The song is excellent and is a window on what could have been the evolution of Led Zep if they would have continued on. The drums on this track are top notch.
I’ve always thought this song was a bridge into the coming synth heavy 80’s and would have been something they explored more and mastered had John lived. Sadly, it wasn’t to be 😢 and all we have now of this new direction is what might have been.
This is actually one of the most important songs in the Zeppelin catalog, because it describes the conflict and the fractures within the band towards the latter days. There is much written about this song, and its all fascinating. Plant has said in interviews that the song is critical towards someone who may not be aware that the song is about him. That person is guitarist Jimmy Page. The lyrics discuss the success and prosperity of the band, but make reference to the "rotting within" that was taking place inside the band. "In times of brightness no intruder dared come on To jeopardize the course, upset the run, And all was joy and hands were raised toward the Sun And love in the halls of plenty overrun. Still in their bliss unchallenged mighty feast Unending dances shadowed on the day Within their walls, their daunting formless keep Preserved their joy and kept their doubts at bay" (this talks about the prosperity and fame of the band, and how protective they were of their fame and success) The real conflict occurred when Robert Plant's son Karac died of a viral infection. The band was in the US at the time, and Robert had to return home to the UK to be with his family. Drummer John Bonham, his childhood friend, went back to the UK with Robert to support him. John Paul Jones, Jimmy Page, and Peter Grant (manager) stayed in the US to tend to band business, and give Plant time alone with his family. Plant took exception to his bandmates not being at his side to lend support, and the lyrics of this song call out and criticize Jimmy Page in particular. "And powerless the fabled sat, too smug to lift a hand Toward the foe that threatened from the deep. Who cares to dry the cheeks of those who saddened stand Adrift upon a sea of futile speech? And to fall to fate and make the 'status plan'" (this talks about Robert's resentment of Jimmy Page - "too smug to lift a hand". "Who dares to dry the cheeks of those who saddened stand" refers to Jimmy not consoling Plant when Plant needed him; "and fall to fate and make the status plan" refers to Jimmy, JPJ, and Peter Grant trying to make sure the band stayed together and weathered Plant's personal storm.....overlooking Plant's emotional loss in the process. Plant felt his bandmates cared more about the future of the band than the family affected by this loss - Plant may only be partially correct on this; Page has said that Robert needed personal space at this time, but Robert is an emotional person, and likely didn't see it this way). "Where was your word, where did you go? Where was your helping, where was your bow? Bow. " (this is in reference to Jimmy Page bowing the guitar, which he did in several songs). "Held now within the knowing, Rest now within the peace. Take of the fruit, but guard the seed." (meaning: now Plant knows that no matter how successful and close the members of Led Zeppelin were during their success, this was still a business....."take of the fruit but guard the seed" means: enjoy the business success ("fruits" of your labor), but always keep it in perspective - family (the "seed") means more than success). "They had to stay!" Plant screams this at the end, almost calling out Page and Jones by name - as if to say: "My family is dying, and you stayed behind to work on business." Long after the band split up, Plant expressed remorse at this song, because he laid his feelings bare during an emotional time, and dissed his bandmates. Fortunately, the vocals are buried deep in the mix on this track, and most people don't take the time to explore them in detail. If they did, they would see that all was not well with the band at this time, and the end was nearing. This is also one of the reasons why Zeppelin never fully reunited after Plant's dear friend Bonham died - another "family" loss for Plant, and his loyalty was to his family, and not the band. A great read on this: rockandrollramblings2.blogspot.com/2013/10/the-possible-true-meaning-of-led.html Thanks for the reaction!
I said basically the same thing. I think this song how it sounds is John Paul Johns and Robert dressing down Jimmy and Bonham, mostly Jimmy at max volume. I do not think it is indicative of how Led Zeppelin would have sounded going forward into the 80's. Especially when you know Jimmy has said he wanted to get back to a harder rocking sound after this. This was a Led Zeppelin-loud public, airing of grievances.
Great having you back. Not sure if you have done 'Tea for One' yet but it is an AWESOME bluesy song. 'Going to California' is a classic ballad too. 'Hey, Hey What Can I Do' is legendary. "You're Time is Gonna Come'...'I'm Gonna Crawl'.....'How Many More Times' is crazy good..'Four Sticks' ......You still have so many great Zeppelin songs to cover!
It's a little too repetitive for my tastes. If it were shorter, the repetition wouldn't bother me so much. I just can't do it anymore after about three minutes. Besides, it sounds like it would be great in a Konami video game from the 80s.
I've never liked the keyboard sound to be honest. When I bought the album when it was released I took an instant dislike to it (this song). I love 'Fool In The Rain' and 'In The Evening', think this is the first time I've listened to Calousalambra in 35 years and it's not making change my mind....sounds horribly dated, which is not something Zep can usually be accused of. Sorry!
Hi. I'm a newbie Led Zeppelin fan and I truly appreciate how you break down the stories in length and the context within which each song was created. In my eyes the outstanding songs are not simply songs. They're peerless artworks with meticulous and flawless arrangements in the making, so many layers, never boring. Their art is not something to be played in the background while you're doing something else. They demand full attention. And they take you to a journey where you become a " traveler of both time and space". Best meditation and stress therapy for me at least. Thank you once again❤️🙏❤️
My favorite Zeppelin song ever. My brother and I played it on our way to every Blackhawks game we went to, one song and we were at the United Center. Fantastic song.
Read the lengthy comment below explaining the lyrics. Plant is basically describing the present state of the band and even the early days. He is pointing an angry finger, particularly at Page and Peter Grant and to a lesser extent JPJ for not supporting him following his son's death. Plant was viewed by the younger brother by the other bandmates and Grant. All of them used to tease him. But his attitude changed after his son's death. Personally, I love this song. I enjoy the diversity in Zeppelin. I'll never grow tired of this particular song. If I had to make a top ten list Carouslembra would be in it. There's an element of zeppelin fans who want everything to sound like zeppelin I and II. IMO, this can be viewed as Zeppelin's swan song.. in light of the lyrical content and the fact that's their final masterpiece followed shortly by Bonham's death. It is one of the most important songs in their catalog as cited below.
I’ll have to admit that I didn’t like it very much at all in 79 when the album came out, but after many many listens over the past 40 years, I still feel the same.
Absolutely the instrumentation is superb as usual. If those vocals were clearer, it would have been of my favorites. Still I never skip over it. I find each of those 3 sections fascinating. That middle guitar solo is one of favorites of Jimmy
This is the first LZ album that I had and got to know well. I had no preconceptions or expectations for a specific kind of sound. I've always liked the album and this song in particular, especially the middle section.
Prior to your youtube break I commented about presence and in through the outdoor as being so-so albums. I revisited them and found some gems I've been missing out on, For your life, Tea for one, Carouselambra, I'm gonna crawl. I'm sure you heard "all of my love" before as it is a song of powerful meaning and much air play. If you haven't heard I'm gonna crawl before I'll go out on a limb and say you'll love it. Bluesy, and Jimmy's solo has an awesome feel that fits perfect. We all have been denied knowing how far this band would have gone. In through the outdoor delivered enough IMO to keep LZ fans excited even though they raised the bar so high.
Whenever I can't understand Robert it doesn't bother me at all, his voice is just so amazing I don't care what he's saying. "Intriguing" is the right word to describe this song, with all the changes in the music along the way. The right word to describe Led Zeppelin also, and magnificent.
Absolutely one of my favorite songs by them and in general, the instrumentation like you said is incredible just listen to the bassline in the beginning. It was going to be one of their centerpiece songs that would be done in their next tour where they would extend the song like Dazed and Confused or No Quarter, but that never happened because of Bonzo's untimely death. Edit: Just saw that you read this as well, but I only wonder how it would've sounded. I think people would much more appreciate the song if they did it live.
Talk about a deep track. Keep it up. Some people have never heard more than Zeppelin's song that got the most radio play. I liked it but I'm in the group that says there are no bad Zeppelin tunes.
This song is not an epic fantasy Lord of the Rings type song. This is Robert addressing Jimmy straight on. Wagging his finger at him. I like the song. I admire Jimmy taking the dressing down. Especially when you remember when Robert's son died John Bonham left with Robert to go back home, and went to the funeral. But Jimmy, Peter and John Paul Jones stayed in California. The indecipherable lyrics could be very much on purpose. Robert said in an interview The song was about someone who, when one day realizing the song was written about them, would say, ‘My God! Was it really like that?” You could look at this song as the story of Led zeppelin in a nutshell. A brief synopsis. You do have to consider the band was sort of split between members who could show up to work as in Robert and John Paul Jones. And those who couldn't Jimmy and John Bonham. You've got to take that into consideration when evaluating a song like this. But I would say they were forward thinking. And I'm sure they had a huge bucket list.
nelliebly...its just the differences between people of Northern England from Southern England....the south was more reserved, conservative and quiet. The northern parts have been known to be more family oriented and all that. It wasn't exactly the rule, it was just more common. Page and Jones didn't stay away from the funeral because they didn't care or were bad people, they wanted to give Robert and family their space and privacy. That's how they looked at it anyways. Another reason is I don't think they wanted to cause a media spectacle for the Plant family at a time like that. Bonzo's family was extremely close with Plants family. They lived nearby each other and had already been close friends for decades. That's just the way that it was...nothing sinister or selfish about it.
@@MJEvermore853 I think when Robert wrote the song his nerves were raw. He has said he regretted writing it. And I know Jimmy said he wanted to give Robert his space. However when you're in the throws of it It's hard to see the other person's viewpoint. It's very Shakespearean. Soul Train Bro didn't live through all this when it was happening. I did. I gave him some context to be able to look at the whole story and not see the song in the abstract. I wasn't judging Jimmy's behavior, just stating the fact. I mean...Where was your word, where did you go, Where was your helping, where was your bow.... Robert at that point was hurt. I love Led zeppelin they are my favorite band. But I don't see them as Gods, or angels, or flawless.
this is the song that introduced me to Zeppelin as a 12 yr old boy.my older sisters boyfriend was listening to it on his boombox,and i asked him who it was and he said LedZeppelin and i was hooked .he went home recorded the album for me on taped and I've been a diehard fan ever since...
Glad you like the song, and it makes sense what you say about the detection of lyrics being what divides people about the song, I never listen to lyrics when I listen to music, more the musicianship, maybe that’s why I love this song so much, because it’s a real journey.
*Led Zeppelin comes Disco!!* This song demonstrates the versatility of Zeppelin, they distinguished themselves by embracing all possible styles in a dignified way, having fun and contributing their own vision and version of any music stream. It is for this reason that there will never be a rock band like them; as a Deep Purple member said, they could play any genre and in a very good way, without looking bad in the attempt. The 80's were about to start and at the end of the song Led Zeppelin gives a little wink to the rhythm of disco music; a very powerful and different rhythm Disco thanks to Jhon Bonham, and it is ironic that this is their final album and with this new rhythm, they dominated the 70's and inadvertently their farewell, into the 80's.; and it is inevitable to think what they would have done in the following decades with the new musical currents, with an increasingly mature Led Zeppelin., and perhaps contributing some new genre as they did in the past
Hey Wayne you’re approaching the tail end of your Zeppelin journey/rabbit hole I’ve followed you from the very beginning of your journey. I myself have been listening to Zeppelin for nearly 40 years and for me they reside in a league of their own no other group can dream of getting close to, and you my friend also reside in a league of your own as a reactor nobody comes close, you have given me many new perspective’s on a band that I thought I knew so well and for that I am eternally grateful, you must continue the journey with Coda there are gems here but I would love to think you would consider doing a album by album review of Robert Plants body of work for he has emerged as a true genuine force in music and it is very sad that Jimmy could not have been as prolific I just want to say thank you thank you for doing this series 😎😎😎
I hope you keep reacting to more of their live stuff that you have not got to yet. Been watching your Zep stuff since the beginning even on other media formats.
It's amazing from your first zep video til now. I saw those first ones when they came out and I knew you would get sucked in to the greatness of Led Zeppelin.
I like this song, the middle is my favorite section, so badass. Actually Page wanted to go back to their heavy guitar sound on the next album. Page was a mess while recording the album so Plant and Jones wrote most of the songs, this is the reason why it sounds so different.
PlZfindAname...that middle section with Jimmy's crunchy double neck is heavenly. Page doesn't get any credit for the stuff that he DID do on this record, even if he put in less than the other albums. Yeah he was sick with heroin use, but the guy probably wanted a bit of a break with doing all the producing and songwriting all of the time.
@@MJEvermore853 In Mick wall's excellent biography of Led Zeppelin "When Giants Walked the Earth," he says that on this album, Page sounds like a session musician playing on his own band's album.
Allen Bruce Ray that’s it. fwiw, what he did contribute was in itself beautiful and different, an evolution imo. it just seems like he wasn’t around much.
At the time, Zep was torn into two groups, those who showed up (Plant and Jones) and those who did not (Page and Bonzo) because of substance abuse. Plant said “The song was about someone who, when one day realizing the song was written about them, would say, ‘My God! Was it really like that?' The lyrics on Carouselambra were actually about that environment and that situation. The whole story of Led Zeppelin in its latter years is in that song, and I can’t hear the words.”
I do as you said love the hell out of this song. Just because it's so different as everything else they recorded. Jones just shines on this. I think at least in part Robert is calling out some of Zeppelins entourage in it and even Jimmy where he sings where was your helping? Where was your bow? So maybe he was singing about some of the troubles and problems in the band . In my opinion though. Still a great song.
I always thought this was a great song and I remember it getting airplay along with "In The Evening", Fool In The Rain" and the next song you will react to "All Of My Love". As I have said before, their isn't a Led Zeppelin song I don't like. I can understand the more orthodox religious Led Zeppelins fans, but I'm not that way about Led Zeppelin even though they are my favorite band. I only know my own life experiences based on when I started listening to Led Zeppelin in the late 70's at the beginning of my teen years. STB, I think you are right about the direction they seemed to be taking with this final album. By the late 70's, it was clear, that what we call Classic Rock today was being pushed aside by New Wave and even Disco. I think the band knew it. BUT, being as diverse as they were, I believe they were exploring the influences of the time, like Reggae and even country (Country was having period of renewed popularity in the late 70's) to incorporate with their sound. This album with a new sound and particularly after I first watched the Knebworth concert from 1979 with a new 80's look made me realize that we were getting a glimpse of what was to be for Led Zeppelin in the 1980's, but tragically and crushingly heart breaking, on the eve of their 1980 U.S. Tour, it was not to be. Glad to see you back on UA-cam. I haven't stopped watching your video's.
The Gizmatron was an invention by Lol Creme and Kevin Godley of the band 10cc, it was a device which attached to the guitar by the bridge, it used driven rollers like those on a cassette player which drive the tape against the playing head. Each roller ( one for each string)was sprung so you had to press it down , it then spun and bowed the string. 10cc used it to great effect on many of their tracks and later on Godley and Creme albums when they split to go solo. It would become obsolete with the arrival of the E-Bow.
There is no right or wrong for music is in the mind and heart of the beholder. I remember buying this album. This was them saying goodbye to the 70’s. They remained the same! The song reminds me of the county fair with the merry-go-round. That’s what it might have felt like as well. There is fun in that song. Such a great group! 💜🌹💚☮️☮️☮️💚🌹💜
One thing we should consider is Robert often used his voice as an instrument. I think it’s likely the buried vocals on this track were intentional, rather than the result of crappy production. Notice his vocals/lyrics are very audible on other tracks on this album, such as Fool In the Rain and All of My Love.
Bill Baldwin..I agree. Zeppelin never did anything that was poorly produced in the studio. Its intentional, I believe, because it's so wordy and sung so fast that you couldnt really understand what is said anyhow unless the lyrics were written down.
Is it a co-incidence that his lyrics are buried when they are critical of Page, JPJ and Grant, but especially Page's lack of compassion when he lost his son?
Led Zeppelin is the top 5 of all time record sales with over 300 million records solid worldwide since their first album in 1968 with only 8 studio albums 4 live albums 10 compilation albums 3 video games
Great song, very dark lyrics. It’s an outstanding example of what never got a chance to happen. I think overall the album as a whole is disjointed in mood.
I may be biased because I've been connected to this album from even before it was officially released (recorded the whole thing off the radio from WMMS in Cleveland in the summer of '79), but I think the whole album works quite well as it is. Whereas all previous LZ albums were very much guitar-driven affairs, this one balances out the instrumentation amongst the four members in a very even-handed way. There is less guitar to be sure, but there is still plenty of good guitar to be heard here! Page's lead guitar work is tastefully reserved and makes its appearance where it is called for. I actually like the fact that Carouselambra doesn't have a guitar solo spot in it... because it doesn't call for one. The guitar plays more of an atmospheric role, but make no mistake, it is solidly there, and without those parts, the song would not work at all.
2 of my best friends favorite Zeppelin song. In early 80's I introduced a Eagles fan and a Stones fan to Zeppelin. Soon they were hooked. One in 82 and other in 84. And both them loved this song so much it became one of mine too.
Personally, I think the next album would have been much heavier, more like Graffiti, as Jimmy said. I also think the song "Wearing and Tearing," which was recorded during this session but appeared on Coda, was much closer to where they might have gone next.
Not my favorite but I don’t skip it ever. I appreciate the musicianship always. John Paul Jones shines in the whole album but in particular this song. And of course, John Bonham is genius. But listening to it again through your lens makes me like it more. Before you know it I’ll be obsessed with it like I have every other Led Zeppelin song!
I'm glad someone FINALLY reacted to this song!!! Thanks for trying to explain the lyrics because I can barely hear them. I divide this song in three parts: The Crazy Carousel (beginning), the mellow guitar slowdown (my favorite part), then the crazy Star Wars ending. I like this song because it's that crazy and they're one of the few bands who could pull something like this off. If you did a reaction to In The Evening, I'd love to see it. It's one of my favorite Zeppelin tunes. As far as the background this album, it's basically a Plant, JPJ special. Page and Bonham unfortunately were deep into their addictions and didn't contribute as much. It's too damn bad. But, if Page and Bonham were playing drunk and high during the making of this album, they play better than a lot of musicians sober! That's saying a lot!
I have heard that Page and Bonham were missing a lot of recording sessions, or were late them, so Jones and Plant ended up writing a lot of songs together in the studio.
Led Zepplin was said not to like what they did on In Thru the Out Door. And some didn’t care for this song. I find it to be a very fine album and continues the band to shine into the 80’s. I also just subscribed to your music video website. Keep up what you are doing, glad to see the blocks that been lifted enabling you to rip out these tunes.🎸💪👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻
Lyrics are tough to understand but theyre Game of Thrones level Epic! Seriously amazing instrumentation and arrangments.. made me fall in love with Zepp all over again!!! They would have owned the 80s if they survived, RIP BONZO!
Oh, let me answer your question about the top ten list. First, I'll say they rarely make a bad song. They have a lot good songs. And, some even better songs. And then, there are those I can listen to on repeat over and over and over again. I've done it and those are the songs that make my top ten. Here they are in this order: 1. When The Levee Breaks 2. Nobody's Fault But Mine 3. Over The Hills And Far Away 4. Immigrant Song 5. Traveling Riverside Blues 6. Heartbreaker 7. The Ocean 8. Fool In The Rain 9. In The Evening 10. Ramble On & Whole Lotta Love (tie)
Epic Led Zeppelin. Love, love, love this song right up there with Whole Lotta Love, Immigrant Song and Kashmir. Not sure which version was played for this video but you may find the 2012 Remastered version even better.
The song seems to me to be about the circle of a carusol itself..Image tbe carnival kids ride with horses...tbis is the song for that ride. Then the lyrics are indeed mysterious.. ..supposedly it is a message to someone from the band to another band member. And that only later would the person know it was about him. That is what I read somewhere.
The haters don't like to dance would be my guess. And there's not much guitar solo. For me it's all about one's "entry point". I was thirteen when this album came out, (August 8th, 1979). I got introduced to Zeppelin probably around age nine or ten by a baby sitter. She'd bring albums when she sat for me and my sister. But imagine if you were, say, twenty-eight when Led Zeppelin debuted in January of 1969. Perhaps by In Through the Out Door you'd be a jaded thirty-eight and thinking "Meh, I like the early stuff." As opposed to kids my age who were starting 9th grade thinking "We finally get to see Zeppelin next summer." ... or whenever the tour came to the Bay Area. Aaaand nope. No Zeppelin for you. So, yeah us youngsters were pretty jazzed for In Through the Out Door and Carouselambra and all the rest. Maybe not so much for Hotdog.
First off from one veteran to another " Thank you for your service ". This song was done to allow both John Paul Jones and Bonzo to hold court. You discovered Led Zepp in 1990 with Whole lotta love and I discovered them in 1971 with Misty Mountain Hop. JPJ was the glue that made the band whole. You know it took 26 years to replace Bonzo and that replacement was Bonzos son Jason. Watching that kid is like watching Bonzo again. That woman who dissed you is nothing more than navel lint.
Robert Plants beginning solo career is similar to this type of music to me, so that's why I believe Plant is the one that had more influence into the music in this album. But, Bonham was drinking too much, and Jimmy was busy chasing the dragon, so I guess it could also have been Jones as well. Maybe this is what the music looks like with just Plant and Jones being the main contributors.
Sisters of the way-side bide their time in quiet peace Await their place within the ring of calm Still stand to turn in seconds of release Await the call they know may never come In times of lightness, no intruder dared upon To jeopardize the course, upset the run And all was joy and hands were raised toward the sun As love in the halls of plenty overrun Uh-uh, uh-uh, uh-uh, uh-uh Still in their bliss unchallenged mighty feast Unending dances shadowed on the day Within their walls, their daunting formless keep Preserved their joy and kept their doubts at bay Faceless legions stood in readiness to weep Just turn a coin, bring order to the fray And everything is soon no sooner thought than deed But no one seemed to question in anyway Uh-uh, uh-uh, uh-uh,…
I love In Through The Out Door and this song. Though I am of the opinion that Zeppelin never made a bad song or a bad album. So my opinion could be seen as bias 😂🤣really enjoying your channel and all of your intelligent, introspective reflection on some of the greatest music ever made-Zeppelin music 🥰
I watched an interview with JPJ and he said that he and Plant had the album pretty much done when they were joined by Bonham and Page...creation wise they had little to do with it
I have watched many many reaction channels and have never seen one reaction to any of Robert Plants solo stuff after Led Zeppelin...It's really good...Pictures at Eleven is a great great album!...it has the songs....Slow Dancer...Pledge Pin...Moonlight in Samosa....Burning Down One Side....you would NOT be disappointed. OH ...and Phil Collins played drums for six of the album's eight songs
Towards the middle part of that song where they slowed everything down in the studio including the guitars you can say that is the first form of screw later adapted by rap artist.
I literally don't dislike any Led Zeppelin song. I could never really understand Plant's annunciation very well but it has just never bothered me. His voice is an instrument that he plays really well from a tonal standpoint. I have to say that hearing you try to pronounce synthesizer made me laugh a few times :-) As always a great review.
Robert once said in interviews “that the song is critical towards someone who may not be aware that the song is about him..” that person is guitarist Jimmy Page… the song is fully aimed at how when needed Jimmy and JPJ were not there..no support at the darkest time, when his son passed away…
STB here's the lyrics. Sisters of the way-side bide their time in quiet peace Await their place within the ring of calm Still stand to turn in seconds of release Await the call they know may never come In times of lightness, no intruder dared upon To jeopardize the course, upset the run And all was joy and hands were raised toward the sun As love in the halls of plenty overrun Uh-uh, uh-uh, uh-uh, uh-uh Still in their bliss unchallenged mighty feast Unending dances shadowed on the day Within their walls, their daunting formless keep Preserved their joy and kept their doubts at bay Faceless legions stood in readiness to weep Just turn a coin, bring order to the fray And everything is soon no sooner thought than deed But no one seemed to question in anyway Uh-uh, uh-uh, uh-uh, uh-uh How keen the storied hunter's eye prevails upon the land To seek the unsuspecting and the weak And powerless the fabled sat, too smug to lift a hand Toward the foe that threatened from the deep Who cares to dry the cheeks of those who saddened stand Adrift upon a sea of futile speech? And to fall to fate and make the 'status plan' But no one there had heaven within their reach Singing uh-uh, uh-uh, uh-uh, uh-uh Oh, oh, oh Oh, oh Oh Where was your word, where did you go? Where was your helping, where was your bow? Bow Bow Dull is the armour, cold is the day Hard was the journey, dark was the way, way I heard the word, I couldn't stay, oh I couldn't stand it another day, another day Another day, another day Touched by the timely coming Roused from the keeper's sleep Release the grip, throw down the key Held now within the knowing Rest now within the peace Take of the fruit, but guard the seed They had to stay Held now within the knowing Rest now within the peace Take off the fruit, but guard the seed Take off the fruit, but guard the seed
My favorite Kenny Rodgers song is called "Ruby". It was his first hit when he was known as "Kenny Rodgers and The First Edition," back in the mid 1960s.This song was about a married Viet Nam war vet that came home paralyzed from the waist down. He soon noticed his wife was going out at night (without him), and coming in early in the morning smelling of liquor etc. He finally realizes what's going on, and how the hurt is too much to take any longer. If you have never heard this song, you've never heard Kenny Rodgers. This song, was unfortunately true for many returning disabled war vets. Do yourself a favor, and listen to this song, and try not to cry. I dare you. I am a Viet Nam war vet, who saw this sort of thing happen to a friend of mine.
I love that the lyrics are hard to hear, makes reading them fun, I finally read them about 10 years ago.. cool, got it in 79, never bothered , it took me on such a journey, I didn't care.. and I am a lyric guy. Maybe the change in sound was so alluring it kept me interested. Love this song.. and this album!
The lyrical gift is "no one there had heaven within their reach," which also notes that all had fault in contributing to the band's problems. I love his ability to use unusual euphemisms, so many examples, especially from this album. What a baseline in the first set....
This is the song on this album that I have been waiting for you to react to. I love this song.
The song is excellent and is a window on what could have been the evolution of Led Zep if they would have continued on. The drums on this track are top notch.
I’ve always thought this song was a bridge into the coming synth heavy 80’s and would have been something they explored more and mastered had John lived. Sadly, it wasn’t to be 😢 and all we have now of this new direction is what might have been.
This is actually one of the most important songs in the Zeppelin catalog, because it describes the conflict and the fractures within the band towards the latter days. There is much written about this song, and its all fascinating. Plant has said in interviews that the song is critical towards someone who may not be aware that the song is about him. That person is guitarist Jimmy Page.
The lyrics discuss the success and prosperity of the band, but make reference to the "rotting within" that was taking place inside the band.
"In times of brightness no intruder dared come on
To jeopardize the course, upset the run,
And all was joy and hands were raised toward the Sun
And love in the halls of plenty overrun.
Still in their bliss unchallenged mighty feast
Unending dances shadowed on the day
Within their walls, their daunting formless keep
Preserved their joy and kept their doubts at bay"
(this talks about the prosperity and fame of the band, and how protective they were of their fame and success)
The real conflict occurred when Robert Plant's son Karac died of a viral infection. The band was in the US at the time, and Robert had to return home to the UK to be with his family. Drummer John Bonham, his childhood friend, went back to the UK with Robert to support him. John Paul Jones, Jimmy Page, and Peter Grant (manager) stayed in the US to tend to band business, and give Plant time alone with his family. Plant took exception to his bandmates not being at his side to lend support, and the lyrics of this song call out and criticize Jimmy Page in particular.
"And powerless the fabled sat, too smug to lift a hand
Toward the foe that threatened from the deep.
Who cares to dry the cheeks of those who saddened stand
Adrift upon a sea of futile speech?
And to fall to fate and make the 'status plan'"
(this talks about Robert's resentment of Jimmy Page - "too smug to lift a hand". "Who dares to dry the cheeks of those who saddened stand" refers to Jimmy not consoling Plant when Plant needed him; "and fall to fate and make the status plan" refers to Jimmy, JPJ, and Peter Grant trying to make sure the band stayed together and weathered Plant's personal storm.....overlooking Plant's emotional loss in the process. Plant felt his bandmates cared more about the future of the band than the family affected by this loss - Plant may only be partially correct on this; Page has said that Robert needed personal space at this time, but Robert is an emotional person, and likely didn't see it this way).
"Where was your word, where did you go?
Where was your helping, where was your bow? Bow. " (this is in reference to Jimmy Page bowing the guitar, which he did in several songs).
"Held now within the knowing,
Rest now within the peace.
Take of the fruit, but guard the seed."
(meaning: now Plant knows that no matter how successful and close the members of Led Zeppelin were during their success, this was still a business....."take of the fruit but guard the seed" means: enjoy the business success ("fruits" of your labor), but always keep it in perspective - family (the "seed") means more than success).
"They had to stay!"
Plant screams this at the end, almost calling out Page and Jones by name - as if to say: "My family is dying, and you stayed behind to work on business."
Long after the band split up, Plant expressed remorse at this song, because he laid his feelings bare during an emotional time, and dissed his bandmates. Fortunately, the vocals are buried deep in the mix on this track, and most people don't take the time to explore them in detail. If they did, they would see that all was not well with the band at this time, and the end was nearing. This is also one of the reasons why Zeppelin never fully reunited after Plant's dear friend Bonham died - another "family" loss for Plant, and his loyalty was to his family, and not the band.
A great read on this: rockandrollramblings2.blogspot.com/2013/10/the-possible-true-meaning-of-led.html
Thanks for the reaction!
Tektoniks Architects
Hey I think Jimmy knew it was about him and Peter Grant, that’s why his vocals are buried in the mix
I said basically the same thing.
I think this song how it sounds is John Paul Johns and Robert dressing down Jimmy and Bonham, mostly Jimmy at max volume.
I do not think it is indicative of how Led Zeppelin would have sounded going forward into the 80's.
Especially when you know Jimmy has said he wanted to get back to a harder rocking sound after this.
This was a Led Zeppelin-loud public, airing of grievances.
Damn! Now that is what I call a lyrical breakdown. Bravo!
I'll shortly be giving my analysis for a more accurate and detailed look at meaning.
I fucking love this tidbit of information. Thank you!
Great having you back. Not sure if you have done 'Tea for One' yet but it is an AWESOME bluesy song. 'Going to California' is a classic ballad too. 'Hey, Hey What Can I Do' is legendary. "You're Time is Gonna Come'...'I'm Gonna Crawl'.....'How Many More Times' is crazy good..'Four Sticks' ......You still have so many great Zeppelin songs to cover!
Great to see you back!
Not sure why fans don't like this song, it has all the elements of Zep in it, great tune👍👍
Yeah, REALLY! I can't fathom why so many seem to dislike this song. I've always thought it was epic. That last section is NOT a disco beat, btw.
It's a little too repetitive for my tastes. If it were shorter, the repetition wouldn't bother me so much. I just can't do it anymore after about three minutes. Besides, it sounds like it would be great in a Konami video game from the 80s.
I've never liked the keyboard sound to be honest. When I bought the album when it was released I took an instant dislike to it (this song). I love 'Fool In The Rain' and 'In The Evening', think this is the first time I've listened to Calousalambra in 35 years and it's not making change my mind....sounds horribly dated, which is not something Zep can usually be accused of. Sorry!
I love all the changes, then in classic zep fashion they bring it on home.
This is a classic. In my top 10 led Zeppelin songs for sure.
I can't help but dig the hell out of this song. One of my Zep favorites.
Enjoyed listening to your take on the song, STB.
Hi. I'm a newbie Led Zeppelin fan and I truly appreciate how you break down the stories in length and the context within which each song was created. In my eyes the outstanding songs are not simply songs. They're peerless artworks with meticulous and flawless arrangements in the making, so many layers, never boring. Their art is not something to be played in the background while you're doing something else. They demand full attention. And they take you to a journey where you become a " traveler of both time and space". Best meditation and stress therapy for me at least. Thank you once again❤️🙏❤️
My favorite Zeppelin song ever. My brother and I played it on our way to every Blackhawks game we went to, one song and we were at the United Center. Fantastic song.
Read the lengthy comment below explaining the lyrics. Plant is basically describing the present state of the band and even the early days.
He is pointing an angry finger, particularly at Page and Peter Grant and to a lesser extent JPJ for not supporting him following his son's death.
Plant was viewed by the younger brother by the other bandmates and Grant. All of them used to tease him. But his attitude changed after his son's death.
Personally, I love this song. I enjoy the diversity in Zeppelin. I'll never grow tired of this particular song. If I had to make a top ten list Carouslembra would be in it.
There's an element of zeppelin fans who want everything to sound like zeppelin I and II.
IMO, this can be viewed as Zeppelin's swan song.. in light of the lyrical content and the fact that's their final masterpiece followed shortly by Bonham's death. It is one of the most important songs in their catalog as cited below.
who could NOT like this fabulous song by the MIghty Zep??
I’ll have to admit that I didn’t like it very much at all in 79 when the album came out, but after many many listens over the past 40 years, I still feel the same.
@@MrSingleton66 it is a masterpiece.
Glad your back on UA-cam Bro,loved you on Vimeo too,your the best! thanks for your content :)
I've been waiting for this . I wonder if you liked it STB ? Let's get it
This is the reaction I've been waiting for!!!!
Absolutely the instrumentation is superb as usual. If those vocals were clearer, it would have been of my favorites. Still I never skip over it. I find each of those 3 sections fascinating. That middle guitar solo is one of favorites of Jimmy
There is not a guitar solo in the song, only chords and accented riffs. But yes the Chords in the middle section when it slows down are awesome
This is the first LZ album that I had and got to know well. I had no preconceptions or expectations for a specific kind of sound. I've always liked the album and this song in particular, especially the middle section.
i LOVE the break at 6:00
One of my favorites by led zeppelin
Prior to your youtube break I commented about presence and in through the outdoor as being so-so albums. I revisited them and found some gems I've been missing out on, For your life, Tea for one, Carouselambra, I'm gonna crawl. I'm sure you heard "all of my love" before as it is a song of powerful meaning and much air play. If you haven't heard I'm gonna crawl before I'll go out on a limb and say you'll love it. Bluesy, and Jimmy's solo has an awesome feel that fits perfect.
We all have been denied knowing how far this band would have gone. In through the outdoor delivered enough IMO to keep LZ fans excited even though they raised the bar so high.
This song jams in areas that rock doesn’t go. A jam is a jam!
Whenever I can't understand Robert it doesn't bother me at all, his voice is just so amazing I don't care what he's saying. "Intriguing" is the right word to describe this song, with all the changes in the music along the way. The right word to describe Led Zeppelin also, and magnificent.
On this tune, Robert showed himself as the high priest of rock to write that abundance of lyrics in one song
Absolutely one of my favorite songs by them and in general, the instrumentation like you said is incredible just listen to the bassline in the beginning. It was going to be one of their centerpiece songs that would be done in their next tour where they would extend the song like Dazed and Confused or No Quarter, but that never happened because of Bonzo's untimely death.
Edit: Just saw that you read this as well, but I only wonder how it would've sounded. I think people would much more appreciate the song if they did it live.
I really like this song it’s very different, I enjoyed your break down of it STB!
So glàd to see you back!
Talk about a deep track. Keep it up. Some people have never heard more than Zeppelin's song that got the most radio play. I liked it but I'm in the group that says there are no bad Zeppelin tunes.
I love listening to your story about your discovery of Zeppelin 2 and your over all story!❤
This song is not an epic fantasy Lord of the Rings type song. This is Robert addressing Jimmy straight on. Wagging his finger at him.
I like the song. I admire Jimmy taking the dressing down.
Especially when you remember when Robert's son died John Bonham left with Robert to go back home, and went to the funeral. But Jimmy, Peter and John Paul Jones stayed in California. The indecipherable lyrics could be very much on purpose.
Robert said in an interview The song was about someone who, when one day realizing the song was written about them, would say, ‘My God! Was it really like that?”
You could look at this song as the story of Led zeppelin in a nutshell. A brief synopsis.
You do have to consider the band was sort of split between members who could show up to work as in Robert and John Paul Jones. And those who couldn't Jimmy and John Bonham. You've got to take that into consideration when evaluating a song like this.
But I would say they were forward thinking. And I'm sure they had a huge bucket list.
nelliebly...its just the differences between people of Northern England from Southern England....the south was more reserved, conservative and quiet. The northern parts have been known to be more family oriented and all that. It wasn't exactly the rule, it was just more common.
Page and Jones didn't stay away from the funeral because they didn't care or were bad people, they wanted to give Robert and family their space and privacy. That's how they looked at it anyways. Another reason is I don't think they wanted to cause a media spectacle for the Plant family at a time like that.
Bonzo's family was extremely close with Plants family. They lived nearby each other and had already been close friends for decades.
That's just the way that it was...nothing sinister or selfish about it.
@@MJEvermore853 I think when Robert wrote the song his nerves were raw. He has said he regretted writing it.
And I know Jimmy said he wanted to give Robert his space. However when you're in the throws of it It's hard to see the other person's viewpoint.
It's very Shakespearean.
Soul Train Bro didn't live through all this when it was happening. I did. I gave him some context to be able to look at the whole story and not see the song in the abstract.
I wasn't judging Jimmy's behavior, just stating the fact.
I mean...Where was your word, where did you go,
Where was your helping, where was your bow....
Robert at that point was hurt.
I love Led zeppelin they are my favorite band. But I don't see them as Gods, or angels, or flawless.
This is a good synopsis of the point of the lyrics. I was going to write something along these lines, but you said it very well. Thanks!
Love this song, just another highlight on an awesome album.
Definitely one of the harder Zeppelin tunes to understand the lyrics of. Still a great tune and it shows the amazing range Zeppelin had.
this is the song that introduced me to Zeppelin as a 12 yr old boy.my older sisters boyfriend was listening to it on his boombox,and i asked him who it was and he said LedZeppelin and i was hooked .he went home recorded the album for me on taped and I've been a diehard fan ever since...
Glad you like the song, and it makes sense what you say about the detection of lyrics being what divides people about the song, I never listen to lyrics when I listen to music, more the musicianship, maybe that’s why I love this song so much, because it’s a real journey.
I really appreciate your reviews. So thoughtful.
I appreciate that!
*Led Zeppelin comes Disco!!*
This song demonstrates the versatility of Zeppelin, they distinguished themselves by embracing all possible styles in a dignified way, having fun and contributing their own vision and version of any music stream.
It is for this reason that there will never be a rock band like them; as a Deep Purple member said, they could play any genre and in a very good way, without looking bad in the attempt.
The 80's were about to start and at the end of the song Led Zeppelin gives a little wink to the rhythm of disco music; a very powerful and different rhythm Disco thanks to Jhon Bonham,
and it is ironic that this is their final album and with this new rhythm, they dominated the 70's and inadvertently their farewell, into the 80's.; and it is inevitable to think what they would have done in the following decades with the new musical currents, with an increasingly mature Led Zeppelin., and perhaps contributing some new genre as they did in the past
Hey Wayne you’re approaching the tail end of your Zeppelin journey/rabbit hole I’ve followed you from the very beginning of your journey.
I myself have been listening to Zeppelin for nearly 40 years and for me they reside in a league of their own no other group can dream of getting close to, and you my friend also reside in a league of your own as a reactor nobody comes close, you have given me many new perspective’s on a band that I thought I knew so well and for that I am eternally grateful, you must continue the journey with Coda there are gems here but I would love to think you would consider doing a album by album review of Robert Plants body of work for he has emerged as a true genuine force in music and it is very sad that Jimmy could not have been as prolific I just want to say thank you thank you for doing this series 😎😎😎
I hope you keep reacting to more of their live stuff that you have not got to yet. Been watching your Zep stuff since the beginning even on other media formats.
It's amazing from your first zep video til now. I saw those first ones when they came out and I knew you would get sucked in to the greatness of Led Zeppelin.
I like this song, the middle is my favorite section, so badass. Actually Page wanted to go back to their heavy guitar sound on the next album. Page was a mess while recording the album so Plant and Jones wrote most of the songs, this is the reason why it sounds so different.
Jones a brilliant arranger... all these ITTOD songs just need a bit more of Page ripping into his axe. Opiates /opioids not great for deadlines.
PlZfindAname...that middle section with Jimmy's crunchy double neck is heavenly. Page doesn't get any credit for the stuff that he DID do on this record, even if he put in less than the other albums. Yeah he was sick with heroin use, but the guy probably wanted a bit of a break with doing all the producing and songwriting all of the time.
@@MJEvermore853 In Mick wall's excellent biography of Led Zeppelin "When Giants Walked the Earth," he says that on this album, Page sounds like a session musician playing on his own band's album.
Allen Bruce Ray that’s it. fwiw, what he did contribute was in itself beautiful and different, an evolution imo. it just seems like he wasn’t around much.
I hear "Burning Down One Side" was originally being written by Page and Plant before Zeppelin called it quits.
At the time, Zep was torn into two groups, those who showed up (Plant and Jones) and those who did not (Page and Bonzo) because of substance abuse. Plant said “The song was about someone who, when one day realizing the song was written about them, would say, ‘My God! Was it really like that?' The lyrics on Carouselambra were actually about that environment and that situation. The whole story of Led Zeppelin in its latter years is in that song, and I can’t hear the words.”
Great reaction again. This song definitely goes to show you - These guys were never stagnant! 💎🔥💎🔥💎🔥
Recorded in Polar Studios in Stockholm if Im not mistaken........?
Growing up, when asked what is my favorite Zep album? Up until 1980, my answer was the next one. God bless and keep you, John. You are missed.
Been waiting for this one! -- I love this crazy track
I'm Christian, and I love Zeppelin, and Jesus, what about it?
The middle of this song with that slow down bluesy crunch is one of my favorites.
Awesome Song by Led Zeppelin
Thank you for reacting to this gem.
My pleasure!!
I do as you said love the hell out of this song. Just because it's so different as everything else they recorded. Jones just shines on this. I think at least in part Robert is calling out some of Zeppelins entourage in it and even Jimmy where he sings where was your helping? Where was your bow? So maybe he was singing about some of the troubles and problems in the band . In my opinion though. Still a great song.
I always thought this was a great song and I remember it getting airplay along with "In The Evening", Fool In The Rain" and the next song you will react to "All Of My Love". As I have said before, their isn't a Led Zeppelin song I don't like. I can understand the more orthodox religious Led Zeppelins fans, but I'm not that way about Led Zeppelin even though they are my favorite band. I only know my own life experiences based on when I started listening to Led Zeppelin in the late 70's at the beginning of my teen years.
STB, I think you are right about the direction they seemed to be taking with this final album. By the late 70's, it was clear, that what we call Classic Rock today was being pushed aside by New Wave and even Disco. I think the band knew it. BUT, being as diverse as they were, I believe they were exploring the influences of the time, like Reggae and even country (Country was having period of renewed popularity in the late 70's) to incorporate with their sound. This album with a new sound and particularly after I first watched the Knebworth concert from 1979 with a new 80's look made me realize that we were getting a glimpse of what was to be for Led Zeppelin in the 1980's, but tragically and crushingly heart breaking, on the eve of their 1980 U.S. Tour, it was not to be.
Glad to see you back on UA-cam. I haven't stopped watching your video's.
The Gizmatron was an invention by Lol Creme and Kevin Godley of the band 10cc, it was a device which attached to the guitar by the bridge, it used driven rollers like those on a cassette player which drive the tape against the playing head. Each roller ( one for each string)was sprung so you had to press it down , it then spun and bowed the string. 10cc used it to great effect on many of their tracks and later on Godley and Creme albums when they split to go solo. It would become obsolete with the arrival of the E-Bow.
There is no right or wrong for music is in the mind and heart of the beholder. I remember buying this album. This was them saying goodbye to the 70’s. They remained the same! The song reminds me of the county fair with the merry-go-round. That’s what it might have felt like as well. There is fun in that song. Such a great group! 💜🌹💚☮️☮️☮️💚🌹💜
One thing we should consider is Robert often used his voice as an instrument. I think it’s likely the buried vocals on this track were intentional, rather than the result of crappy production. Notice his vocals/lyrics are very audible on other tracks on this album, such as Fool In the Rain and All of My Love.
Bill Baldwin..I agree. Zeppelin never did anything that was poorly produced in the studio. Its intentional, I believe, because it's so wordy and sung so fast that you couldnt really understand what is said anyhow unless the lyrics were written down.
Is it a co-incidence that his lyrics are buried when they are critical of Page, JPJ and Grant, but especially Page's lack of compassion when he lost his son?
Love love love this song. This and I'm Gonna Crawl were my 2 favs on this LP. Oh, and of course, In The Evening.
The lyrics to this song are off the charts.
years of loving Zeppelin, still a bunch of songs the lyrics past me on by.... it's just put together so damn well :-)
Led Zeppelin is the top 5 of all time record sales with over 300 million records solid worldwide since their first album in 1968 with only 8 studio albums
4 live albums
10 compilation albums
3 video games
Their albums are still being dissected. There is so much going on.
Great song, very dark lyrics. It’s an outstanding example of what never got a chance to happen. I think overall the album as a whole is disjointed in mood.
I may be biased because I've been connected to this album from even before it was officially released (recorded the whole thing off the radio from WMMS in Cleveland in the summer of '79), but I think the whole album works quite well as it is. Whereas all previous LZ albums were very much guitar-driven affairs, this one balances out the instrumentation amongst the four members in a very even-handed way. There is less guitar to be sure, but there is still plenty of good guitar to be heard here! Page's lead guitar work is tastefully reserved and makes its appearance where it is called for. I actually like the fact that Carouselambra doesn't have a guitar solo spot in it... because it doesn't call for one. The guitar plays more of an atmospheric role, but make no mistake, it is solidly there, and without those parts, the song would not work at all.
2 of my best friends favorite Zeppelin song. In early 80's I introduced a Eagles fan and a Stones fan to Zeppelin. Soon they were hooked. One in 82 and other in 84. And both them loved this song so much it became one of mine too.
Personally, I think the next album would have been much heavier, more like Graffiti, as Jimmy said. I also think the song "Wearing and Tearing," which was recorded during this session but appeared on Coda, was much closer to where they might have gone next.
Not my favorite but I don’t skip it ever. I appreciate the musicianship always. John Paul Jones shines in the whole album but in particular this song. And of course, John Bonham is genius. But listening to it again through your lens makes me like it more. Before you know it I’ll be obsessed with it like I have every other Led Zeppelin song!
I'm glad someone FINALLY reacted to this song!!! Thanks for trying to explain the lyrics because I can barely hear them. I divide this song in three parts: The Crazy Carousel (beginning), the mellow guitar slowdown (my favorite part), then the crazy Star Wars ending. I like this song because it's that crazy and they're one of the few bands who could pull something like this off. If you did a reaction to In The Evening, I'd love to see it. It's one of my favorite Zeppelin tunes. As far as the background this album, it's basically a Plant, JPJ special. Page and Bonham unfortunately were deep into their addictions and didn't contribute as much. It's too damn bad. But, if Page and Bonham were playing drunk and high during the making of this album, they play better than a lot of musicians sober! That's saying a lot!
I have heard that Page and Bonham were missing a lot of recording sessions, or were late them, so Jones and Plant ended up writing a lot of songs together in the studio.
Led Zepplin was said not to like what they did on In Thru the Out Door. And some didn’t care for this song. I find it to be a very fine album and continues the band to shine into the 80’s. I also just subscribed to your music video website. Keep up what you are doing, glad to see the blocks that been lifted enabling you to rip out these tunes.🎸💪👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻
One of my favorites by the band. Never understood why people don't like this.
Sure it's a little different , but what a groove.
Lyrics are tough to understand but theyre Game of Thrones level Epic! Seriously amazing instrumentation and arrangments.. made me fall in love with Zepp all over again!!! They would have owned the 80s if they survived, RIP BONZO!
I believe it was nothing more than a natural progression. They continuously experimented with sounds and this is just a product of that.
Oh, let me answer your question about the top ten list. First, I'll say they rarely make a bad song. They have a lot good songs. And, some even better songs. And then, there are those I can listen to on repeat over and over and over again. I've done it and those are the songs that make my top ten. Here they are in this order:
1. When The Levee Breaks
2. Nobody's Fault But Mine
3. Over The Hills And Far Away
4. Immigrant Song
5. Traveling Riverside Blues
6. Heartbreaker
7. The Ocean
8. Fool In The Rain
9. In The Evening
10. Ramble On & Whole Lotta Love (tie)
Led Zeppelin was not worried about the 80’s. The band was always evolving.They were never told what to do,they did what they wanted to do.
This song progressively cooks; synth, guitar, drums, and vocals....
So unique.... great for the stereo system ;)
what I love about Led Zep. one song is like 3 songs!
Epic Led Zeppelin. Love, love, love this song right up there with Whole Lotta Love, Immigrant Song and Kashmir. Not sure which version was played for this video but you may find the 2012 Remastered version even better.
The song seems to me to be about the circle of a carusol itself..Image tbe carnival kids ride with horses...tbis is the song for that ride. Then the lyrics are indeed mysterious.. ..supposedly it is a message to someone from the band to another band member.
And that only later would the person know it was about him. That is what I read somewhere.
The lyrics are a barely veiled criticism of the band's response to Plant's loss of his son. They are particularly critical of Page.
Holy shit someone did it.
There's only one word that can describe this song for me. "High". It describes all the different highs I've ever had.
Good god good lord led zeppelin they are untouchable best band ever
Great to see u back on YT STB! Where can I find your Prescence reactions?
Vimeo or Patreon
The haters don't like to dance would be my guess. And there's not much guitar solo. For me it's all about one's "entry point". I was thirteen when this album came out, (August 8th, 1979). I got introduced to Zeppelin probably around age nine or ten by a baby sitter. She'd bring albums when she sat for me and my sister. But imagine if you were, say, twenty-eight when Led Zeppelin debuted in January of 1969. Perhaps by In Through the Out Door you'd be a jaded thirty-eight and thinking "Meh, I like the early stuff." As opposed to kids my age who were starting 9th grade thinking "We finally get to see Zeppelin next summer." ... or whenever the tour came to the Bay Area. Aaaand nope. No Zeppelin for you. So, yeah us youngsters were pretty jazzed for In Through the Out Door and Carouselambra and all the rest. Maybe not so much for Hotdog.
This synthesizer-heavy high energy song is my favorite Led Zeppelin track, and I'm surprised that it's an obscure one.
First off from one veteran to another " Thank you for your service ". This song was done to allow both John Paul Jones and Bonzo to hold court. You discovered Led Zepp in 1990 with Whole lotta love and I discovered them in 1971 with Misty Mountain Hop.
JPJ was the glue that made the band whole. You know it took 26 years to replace Bonzo and that replacement was Bonzos son Jason. Watching that kid is like watching Bonzo again. That woman who dissed you is nothing more than navel lint.
Song is definitely unique! Beginning too long, love the middle, hate the ending !
Robert Plants beginning solo career is similar to this type of music to me, so that's why I believe Plant is the one that had more influence into the music in this album. But, Bonham was drinking too much, and Jimmy was busy chasing the dragon, so I guess it could also have been Jones as well. Maybe this is what the music looks like with just Plant and Jones being the main contributors.
Sisters of the way-side bide their time in quiet peace
Await their place within the ring of calm
Still stand to turn in seconds of release
Await the call they know may never come
In times of lightness, no intruder dared upon
To jeopardize the course, upset the run
And all was joy and hands were raised toward the sun
As love in the halls of plenty overrun
Uh-uh, uh-uh, uh-uh, uh-uh
Still in their bliss unchallenged mighty feast
Unending dances shadowed on the day
Within their walls, their daunting formless keep
Preserved their joy and kept their doubts at bay
Faceless legions stood in readiness to weep
Just turn a coin, bring order to the fray
And everything is soon no sooner thought than deed
But no one seemed to question in anyway
Uh-uh, uh-uh, uh-uh,…
Jimmys power cords
I love In Through The Out Door and this song. Though I am of the opinion that Zeppelin never made a bad song or a bad album. So my opinion could be seen as bias 😂🤣really enjoying your channel and all of your intelligent, introspective reflection on some of the greatest music ever made-Zeppelin music 🥰
I watched an interview with JPJ and he said that he and Plant had the album pretty much done when they were joined by Bonham and Page...creation wise they had little to do with it
brian russell too bad Page wasn’t in on it too much. I enjoy pages heavy influence, especially on the fist few albums
Why did that have Roger Dautry and Pete Townsend in the pics?
I have watched many many reaction channels and have never seen one reaction to any of Robert Plants solo stuff after Led Zeppelin...It's really good...Pictures at Eleven is a great great album!...it has the songs....Slow Dancer...Pledge Pin...Moonlight in Samosa....Burning Down One Side....you would NOT be disappointed. OH ...and Phil Collins played drums for six of the album's eight songs
Towards the middle part of that song where they slowed everything down in the studio including the guitars you can say that is the first form of screw later adapted by rap artist.
I literally don't dislike any Led Zeppelin song. I could never really understand Plant's annunciation very well but it has just never bothered me. His voice is an instrument that he plays really well from a tonal standpoint. I have to say that hearing you try to pronounce synthesizer made me laugh a few times :-) As always a great review.
Robert once said in interviews “that the song is critical towards someone who may not be aware that the song is about him..” that person is guitarist Jimmy Page… the song is fully aimed at how when needed Jimmy and JPJ were not there..no support at the darkest time, when his son passed away…
One of the best prog rock tunes from the era
STB here's the lyrics.
Sisters of the way-side bide their time in quiet peace
Await their place within the ring of calm
Still stand to turn in seconds of release
Await the call they know may never come
In times of lightness, no intruder dared upon
To jeopardize the course, upset the run
And all was joy and hands were raised toward the sun
As love in the halls of plenty overrun
Uh-uh, uh-uh, uh-uh, uh-uh
Still in their bliss unchallenged mighty feast
Unending dances shadowed on the day
Within their walls, their daunting formless keep
Preserved their joy and kept their doubts at bay
Faceless legions stood in readiness to weep
Just turn a coin, bring order to the fray
And everything is soon no sooner thought than deed
But no one seemed to question in anyway
Uh-uh, uh-uh, uh-uh, uh-uh
How keen the storied hunter's eye prevails upon the land
To seek the unsuspecting and the weak
And powerless the fabled sat, too smug to lift a hand
Toward the foe that threatened from the deep
Who cares to dry the cheeks of those who saddened stand
Adrift upon a sea of futile speech?
And to fall to fate and make the 'status plan'
But no one there had heaven within their reach
Singing uh-uh, uh-uh, uh-uh, uh-uh
Oh, oh, oh
Oh, oh
Oh
Where was your word, where did you go?
Where was your helping, where was your bow? Bow
Bow
Dull is the armour, cold is the day
Hard was the journey, dark was the way, way
I heard the word, I couldn't stay, oh
I couldn't stand it another day, another day
Another day, another day
Touched by the timely coming
Roused from the keeper's sleep
Release the grip, throw down the key
Held now within the knowing
Rest now within the peace
Take of the fruit, but guard the seed
They had to stay
Held now within the knowing
Rest now within the peace
Take off the fruit, but guard the seed
Take off the fruit, but guard the seed
My favorite Kenny Rodgers song is called "Ruby". It was his first hit when he was known as "Kenny Rodgers and The First Edition," back in the mid 1960s.This song was about a married Viet Nam war vet that came home paralyzed from the waist down. He soon noticed his wife was going out at night (without him), and coming in early in the morning smelling of liquor etc. He finally realizes what's going on, and how the hurt is too much to take any longer. If you have never heard this song, you've never heard Kenny Rodgers. This song, was unfortunately true for many returning disabled war vets. Do yourself a favor, and listen to this song, and try not to cry. I dare you. I am a Viet Nam war vet, who saw this sort of thing happen to a friend of mine.
I love that the lyrics are hard to hear, makes reading them fun, I finally read them about 10 years ago.. cool, got it in 79, never bothered , it took me on such a journey, I didn't care.. and I am a lyric guy. Maybe the change in sound was so alluring it kept me interested. Love this song.. and this album!
Every band grows, jpj is a badass
The lyrical gift is "no one there had heaven within their reach," which also notes that all had fault in contributing to the band's problems. I love his ability to use unusual euphemisms, so many examples, especially from this album.
What a baseline in the first set....
That voice.... (Sigh) Be still my heart!!
This is a pretty good track...one of the stronger ones from "In Through the Outdoor.
Awesome song.