If you’re a classic rock fan and looking for a guitar challenge, then I would say look no further than Deep Purple!
This legendary British rock band has been making music since the late 1960s and has produced some of the most iconic rock songs of all time.
With a unique blend of hard rock, heavy metal, and blues, Deep Purple has created an unforgettable sound that has been imitated by many but never quite matched.
For those looking to take on the challenge of playing some of Deep Purple’s classic songs on the guitar, here are eight easy Deep Purple songs to get you started.
All of these songs come with tabs so that you can get started right away!
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8. “Perfect Strangers”
“Perfect Strangers” by Deep Purple is a classic rock song that was released in 1984 as the lead single from the band’s eleventh studio album of the same name.
The song was written by guitarist Ritchie Blackmore and vocalist Ian Gillan, and it features a memorable guitar riff and a catchy chorus.
It was a commercial success, peaking at many charts around the words and having a lot of people listen to it constantly.
The song was a reunion of sorts for the band, as it was the first album to feature the classic lineup of Ritchie Blackmore, Ian Gillan, Jon Lord, Roger Glover, and Ian Paice since 1973’s Who Do We Think We Are.
“Perfect Strangers” is not too hard to play on the guitar, so that’s why I included it on this list; aside from having the same chords played throughout the song, the song is relatively slow.
Which makes it perfect for those who don’t have their playing speed at their maximum.
7. “Stormbringer”
“Stormbringer” by Deep Purple is yet another classic rock song that was released in 1974 and is not that hard to play.
It was the title track of their ninth studio album and was written by David Coverdale and Ritchie Blackmore.
The song has a driving, hard rock sound that is driven by Blackmore’s guitar riffs and Coverdale’s powerful vocals, and the rhythm stays consistent throughout the whole track.
It is a classic example of the band’s sound and is very catchy; anytime you think of a riff that just makes you want to dance, this is one of them for me.
Also, the solo is not very hard to learn I would say, though is not too slow, is not so fast that you can’t keep up when playing it.
6. “Woman From Tokyo”
“Woman From Tokyo” by Deep Purple is a classic rock song from the band’s 1973 album, Who Do We Think We Are.
It was written by the band’s lead singer, Ian Gillan, and keyboardist, Jon Lord.
The song has become one of Deep Purple’s most popular and recognizable tunes since it features their unique catchy riffs and of course, great vocals and lyrics.
This is a song that even though had great success, you’ll not see a lot of people playing nowadays, so if you’re up to learning something that’s not currently mainstream, then this is it.
As for the rhythm, it’s a mid-tempo rocker with a catchy chorus, and it features some of the band’s signature hard rock guitar riffs.
The drummer and keyboard player has a lot of importance here I would say, but then once the guitar comes in after the bridge, it’s just game over!
Deep Purple has been credited with helping to define the sound of hard rock, and “Woman From Tokyo” is yet a great example of their classic sound.
5. “Burn”
Deep Purple’s “Burn” is an iconic hard rock song that has been a fan favorite since its release in 1974.
It was written by the band’s guitarist Ritchie Blackmore, vocalist David Coverdale, and bassist/lyricist Glenn Hughes.
The song was released on the album of the same name, which was the first album to feature Coverdale and Hughes as members of the band, interestingly enough.
I would put this song as another classic example of Deep Purple’s signature hard rock sound, which is: catchy riff + great vocals = hit.
For those looking to learn something faster from Deep Purple, then this is your track.
Although I would still put it as “easy to learn,” it is slightly more on the challenging side of the easy ones, featuring a lot of harmonics, and very interesting solo melodies.
4. “Child In Time”
Deep Purple’s “Child In Time” was released in 1970 as the second single from their fourth studio album, Deep Purple in Rock.
The song was written by vocalist Ian Gillan and guitarist Ritchie Blackmore and is known for its lyrics, keyboard work, and extended instrumental section.
The song begins with a slow beautiful piano intro, followed by vocals and then a strong electric guitar riff.
As for the lyrics, they tell the story of a child growing up and their life struggles, hence the name, and it’s a reminder of the importance of cherishing life and living it to the fullest.
If you’re learning to play the guitar, this is a great track from Deep Purple that you can learn, but even then, if you know someone that plays piano, then this is the perfect one to jam together.
3. “Highway Star”
The iconic hard rock song “Highway Star” by Deep Purple has been a fan favorite since its release in 1972.
It was again, written by the band’s guitarist Ritchie Blackmore, the song has been praised for its heavy guitar riffs and intense drumming.
From the start, the drums and electric guitar set the mood for the whole song, with this repeated and simple downstroke riff.
This song has been covered by many artists throughout the years, and I’m sure you’ve heard it somewhere.
For this song, the lead guitar plays a very important role but also does the rhythm guitar player.
So you can use this to your advantage and switch between the two, depending on your level of proficiency.
2. “Hush”
“Hush” by Deep Purple is a classic rock song that was released in 1968 and written by American composer and musician Joe South.
Yes, this song is actually a cover!
Recorded by Deep Purple for their 1968 debut album Shades of Deep Purple,
The song has a unique sound that combines elements of blues, hard rock, and psychedelic rock and features a prominent organ solo.
If you close your eyes and just listen to it without knowing who wrote it and plays it, it brings you this Jimi Hendrix vibe to you.
For beginners, this is the perfect track if you want to experiment and get outside of your comfort zone as a guitarist.
It’s not that hard to learn, but honestly, I wouldn’t say is super easy either, but still, is playable if you take the time to study it.
1. “Smoke On The Water”
You have heard it, I have heard it, everybody has heard it, so of course, it must be mentioned.
This is pretty much the song that most beginners learn when they start playing the electric guitar.
“Smoke On The Water” by Deep Purple is a classic rock song that has become an anthem for many generations of rock fans.
Written by guitarist Ritchie Blackmore and vocalist Ian Gillan, the song was released in 1972 as part of the album Machine Head.
It has since become one of the most recognizable and popular rock songs of all time and has been covered by many other bands.
The song tells the story of a fire in the Montreux Casino in Switzerland, which was caused by a Frank Zappa concert; its lyrics describe the smoke from the fire, which was seen from the nearby lake
Its iconic guitar riff is often cited as one of the most famous in rock music and has been used in countless other songs and soundtracks.
There’re many ways to play it, but they’re usually very easy, even for the player that recently started to play the instrument.
Even though it’s “overplayed” like some people like to say, I would say, don’t get shamed into not learning it because of a meme, or a joke.
You don’t want to be the guy that always plays “Smoke On The Water” but you don’t want to be the guy that doesn’t know how to play it either.
More than 10 years of experience playing and writing about guitars! When not writing, I can be found strumming away some Johnny Cash tunes. Favorite all time guitar is the Gibson Les Paul. #TeamGibson
