Maybe I'm a Leo
{{More citations needed|date=June 2021}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2022}}
{{Use British English|date=February 2013}}
{{Infobox song|
| name = Maybe I'm a Leo
| cover = Maybe I'm a Leo.png
| alt =
| border = yes
| caption = Cover of the 1973 Australia single
| type =
| artist = Deep Purple
| album = Machine Head
| released = March 1972
| format =
| recorded = 6–21 December 1971, Montreux, Switzerland
| studio =
| venue =
| genre = {{hlist|Hard rock|blues rock}}
| length = 4:52
| label = EMI (UK)
Warner Bros. (US)
| writer = Ritchie Blackmore
Ian Gillan
Roger Glover
Jon Lord
Ian Paice
| producer = Deep Purple
}}
"Maybe I'm a Leo" is a song by the English rock group Deep Purple, from their 1972 album Machine Head.
History
Roger Glover says: "I wrote the riff to "Maybe I'm a Leo" after hearing John Lennon's "How Do You Sleep?". I liked the idea that the riff didn't start on the down beat, like 99% of riffs do. Most of the songs on Machine Head were from the first take, or not long after."{{cite web|url=http://rogerglover.com/writings/questions.php?group=2006-12-16 |title=questiontime |work=Roger Glover official site |access-date=19 November 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071020011801/http://rogerglover.com/writings/questions.php?group=2006-12-16 |archive-date=20 October 2007 }}
Singer Ian Gillan is a Leo (born 19 August), the only group member at the time with that astrological sign.
The song was rarely played by the band live; however, three live recordings of it have been released on albums: Deep Purple in Concert, recorded in 1972; Live at the Olympia '96; and Live at Montreux 2011.
The SACD version of Machine Head has an alternative guitar solo on "Maybe I'm a Leo".
Personnel
- Ritchie Blackmore – guitar
- Ian Gillan – vocals
- Roger Glover – bass guitar
- Jon Lord – organ
- Ian Paice – drums
Cover versions
- The Atomic Bitchwax on their album 3.
- Gov't Mule on The Deep End, Volume 1 in which Roger Glover made a guest appearance.
- Paul Gilbert on Smoke on the Water, a Tribute to Deep Purple
- Van Halen used to perform the song during their early concerts.{{cite web |last1=Divita |first1=Joe |title=Van Halen 1975 High School Performance Surfaces + It's a Must Listen |url=https://loudwire.com/van-halen-1975-pasadena-high-school-performance/ |website=Loud Wire |date=12 November 2020 |access-date=13 November 2020}}
- Glenn Hughes, Luis Maldonado & Chad Smith on Re-Machined: A Tribute to Deep Purple's Machine Head.
- Blindside Blues Band (2008.) on their album [https://www.discogs.com/release/2487086-Blindside-Blues-Band-Keepers-Of-The-Flame Keepers Of The Flame]