Smoke on the Water – Deep Purple
The Original
When Deep Purple released “Smoke on the Water” in 1972, it delivered one of the most instantly recognisable riffs in rock history. Inspired by a real-life disaster, the song tells the story of a fire that broke out at the Montreux Casino during a Frank Zappa concert, forcing the band to record elsewhere. Built on a dark, powerful guitar riff and a heavy, deliberate groove, “Smoke on the Water” blended hard rock muscle with true storytelling. Decades later, it remains a rite of passage for rock musicians everywhere.
Listen to the Gig Based Learning Version You'll Be Playing
Playing “Smoke on the Water” is all about power, precision, and groove. Our super-easy tutorials break the song down for guitar, bass, drums, keys, and vocals, focusing on one instrument at a time. You’ll master the iconic riff, lock into the slow-burning rhythm, and learn how each part supports the song’s heavy feel. Simple on the surface, massive when played right.
Practise your part with our guided practice sessions
Rehearse your part with our backing tracks
Share your part using our lyric sheets and charts
Use these to get started, then try to rely on them less each time. Some gigs need more reading than others, but when you can, practise playing with your eyes up so you can respond to your bandmates and what’s happening in the room.
Smoke On The Water
(Deep Purple)
GBL Tempo = 112 bpm
(Drummer Count – 1,2. 1,2,3,4.)
We all came out to Montreux
On the Lake Geneva shoreline
To make records with a mobile
We didn’t have much time
Frank Zappa and the Mothers
Were at the best place around
But some stupid with a flare gun
Burned the place to the ground
Smoke on the water, fire in the sky.
Smoke on the water.
(Guitar Riff x 2)
They burned down the gambling house
It died with an awful sound
Funky Claude was running in and out
Pulling kids out the ground
When it all was over
We had to find another place
But Swiss time was running out
It seemed that we would lose the race
Smoke on the water, fire in the sky
Smoke on the water.
(Guitar Riff x 2)
We ended up at the Grand Hotel
It was empty cold and bare
But with the Rolling Stones truck outside
Making our music there
With a few red lights and a few old beds
We make a place to sweat
No matter what we get out of this
I know we’ll never forget
Smoke on the water, fire in the sky
Smoke on the water.
(Guitar Riff x 2 – End on 2nd riff: &of4, &of1)
Live performances by Deep Purple
The Backstory
Based on a true story:
The lyrics describe the 1971 Montreux Casino fire, caused when an audience member fired a flare gun during a Frank Zappa & The Mothers of Invention concert.
A riff born on keyboards:
The famous opening riff was originally written by Jon Lord on organ before being adapted to guitar by Ritchie Blackmore, giving it its unmistakable weight.
Influence and Impact
One of rock’s most taught riffs:
“Smoke on the Water” is often the first riff many guitarists learn, becoming a universal entry point into rock playing.
A hard rock cornerstone:
The song helped define the sound of ’70s hard rock and influenced generations of bands with its heaviness and simplicity.
