Maybe I'm a Leo
1972 song by Deep Purple
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"Maybe I'm a Leo" is a song by the English rock group Deep Purple, from their 1972 album Machine Head.
| "Maybe I'm a Leo" | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Song by Deep Purple | |
| from the album Machine Head | |
| Released | March 1972 |
| Recorded | 6–21 December 1971, Montreux, Switzerland |
| Genre | |
| Length | 4:52 |
| Label | EMI (UK) Warner Bros. (US) |
| Songwriters | Ritchie Blackmore Ian Gillan Roger Glover Jon Lord Ian Paice |
| Producer | Deep Purple |
History
Roger Glover says: "I wrote the riff to "Maybe I'm a Leo" after hearing John Lennon's "How Do You Sleep?". I liked the idea that the riff didn't start on the down beat, like 99% of riffs do. Most of the songs on Machine Head were from the first take, or not long after."[1]
Singer Ian Gillan is a Leo (born 19 August), the only group member at the time with that astrological sign.
The song was rarely played by the band live; however, three live recordings of it have been released on albums: Deep Purple in Concert, recorded in 1972; Live at the Olympia '96; and Live at Montreux 2011.
The SACD version of Machine Head has an alternative guitar solo on "Maybe I'm a Leo".
Personnel
- Ritchie Blackmore – guitar
- Ian Gillan – vocals
- Roger Glover – bass guitar
- Jon Lord – organ
- Ian Paice – drums
Cover versions
- The Atomic Bitchwax on their album 3.
- Gov't Mule on The Deep End, Volume 1 in which Roger Glover made a guest appearance.
- Paul Gilbert on Smoke on the Water, a Tribute to Deep Purple
- Van Halen used to perform the song during their early concerts.[2]
- Glenn Hughes, Luis Maldonado & Chad Smith on Re-Machined: A Tribute to Deep Purple's Machine Head.
- Blindside Blues Band (2008.) on their album Keepers Of The Flame