Flight Of The Rat by Deep Purple

Album: In Rock (1970)

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In Deep Purple lead singer Ian Gillan's autobiography, he explained that this song began as a joke: someone mentioned the classical composition "Flight of the Bumble Bee" and their organ man, Jon Lord, started playing variations around it.
"The Rat" is a reference to a drug habit - Deep Purple made occasional anti-drug references in their songs - "Into The Fire" was another. >>
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Dougie - Delhi, India, for above 2
In Rock was the first album with the Mark II lineup of Deep Purple, which introduced bass player Roger Glover and lead singer Ian Gillan. This is the lineup the band returned with in 1984 after an eight-year hiatus.

Comments: 6

F.f from Green Dolphin Street Prisonyes wonderful song.
Robert from NorfolkI've always took the song to mean if you find yourself in a dead-end job going nowhere, don't be afraid to leave and follow your dream even if it doesn't work out at least you'll know and not be asking, "What if,, If Only" "once I had a dream to sing before the Queen, she didn't want to know, she couldn't see the show" ... Oh well too bad move on following your dream
Roy from Granbania, MaJon Lord is amazing.
Scott from London, OnDoes anybody know what Ian Gillan is singing under the guitar interlude? You can barely hear it.
Bill from Dundee, United KingdomThis track has a great Ritchie Blackmore, composed - as opposed to improvised - solo
Devon from Westerville, Ohgreat song. actually it's from Deep purple in rock and not machine head

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