The first work of the members of the rock band Deep Purple after their reunion in the “classic” line-up in 1984 was the album “Perfect Strangers”, the eleventh in the band’s discography. It was named after the track of the same name, which opens the second side of the record. This article is devoted to the history of its creation and the main idea.
The composition is a collaboration between Ian Gillan, Ritchie Blackmore and Roger Glover. Fans of the group and music critics put forward several different versions of the interpretation of the song. According to the most popular of them, the text refers to a complete break in relations with a girl, after which the former lovers became strangers.
But Gillan gave a different explanation of the meaning that the authors put into the text of the composition. According to him, it is dedicated to reincarnation. This means that the soul after the death of a person can change bodies many times, but all these people will forever remain strangers. At the same time, perhaps one of them will inherit some of the memories of the previous owners.
In 1985, the song was released as a single from the Perfect Strangers album. It was released in the UK by Polydor and in the US by Mercury Records.
Cover versions of the composition were recorded by Dimmu Borgir, Dream Theater and other artists and groups.
You can watch the music video for “Perfect Strangers” below.
Interesting Facts
- According to unverified information, the song was written under the influence of the Elric Saga by writer Michael Moorcock.
- In an interview with DPRP, Ritchie Blackmore named “Perfect Strangers” as his favorite Deep Purple song.
- Wrestler Shane Douglas, nicknamed The Franchise, entered the ring to this song.
Perfect Strangers by Deep Purple Lyrics
Can you remember, remember my name
As I flow through your life
A thousand oceans I have flown
And cold, cold spirits of ice
All my life
I am the echo of your past
As I fly through your life
I have crossed a thousand oceans
And cold, cold spirits of ice
All my life
I am returning the echo of a point in time
And distant faces shine
A thousand warriors I have known
And laughing as the spirits appear
All your life
Shadows of another day
And the faces in the distance shine
I recognized a thousand warriors
And laugh when the spirits arise
All your life
Shadows of another day And if you hear me talking on the wind
You’ve got to understand
We must remain
Perfect strangers And if you hear me talking in the wind
Try to understand:
We must stay
Complete strangers I know I must remain inside this silent well of sorrow A strand of silver hanging through the sky
touching more than you see
The voice of ages in your mind
Is aching with the dead of the night
Precious life, your tears are lost in falling rain
Moving away from your field of vision
The voice of the times in your head
Suffering along with the dead of night
Precious life, your tears mixed with the pouring rain
