). "Image : RPM Weekly".
- ^ Musicoutfitters.com
- ^ "Cash Box Year-End Charts: Top 100 Pop Singles, December 29, 1973". Archived from the original on 15 July 2014. Retrieved 5 September 2018.
- ^ "American single certifications – Deep Purple – Smoke on the Water". Recording Industry Association of America.
- ^ "Italian single certifications – Deep Purple – Smoke on the Water" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Retrieved 11 March 2019. Select "2019" in the "Anno" drop-down menu. Type "Smoke on the Water" in the "Filtra" field. Select "Singoli" under "Sezione".
- ^ "British single certifications – Deep Purple – Smoke on the Water". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 1 February 2019. Select singles in the Format field. Select Silver in the Certification field. Type Smoke on the Water in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
- ^ a b "Spread Firefox, Crazy Records". spreadfirefox.com. Archived from the original on 30 May 2008. Retrieved 29 May 2008.
- ^ "Die Geschichte des Gitarrenweltrekords". Archived from the original on 19 July 2011. Retrieved 11 March 2011.
- ^ "Official Steve Morse Blog". Archived from the original on 30 April 2009. Retrieved 4 May 2009.
- ^ ""Thanks Jimi Festival" 2009 and Guitar Guinness Record". Archived from the original on 22 April 2009. Retrieved 4 May 2009.
Further reading
- Christe, Ian (2003). Sound of the Beast: The Complete Headbanging History of Heavy Metal. HarperCollins. ISBN 0-380-81127-8.
- "Smoke On The Water - the story". Deep-Purple.net.
External links
- Deep Purple songs
- 1972 songs
- 1973 singles
- Frank Zappa
- Songs about Switzerland
- Songs written by Ritchie Blackmore
- Songs written by Ian Gillan
- Songs written by Roger Glover
- Songs written by Jon Lord
- Songs written by Ian Paice
- Songs based on actual events
- Songs about fires
- EMI Records singles
- Warner Records singles
- Charity singles