This week Jim Adams, our host of Song Lyric Sunday, has prompted us with Burn/Fire/Flame. I have chosen and old favorite that still sounds great – Smoke On The Water by Deep Purple. It has a memorable intro. The song was released in 1973 and there is a backstory. Roger Glover the bass guitarist, dreamed of a fire and several days later it eerily came true while the band was recording in Monreux, Switzerland, just ahead of the Music Festival. If you are interested in reading it, click here
I hope you enjoy it!
Lyrics
Smoke On The Water β Deep Purple
We all came out to Montreux
On the Lake Geneva shoreline
To make records with a mobile
We didn't have much time
Frank Zappa and the Mothers
Were at the best place around
But some stupid with a flare gun
Burned the place to the ground
Smoke on the water, fire in the sky
Smoke on the water
They burned down the gambling house
It died with an awful sound
Funky Claude was running in and out
Pulling kids out the ground
When it all was over
We had to find another place
But Swiss time was running out
It seemed that we would lose the race
Smoke on the water, fire in the sky
Smoke on the water
We ended up at the Grand hotel
It was empty cold and bare
But with the Rolling truck Stones thing just outside
Making our music there
With a few red lights and a few old beds
We make a place to sweat
No matter what we get out of this
I know we'll never forget
Smoke on the water, fire in the sky
Smoke on the water
Songwriters: Ritchie Blackmore / Ian Gillan / Roger D Glover /
Jon Lord / Ian Paice
Smoke On The Water lyrics Β© Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Wow, I’d forgotten about this one. Thanks for the memories.
You’re welcome. I’m happy you liked it π
Excellent choice for the prompt! ππ
Thanks Felicia π
A true classic! I love that the song is based on a true story.
Thanks so much Mary. Yes, I love the backstory. I had no idea! π
Deep Purple is the best!! The beginning is classic.
Yes it is! I love it π
Love this song! First time heard it was when we were in Germany, and we bought the album. Unforgettable intro for sure! π
Yes, it’s mazing. One of my favorites from the 70s. βοΈπ
Yes, it’s amazing. One of my favorites from the 70s. βοΈπ
Old Gold. It takes me back to another time. Great choice, Christine
Thanks Lisa. I love these prompts, don’t you?
Love it!
Thanks Paula π
This is such a great song that I have not listened to in a while. I like that line in it that says, “But Swiss time was running out”, because the Swiss are known for making great clocks and watches and Montreux is a municipality in Switzerland and I think this song is about the Montreux Jazz Festival.
Yes Jim. The fire happened in Montreux. The story was quite interesting epecially the foreboding dream.