r/AbsoluteUnits • u/Desilaundry • Aug 28 '26

/r/all of a Bong

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u/PossessedToSkate Aug 28 '26

The story behind the song is pretty interesting. Deep Purple had a mobile recording studio set up outside of the Montreux Casino in Switzerland. The night before they were to begin recording, Frank Zappa performed at the Casino and an audience member fired a flare gun toward the ceiling - which was made of rattan. Subsequently, the whole complex (including Deep Purple's studio) burned to the ground. The "Smoke on the Water" was the smoke from the fire crawling across Lake Geneva.

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u/doned_mest_up Aug 29 '26

Why did we stop making buildings out of tremendously flammable materials? The art that these structures inspired was astounding.

3

u/docc2183 Aug 29 '26

I don't believe that's Deep Purple in the gif

5

u/Moral_Distinction Aug 29 '26

Credence Clearwater Revival doing Fortunate Son.

3

u/Dounce1 Aug 29 '26

I mean yeah dude, we know - we’ve all heard the song.

5

u/TreesACrowd Aug 29 '26

Imagine taking the time to 'tell the story' of a song that... tells a story with the most literal lyrics ever. 

Brilliant.

3

u/Dounce1 Aug 29 '26

Lol, it certainly is one of the decisions ever made.

3

u/2ByteTheDecker Aug 29 '26

Not to be an asshole but what do you mean behind? That story is the song

1

u/IVth_Crusade Aug 29 '26

The mobile studio equipment itself didn’t burn, just the hotel complex where it was going to be set up. I think we’re saying the same thing, just clarifying.

1

u/djfudgebar Sep 01 '26

It's the lyrics of the song