“Hush” was written by American composer and musician Joe South, for recording artist Billy Joe Royal.

The chorus begins “Hush, hush, I thought I heard her calling my name”, which is a takeoff from the traditional gospel song lyrics “Hush, hush, somebody’s calling my name”. Session musician Barry Bailey, who later became the lead guitarist for the Atlanta Rhythm Section, plays guitar on the track.

The song was subsequently recorded by Deep Purple for their 1968 debut album “Shades of Deep Purple”.

Originally named “The Roundabout” (a “supergroup” where the band members would get on and off, like a musical roundabout), the start of the group who would later rename to Deep Purple, from Ritchie Blackmore suggesting a new name: “Deep Purple”, named after his grandmother’s favourite song (written by pianist Peter DeRose in 1933 as a piano composition.) The Deep Purple version was included on their first album and recorded with the band’s original lineup – Ian Paice, Jon Lord, Ritchie Blackmore, Nick Simper, Rod Evans.  Shortly after the successful release of this song, Deep Purple was booked to support Cream on their Goodbye tour.

In December 2015, the band were announced as 2016 inductees into the Hall of Fame, with the Hall stating: “Deep Purple’s non-inclusion in the Hall is a gaping hole which must now be filled”, adding that along with fellow inductees Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath, the band make up “the Holy Trinity of hard rock and metal bands.” The band was officially inducted on 8 April 2016.