Is The Very Best of Deep Purple a good place to start with Deep Purple?

Yes, The Very Best of Deep Purple is recommended as a starting point for new Deep Purple listeners. A powerful compilation of pioneering rock anthems blending hard rock with progressive and psychedelic elements. Released in 1980, this album comes during Deep Purple's resurgence after their initial split in 1976, as they regrouped for a new audience. It follows the band's successful comeback album 'Come Taste the Band' and showcases their evolution from classic rock pioneers to mainstream heavy metal icons.

Who is The Very Best of Deep Purple for?

The Very Best of Deep Purple works well if you're into dynamic journey with peaks, powerful anthems for sing-alongs and wave-like pacing with intensity.

How many songs are on The Very Best of Deep Purple?

The Very Best of Deep Purple has 15 tracks, running approximately 79 minutes.

The Very Best of Deep Purple

Deep Purple

79 min · 15 tracks · hard rock

A powerful compilation of pioneering rock anthems blending hard rock with progressive and psychedelic elements.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Hush Start here — accessible entry with immediate hook
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Smoke on the Water — This track features the iconic guitar riff that has become synonymous with rock music, telling a true story of a fire at a casino.
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Child in Time — The song's haunting lyrics and powerful instrumentation encapsulate the band's ability to blend emotional depth with hard-hitting rock dynamics.
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Highway Star — An exhilarating anthem characterized by its intricate solos and fast-paced rhythm, showcasing the band’s technical prowess and performance energy.
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Black Night — 'Black Night' stands out for its memorable chorus and driving beat, illustrating the band's early hard rock sound that influenced countless artists.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

45 /100

Lowland

Higher than 5% of albums we've rated

This compilation captures key moments in Deep Purple's career but lacks a cohesive narrative flow typical of original albums.

What we noticed

Several tracks are presented in their single versions, which alters the dynamics compared to album cuts, such as 'Kentucky Woman' and 'Speed King'.

Composition 25% of the score: 6/10
Craft 20% of the score: 7/10
Durability 25% of the score: 5/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 6/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 4/10

Influence 6/10

Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

dynamic journey with peaks
powerful anthems for sing-alongs
wave-like pacing with intensity
moments of introspective reflection
for late-night drives

Maybe skip if you

prefer instant gratification tracks
avoid lengthy, progressive compositions

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Starting Point — A comprehensive collection showcasing Deep Purple's key hits and evolution for new listeners.
Themes: Smoke on the Water· war and peace· 1970s rock evolution
Moods: Anthemic· Energetic
Career context: Released in 1980, this album comes during Deep Purple's resurgence after their initial split in 1976, as they regrouped for a new audience. It follows the band's successful comeback album 'Come Taste the Band' and showcases their evolution from classic rock pioneers to mainstream heavy metal icons.
Stylistic neighbors: Led Zeppelin· Black Sabbath· Rainbow

Moments worth listening for

Where the writing does something specific.

Child in Time

The transition into an intense instrumental break follows a reflective verse about war and innocence lost.

This shift amplifies the emotional weight of the lyrics, allowing listeners to fully absorb the gravity of the message through powerful musicianship.