There are so many Zep songs I love that I couldn't possibly narrow it down to just ten... they have roots and influences from classic blues greats like Robert Johnson all the way up to some of their own contemporaries. For Bluesy influences, check out tracks like "In My Time of Dying", "When the Levee Breaks" and "Traveling Riverside Blues" (which is a remake of the original Robert Johnson song). For a lighter almost ballad-like mood, try "That's the Way", "The Rain Song", and "Going to California". Robert Plant was a huge history buff and fan of Lord of the Rings- those influences can be heard in tracks like "Battle of Evermore" and "Immigrant Song". The song "Bron-Y-Aur Stomp" was written about Plant's dog Strider (named after the character in Lord of the Rings). There is also a folksy version of that song just called "Bron-Y-Aur". "Rock and Roll" hearkens back to the Buddy Holly days of early Rock n Roll, "Tangerine" has the sound of a country song, and you can ear the international influences in songs like "Kashmir" and "Black Mountain Side". Still, their all-time classic timeless hits remain "Stairway to Heaven", "Black Dog", "Whole Lotta Love", and "Kashmir". Of course, this is not an exhaustive list, but I'm trying to give you an idea of their versatility and variety of influences. :)
I highly recommend the book "Hammer of the Gods" (a Zeppelin "bio"/history) which should provide much of the info you might be looking for. Wikipedia also has quite a bit of good info.
I'm a Zeppelin geek, too, so you can always PM me if you have any questions! :D
You know, I... kind of understand your dilemma regarding trying to choose just ten favorites out of so many. Mostly because I stayed up last night and researched, jotted down points for the rest of the article until I couldn't hold my pen properly anymore. There's just... so much to say and I'm seriously wondering how I'll say it all without exceeding the deadline.
So, I'll ask you a few questions via PM, if that's... okay? The Wiki page suggests that not everything was ~glamorous~ between the band members in the later days of their career.
That aside, I've listened to Battle of Evermore and Immigrant Song first thing because I'm a sucker for mythical references. DX They are irresistible. Even though I like how Immigrant Song starts out (ah, nobody seems to do that wicked screaming stuff anymore. WHYYY ;__;), I have to say my vote goes to Battle of Evermore, like I've told someone in comments above. The mostly dormant melody critic in me just demands that I like it. The instrumentals are awesome.
I've decided to include this song in the article. Um, um-- if you don't mind me asking: you know how there's a set of repeating notes that continue throughout the song? I was wondering if you could tell me the instruments used to create that recurring composition?/hopeful
The last three days have been spent trying to find standard versions of When the Levee Breaks and Bron-Y-Aur (Wiki claims that it was... spelled wrong. Or something :p) and-- let's just say it hasn't gone well. I can barely make out the lyrics over the instrumentals. :( maybe you could suggest a site? It's hard to find LZ songs - apparently, they're very strict with copyright issues
I've listened to Adam Lambert's rendition of Whole Lotta Love, as well as the original one and I love them both. The tone is heavy and borders on lust - must've been a daring feat to pull off during the 70/80s. I lovedlovedloved Kashmir - amazing song, really. I love how solid, unhurried, consistent and sure the drumbeats are. And coupled with the recurring note played throughout the song, it's amazing. I heard the 1975 Earl's Court version, and the small speech at the end is heart-warming. Instrumental-wise, I probably love this LZ song most - because I love the laid-back feel of it. ♥♥
For some reason, Stairway to Heaven seemed simple compared to LZ's other songs. The lyrics are nowhere as complex, but very ~emotive~. I can definitely understand why it's one of their timeless hits. It's just so peaceful and melodic and definitely strays a little from the heavy instrumentals. It's just one of those songs that you just immediately appreciate.
Now I see what you mean by their versatility. and I didn't know Plant was such a huge LotR fan! I haven't braved the book yet. I'm reading The Hobbit in order to get used to Tolkien's style first! :)
I... don't think I'll find the book over... here of all places (the libraries and bookshops here are... less-than-stellar DX). But I've jotted down quite a good bit of info from Wiki - it's been very helpful, and so have you! I can't thank you enough. *__*
Things in the end weren't so glamorous mainly due to the death of drummer John Bonham. Plant took Jonesy's death particularly hard and the group disbanded relatively shortly thereafter.
I like the mythical references, too. Zep packed their songs full of those references!
I also recommend the book "Take a Walk on the Dark Side" byR. Gary Patterson. He discusses the occult and mythical references in the work and lives of several bands of the rock n' roll era. He talks at good length about Zeppelin. You can find the book on Amazon.
What I think you're hearing all the way thru Immigrant Song is actualy guitar- Jimmy Page was known for achieving special effects with guitars. In "Wholle Lotta Love, for example, that high-pitched screechy sound was achieved by playing the guitar with a violin bow! He would shred violin bows to pieces after just one sitting by playing them this way. He also was a big fan of alternate guitar tunings, etc. He was a master guitarist.
If you want lyrics, I'd actually look at guitar tab websites. In addition to guitar tablature, they also include lyrics! Any good guitar tab site worth its salt will have loads of Zeppelin songs. (MX Tabs is one such site that comes to mind.)
Stairway's simplicity lies in its complexity. I know that sounds odd, but the song is so rich and deep in both meaning and structure. Speaking of mystical and occult references, the band wrote Stairway to Heaven at Boleskine House in Scotland, which was the former home of dark arts occultist Aleister Crowley. Jimmy Page bought it and lived there for a while. (Jimmy was into that kind of stuff.) ;)
So yes, just PM me and I'll do my best to help. :)
I highly recommend the book "Hammer of the Gods" (a Zeppelin "bio"/history) which should provide much of the info you might be looking for. Wikipedia also has quite a bit of good info.
I'm a Zeppelin geek, too, so you can always PM me if you have any questions! :D
Reply
So, I'll ask you a few questions via PM, if that's... okay? The Wiki page suggests that not everything was ~glamorous~ between the band members in the later days of their career.
That aside, I've listened to Battle of Evermore and Immigrant Song first thing because I'm a sucker for mythical references. DX They are irresistible. Even though I like how Immigrant Song starts out (ah, nobody seems to do that wicked screaming stuff anymore. WHYYY ;__;), I have to say my vote goes to Battle of Evermore, like I've told someone in comments above. The mostly dormant melody critic in me just demands that I like it. The instrumentals are awesome.
I've decided to include this song in the article. Um, um-- if you don't mind me asking: you know how there's a set of repeating notes that continue throughout the song? I was wondering if you could tell me the instruments used to create that recurring composition?/hopeful
The last three days have been spent trying to find standard versions of When the Levee Breaks and Bron-Y-Aur (Wiki claims that it was... spelled wrong. Or something :p) and-- let's just say it hasn't gone well. I can barely make out the lyrics over the instrumentals. :( maybe you could suggest a site? It's hard to find LZ songs - apparently, they're very strict with copyright issues
I've listened to Adam Lambert's rendition of Whole Lotta Love, as well as the original one and I love them both. The tone is heavy and borders on lust - must've been a daring feat to pull off during the 70/80s. I lovedlovedloved Kashmir - amazing song, really. I love how solid, unhurried, consistent and sure the drumbeats are. And coupled with the recurring note played throughout the song, it's amazing. I heard the 1975 Earl's Court version, and the small speech at the end is heart-warming. Instrumental-wise, I probably love this LZ song most - because I love the laid-back feel of it. ♥♥
For some reason, Stairway to Heaven seemed simple compared to LZ's other songs. The lyrics are nowhere as complex, but very ~emotive~. I can definitely understand why it's one of their timeless hits. It's just so peaceful and melodic and definitely strays a little from the heavy instrumentals. It's just one of those songs that you just immediately appreciate.
Now I see what you mean by their versatility. and I didn't know Plant was such a huge LotR fan! I haven't braved the book yet. I'm reading The Hobbit in order to get used to Tolkien's style first! :)
I... don't think I'll find the book over... here of all places (the libraries and bookshops here are... less-than-stellar DX). But I've jotted down quite a good bit of info from Wiki - it's been very helpful, and so have you! I can't thank you enough. *__*
Reply
Things in the end weren't so glamorous mainly due to the death of drummer John Bonham. Plant took Jonesy's death particularly hard and the group disbanded relatively shortly thereafter.
I like the mythical references, too. Zep packed their songs full of those references!
I also recommend the book "Take a Walk on the Dark Side" byR. Gary Patterson. He discusses the occult and mythical references in the work and lives of several bands of the rock n' roll era. He talks at good length about Zeppelin. You can find the book on Amazon.
What I think you're hearing all the way thru Immigrant Song is actualy guitar- Jimmy Page was known for achieving special effects with guitars. In "Wholle Lotta Love, for example, that high-pitched screechy sound was achieved by playing the guitar with a violin bow! He would shred violin bows to pieces after just one sitting by playing them this way. He also was a big fan of alternate guitar tunings, etc. He was a master guitarist.
If you want lyrics, I'd actually look at guitar tab websites. In addition to guitar tablature, they also include lyrics! Any good guitar tab site worth its salt will have loads of Zeppelin songs. (MX Tabs is one such site that comes to mind.)
Stairway's simplicity lies in its complexity. I know that sounds odd, but the song is so rich and deep in both meaning and structure. Speaking of mystical and occult references, the band wrote Stairway to Heaven at Boleskine House in Scotland, which was the former home of dark arts occultist Aleister Crowley. Jimmy Page bought it and lived there for a while. (Jimmy was into that kind of stuff.) ;)
So yes, just PM me and I'll do my best to help. :)
Reply
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