Highway Star

by

Deep Purple

Album: Machine Head     Released: 1972

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Songfacts:  You can leave comments about the song at the bottom of the page.

This song is about a man and his love for his high powered car, which he says can out-race every other car. (thanks, Michael - Cherry Hill, NJ)

This was written by Ritchie Blackmore, Ian Gillan, Ian Paice, Jon Lord, and Roger Glover. It may have been inspired by Steppenwolf's "Born To Be Wild," and along with "Radar Love" is one of the most famous driving songs in Rock.

This has been featured in several episodes of That '70s Show.

Many people consider this the first "Speed Metal" song, a division of Heavy Metal and a genré later popularized by bands such as Motorhead and Metallica. (thanks, Peaches - Tough Broadsville, GA, for above 3)

The guitar solo in this song was ranked #19 in the List of 100 Greatest Guitar Solos by Guitar World magazine. (thanks, Xavier - Pune, India)

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Comments:

Maybe there's one allusion to drugs on the line "I have speed inside my brain". Speed is a slang to amphetamines. Anyway, this song is awesome and it's fun to play on Rock Band, too.
- Christopher , Santiago, Chile

If Madonna can get into the Hall Of Fame then why cant these guys these guys are the best when it comes to hard rock
- MIKE , STEVENSON RANCH, CA

The whole song is pretty Awesome! particularly the drumming!
- Reed , New Ulm, MN

Pretty obvious he intends the ambiguity. . . Both are his alone; both give him joy; Both have speed. . . This & Child in Time are my two fave Deep Purple songs (DP being my fave group of al)
- Cyberpope , Richmond, Canada

Yes, the song implies that Ian Gillan is singing about a car - but there is also ambiguity used here. He makes frequent comparisons to his girl throughout, some which are overtly suggestive (I "seed" her, for instance). One could easily argue that the lyrics are written from a teenage male perspective, a person confused as to what is more important – as they both are "fast" and make him feel good. Is this "his car" or is it "his girlfriend" ? Perhaps they are both one in the same, and that is the whole point.
- Dave , Huntington Beach, CA

Re: Daniel, Charlotte. The entire keyboards for this album were in fact played through a Marshall amplifier and not the standard Leslie's that are common with keyboards.
- Scott , London, ON

the live version of this song on MADE IN JAPAN is flat out stoopid sick! it is punk rock in the solo, total whammy bar noise at the end. check out YOUTH YOUTH YOUTH by Generation X. definitely influenced by this tune.
- Al , bumfuque, Bhutan

If you know this song and never hear that while driving a good car in high speed, you dont understand it 100%
- brunospfc , Maxassucetiz, Burkina Faso

This is easily one of the most awesome songs to play on Rock Band. That solo is just too awesome for words.
- Tim , Santa Maria, CA

A guitar solo is a song within a song. It has a beginning and an end, and somewhere in between, it has to inspire some kind of emotional response from the listener. Highway Star does all this and more, which is why it is so highly regarded.
- Sharkman , Livonia, MI

GReat song. Really grasps the power and energy of hard rock.
- Michael , Morris County, NJ

this was rated as the No. 8 guitar solo of all time on DigitalDreamDoor.com
- Greg , Port St. Lucie, FL

The organ solo is awesome, it sounds like they put it through a guitar amp
- Daniel , charlotte, NC

Ritchie Blackmore's guitar solo is very reminiscent of Eddie Van Halen's fingertapping in "Eruption". Kinda makes you wonder.
- Sam , Lincoln, NE

Cool song... but its kinda hard trying to get that solo down on Rock Band
- V-Starr , ?????????, MI

It's a superb hard rock song, which is absolutely an anthem. I'll make my kids listen to it and they better like it too.
- Soutiman , Mumbai, India

This song is playable in Elite Beat Agents. Seriously, what kind of stupid dog falls asleep on the back of a pickup truck?
- Matthew , Milford, MA

this was featured on a car racing game on snes called rock n roll racing.
- p , z, United States

cool song.....rarely played on the radio
- Mike , Hueytown , AL

In his autobiography Gillan writes that the band hired a bus to take them and some journalists to a gig in Portsmouth. One journalist asked how they go about writing a song, so Blackmore started strumming on the guitar and Gillan just started singing adlib. They refined it and by the end of the night had Highway Star. In the sleeve notes for a live album it adds that they rehearsed it at soundcheck.
- Dougie , Delhi, India

It was featured on the Dazed & Confused soundtrack album.
- Eric Forman , Steven's Point, WI

This is by far my favorite song by deep purple. Both solos are incredible, the keyboard solo and the guitar solo.
- Justin , Albany, NY

Well... What is there to say...? It's a great song, and the theme speaks for itself. If in doubt, get a hold of the "Deep Purple" - 71'-72" DVD. Gillan clearly states that the song is about "racing around and having fun," or something
- Sindre , MosjÃ?en, Norway

this song is really good but not as well knwn as it should be.
- no_ID_please , hippy town, CO

Highway star is a sweet song. One of my favorites from Purple. The solo is awesome.
- Devon , Westerville, OH

You're wrong. Gillan said that this song was composed on the touring bus when a reporter asked him how they do make music. At the same time Blackmore was playing a steady note (G) and Gillan started singing a melody that you know as Highway Star...
- Miro Jones , Joinville, SC

Highway Star was written while on the way to a concert; it was played that same night.
- Halmyre , Dunfermline, Scotland

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