Deep Purple – Who Do We Think We Are (1973): The Final Mark II Studio Album
Released in January 1973, Who Do We Think We Are is the sixth studio album by Deep Purple and the last to feature the classic Mark II lineup of Ian Gillan, Ritchie Blackmore, Jon Lord, Roger Glover, and Ian Paice. Following the monumental success of Machine Head (1972), the album had enormous expectations to meet. While it didn’t achieve the same commercial or critical heights as its predecessor, it captures a band still at the peak of technical mastery, experimenting with both hard rock and progressive elements.
This album marks the end of one of Deep Purple’s most celebrated eras, just before Ian Gillan and Roger Glover departed to pursue other projects, paving the way for the Mark III lineup.
Album Overview
Album Title: Who Do We Think We Are
Release Date: January 1973
Label: Purple Records
Producer: Deep Purple
Genre: Hard rock, progressive rock, blues rock
Length: 39:45
Format: Vinyl, cassette, CD, digital
Following the success of Machine Head, the band attempted to capture a similar hard rock energy while exploring slightly more experimental textures.
Tracklist
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Woman from Tokyo – 5:48
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Mary Long – 5:28
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Super Trouper – 4:24
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Smooth Dancer – 4:10
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Rat Bat Blue – 7:11
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Our Lady – 3:28
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Don’t Make Me Happy – 3:35
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Place in Line – 5:41
The Mark II Lineup
Ian Gillan – Lead vocals
Ritchie Blackmore – Guitar
Jon Lord – Hammond organ, keyboards
Roger Glover – Bass guitar
Ian Paice – Drums
This lineup is widely regarded as Deep Purple’s most iconic, defining the classic hard rock sound that influenced countless bands.
Musical Style and Highlights
Who Do We Think We Are continues the hard rock approach of Machine Head but introduces more melodic and experimental passages. Blackmore’s guitar work ranges from ferocious riffing on Woman from Tokyo to bluesy phrasing on Rat Bat Blue. Jon Lord’s Hammond organ remains a dominant force, providing both depth and melody.
Vocally, Ian Gillan pushes his range on tracks like Woman from Tokyo, while the band experiments with dynamics and tempo shifts. Mary Long is a socially charged track with satirical lyrics, showcasing the band’s willingness to explore unconventional themes.
The album balances hard rock aggression with more introspective numbers like Rat Bat Blue and Smooth Dancer, hinting at the members’ growing desire to expand musically.
Key Track Highlights
Woman from Tokyo – One of the album’s biggest hits, featuring a catchy riff, high-energy vocals, and a memorable organ-guitar interplay.
Mary Long – A biting critique of societal hypocrisy, blending heavy riffs with dark humor.
Rat Bat Blue – A slower, blues-infused track that highlights the band’s versatility and Gillan’s expressive vocals.
Super Trouper – A melodic hard rock track with tight rhythm and layered organ textures.
Fun Facts & Trivia
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Woman from Tokyo was inspired by the band’s first tour in Japan.
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Ian Gillan and Roger Glover left the band shortly after this album to form new projects, including Gillan’s solo endeavors.
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The album was recorded in a relatively short period to meet touring schedules.
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Mary Long features lyrics influenced by contemporary political and social events.
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The working title for Who Do We Think We Are was reportedly Burning London, but it was changed before release.
Did You Know?
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The album reached No. 4 on the UK Albums Chart.
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Despite modest commercial performance compared to Machine Head, it remains a fan favorite for its mix of hard rock and experimentation.
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Woman from Tokyo became a staple in live performances, especially during the Mark II era tours.
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Ritchie Blackmore reportedly considered the album a “bridge” between Mark II and the future Mark III lineup.
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Rat Bat Blue has been cited as an example of Deep Purple’s ability to merge blues, rock, and melody seamlessly.
Goofs & Oddities
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Early vinyl pressings had slightly altered track timings.
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Some liner notes miscredited backing arrangements.
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The album was criticized at the time for lacking the immediacy of Machine Head.
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Certain international releases had alternative cover designs.
Place in Deep Purple’s Discography
Who Do We Think We Are is the final studio album of the Mark II era, following Fireball (1971) and Machine Head (1972). Its release marked the end of the lineup that defined classic Deep Purple, with Gillan and Glover leaving the band later in 1973.
The next studio album, Burn (1974), introduced new members David Coverdale and Glenn Hughes, signaling the start of the Mark III era.
Legacy and Influence
While not as celebrated as Machine Head, Who Do We Think We Are is a crucial album for understanding the evolution of Deep Purple’s sound. It highlights the band at the peak of their Mark II powers, balancing riff-heavy rock with melody, experimentation, and social commentary.
Tracks like Woman from Tokyo remain iconic, influencing generations of hard rock and metal musicians. The album also shows the transitional stage of the band before significant lineup changes.
Conclusion
Who Do We Think We Are (1973) captures Deep Purple at a moment of both artistic mastery and impending transition. With hard rock anthems like Woman from Tokyo, socially aware tracks like Mary Long, and bluesy introspection in Rat Bat Blue, the album stands as a fitting finale to the Mark II era. For fans of classic hard rock and anyone exploring Deep Purple’s history, it remains an essential listen, bridging the band’s explosive past and the next chapter with the Mark III lineup.