Mean Streak

Zoo Freaks, get ready to crank up the volume as The Zoo Crew spins "Mean Streak" by Deep Purple from their 1984 album Perfect Strangers! This track is a gritty, high-energy rocker driven by Jon Lord’s pulsating organ and Ritchie Blackmore’s electrifying guitar riffs. According to a review on Classic Rock Review, "Mean Streak" stands out for its upbeat chord progression, though some critics, like Ric Albano, noted its hook as less memorable compared to the album’s heavier hitters. Despite this, the song’s raw energy captures the band’s attempt to bridge their ‘70s roots with the polished ‘80s hard rock sound. In a 1984 interview with Sounds magazine, Ian Gillan described the recording sessions in Stowe, Vermont, as intense, with the band fueled by the tension of their reunion after a decade apart. This tension likely seeped into "Mean Streak," giving it that biting edge Zoo Freaks love.

Another tidbit about "Mean Streak" comes from fan discussions on Deep Purple Fans Facebook Group. Some fans speculate the lyrics, with lines like “She got a mean streak, Black Mamba don’t compete,” reflect Gillan’s playful take on a tumultuous relationship, possibly inspired by the band’s own internal dynamics. While not a single like the title track, "Mean Streak" has a cult following, with fans on The Highway Star, a dedicated Deep Purple fan site, praising its throwback vibe to the band’s earlier, rawer days. The song’s organ-driven intensity, as Jon Lord noted in a 1985 Kerrang! interview, was a nod to their ‘70s sound, making it a perfect fit for The Zoo Crew’s retro-loving audience.

Deep Purple’s journey began in 1968 in Hertford, England, when drummer Ian Paice, organist Jon Lord, and guitarist Ritchie Blackmore, along with vocalist Rod Evans and bassist Nick Simper, formed the band initially called Roundabout. According to their official biography on deeppurple.com, the name Deep Purple was inspired by a song Blackmore’s grandmother loved. Their early sound, rooted in psychedelic and progressive rock, evolved into hard rock with the arrival of Ian Gillan and Roger Glover in 1969, forming the iconic Mark II lineup. This lineup produced classics like Machine Head and "Smoke on the Water." Despite multiple lineup changes and breakups, Deep Purple’s pioneering role in heavy metal and hard rock earned them a spot in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2016 and over 100 million albums sold worldwide, as noted on Lyrics.com.

Stay connected with Deep Purple through their official website and social media: Facebook, Instagram, and X. Fans can dive deeper into the Purple universe on The Highway Star, a fan-run site packed with news, discographies, and tour updates. Join the Deep Purple Fans Facebook Group to swap stories and setlists with fellow Zoo Freaks. For more fan-driven content, check out Deep Purple Infinite, a site dedicated to the band’s later years and current lineup. Keep rocking, Zoo Crew!