Anthem

Album: The Book Of Taliesyn (1968)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Co-written by vocalist Rod Evans and keyboard player Jon Lord - who also arranged the strings - "Anthem" is a very fine lachrymosal ballad about love lost. Running to 6 minutes 31 seconds, it is the second track on the band's second album, The Book Of Taliesyn. With Evans sounding like Elvis, and Ritchie Blackmore contributing a timely lead guitar solo, this is further evidence - as if any were needed - that Deep Purple would have been just as big if they had not changed the line up after their eponymous third album, although their particular brand of progressive rock would have taken them in an entirely different, and some would say entirely more fascinating direction. >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Alexander Baron - London, England

Comments: 1

  • Curtis NewrllThe first three albums by Purple are Great symphonic rock. They might not have been as popular, if they would have went in the progressive direction, but they definitely would have been more interesting!!
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Timothy B. Schmit of the Eagles

Timothy B. Schmit of the EaglesSongwriter Interviews

Did this Eagle come up with the term "Parrothead"? And what is it like playing "Hotel California" for the gazillionth time?

Producer Ron Nevison

Producer Ron NevisonSong Writing

Ron Nevison explains in very clear terms the Quadrophenia concept and how Heart staged their resurgence after being dropped by their record company.

U2 Lyrics

U2 LyricsMusic Quiz

How well do you know the lyrics of U2?

Yacht Rock Quiz

Yacht Rock QuizFact or Fiction

Christopher Cross with Deep Purple? Kenny Loggins in Caddyshack? A Fact or Fiction all about yacht rock and those who made it.

Chris Frantz of Talking Heads

Chris Frantz of Talking HeadsSongwriter Interviews

Talking Heads drummer Chris Frantz on where the term "new wave" originated, the story of "Naive Melody," and why they never recorded another cover song after "Take Me To The River."

Vanessa Carlton

Vanessa CarltonSongwriter Interviews

The "A Thousand Miles" singer on what she thinks of her song being used in White Chicks and how she captured a song from a dream.