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.
Sitting in a Dream
Deep Purple Lyrics
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Playing my guitar
I don't have to be where I don't want to be at all
Maybe I'll go far
Going nowhere, sitting in a dream
Ah, in a dream
Sitting in a landscape full of sighs
Making up a tune about the blueness of the skies
This is where I'll stay
Going nowhere, sitting in a dream
Oh, in a dream
Watching as a red and white balloon
Sails across my mind
In between the images that drift along my tune
Smile as they unwind
Going nowhere, sitting in a dream
Ah, in a dream
In Deep Purple's song "Sitting in a Dream," the singer describes a state of mind where he is simply passing time, but doing so by playing his guitar and dreaming away the day. He notes that he has the freedom to be where he wants to be, and this leads him to imagine going far. The lyrics suggest that he is content to sit and dream, but also that he has the potential to do more, and the song captures the sense of possibility that comes with daydreaming.
The landscape he describes is full of "sighs," suggesting that it is a place where he can feel relaxed and at peace. He makes up a tune that reflects the blueness of the skies, which speaks to the idea of finding inspiration in the natural world. As he watches a red and white balloon sail across his mind, he sees a series of images that smile as they unwind. This suggests that his daydreams are filled with images of joy and happiness.
Overall, "Sitting in a Dream" captures the sense of freedom and possibility that comes with daydreaming. The singer is content to be where he is, but also has a sense of potential and the desire to go further. The song encourages listeners to take the time to dream and imagine the possibilities that the world holds.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm just passing time before the Ball
I am idly spending time before the event begins
Playing my guitar
I am strumming my guitar to entertain myself
I don't have to be where I don't want to be at all
I have the freedom to choose my location and activity
Maybe I'll go far
There is potential for me to achieve great things
Going nowhere, sitting in a dream
I am stationary, lost in my own thoughts and imagination
Ah, in a dream
I am fully immersed in my reverie, disconnected from reality
Sitting in a landscape full of sighs
I am surrounded by a melancholic environment
Dream away the day
I am letting my mind wander and escape the present moment
Making up a tune about the blueness of the skies
I am composing a melody inspired by the beauty of the sky
This is where I'll stay
I have no current plans to leave my current state of mind
Watching as a red and white balloon
I am observing a mental image of a red and white balloon
Sails across my mind
The balloon is floating through my thoughts and imagination
In between the images that drift along my tune
The balloon is one of many mental images that follow the melody in my mind
Smile as they unwind
I am enjoying the mental imagery and letting it flow freely
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: ROGER DAVID GLOVER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind