Robert was also influenced by Welsh & Norse mythology, he is very well read and had a hunger to learn the influences of cultures that came before in his region of the UK. Sometimes references in his lyrics are lost to us in the US merely because we aren't fluent in ancient cultural influences of the British Isles, we don't even come close to the centuries of history they have to draw from.
Side 1 of this album has to be viewed in the context of the times. As mentioned earlier, the critics were not kind to Zeppelin's earlier works and this was them telling the industry to screw off. They released an album with no name, no mention of the band, no advertising, and did whatever the heck they wanted. They opened with 2 banging rockers, then settled into folk before unleashing their epic Stairway to Heaven. It was their way of saying "Sit down, shut the F up, and listen". "When it comes to Rock, you don't get to make the rules, we make the rules". By doing everything against industry norms, they created what is arguably considered the greatest rock album of all times.
The same thing happened with Rush. I am a big fan of both bands. The record label didn't like their third album Caress of Steel and refused to promote it. They were told to write more radio friendly songs. Instead they wrote 2112 which was a huge finger to the record label. The album was a huge hit with the fans and after that the label never bothered them again.
Yeah your right. They made it huge in the states and the critics had to realize oh we screwed up the arguably greatest rock band. I watched an interview with Jimmy and John Paul they basically were like how can we screw with them how about a dude standing there with a bunch of sticks. I always called it zep 4
This is the only song in the entire Led Zeppelin catalog that includes a guest vocalist, Sandy Denny. There was no text on the album cover or in the liner notes that identifies the band members. As a way of emphasizing the music, each member of the band selected a symbol to represent themselves in the liner notes. Sandy Denny was also given a symbol. Jimmy's symbol is usually referred to as "Zoso." The "Zoso" symbol Jimmy used on the 4th album represents the planet Saturn. Mathematician and occultist Gerolamo Cardano included the symbol in his 1557 book, De Rerum Varietate. Saturn is the planetary element in Jimmy's astrological sign, Capricorn.
This is among my favorite songs from Zeppelin. Back in the day, when the album came out, listening to that side, after this it goes right into the medieval sounding opening of Stairway, with acoustic guitar and recorder. It was all very magical. When you listen to the entire album as a whole, this helped set the unique mood of this classic album. The Zoso (zofo) symbols - Jimmy asked each member to pick their own symbol which makes up the 'untitled' album name.
This reminds me that Albums were produced to be a complete experience and not a series of singles. So you are right, after Black Dog and Rock and Roll, this is the perfect transition to Stairway. Also, keep in mind, this was all released on vinyl. So after Stairway, I, like everyone for the 1st 25 years got up, walked over the the stereo and flipped it to side II. Which, BTW is amazing!
I think the intricacy of the guitar and mandolin work on this, and the interweaving of voices in call and response mode, and the changes in the song make it special. I would say it's a difficult song to sing and get right.
When the album first came out, this was my favorite song, because I was a Tolkien and Celtic myth freak, I loved Sandy Denny and Celtic folk music and mandolin. So I hit the jackpot on this one. Now I love the entire album especially the closing track, which became my favorite
I think you will appreciate the studio version of Stairway way more than the live version, but then after hearing the studio version you will then appreciate the live version better than you did the first time. Lol.
Robert and John B. Were born in the West Midlands.. like myself.🧙♂️ JRRT ..grew up near Birmingham and lived and Taught at the Orangery before moving to teach at University... We saw the Shire and Angbad in the factories furnaces and mines of the 19century Blackcountry industrial landscapes. This album is like that landscape one of immense contrasts. When youve gone through more Zepplin come back to it. Its also very topical now ..🗡️ The same area also spawned Blacks Sabbath... and Slade..and Judas priests front man. Basically the 🇬🇧West Midlands are to Heavy Rock and Metal what New Orleans and Chicago are to the blues...which these guys and earlier generations like the Rolling Stones worshipped as much or more than Tolkien.. 😎👍🏼
Andy Johns said this was conceived out of he blue by Page who was fooling around with JPJs mandolin which he had never played and this is what was the base of it
Sandy Denny was a singer from the folk group Fairport Convention and she is the only person outside the band to sing on a Zep song. You might want to check out some of Fairport's material. It's great how Robert's lyrics give the overview while Sandy's provide the "on the ground" narration. In addition to Lord of the Rings, there's also the mention of Avalon, which is from King Arthur lore. The lore holds that King Arthur's mortally wounded body was taken to Avalon for his final rest. Avalon is generally believed to be a Welsh word for "apple tree" or "fruit tree" so, perhaps when he sings about 'the apples of the valley hold the seeds of happiness", it might be a reference to Avalon. Robert has always been interested in various legends, lore, myths, and histories, especially from Wales and/or of a Celtic variety. They did perform this song live for a while and John Paul Jones would sing Sandy's part while playing a three-necked acoustic instrument that had a mandolin on top, then a 12-string, then a 6-string and Jimmy would play the mandolin.
I didn't care for it at first either, but after acclimatizing to the sound it has become a favorite. Of course I heard it when it first came out. I loved this song for nearly 50 years.
This is one of my favourite Led Zeppelin songs. ❤️ Lord of the Rings was huge back in the day. I read the complete series at least three times myself. I was lucky enough to see Led Zeppelin back in 1970 when I was 16. Yes, I love all their hard rocking bluesy feel songs as well but this song has a mystical beauty to it. Have you reacted to any Rush songs? Another rabbit hole I think you would enjoy. Cheers
Make sure to react the version of "Stairway to Heaven" released on the original album and not the the second version that was also included on the deluxe release years later (that one would be identified as "Stairway to Heaven (Sunset Sound Mix)", otherwise you won't be hearing what we did on FM in the 70's.
I've always loved this song. I know it is different from their other harder rock stuff, but I think it is great for what it is. John Paul Jones is also great on the mandolin.
This song at 13 years old lying in my bed black light on poster up big soup can headphones I got lost in this entire number four album this is where I cut my teeth so happy you're on number four
It's so hard to hear you listen to only one song. When these classics came out we had turntables, so I ALWAYS listened to an entire album side from the very first listen. I know you have to, but you're missing out by not doing whole album sides with some classic albums, even if the songs can stand on their own. I enjoy your reactions. Thanks for all you do.
The first side of this album starts with a hard rocker like "Black Dog" and goes into "Stairway To Heaven" just three songs later but yet it all seams together so well.
I always took the meaning of the title, before I ever knew about Tolkein much less the connection, that is was a battle between good and evil that would never end. I know simplistic but I thought it was apt.
*Morning Bro* You zeroed in on Robert's love of The Lord of the rings but more specifically, J.R.R. Tokien's writings and novels. My gut always told me it has something to do where Robert grew up, The Midlands and Wales. Castles and so much history that he was surrounded by everyday. Also *for me* when I was growing up, it further fed into the mystical aspect of them or it was a contributing factor.! IF ONLY our current generation could know what's it like to not have thousands of cell phones in the air at a concert. To ONLY have info on your music from The local record store, album liner notes and FM DJ's who ACTUALLY got to decide what THEY wanted to play.! Anyway, this is fun.! Obviously the monster song is next but I TRULY HOPE you will break the mode and listen to the *Live version from Madison Square Garden 1973* version OR at least do a companion video of it.! I KNOW that was your 1st video and introduction to them but, well that's my thoughts. ZEP was one of the very few who "I think" sounded better and more exciting LIVE, than they did in the studio. Also, no one live performance was ever the same.! Take Care....
The best I’ve ever heard this song done live was, believe it or not, from a concert in 2008 in Nashville with Plant and Alison Krauss, during their collaboration and tour. Alison voice is so powerful and a good match to Robert. And the mandolin playing us masterful…and they use drums. Those of you who love this song, like I do, check out that live version
Zeppelin kicks ass. The diversity of their music is priceless and unparalleled.
Robert was also influenced by Welsh & Norse mythology, he is very well read and had a hunger to learn the influences of cultures that came before in his region of the UK. Sometimes references in his lyrics are lost to us in the US merely because we aren't fluent in ancient cultural influences of the British Isles, we don't even come close to the centuries of history they have to draw from.
This is the only Zeppelin song with a guest singer. It’s a vibe. And it sets up the next song so well, Stairway.
Their two voices together on this song are just breathtaking. Love this song
mystical experience
Side 1 of this album has to be viewed in the context of the times. As mentioned earlier, the critics were not kind to Zeppelin's earlier works and this was them telling the industry to screw off. They released an album with no name, no mention of the band, no advertising, and did whatever the heck they wanted. They opened with 2 banging rockers, then settled into folk before unleashing their epic Stairway to Heaven. It was their way of saying "Sit down, shut the F up, and listen". "When it comes to Rock, you don't get to make the rules, we make the rules". By doing everything against industry norms, they created what is arguably considered the greatest rock album of all times.
The same thing happened with Rush. I am a big fan of both bands. The record label didn't like their third album Caress of Steel and refused to promote it. They were told to write more radio friendly songs. Instead they wrote 2112 which was a huge finger to the record label. The album was a huge hit with the fans and after that the label never bothered them again.
The Critics were idiots .
Yeah your right. They made it huge in the states and the critics had to realize oh we screwed up the arguably greatest rock band. I watched an interview with Jimmy and John Paul they basically were like how can we screw with them how about a dude standing there with a bunch of sticks. I always called it zep 4
Another masterpiece from Zeppelin. Is it fair to say that they are better than any band I can think of in the past few decades?
This is the only song in the entire Led Zeppelin catalog that includes a guest vocalist, Sandy Denny. There was no text on the album cover or in the liner notes that identifies the band members. As a way of emphasizing the music, each member of the band selected a symbol to represent themselves in the liner notes. Sandy Denny was also given a symbol. Jimmy's symbol is usually referred to as "Zoso." The "Zoso" symbol Jimmy used on the 4th album represents the planet Saturn. Mathematician and occultist Gerolamo Cardano included the symbol in his 1557 book, De Rerum Varietate. Saturn is the planetary element in Jimmy's astrological sign, Capricorn.
This is among my favorite songs from Zeppelin. Back in the day, when the album came out, listening to that side, after this it goes right into the medieval sounding opening of Stairway, with acoustic guitar and recorder. It was all very magical. When you listen to the entire album as a whole, this helped set the unique mood of this classic album. The Zoso (zofo) symbols - Jimmy asked each member to pick their own symbol which makes up the 'untitled' album name.
This reminds me that Albums were produced to be a complete experience and not a series of singles. So you are right, after Black Dog and Rock and Roll, this is the perfect transition to Stairway. Also, keep in mind, this was all released on vinyl. So after Stairway, I, like everyone for the 1st 25 years got up, walked over the the stereo and flipped it to side II. Which, BTW is amazing!
The getting up and flipping over the Lp or not, became part of the art.
Enjoying your reactions on this journey called Led Zeppelin.
they were fans of tolkien i like this song
I think the intricacy of the guitar and mandolin work on this, and the interweaving of voices in call and response mode, and the changes in the song make it special. I would say it's a difficult song to sing and get right.
Absolute masterpiece.
When the album first came out, this was my favorite song, because I was a Tolkien and Celtic myth freak, I loved Sandy Denny and Celtic folk music and mandolin. So I hit the jackpot on this one. Now I love the entire album especially the closing track, which became my favorite
jimmy had never picked up a mandolin before. he picked 1 up and wrote this!
Jimmy... Musical genius!
Also JPJ!
@@juliemanarin4127 they all were, as you know
I think you will appreciate the studio version of Stairway way more than the live version, but then after hearing the studio version you will then appreciate the live version better than you did the first time. Lol.
Sandy Denny was most famously the vocalist on the Fairport Convention album “Life and Liege” as well as with the Strawbs and her own band.
Liege and Lief.
@@silgen where is my mind?
@@Hartlor_Tayley It's Monday, man. No one's head is right on Mondays :)
@@silgen thanks man, at least It didn’t get tagged by Google as “misinformation”
This is a very special song to fans
Any genre they choose. They invent it all over again! The GOATS! 😎👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏
Robert and John B. Were born in the West Midlands.. like myself.🧙♂️
JRRT ..grew up near Birmingham and lived and Taught at the Orangery before moving to teach at University...
We saw the Shire and Angbad in the factories furnaces and mines of the 19century Blackcountry industrial landscapes.
This album is like that landscape one of immense contrasts. When youve gone through more Zepplin come back to it.
Its also very topical now ..🗡️
The same area also spawned Blacks Sabbath... and Slade..and Judas priests front man.
Basically the 🇬🇧West Midlands are to Heavy Rock and Metal what New Orleans and Chicago are to the blues...which these guys and earlier generations like the Rolling Stones worshipped as much or more than Tolkien.. 😎👍🏼
Andy Johns said this was conceived out of he blue by Page who was fooling around with JPJs mandolin which he had never played and this is what was the base of it
Sandy Denny was a singer from the folk group Fairport Convention and she is the only person outside the band to sing on a Zep song. You might want to check out some of Fairport's material. It's great how Robert's lyrics give the overview while Sandy's provide the "on the ground" narration. In addition to Lord of the Rings, there's also the mention of Avalon, which is from King Arthur lore. The lore holds that King Arthur's mortally wounded body was taken to Avalon for his final rest. Avalon is generally believed to be a Welsh word for "apple tree" or "fruit tree" so, perhaps when he sings about 'the apples of the valley hold the seeds of happiness", it might be a reference to Avalon. Robert has always been interested in various legends, lore, myths, and histories, especially from Wales and/or of a Celtic variety. They did perform this song live for a while and John Paul Jones would sing Sandy's part while playing a three-necked acoustic instrument that had a mandolin on top, then a 12-string, then a 6-string and Jimmy would play the mandolin.
It's a freakin' work of art!
You can never pidgeon-hole LZ into a particular style.
One of my favorites.
You need to watch the live version of this when they had the hurdy gurdy player with them and the indian singer Najma Akhtar.
No Quarter unplugged tour version I n 1994/95 is AMAZIIIIING
I didn't care for it at first either, but after acclimatizing to the sound it has become a favorite. Of course I heard it when it first came out. I loved this song for nearly 50 years.
Sometimes the best songs are the ones you didnt really care for at first . And then they stay with you .
This is one of my favourite Led Zeppelin songs. ❤️ Lord of the Rings was huge back in the day. I read the complete series at least three times myself. I was lucky enough to see Led Zeppelin back in 1970 when I was 16. Yes, I love all their hard rocking bluesy feel songs as well but this song has a mystical beauty to it.
Have you reacted to any Rush songs? Another rabbit hole I think you would enjoy. Cheers
Make sure to react the version of "Stairway to Heaven" released on the original album and not the the second version that was also included on the deluxe release years later (that one would be identified as "Stairway to Heaven (Sunset Sound Mix)", otherwise you won't be hearing what we did on FM in the 70's.
Need to do rock n roll live version.. madison square garden... !!!
Right on. Thanks.
This song lies in wait for lifelong Zep fans, just another ingredient in the stew! Hope that makes sense
I've always loved this song. I know it is different from their other harder rock stuff, but I think it is great for what it is. John Paul Jones is also great on the mandolin.
This song at 13 years old lying in my bed black light on poster up big soup can headphones I got lost in this entire number four album this is where I cut my teeth so happy you're on number four
My favorite Zeppelin song! You should try the live version from the LA forum concert 6/21/77 it's truly amazing
It's so hard to hear you listen to only one song. When these classics came out we had turntables, so I ALWAYS listened to an entire album side from the very first listen. I know you have to, but you're missing out by not doing whole album sides with some classic albums, even if the songs can stand on their own. I enjoy your reactions. Thanks for all you do.
The first side of this album starts with a hard rocker like "Black Dog" and goes into "Stairway To Heaven" just three songs later but yet it all seams together so well.
In 1970 or 71, Robert Plant and Sandy Denny were voted top male snd female vocalists in Britain. They were pals…no romance.
First time I saw them at 16 the ticket was $5.00.
To be honest this song was one of the few I didn't like much either...but it's rare for LZ to do any song I didn't like
This band is the most diverse! I like this song...but I think I love most of them and really like the rest!
I always took the meaning of the title, before I ever knew about Tolkein much less the connection, that is was a battle between good and evil that would never end. I know simplistic but I thought it was apt.
This about the Battle of Pelinor Fields…the Defense of Minas Tirith in the “Return of the King”…no doubt about it.
Check out Heart's cover of Stairway To Heaven live at the Kennedy Center. Robert, Jimmy and John are in the audience.
I thought you were going to say Heart doing this song. Which they did 🤘
Listen to HEART'S version of this song with the Wilson Sisters..I think you will be blown away...
❤❤❤Robert❤❤❤
The way 5hits going , this song applies today .
*Morning Bro* You zeroed in on Robert's love of The Lord of the rings but more specifically, J.R.R. Tokien's writings and novels. My gut always told me it has something to do where Robert grew up, The Midlands and Wales. Castles and so much history that he was surrounded by everyday. Also *for me* when I was growing up, it further fed into the mystical aspect of them or it was a contributing factor.! IF ONLY our current generation could know what's it like to not have thousands of cell phones in the air at a concert. To ONLY have info on your music from The local record store, album liner notes and FM DJ's who ACTUALLY got to decide what THEY wanted to play.! Anyway, this is fun.! Obviously the monster song is next but I TRULY HOPE you will break the mode and listen to the *Live version from Madison Square Garden 1973* version OR at least do a companion video of it.! I KNOW that was your 1st video and introduction to them but, well that's my thoughts. ZEP was one of the very few who "I think" sounded better and more exciting LIVE, than they did in the studio. Also, no one live performance was ever the same.! Take Care....
Another great Lord of the Rings inspired vision.
Some folks love this style, but to be honest it's not my cup of tea.
I am going to respectfully disagree, and say this may well be my favorite LZ song.
The best I’ve ever heard this song done live was, believe it or not, from a concert in 2008 in Nashville with Plant and Alison Krauss, during their collaboration and tour. Alison voice is so powerful and a good match to Robert. And the mandolin playing us masterful…and they use drums. Those of you who love this song, like I do, check out that live version
The only Zep song I can't abide. Just a horrible cacaphony.
or for fans of it, a beautiful interweaving of voices in point and counterpoint.
The cacophony part is representing battle. Battle is cacophonous, among other hideous things . Knowing the reason, does it help?