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Rating: How can a band with such a prestigious name respond to masterpieces like "In Rock," "Machine Head," and "Made In Japan"? There comes a point when the peak has already been reached, and repetition ensues. This is the case with Who Do We Think We Are. Released in 1973 and recorded in Rome, the 7th studio album by Deep Purple has these precise characteristics, a solid album, for sure, but it does not stand up to its predecessors. It is also worth noting that this work suffers from the internal conflicts between Gillan and Blackmore, and by the time of the recording, Gillan's intention (later joined by Glover) to leave the Purple was already known to all the members.
The opener "Woman From Tokyo" gives hope, captivating, rhythmic, and characterized by a stunning melodic interlude. Here the difference is made by Lord, who weaves an excellent tapestry in the melodic part and then delights us with an unforgettable piano solo. The album continues with "Mary Long," a melodic track recently revisited live, which keeps this CD's level high. The third and fourth tracks, "Super Trouper" and "Smooth Dancer," can be defined as clones of "Blood Sucker" and "Speed King". Especially "Super Trouper" is almost identical and leaves a bit of a bitter taste due to this blatant recycling. Fortunately, the next track, "Rat Rat Blue," is more inspired, indicating what will be the prevailing trademark of the future Mk. III. The subsequent "Place In Line" also does not disappoint expectations even though it is a classic blues. Note Gillan's voice, which is practically unrecognizable in the verses. The album closes with a rather unusual piece, "Our Lady," personally not up to par, residing halfway between folk song and epic, strongly inspired by Glover—listen to his "The Butterfly Ball And The Grasshopper's Feast" to believe it.
Here ends the first part of Mark II, and if it weren't for this dearly beloved money, a second and third reunion would never have existed, but what can one do? This is the market, and many fans, including the aforementioned, were pleased to hear new works from Deep Purple with Gillan & Blackmore together again.
Tracklist Lyrics and Videos
02 Mary Long (04:26)
Mary Long is a hypocrite.
She does all the things that she tells us not to do.
Selling filth from a corner shop,
And knitting patterns to the high street queue.
She paints roses, even makes them smell good,
And then she draws titties on the karzy wall.
She drowns kittens just to get a thrill and writes
Sermons in the Sunday chronicle.
How did you loose your virginity Mary Long?
When will you loose your stupidity Mary Long?
Mary told Johnny not to write such trash
And said it was a waste of public money.
She made a fuss they made apologies,
But everybody thought the show was funny.
When the nation knew you'd had children,
It came as such a surprise
We really didn't know you'd had it in you,
How you did it we can only surmise.
How did you loose your virginity Mary Long?
When will you loose your stupidity Mary Long?
Mary Long you're not alone,
But you're a long way behind the times.
What we do in full frontal view
Is more honest than your cleaned up mind
What I'm saying Mary Long is,
If you can spare a minute;
Go find your friend the porny lord
Dig yourself a hole and jump in it.
How did you loose your virginity Mary Long?
When will you loose your stupidity Mary Long?
How did you loose your virginity Mary Long?
When will you loose your stupidity Mary Long?
Mary Long...
Mary Long...
Mary Long...
Mary Long...
Mary Long...
03 Super Trouper (02:56)
I was a young man when I died
I was a flash, I was full of pride
I gave it all, I gave my soul, I was so strong
I felt the truth, I felt the pain in every song
How well you know me
You've seen me cry
I'm just a shadow
In a rock and roll sky
I was living in a rock and roll sky
I was a king, heavy on the style
Super trouper, yes I know you well, making me shine
I couldn't see what you did to me. I was so blind
How well you know me
You've seen me cry
I'm just a shadow
In a rock and roll sky
I wanna be like I was before
But this time I'm gonna know the score
I need a home I can leave behind knowing you're there
Super trouper, I can see you now, return your stare
How well you know me
You've seen me cry
I'm just a shadow
In a rock and roll sky
04 Smooth Dancer (04:12)
Black suede, don't mean you're good for me
Black suede, just brings your mystery
I want to be inside of you
But you're black and I don't know what to do
You're a smooth dancer
But it's alright
Cos I'm a freelancer
And you can never break me though you try
To make me think you're magical
Baby, you're the one who can never see the sun
Because it don't shine nightly
Don't you look at me because I'm gonna shake free
You'd better hang on tightly
You wanna rule the world, but you're acting like a girl
Who's got a false pregnancy
You've swollen up inside with nothing but your pride
And yet you keep on dancing
Black suede, don't waste your time on me
Black suede, I sense your mockery
I tried to go along with you
But you're black and I know just what to do
You're a smooth dancer
But it's alright
Cos I'm a freelancer
And you can never break me though you try
To make me think you're magical
I think you're crazy, your two-timing ways
They don't bother me none
You'd better do it right because one day or night
I'm gonna walk to freedom
You know I loved you once and I wanna love again
But you don't give nothing
You can see it in my eyes so you've got to realize
Baby, I ain't bluffing
Black suede, don't waste your time on me
Black suede, don't bring me misery
I tried to be inside of you
But you're black and now I know what to do
You're a smooth dancer
But it's alright
Cos I'm a freelancer
And I can tell you're faking though you try
To make me think you're magical
Baby, you're the one who can never see the sun
Bacause it don't shine nightly
Don't you look at me because I'm gonna shake free
You'd better hang on tightly
You know I loved you once and I wanna love again
But you don't give nothing
You can see it in my eyes so you've got to realize
Baby, I ain't bluffing
Baby, you can rock'n'roll
But you can never show your soul, smooth dancer
06 Place in Line (06:33)
I'm living in this line
I know my place, could think of no way
Of edging along in a loser's race
The line was moving slowly
Day by night
Everybody's shuffling on to keep a place in the line
Nine long years I've been in line
Getting nowhere there is no reason
For this line I don't care.
Everybody's standing in the burning sun
Everybody's shuffling on keeping a place in the line
Don't you think we're gonna make it
We've got a place in line
We're gonna make it some time
Somehow
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By R13569920
It was slammed by critics at the time of its release and considered half trash even by many fans, which I believe it absolutely does not deserve.
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