Songfacts Soldier Of Fortune by Deep Purple

“Soldier of Fortune” is a blues rock ballad written by Ritchie Blackmore and David Coverdale and originally released on Deep Purple’s December 1974 album Stormbringer. Although Deep Purple has never released the song as a single and it has never placed on the record charts, it has developed a cult following over the years and has been covered by many artists and bands.

In the Jerry Bloom biography, Black Knight, former lead guitarist Ritchie Blackmore says of “Soldier Of Fortune,” it is “one of my favorite songs. It’s got a few of those mediaeval chords.”

This slow, sentimental ballad was co-written with new vocalist David Coverdale for the first album by Deep Purple Mark Three.

Unfortunately, the rest of the band didn’t like the song, but Blackmore continued to play it after leaving the supergroup, including with Blackmore’s Knight, where the soft feminine voice of Candice Night although obviously not as fitting as David Coverdale’s, does not sound out of place.

Cover versions

• Whitesnake’s version first appeared on the 1997 live album Starkers in Tokyo, then later on The Silver Anniversary Collection (2003), 30th Anniversary Collection (2008) and Made in Britain/World Record (Live) (2013), then in a studio version on their 2015 album The Purple Album, which was also released as a single.
• Opeth’s version was first released as a bonus track on the Special Edition of their 2005 album Ghost Reveries, then as a single on 6 March 2007. Roadrunner Records lists Opeth’s version among their 13 wildest covers, calling it a faithful cover and noting the band’s guitarist/vocalist Mikael ?kerfeldt’s “unexpectedly soulful vocals”.
• Black Majesty on the 2007 album Tomorrowland.
• Bosquito on the 2003 album Cocktail Molotov.
• Blackmore’s Night on the 2002 album Past Times with Good Company.
• Gyula Vikidál in a Hungarian version on his 1985 solo album under the title Szerencse katonája.
• Ji?í Schelinger in a Czech version in 1977 under the title ?ípková R??enka (“Sleeping Beauty”)

Deep Purple Song, Soldier of Fortune: What's Behind This Song?

You don't need to be a Deep Purple fan to know the song titled Soldier of Fortune which was released in 1974. This song was written by (former) Deep Purple guitarist, Ritchie Blackmore together with White Snake band vocalist, David Coverdale who was formerly Deep Purple's vocalist. As a result, this song was also released by the band White Snake several years after Deep Purple released it.

There is a very depressing story told through the lyrics. Of course, before talking much about this song, please read the lyrics below.

• Song Lyrics: Soldier of Fortune
• Written by: Ritchie Blackmore & David Coverdale

There are too many versions from fans, analysts, observers, and commentators regarding this song. Most of them actually mention the ideology of the state, about mercenaries who are not considered "heroes" even though they also fight half to death. In fact, many also say that this song influenced the decision regarding "mercenaries" which was decided in Geneva, Switzerland several years after this song was released.

As a song created by Deep Purple's guitarist and White Snake's vocalist, this song was released by both bands alternately. Deep Purple first released it in 1974, when Davide Coverdale was appointed as Deep Purple's vocalist from 1973 to 1976 replacing Ian Gillan.

However, looking at the lyrics, it is not about love, ideology or things that are often told or discussed by Deep Purple fans. The lyrics are so "dark" that they describe how depressing this song is. Added to that, the rhythm which is also "dark" makes the meaning of this song even gloomier.

Soldier of Fortune is indeed closer to the term "mercenary" or mercenary, rather than "soldier of fortune". The term soldier of fortune is indeed attached to a person or group who fights for pay, so they are often considered not heroes, and are also not allowed to be prisoners of war. They are only allowed to be disarmed, then told to go home. In major wars, even if they die on the battlefield, there is no respect like that often given to war heroes.

Therefore, the term "soldier of fortune" is attached to misfortune. Only people who are very short of money want to become mercenaries. If they still have other jobs, then besides soldiers, who else wants to be involved in a bloody war?

Soldier of Fortune: A Song about Addicts

Deep Purple's version of Soldier of Fortune is more inclined to tell the story of someone who becomes a "mercenary" because he can't get away anymore. He will continue to "follow orders" without being able to avoid it anymore. "I think I'll always be a mercenary," said David Coverdale in this song. In accordance with the story of how an addict wants to continue to get away from his addiction to alcohol and drugs. Going to many rehabs, and losing everything, including his love. Over time, the addict gets older, but instead of getting away, he continues to look for a further "high" effect. Finally, he can't get away from his addiction anymore, and will always be a "follower" or "soldier of fortune" of the addiction itself.

He has made many attempts, but in the end he keeps coming back. He once promised to quit, but broke that promise. Sometimes, addicts who are finally abandoned by the people around them need friends. "Maybe you think of holding my hand, leaning on me, then saying I love you, then I will stay." However, those people left him, not wanting to say they loved him, because of losses or other things caused by the influence of alcohol or narcotics, so what happened was the antithesis, "I left". Because of that too, the addict went here and there like a vagrant, like a traveler, without direction. The songs he used to sing for the person he loved, are now just like echoes in the distance. Just like the sound of a windmill that is not clear what he wants to enjoy from the sound.

Depressed and frustrated, until he finally gave up. He hopes that the person he loves, or someone he can lean on, is near him. But that is only a problem with his vision, so he is confused about what is happening in reality. He only realizes one thing, that he is alone, and maybe it will be like that forever. That's what he had to get as a "soldier of fortune" who would always live in solitude, loneliness, and silence.

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