'Smoke on the Water’ is a song by English rock band Deep Purple.
The famous Classic Rock song was first released on Deep Purple’s 1972 album Machine Head, and outlines the tragedy of the 1971 fire at Montreux Casino and the resulting derailment of the band's plans and schedule for recording the album.
In 2004, the song was ranked number 426 on Rolling Stone magazine's list of the 500 greatest songs of all time.
Label Purple (EU) Warner. Bros (US)
Songwriter(s) Ritchie Blackmore, Ian Gillan, Roger Glover, Jon Lord, Ian Paice
Producer(s) Deep Purple
SONG LYRICS
[Instrumental Intro]
[Verse 1]
We all came out to Montreux
On the Lake Geneva shoreline
To make records with a mobile
We didn't have much time
But Frank Zappa and the Mothers
Were at the best place around
But some stupid with a flare gun
Burned the place to the ground
[Chorus]
Smoke on the water
And fire in the sky
Smoke on the water
[Verse 2]
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
[Chorus]
Smoke on the water
And fire in the sky
Smoke on the water
[Guitar Solo]
[Verse 3]
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, a few old beds
We made a place to sweat
No matter what, we get out of this
I know, I know we'll never forget
[Chorus]
Smoke on the water
And fire in the sky
Smoke on the water
[Instrumental Outro]