Woman from Tokyo

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Ian Gillan

About Woman from Tokyo

"Woman from Tokyo" is a song by the English rock band Deep Purple. It was first released on their 1973 album Who Do We Think We Are, and later as a single that became a hit, as it reached No. 6 on the Dutch MegaCharts. The song peaked at 16 in Germany and 23 in Belgium. It was a modest success in the U. S., reaching no. 60 on the charts there. Deep Purple was one of the first rock bands to perform in Japan in the early 1970s. As a tribute, the band wrote the song "Woman from Tokyo. " It was one of the final songs to feature singer Ian Gillan, who departed in 1973 to pursue a solo career. The song features Japanese imagery such as "the rising sun" and "an Eastern dream" and its lyrics are about a Japanese woman whose charms fascinate the band. "Woman from Tokyo" grew to be one of the band's most popular songs and received heavy radio airplay. Despite this, the band did not like the song much and only began playing it live when they reformed in 1984. The admiration of Deep Purple for progressive rock is reflected in the long dreamy break that occupies the middle of the track: this break appears only on the album version and is missing from the single, which explains the sharp difference in duration between both versions. 


Year:
2002
4:09
55 
#2

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Ian Gillan

Ian Gillan (born 19 August 1945 in Hounslow, London) is an English rock music vocalist and songwriter. He originally found commercial success with, and is best known as, the lead singer and lyricist for Deep Purple. more »

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10 facts about this song

Song Creation
"Woman from Tokyo" is a song by the English rock band Deep Purple. It was first released on their 1973 album "Who Do We Think We Are."
Band Members
The song was written by all the members of the band, including Ian Gillan, who served as the lead vocalist.
Song Title
The song was titled "Woman from Tokyo" as a tribute to the fans of Deep Purple from Japan. The band was extremely popular in the country at the time.
Popular Song
"Woman from Tokyo" has been one of the band's most popular songs. It has been covered by a number of artists and featured in several films and television shows.
Gillan's Departure
Ian Gillan and bassist Roger Glover left the band shortly after the album containing "Woman from Tokyo" was released. Gillan's departure was partly due to the strain on his voice caused by the band's heavy touring schedule.
Song Meaning
According to Ian Gillan, the lyrics of "Woman from Tokyo" were inspired by the band's first trip to Japan in 1971. Despite the title, the song is not literally about a woman from Tokyo, but more about the band's experiences and impressions of Japan.
Musical Structure
Musically, "Woman from Tokyo" is known for its distinctive opening riff, played by guitarist Ritchie Blackmore. The song has a more pop-oriented sound than many of Deep Purple's other songs.
Live Performances
While "Woman from Tokyo" is a staple of Deep Purple's studio discography, the song was not performed live by the band until after Gillan returned to the group in the 1980s.
Other Verses
According to Gillan, there were other verses written for the song that were never recorded. These verses were reportedly more explicit and controversial, reflecting the band's wild lifestyle at the time.
Legacy
Despite the internal conflicts within the band during its creation, "Woman from Tokyo" endures as one of Deep Purple's most beloved songs and is still played on classic rock radio stations today.

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