No One Came
Deep Purple Lyrics


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Maybe it's because I'm only starting
That I think it won't take too long
Maybe it's because I can see you laughing
That I think you've got it wrong
Maybe I could be like Robin Hood
Like and outlaw dressed all in green
Someone said what's he gonna turn out like
And someone else said never mind
Well I was big and bold and more than twice as old
As all the cats I'd ever seen
I grew my hair and bought a suit
Of shiny white or was it cream
I shook and shivered danced and quivered
And stood on a mountain top

No one came from miles around and said
Man your music is really hot

Well I knew what they meant because I was a freak
My throat was tired and worn
My pretty face just looked out of place
As they poured on the scorn
I wrote on yellow paper from a man who was the king
He said my boy we'll have some crazy scenes
There weren't any scenes at all like he was talkin' about
He must've been the king of queens
Well I could write a million songs about the things I've done
But I could never sing them so they'd never get sung
There's a law for the rich and one for the poor
And there's another one for sing
It's die young and live much longer
Spend your money and sit and wonder

No one came for miles around
And said man your music is really funky

I believe that I must tell the truth
And say things as they really are
But if I told the truth and nothing but the truth
Could I ever be a star
Nobody knows who's real and who's fakin'
Everyone's shouting out loud
It's only the glitter and shine that gets through
Where's my Robin Hood outfit
Well I've come and I've gone before you wink an eye
No one ever cared enough to say goodbye
The money's good and the time you have
Fun and games galore
But you spend your money and lie in bed forgotten
And you wonder what you did it for





No one came from miles around
And said man who's he?

Overall Meaning

The song "No One Came" by Deep Purple was released in 1971 as a part of their album "Fireball." The lyrics of the song seem to be describing the story of its protagonist who is trying to make it big in the music industry but fails to get any recognition. The song starts with the singer being optimistic about his music career and hoping for quick success as he is just starting. He is convinced that he has what it takes to make it big in the industry.


However, as the song progresses, he begins to realize that things are not as easy as he thought they would be. He becomes aware of the criticism he is receiving from people around him who are not impressed by his music. He compares himself to other famous outlaws like Robin Hood but falls short of his expectations. He is disillusioned by the glamor and glitz of the music industry, which he thinks is all that matters to be successful.


The song has a poignant message about the harsh realities of the music industry and its cut-throat competition. The singer's struggle to make a name for himself and his ultimate failure to catch any attention highlights the desperation and loneliness that many musicians might face.


Line by Line Meaning

Maybe it's because I'm only starting That I think it won't take too long
Because I'm new to this, I'm under the impression that it won't take me long to make it to the top.


Maybe it's because I can see you laughing That I think you've got it wrong
When I see you laughing at me, I feel like you don't understand what I'm trying to do.


Maybe I could be like Robin Hood Like and outlaw dressed all in green
Perhaps I could be like Robin Hood - someone who takes from the rich and gives to the poor.


Someone said what's he gonna turn out like And someone else said never mind
People are wondering what I'll become, but others don't think it's worth worrying about.


Well I was big and bold and more than twice as old As all the cats I'd ever seen
I was older and more experienced than anyone around me.


I grew my hair and bought a suit Of shiny white or was it cream
I tried to change my appearance to fit in with the music scene.


I shook and shivered danced and quivered And stood on a mountain top
I performed with all my might, hoping to make it big someday.


No one came from miles around and said Man your music is really hot
Despite my efforts, no one showed up to hear me play or said that they enjoyed my music.


Well I knew what they meant because I was a freak My throat was tired and worn My pretty face just looked out of place As they poured on the scorn
People rejected me because I was different, and they didn't appreciate my music.


I wrote on yellow paper from a man who was the king He said my boy we'll have some crazy scenes There weren't any scenes at all like he was talkin' about He must've been the king of queens
I received a letter from someone claiming to be powerful and promising me success, but his predictions didn't come true, and he turned out to be a nobody.


Well I could write a million songs about the things I've done But I could never sing them so they'd never get sung
I have plenty of material to work with, but I know that I'll never make it as a singer.


There's a law for the rich and one for the poor And there's another one for sing It's die young and live much longer Spend your money and sit and wonder
There are different rules for different people, especially when it comes to the music industry. You have to spend a lot of money to make it, and even then, you might not succeed.


No one came for miles around And said man your music is really funky
Even though I tried to be original and unique, no one appreciated my music.


I believe that I must tell the truth And say things as they really are But if I told the truth and nothing but the truth Could I ever be a star
I feel compelled to be honest, but I wonder if that will prevent me from succeeding and becoming a star.


Nobody knows who's real and who's fakin' Everyone's shouting out loud It's only the glitter and shine that gets through Where's my Robin Hood outfit
It's hard to tell who is genuine and who is not. Everyone is trying to make it, but it's often superficial and showy. I wish I could be like Robin Hood and make a difference.


Well I've come and I've gone before you wink an eye No one ever cared enough to say goodbye The money's good and the time you have Fun and games galore But you spend your money and lie in bed forgotten And you wonder what you did it for
I came and went, but no one really noticed or cared. Making money and having fun is great, but eventually, you're left wondering why you even bothered.


No one came from miles around And said man who's he?
Despite all my efforts, no one even knows who I am, let alone enjoy my music or respect me as an artist.




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: IAN GILLAN, IAN PAICE, JON LORD, RITCHIE BLACKMORE, ROGER GLOVER

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@HansS11160

Maybe it's because I'm only starting
That I think it won't take too long
Maybe it's because I can see you laughing
That I think you've got it wrong
Maybe I could be like Robin Hood
Like and outlaw dressed all in green
Someone said what's he gonna turn out like
And someone else said never mind
Well I was big and bold and more than twice as old
As all the cats I'd ever seen
I grew my hair and bought a suit
Of shiny white or was it cream
I shook and shivered danced and quivered
And stood on a mountain top
No one came from miles around and said
Man your music is really hot

Well I knew what they meant because I was a freak
My throat was tired and worn
My pretty face just looked out of place
As they poured on the scorn
I wrote on yellow paper from a man who was the king
He said my boy we'll have some crazy scenes
There weren't any scenes at all like he was talkin' about
He must've been the king of queens
Well I could write a million songs about the things I've done
But I could never sing them so they'd never get sung
There's a law for the rich and one for the poor
and there's another one for singers

It's die young and live much longer
Spend your money and sit and wonder
No one came for miles around
And said man your music is really funky

I believe that I must tell the truth
And say things as they really are
But if I told the truth and nothing but the truth
Could I ever be a star
Nobody knows who's real and who's fakin'
Everyone's shouting out loud
It's only the glitter and shine that gets through
Where's my Robin Hood outfit
Well I've come and I've gone before you wink an eye
No one ever cared enought to say goodbye
The money's good and the time you have
Fun and games galore
But you spend your money and lie in bed forgotten
And you wonder what you did it for
No one came from miles around
And said man who's he?



All comments from YouTube:

@adelfaragalla3621

Everything about this song is great, lyrics, drumming, Hammond organ and of course Ritchie's guitar 🎸.
Smoke on The Water should never be what defines DP. There is lots of treasure in the box.

@dhala54

Although Machine Head and "Smoke On The Water" turned on many fans to Deep Purple and their other albums.

@enjoythestruggle

To me, who was born in the '90s, Deep Purple is like a bottomless box of awesomeness. You think you have the 'essentials' because you have two best of compilations, some 'recent' stuff and some of the essential albums but nope, they just have more and more hidden gems for you to find.

@antonellabardoni7803

That's it! You never stop discovering new pearls!

@BiffChunksteak

@@antonellabardoni7803 There are fillers, after all these were the 1960's through 1980's, they were working their butts off all the time and sometimes, well, things... clouded their jugdment (I fondly recall Lords anecdote about Blackmore and the crucifix). But the real stinkers from that era are few and far between. To me that is what sets them apart: consistent high quality writing, arranging, recording and performing.

@oliviertruchon5648

Think the same, also born in the 90's.

@thetruthhurts6652

To most a forgotten song but to the fortunate few it will live forever. The way Lord comes in on his solo while Blackmore is finishing is genius. I just can’t explain it.

@TheClockwise770

Too right and they're still doing it, on their Paradise bar.

@roadkingryder6685

The drumming in this song is spectacular. Ian Paice is a Monster!

@JohnSmith-mx8wp

This one is ALL about the rhythm, so let's not forget about Roger who kicks off the madness!

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