Deep Purple have had several line-up changes and were broken up for eight years from 1976 to 1984, with drummer Ian Paice being the band's only constant member. The first four line-ups, which constituted the band's original 1968–1976 run, are officially indicated as Mark I (1968–1969), Mark II (1969–1973), Mark III (1973–1975) and Mark IV (1975–1976). Mark I comprised the founding members of Deep Purple, Ritchie Blackmore (guitar), Rod Evans (vocals), Jon Lord (keyboards), Paice (drums) and Nick Simper (bass), while Mark II was the most commercially successful line-up, with Ian Gillan and Roger Glover replacing Evans and Simper respectively. Mark III saw David Coverdale and Glenn Hughes replace Gillan and Glover respectively, while Mark IV featured Tommy Bolin replacing Blackmore. The band split in July 1976 and Bolin died from a drug overdose five months later. In 1984, Deep Purple reformed with the Mark II line-up, which remained in place until Joe Lynn Turner replaced Gillan in 1989. Gillan rejoined in 1992, with Blackmore leaving for the second and final time the following year. He was replaced temporarily by Joe Satriani and then permanently by Steve Morse. In 2002 Don Airey replaced Jon Lord, which saw Deep Purple settle into its longest running line-up, unchanged for the next twenty years, until Morse announced his departure from the band in 2022. His place was taken by Simon McBride. Paice, Glover, Gillan, Airey and McBride comprise the current line-up of Deep Purple.
Deep Purple were ranked number 22 on VH1's Greatest Artists of Hard Rock programme] and a poll on radio station Planet Rock ranked them 5th among the "most influential bands ever". The band received the Legend Award at the 2008 World Music Awards. Deep Purple (specifically Blackmore, Lord, Paice, Gillan, Glover, Coverdale, Evans, and Hughes) were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2016.
Drifter
Deep Purple Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
An' I never got the chance
To settle down an' get a hold on love
Takin' air an' movin' around
Is all I can see that I'm doin'
An' it is bringin' me down
Drivin' on a highway going nowhere
Desolation destination
I know if there's trouble
I ain't takin' the blame
That's why I keep movin'
So nobody knows my name
Born a loser
I'm beyond the law
Women behind me
Never can find me
They can never get together
What I've been here for
'cause I'm a drifter
Rollin' on
Ain't wastin' my time no more
The song "Drifter" by Deep Purple delves into the life of a man who is constantly moving around, never settling down or finding stability in love. The lyrics begin by highlighting the singer's rootless nature, a trait he has possessed since birth. He never got the chance to find true love and settle down, so he's always on the move, trying to fill the void. He seems to be trapped in a cycle of constant movement, spending his time taking in the air and moving around, which is all he can see himself doing.
As the song progresses, it becomes evident that the drifter is beginning to feel the consequences of his lifestyle. He feels down and lonely - a drifter on a highway going nowhere. It seems that his wandering existence is leading him to a desolate destination. But despite all of this, the drifters keep moving so that nobody knows his name. He keeps his troubles to himself, never letting them get the better of him.
The chorus of the song highlights the singer's view of himself in society, as he's seen as a loser beyond law, and a drifter on a constant journey, leaving women confused and unable to understand him.
In conclusion, the song "Drifter" by Deep Purple is a poignant tale of a man's constant movement, the loneliness, and the consequences that come with it. The song paints a picture of a man always on the move, whose rootless nature is starting to take its toll on him.
Line by Line Meaning
I was born a rambling man
I was born with the urge to wander aimlessly, without any desire to settle down or find love.
An' I never got the chance
I never had the opportunity to settle down and experience love.
To settle down an' get a hold on love
To dedicate myself to finding and keeping love.
Takin' air an' movin' around
I feel content when I'm moving around, with no destination in mind.
Is all I can see that I'm doin'
I don't have any clear direction in life, other than to keep moving and exploring.
An' it is bringin' me down
Despite my enjoyment of wandering, it's starting to have a negative effect on my life and happiness.
Drivin' on a highway going nowhere
I'm traveling down a path with no clear destination in mind.
Desolation destination
I don't have anywhere in particular in mind to go, and it's starting to feel lonely and depressing.
Guess I'll find it somewhere
I'll stumble upon my destination eventually, whether I'm looking for it or not.
I know if there's trouble
If something goes wrong or there's trouble, I won't take the blame for it.
I ain't takin' the blame
I refuse to accept responsibility for any negative consequences that happen as I wander aimlessly.
That's why I keep movin'
I keep moving to avoid facing up to any responsibility or consequences.
So nobody knows my name
I avoid forming connections with others and establishing a reputation, preferring to remain anonymous and unaccountable.
Born a loser
I have always felt like an underdog, with no clear path to success or happiness.
I'm beyond the law
I don't feel bound to follow societal norms or laws.
Women behind me
Women are attracted to me and my wandering lifestyle.
Never can find me
I'll always be on the move, and never stay in one place long enough for a relationship to truly develop.
They can never get together
Women who are attracted to me or my lifestyle will never be able to establish a real relationship with me.
What I've been here for
I don't have a defined purpose, and don't know what the future holds.
'cause I'm a drifter
I am a wanderer with no clear destination or purpose in life.
Rollin' on
I'll keep moving and exploring, with no clear end goal in sight.
Ain't wastin' my time no more
I won't waste time trying to fit in to society's expectations or follow a traditional life path.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BOLIN, COVERDALE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Rumen Bonev
I was born a rambling man,
An' I never got the chance
To settle down an' get a hold on love
Takin ' Air, An' movin ' 'round
Is all I can see that I'm doin '
An'it is bringing me down...
Driving 'on highway, going 'nowhere
Desolation destination
Guess I'll find it somewhere
I know if there's trouble
I ain't takin the blame
That's why I keep movin
So nobody knows my name.
Born a loser
A'm beyond the law
Women behind me
Never can find me
They can never get together
What I've been here for.
Cos'I'm the drifter
Rollin 'on. .....
Ain't wastin 'my time no more
Bolin/Coverdale
henrybilly1
This album is absolutely wonderful. After all this years its not been faded at all, outstanding!!
ronald elfleet
"Drifter" - my favourite song by Deep Purple - it all comes together so tight on this song - the drumming, vocals and guitars - I never tire of hearing it !
rosanna rossi
the most underrated album of deep purple but much better than stormbringer. coverdale and bolin two monsters.
Roberto Gurgel
Banda maravilhosa com Tommy Bolin, David Coverdale e Glenn Hughes
Christopher Reinheimer
This incredible record, I think this is my favorite song.
Colourful 999 Real
One of the best album from Deep Purple.......Superb
jp codnia
Way better than Stormbringer
Christopher Reinheimer
I cry every time I hear this. Because it's one of the greatest songs ever done. Even so it still makes me feel good. Goddammit Tommy, oh sheesh. This record is top to bottom bad ass
Marcin Perliński
Panowie Coverdale i Hughes znakomicie się uzupełniali pod względem wokalnym. Kapitalny duet muzyczny.
Chris Caglayan
I love this album