Additional Coverage:
- 1968 Deep Purple Hit, Written by Neil Diamond, Was a ‘Radical’ Departure From the Original (parade.com)
One of Deep Purple’s early hits was a distinctive cover of Neil Diamond’s “Kentucky Woman,” a track that showcased a striking transformation from the original and even drew a candid reaction from Diamond himself.
Originally released on Deep Purple’s second album, The Book of Taliesyn, the band’s version of “Kentucky Woman” climbed to No. 38 on the Billboard Hot 100 in December 1968. While Diamond’s 1967 original was a gentle, acoustic folk-pop ballad with country influences, Deep Purple’s lineup-featuring Rod Evans, Ritchie Blackmore, Jon Lord, Nick Simper, and Ian Paice-reimagined it with a powerful hard rock edge. Their rendition featured roaring guitar solos, driving drums, and intense vocals, marking a bold departure from the song’s softer roots.
When asked about this heavy-metal take on his song, Neil Diamond told Rolling Stone, “Deep Purple’s heavy-metal version of ‘Kentucky Woman.’ It’s pretty radical for that song.
It’s good. It’s their thing.”
Diamond has shared that he wrote “Kentucky Woman” while traveling through Kentucky. In an interview with Murray the K, he recalled, “I wrote ‘Kentucky Woman’ in the back seat of a car outside of Paducah, Kentucky.
I was touring and just dead tired, probably needed some companionship. That’s what I thought about-Kentucky women-and, unfortunately, there weren’t any around or available at that time.
Probably wouldn’t have written the song if there were.”
He continued, “We had just pulled into Kentucky, and my organist was driving. I said, ‘Hey Max, you gotta dig this,’ and I played him the song.
He said, ‘Outta sight.’ And there was ‘Kentucky Woman,’ she shines with her own kind of light.”
Diamond’s original reached No. 22 on the Billboard charts.
The idea to cover “Kentucky Woman” came the following year at the suggestion of Jon Lord, as the record company encouraged Deep Purple to record covers. Bassist Nick Simper reflected on the process: “Jon suggested Neil Diamond’s ‘Kentucky Woman.’
Ritchie and I both had reservations as it was a bit folky, until I suggested giving it the Mitch Ryder treatment. I had been impressed with the aggressive drive and excitement in Mitch Ryder and the Detroit Wheels’ records.
As I explained how a folk song could be rocked up, the others got on board, and soon we recorded our next single, with Ron Hire and his young daughter helping out with hand claps.”
Simper later described Deep Purple’s version of “Kentucky Woman” as “bloody good” in the Something Has Hit Me fanzine.
Nearly six decades later, “Kentucky Woman” remains a compelling example of how a song’s character can be completely reshaped when interpreted by another artist.