Why Didn't Rosemary?

Album: Deep Purple (1969)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • According to the album liner notes, this was vaguely inspired by an Otis Spann number. Although it is in Blues format the verses are 14 bars long and the guitar solo verses 17 bars long. The song has a slightly humorous theme and features some fine soloing by Ritchie Blackmore.

    That being said, humor can sometimes be black indeed. In a May 2003 interview, Derek Lawrence, who produced the eponymous Third Album, replied to a question by Drew W of Florida in the following terms:

    "Can you remember any humorous stories from the early sessions that produced the first three albums?"

    "I do remember that the boys went to see Rosemary's Baby at the cinema and came back and wrote "Why Didn't Rosemary'"

    This is a reference to the lyric, for example: "Why didn't Rosemary ever take the pill?"

    Rosemary's Baby is a contemporary horror film based on the 1967 Ira Levin novel of the same name in which the unfortunate Rosemary played by the actress Mia Farrow is impregnated by the Devil. Directed by Roman Polanski, the film picked up an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress, a host of other awards and nominations, and became a popular culture reference. >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Alexander - London, England

Comments

Be the first to comment...

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?

80s Video Director Jay Dubin

80s Video Director Jay DubinSong Writing

Billy Joel and Hall & Oates hated making videos, so they chose a director with similar contempt for the medium. That was Jay Dubin, and he has a lot to say on the subject.

Gilby Clarke

Gilby ClarkeSongwriter Interviews

The Guns N' Roses rhythm guitarist in the early '90s, Gilby talks about the band's implosion and the side projects it spawned.

Little Big Town

Little Big TownSongwriter Interviews

"When seeds that you sow grow by the wicked moon/Be sure your sins will find you out/Your past will hunt you down and turn to tell on you."

Dino Cazares of Fear Factory

Dino Cazares of Fear FactorySongwriter Interviews

The guitarist/songwriter explains how he came up with his signature sound, and deconstructs some classic Fear Factory songs.

Dave Edmunds

Dave EdmundsSongwriter Interviews

A renowned guitarist and rock revivalist, Dave took "I Hear You Knocking" to the top of the UK charts and was the first to record Elvis Costello's "Girls Talk."