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.
Razzle Dazzle
Deep Purple Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
So many ways
It's a living thing
No need to rush
The buzz will last for days
When you discover
I'm just a man
Or leave it
Don't be reading out the label on the can
I got your number
I got your number
I got your number
I'll be your lover
I'll be your friend
I'll be your friend
And your brother in love
But that's where the story ends
If you say jump
I'll do it with affection
But don't get pissed
If I don't move
Too fast in your direction
I got your number
I got your number
I got your number
It's that same old nonsense
That same old look
But now I'm turning back
And I can read you like a book
It all means nothing
Nothing at all
It's the same old business
Man it drives me up the wall
You made the potion too strong
I feel I'm going soft
I've been that way far too long
You see, now it's wearing off
So many times
So many days
It's a spiritual thing
That loving touch
I thought you'd be amazed
I like the distance
I like the space
The money's good
The rent is cheap
And I can read suspicion on your face
I got your number
I got your number
I got your number
The lyrics to Deep Purple's song Razzle Dazzle explores themes of relationships and the dynamics of power struggles and finding oneself within them. The opening lines express the idea that there are numerous signs and ways of living, and it does not require haste to embrace them. The lyrics convey the message that once you recognize that people are just humans with faults and limitations, you can choose whether or not to accept them. The line "Don't be reading out the label on the can" suggests that one should not focus on the superficial aspects of people or relationships and instead embrace them as they are.
The chorus of the song, "I've got your number," is repeated throughout, and it is unclear whether this refers to a sense of control or a deeper understanding of the person. The lyrics convey a sense of someone trying to take control of their life, but they recognize that they are still vulnerable to the power of other people. The lines "It all means nothing, nothing at all," and "It's the same old business, man, it drives me up the wall" suggest frustration with the repetitiveness of situations and the need for a change.
The final verse conveys a sense of disillusionment and disappointment. The lines "You made the potion too strong, I feel like I'm going soft," suggest that the singer has lost their tough exterior and become more vulnerable. The closing lines, "I like the distance, I like the space, the money's good, the rent is cheap, and I can read suspicion on your face," suggest that the singer is content with their current situation and does not want to become too entangled in a relationship.
Line by Line Meaning
So many signs
There are so many signs and indications that the singer is noticing.
So many ways
There are so many ways to interpret the situation that the singer is in.
It's a living thing
The situation is constantly changing and evolving, like a living organism.
No need to rush
There is no need to hurry or make any rash decisions, as the situation can be approached patiently.
The buzz will last for days
The excitement and energy of the situation will continue to persist for a while.
When you discover
When you find out about a particular aspect of the situation.
I'm just a man
The singer is just an ordinary man, with flaws and limitations like anyone else.
Take it girl
The artist is giving the girl the choice to accept or reject him.
Or leave it
The girl has the freedom to choose whether to pursue a relationship or not.
Don't be reading out the label on the can
Don't judge the artist based on external appearances or labels.
I got your number
The singer understands the girl's personality and character.
I'll be your lover
The artist is willing to be the girl's romantic partner.
I'll be your friend
The singer is willing to be the girl's friend as well.
And your brother in love
The singer is willing to be protective of the girl and treat her like family.
But that's where the story ends
The singer is aware that their relationship has its limits and may not necessarily lead to anything more.
If you say jump
The artist is willing to do anything for the girl.
I'll do it with affection
The artist is doing things for the girl out of genuine love and care.
But don't get pissed
But the singer also has their own limits and boundaries.
If I don't move
If the singer does not respond to the girl's requests or advances.
Too fast in your direction
If the artist does not take things to the next level quickly enough for the girl's liking.
It's that same old nonsense
The artist has been through similar situations before and is tired of the repetitive cycle.
That same old look
The artist has seen the same behaviors and attitudes from the girl before.
But now I'm turning back
The singer is starting to have doubts about the relationship.
And I can read you like a book
The artist can predict the girl's actions and reactions with accuracy.
It all means nothing
The singer realizes that the relationship ultimately has no significance or meaning.
Nothing at all
The singer sees the relationship as empty and meaningless.
It's the same old business
The singer is tired of the monotonous routine of dating and relationships.
Man it drives me up the wall
The artist is frustrated and irritated with the situation.
You made the potion too strong
The girl's presence and influence on the artist have become overwhelming and intense.
I feel I'm going soft
The singer feels like their own sense of identity or strength is becoming weaker or less defined.
I've been that way far too long
The singer has been in this type of relationship for too long and needs a change.
You see, now it's wearing off
The artist is noticing a change in their own feelings and reactions towards the girl.
So many times
The artist has been through similar situations before.
So many days
The artist has spent a lot of time on this relationship.
It's a spiritual thing
The singer sees the relationship as something deeper and more meaningful than just physical attraction.
That loving touch
The artist values the girl's physical touch and affection.
I thought you'd be amazed
The singer expected the girl to be surprised or impressed by their love and affection.
I like the distance
The singer values having some space and independence in the relationship.
I like the space
The singer enjoys having some distance and room to breathe in the relationship.
The money's good
The artist is financially stable and comfortable in the relationship.
The rent is cheap
The artist is not paying a lot of money to be in this relationship.
And I can read suspicion on your face
The singer can sense that the girl is skeptical or distrustful of them.
I got your number
The singer understands the girl's personality and character.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Donald Smith Airey, Ian Gillan, Ian Paice, Roger Glover, Steven J. Morse
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
77
Life in the Shipping Container
Under the winding sepia light
media people look to
aaaaaaaaaardvark
hitting the rolled window
from the road.
Shplat!
Icky shplicy shploins and blam-blams
spilled on the dashboard.
Fuck these denim pants!
Rena Nintou
Gillans favorite song
Tracy Millard
I'll go out on the raz with him any time! Happy birthday, Ian!
Chuck Ragsdale
I can't think of any other band that had so many brilliant musicians, each able to carry a song with a solo. It's ironic that when they lost the amazing vocal range of Ian Gillan for a time that quintessential hard rock front man David Coverdale was joined by Trapeze bass player and vocalist Glen Hughes with his incredible ear-splitting high notes. It should also be noted that they were also known as the world's loudest band!😲🤫😂
ANDRÁS OLASZ
Kurva jóó yoo
Look What We Found
It's about life on the road, and the fact that it's come down to mush, only one thing left to do, keep going...
Look What We Found
@Luke Partridge I stand corrected on what Razzle Dazzle is about, but it's also not the only thing that term refers to. After that I pointed out the Savoy Brown song, nothing to do with the vocals.
Luke Partridge
@Look What We Found I am very musically inclined, fantastic rhythm on this track, and quite a unique arrangement, however generally when people get together and discuss the meaning of a song unless it's an instrumental they naturally gravitate to the lyrics, in this case its about a bender, as I said if you're not from UK I totally get how it's difficult to relate to the meaning of these lyrics, for us Brits the terminology all feels very familiar. Definitely don't take it to heart my friend 🙂 (side note - this is actually Ian Gillans favorite DP song)
Look What We Found
@Luke Partridge I take it you are not musically inclined. It has nothing to do with the lyrics, it is inspired by the backing track.
Luke Partridge
Haha, nope wrong !!! Although you’d probably have to be British or from the Commonwealth to understand “Razzle Dazzle” it’s 100% about heading out and getting on it, as in drinking, lots and lots of drinking. A subject that according to Ritchie Blackmore is way too close to Ian Gillans heart, haha 😂
Lliam Breizh
the Razzle Dazzle and The Road, first boat and a book by Jack London.