Smoke on the Water

Dun-dun-DUN! Hear one of rock's most iconic guitar riffs ever with Deep Purple's legendary 1973 hard rock anthem, "Smoke on the Water." This heavy metal cornerstone from the Machine Head album tells a true story with unforgettable power, a timeless cruisin' classic.

Featured on the classic 1972 album Machine Head and released as a massive hit single the following year, "Smoke on the Water" became Deep Purple's signature song. Its simple yet powerful riff, penned by Ritchie Blackmore, combined with Ian Gillan's narrative vocals created a hard rock/heavy metal masterpiece.

This driving 1973 rock staple recounts a real-life fire, set to a heavy groove powered by Jon Lord's organ and the solid rhythm section. Instantly recognizable and universally loved, "Smoke on the Water" remains an essential hard rock track and ultimate cruisin' classic for any generation.

SONG MEANING: The lyrics chronicle the true story of the Montreux Casino burning down during a Frank Zappa concert in December 1971, an event witnessed by the members of Deep Purple who were there to record an album. The title refers to the smoke from the fire spreading over Lake Geneva ("Smoke on the water, fire in the sky").