DEEP PURPLE - "Perfect Strangers"

Deep Purple
"Perfect Strangers"
Single / B-side: "Son of Alerik"
Released: October 1984
Album: Perfect Strangers (Released: 29 October 1984)
Writers: Ritchie Blackmore, Ian Gillan, Roger Glover
Label: Polydor (UK), Mercury Records (US)

"Perfect Strangers" is a song by the British hard rock band Deep Purple. It is the title track of their 1984 album Perfect Strangers.

Deep Purple's single: "Perfect Strangers" (1984)

Deep Purple - "Perfect Strangers (Vinyl)

This song is about reincarnation. It's a conversation between oneself from their past life and their present self. The song tells about memories this person has from their past life, but they (past and present self) "must remain perfect strangers" to each other.  It is one of the few Deep Purple songs not to feature a guitar solo. Nevertheless, band guitarist Ritchie Blackmore has called it his favorite Deep Purple song. The lyrics are actually inspired by the Elric books by Michael Moorcock.

"...The beginning of side two returns to classic mode with the deep and profound title song “Perfect Strangers”. This song contains a quasi-heavy-metal drive but with great melody and a really cool and subtle passage to the post-chorus Eastern-style phrasing. The rhythm is steady throughout, leaving Gillan the room to vocally paint the pictures of the rich scenery of the lyrics about reincarnation and passing through time..." (Classic Rock review)

Deep Purple's single: "Knocking at Your Back Door" / "Perfect Strangers"

Deep Purple - "Perfect Strangers" (music video)

The song has been covered of many musicians/band, among others: Dimmu Borgir on their album Abrahadabra as a bonus track (2010); progressive metal band Dream Theater on their EP A Change of Seasons (1995). Dream Theater also performed it live on a BBC Radio show along with Iron Maiden vocalist Bruce Dickinson singing the lead vocals; Hard rock vocalist Jørn Lande covered it on his solo album Unlocking the Past (2007); Finnish duo Timo Kotipelto and Jani Liimatainen have covered it during live performances and on their studio album Blackoustic (2012). 

The song also used by Extreme Championship Wrestling wrestler "The Franchise" Shane Douglas as an entrance theme. Soundalike versions were used for his later runs in World Championship Wrestling and Total Nonstop Action Wrestling.

Deep Purple 1984

Line-up / Musicians:
Ritchie Blackmore - guitars
Ian Gillan - vocals
Roger Glover - bass
Jon Lord - organ
Ian Paice - drums

Link / Review:
wikipedia: Perfect Strangers - Deep Purple (song)
tunefacts: Deep Purple - Perfect Strangers
classicrockreview: Deep Purple - Perfect Strangers