The Daily Doug breaks down Stairway to Heaven (Heart Cover at the Kennedy Center) | (Episode 244)
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- Опубліковано 18 жов 2021
- #LedZeppelin #Heart #StairwayToHeaven
In this edition of #TheDailyDoug, I'm taking some time to break down one of the more iconic rock songs of all time, Stairway to Heaven. For this video, we're listening to the cover version done by Heart (and friends) at the Kennedy Center in 2012. We dig into the chords a bit, but most of my focus here goes to the lyrics and connecting their meaning to the music. Come along for the ride!
Reference Video: • Heart - Stairway to He...
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That's an amazing critique, Doug. There are some thoughts there that I hadn't previously considered. Thanks for your devotion and empathy. Love from the U.K.
Well said Tony and if I may repeat it from this Brit living in France.
@@kiae-nirodiariesencore4270 Thanks, Kia. Anywhere near either Beziers or Nice?
@@tonyanderton3521 We are in the Deux-Sevres about 50 km west from Niort, 60 south of Poitiers. Making our first trip to UK in 2 years in Sunday. Good to know there is another Doug fan in France!...His warmth and love of the music I grew up with in the early 70s makes for great viewing and is educational for me. At 65 years young I am taking piano lessons again so to listening to a music prof explaining what is going on in the music is brilliant.
@@kiae-nirodiariesencore4270 Oh, yes, I know the location of Deux-Sevres but I've never been. I only ask because I've just got back from a holiday in l'Herault (Bédarieux, to be precise, where I have friends) and Nice. I'm also trying to learn the language. Me? just going on 63, so we're of same generation that grew up with Led Zep (and, for me, Yes - another band that Doug has reacted to). Safe trip, and best wishes.
@@tonyanderton3521 So you live in that region or just visiting from the UK? We stayed in Clermont Herault last year, the Languedoc is wonderful, in 3 days we swam in lake, river and sea. If you check out Kia e-Niro Diaries on UA-cam ...Languedoc trip you will see who we are. I am a big fan of Yes, bought ‘Fragile’ in 1971 with the money from my paper round, saw them live in 1974 in Manchester, Close to the Edge live was incredible.
I was in the choir for this performance. One of the best moments of my life. Some fun facts:
* Jason Bonham being on drums was a surprise to EVERYONE. He had told Led Zeppelin that he had a prior commitment and couldn't make it to the ceremony, and Dave Grohl had been on drums for all the rehearsals, including the live dress rehearsal.
* This broadcast version has footage from both the dress rehearsal and the final performance
* Nancy Wilson is super nice in person
* Stephen Colbert came up to me and some other choir members after the show to tell us we did a great job
* We rehearsed every day for 2 or 3 weeks for this performance.
* When only the small choir is shown, the full choir is still singing, just behind the curtains
Ann Wilson holding out that line "to be a rock and not to roll" gives me goosebumbs no matter how many times I watch this. Just spectacular
Yeah, that distortion on "roll".... Ahhh.... :-)
Same. She was just so on that night.
Yes. Among so many stand-out moments, that's one of the best, maybe even the best. It's the moment "juke box" brothel "rock and roll" grew up, the next influenced generation taking it into real pertinent poetry. And in doing so, made it able to live forever.
Even the emphasis on “rock” gets me. “To be a ROCK! And not to ROOOOOOOOOLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL”
I feel the same about “ when all are one, and one is all …yeah” 👍🏽
50 years later, Ann can still belt it as good as rockers a third her age, and Nancy is just as smooth on the guitar.
The first time I heard this version I had all the oxygen sucked out of my soul! Been playing this song in bands for 40 years and now have a better understanding of the lyrics. I was busy trying to get the guitar right but I'm grateful for this review decades later.
Ann sung this at the tender age of 62. She released an album in April 2022, at the even more tender age of 72, called Fierce Bliss (yes I'm promoting it) with great guests like Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Warren Haynes and his friends from Gov't Mule, and Vince Gill. It's a great rock n roll album. Sadly, Nancy does not appear on it. They were not able to agree on a direction for a new Heart album, but of course they remain close and maybe they will come to some decision sooner or later :-).
Shortly before Jason Bonham came onto the stage, Robert Plant turned to Jimmy Page and said ''We should have brought Jason with us'' then he came on hence the surprise. Jason's hat was his dad's hat. John Bonham often wore a Bowler hat off and on stage. This is one of the best renditions of the song IMO and one of the best reactions, Thanks Doug.
I think Jason had already played with the Guys before this event.
LZ asked Jason to sit in the same box as them, he replied that he had a prior obligation and couldn't sit with them so LZ had no idea that Jason would be there. That is why Robert Plant stood up in the introduction and pointed to Jason... I believe Jason requested that he perform with the Wilson sisters, Ann and Nancy.
A BETTER Led Zepp cover does not exist, IMO... They definitely pulled out ALL the stops here, with the orchestral/choral support, but it worked for me. Thanx for reacting to this classic cover tune!
there are very VERY few good led zeppelin covers out there. they pretty much never live up to the greatness of the original... this cover and Tools cover of No Quarter are the only exceptions I can think of.
I actually like several Heart covers of other Zepp songs, @@JungleScene...
yes it does. they're called Dread Zeppelin :D
Heart started out as a Zeppelin cover band!
You should check out Tool's cover of No Quarter, that is bound to blow your mind!
When I hear “I look west” I’m reminded of how much Robert Plant loved J.R.R. Tolkien’s work. The elves leave and go west to exist forever. Bilbo, Frodo and then Sam are allowed to take a ship and … head west. “Men of the West” was said by Aragorn prior to battle.
For these, and more reasons, is why I’ve always felt that Robert Plant derived those specific words from his love of Tolkien’s works.
Exactly, it has always been my first association with that verse. Led Zeppelin are known for their Tolkien references and crying for leaving to "The West" is an obvious reference to Valinor and yearning for paradise.
Yep. it's well documented that Plant was highly influenced by Tolkien and there are lots of LOTR references in Stairway (and other LZ songs of this period). My guess is that the 'lady' in the song may be in part, a representation of Galadriel who returns to Valinor, the undying lands in the West. Her speech to Frodo when she rejects his offer of the ring is one of the most beautifully written and dramatic in the book. A better description of awe and the sublime is hard to find and one of the best scenes in Jackson's film played by Cate Blanchett.
ua-cam.com/video/K3VOf3CBGvw/v-deo.html&ab_channel=TheLotrTV
This is how I always interpreted it. There are so many Tolkien and general Celtic pagan references in their work that I just assumed this was a reference to Valinor, or potentially Avalon.
Really?? I always think of Tolkien when I hear this line!! I didn't know it was a reference?
Watching Jason Bonham look up to the sky when Ann sung that last word "Heaven"at 13:30 .....wow, thats heavy.
I can't watch this without getting tears in my eyes, The way it builds and builds to the point when the choir comes in, Jason Bonham paying tribute to his Dad, the beautiful acoustic guitar start by Nancy and ,of course, the powerhouse voice of Ann, It all combines to make this my favourite cover version ever.
Tears. Fucking tears every time I watch this.
Hell yeah!
Ann.
Same here .
Definitely the best Stairway cover ever, and one of the best, if not THE best, rock covers ever. Not only Nancy and Anne killing it, but the inclusion of Jason on the drums? And the additional arrangement? Seeing the reactions of Jimmy, Robert, and John Paul just makes it that much better.
Two years ago Labor Day I had unexpected heart surgery, a quad bypass. After making it off the table I was sent to cardiac rehab which was mostly 20 minutes of recumbent bike and 20 minutes of treadmill. Over the three months of the rehab I watched this video almost every session, usually multiple times. I feel like Heart's "Stairway to Heaven" got my heart through the recovery. BTW, the 2012 Kennedy Center Honors included Dave Letterman. You can see him sitting beside Robert Plant. Letterman had cardiac bypass surgery in 2000. I don't know what UA-cam video he watched during his rehab. 🙂 Also when the audience camera shows Yo Yo Ma rocking out I laugh every time!
So great to see Jimmy, John-Paul and Robert enjoying their own music. So special to have Jason on drums as well.
As a fan of Pink Floyd, Nightwish, Queen, Fleetwood Mac, Led Zeppelin and the like, I've always loved Heart. They're right up there with the very best. And this rendition was masterful. Well done Ann, Nancy and co
You're music taste is mine lol
Same type of music I like and I'll even through harder metal in there for me, but I love Heart. Amazing band and I honestly just adore Ann and Nancy. Ann is my favorite female rock singer. She's just so damn good.
can't help but tear up... every damn time.
The drummer in this performance, is Jason Bonham. Son of John Bonham. The guys in Zeppelin were not told he was going to be there. Another emotional element to this performance. Great version. The heart sisters used to cover Zeppelin tunes back in their early days.
Ann and Nancy have covered Zeppelin throughout their entire career.
Jason crying at the end always gets to me.
Absolutely LOVE the drumming in this version. Go Bonham!
DNA.
One of the best cover versions of any song by any band, ever. Heart deserves their spot in Rock Hall of Fame. It would have been so easy to fuck this up, but they hit it out of the park. Moving, and brilliant.
Hendrix playing watchtower is "the" best cover, the lead on this cover is pretty weak
@@sgtbigballs666 That would be my second choice. It, too is a masterpiece!
Killed it ! Robert Plant’s face speaks volumes . What a treat !
Probably the best cover I have ever heard of Stairway To Heaven. Ann knocks the vocals out of the park. I still get chills hearing this version of Stairway. Jimmy Page was definitely loving it.
The emotion / elation in Robert Plant’s face tells us how good the performance is without a doubt. Love your interpretation of the lyrics - I think you nailed it.
I absolutely adore the job they did covering this. They went all out just as the song deserved. Never gets old.
This performance brings me to tears every time
Same here ❤
I'm just glad to be alive to hear this song. It's a masterpiece.
When that curtain raises at the back, wow.... this performance gets me every time... so powerful. Everything I love about music is there and they couldn't have picked better musicians for such a faithful tribute to such an excellent song from an excellent band! Simply timeless.
I am not always one for covers, but Heart knocked this one out of the park. Thanks for sharing.
Absolutely Amazing !
It's even hard to call this version "a cover", this is masterpiece itself.
A few things I’d like to point out, as a guitar player and a massive Zeppelin fan.
They didn’t know Jason was there till they announced his name that’s why Plant was so happy at the start, John Bonham was his best friend they grew up together. Plant was the one who came to the house and sat down a young Jason to tell him John had passed. Jason’s hat (and the whole choir) was paying homage to John famously wearing that style of hat. And as a guitar player myself (not even saying I’m very talented or anything) I can’t imagine the pressure to try and play that solo in front of Jimmy Page, but after having watched this dozens of times every time I’m a bit bummed out I think it’s the only flaw in this performance, he just doesn’t absolutely kill it like everyone else on the stage.
geez man he did alright considering the pressure
They should’ve got Zakk Wylde. His solo on the cover he did of this with Jason Bonham & Paul Rogers is better than Page’s
I just don't understand why he starts the solo as the original, but then chooses to do his own interpretation, which is way inferior IMO.
It seemed like Jimmy Page enjoyed the show...that is all you need!
I had the experience of seeing Led zeppelin play at Kezar Stadium, and vividly remember how you could have literally heard a pin drop when the last note of Stairway faded out. Spectacular, and this performance by Heart et al does it supreme justice!
Doug, this leads us to orchestral prog rock: the three great Rick Wakeman albums of the 1970s: The Six Wives of Henry VIII, Journey to the Centre of the Earth, and Myths and Legends of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table. These were the glory days of concept albums and rock operas. Tommy. The Wall. Jesus Christ Superstar. Wakeman, the virtuosic keyboard player from Yes's best albums, was inspired. You can listen to individual Renaissance tracks, even from Scheherazade, but these Wakeman works must be taken in whole.
Don't forget Rush "2112".
I always thought that "the west" was a reference to Tolkien's Lord of the rings.
True. The song’s been interpreted as having multiple Tolkien/LOTR references…
Thought this too. Especially with the other Tolkien references on that album .
I think Battle of Evermore was a true LOTR song, many lines of Stairway to Heaven can be taken as references to Tolkien. Given those two songs, it would be hard to believe that Misty Mountain Hop isn't another reference.
This tribute gives me chills. John Bonham's son on the drums with his dad's hat on, Ann's voice, the bands awesome rendition - Nancy's playing - the choir really gives me chills. Led Zeppelin watching with tears and approval (Jimmy approves of guitarist :) Love Robert Plant's intense listening to Ann;s voice on this. Lovely. It makes me cry with tears of joy and longing.
Love the look to the west line - reminds me of Bilbo Baggins longing for return to his journey blowing smoke rings from his house in the shire.
edit: listened to your reaction about the lady - I think about greed in the US and then the band being from the UK and the royalty with their ability to do anything they want with their money and power - even though the Queen is a figurehead they still have lots of power.
Zappa’s version is a stunner. He scored the guitar solo for brass.
Indeed! Saw them do it live. Fantastic.
10:55 always make me happy. They look so happy together, what a moment- pure magic!
Heart built their skills playing Led Zeppelin cover songs in Seattle Clubs in the early 1970s, so they were a perfect choice for this tribute.
Their eyes were glistening from the balcony. And *that* Made me cry that night for sure. Another magical night ✨. Thank you Doug
Saw LZ perform this live at Knebworth in 1979 so I have a high bar for cover versions which Ms Wilson easily clears. Fabulous (good to see Messrs Plant and Page agree :D)! Thank you Doug
Both weekends?
Love your critiques Doug...I learn from you and it's really cool to get some insight into some of the songs that we've loved for decades.
The greatest song written by the only band that could have composed it. Ann absolutely killed it because of the immense adoration she has for the music.
"And as we wind on down the road, Our shadows taller than our soul"..
This is NOT a cover it is a TRIBUTE
I've seen this performance many times. One of the absolute best live ever.
Such an amazing version of this iconic song !!! Even for the Led Zeppelin members...
She absolutely nails this
Heart grave out hats like the one Jason was wearing on their 2013 tour with Jason's band opening. They were part of the meet and greet package. I got one when I saw them in SF California,along with a seat front row center.
I like the way you consider the lyrics as well as the musical structure. Great channel. Keep up the fantastic work.
They did it so perfectly. It's amazing. No words can put into words how great it is! Thanks Ann and Nancy......❤❤
Heart started as a Led Zeppelin and Pink Floyd cover band so I feel there could never have been a better band to cover this song. They were true fans of it
The great thing about this tribute is it feels like they are saying that no one can do it better than you but we will make it special and give you one heck of a show.
"No one is beyond redemption." Bullseye. Robert sometimes introduced this song in live shows as: "....a song of hope."
this is just one of the best musical moments...for me...I love heart, and the zep, of course...I have to go back and watch this periodically ...it brings tears usually...
When I saw Heart in concert ('80's) they sang a few Led Zep songs. Her voice matched Plant's perfectly.
when the big choir kicks in at the end it brings tears to my eyes. And theirs as well. Sensational
I enjoy listening to you because you give the music "breadth"!
Controversial; I think this is the greatest LIVE version of this song EVER. When Zep played it live, they only had 3 musicians (other than vocals) to try and render a song that is positively orchestral in harmony and instrumentation. The reason this version really works is because they actually have enough musicians/instruments on the stage to properly, fully portray the absolute majesty of this song.
I love watching Plant's reaction during this performance.. I would love to know what was going through his mind while he was watching. Excellent review...
I was thinking exactly the same thing!
I was on boat on the Ganges river at Varanasi in India, and another boat floated by containing a old hippie with a guitar, playing Stairway to Heaven, lol. I guess my rock wasn't big enough to hide from this song, either.
Thank you so much for doing this.
Rock legends covering rock legends most legendary song in front of other rock legends at event that honors rock legends and absolutely crushing it has got to be one of the best performances ever.
It´s a real joy watching the original members appreciating this performance! Maybe they where thinking: "Boy, why didnt we ever come up with such an arrangement!"
Inspiring
Thank you!
Ann Wilson was 61 I believe when she belted this out 🤯
I've always had this thing with Ann Wilson's voice. Whenever she really lights it up, I get chills down my spine. Listen to her on "If looks could kill" and tell me I'm wrong.
Watched this cover so many times, perfection from start to end. Ann really nails it, amazing voice.
I can’t watch this enough. 🕺🕺❤️❤️✌️✌️
On the topic of favorite lyrics, one of my favorites is from Bob Dylan's "She belongs to me" - "She never stumbles, she's got no place to fall".
Two other versions of this song to check out. First Frank Zappa's version from The Best Band You Never Heard. The guitar solo is played by the winds and brass. Very cool. Second is by Planet Microjam with Dave Fiuczynski on UA-cam. This version employs musicians from all over the world with some microtonal playing.
I love this smiles on Their faces
woww that was Awesome !! Stairway to heaven by Heart, I love Heart it brought tears to my eyes
"The West".. where the sun sets.. I agree that part is about the end of the day/life/etc. and that Choir.. yeah baby
I never really examined the lyrics, I enjoyed them and the actual melody,and the tone of Roberts voice, Ann is killing it! I’ve heard this version before, and they do a fantastic cover. I have heard this song a gazillion times,there is a reason it’s a classic ,it’s awesome, my favorite part is when the drums kick in, ah man it’s just so good.
doug - great song selection - love the music analysis as well as the message on how to live - definitely as true today as when this song was released
If you like music,
Then it's pretty impossible to not only like this version but also be moved by it!
A few things, Ann was in her early 60's when performing this.
What a voice, She truly is a Goddess..
Nancy was also amazing, She's the Rock of Heart.
And so underrated...
When Heart first started out they were a Zep cover band.
Heard this story from a few different people, The version I heard was
Zep was playing a concert & when it was finished Jimmy & Robert & The Boy's wanted to go for a beer,
One of the arena staff suggested for them to go to a certain bar, In which they did.
Well Heart was playing at that bar doing their amazing Zep cover's..
I guess after Heart's last set,
Jimmy & Robert went to talk to them,
Giving them amazing praise along with their approval
To Heart,
Saying they could cover anyone of their (Zep) song's anytime anywhere.
No questions asked.
Pretty Special!
Thanks Doug Super Happy That You Did This
Kevin
This moves me to tears every time. Thanks Doug
I’d never thought about this until you specifically pointed out “there’s a feeling I get when I look to the west,” but I wonder if that’s one of Zeppelin’s stealth Tolkien references. The West, capital W, is very significant in the Tolkien mythos, it’s what is used to refer to Valinor, or Elven Home, the place where (spoiler) the elves, Gandalf, Bilbo, and Frodo go at the end of Lord of the Rings. Basically the undying lands, a place where they can be separated from the troubles of Middle Earth and live out their lives peacefully… kind of like a heaven.
I've always thought that too. This song is not an explicit Tolkien song but it seems to have some references thrown here and there
@@fokofi Yeah, nowhere near as explicit as “the Ringwraiths ride in black,” or “Misty Mountain Hop,” but here and there you can see things that scratch that itch.
Love your channel keep up the great work
I'll tell you how good this song is:
My MOM liked it, and it wasn't easy for her to like any R&R.
She was a choral music teacher in public school, and it was the choirs in this presentation that really brought it home for her.
the Wilson sisters are AMAZING
la mejor reacción como siempre, saludos desde méxico.
Been listening to music like this for over 50 years. I have a greater appreciation for the music, thanks to your knowledge and analysis. I am amazed and appreciative of your knowledge. Music is more complex than I first thought. Love your frequent use of the word “y’all. Good ole southern word. Thanks for your videos. Peace! ✌️
Until that performance, I'd been a firm believer that only one person, and one band, should ever be allowed to perform that song. I'd never considered Ann and Nancy as an option - just hadn't crossed my mind. I'll live the rest of my life with the firm belief that only *two* people, and two bands, should ever be allowed to perform that song.
Thank you as always, Ann and Nancy, for changing my whole outlook on life. Again.
Ann Wilson has said in repeated interviews that they grew up listening, emulating and covering Led Zepellin music as a young band in late ‘60’s/early 1970’s era Seattle music scene…
My favourite Jimmy Page moments include the BBC TV archive they trot out every now and then where Huw Wheldon (famous Welsh TV executive with a great sense of humour) chats with a shy young version of Jimmy about his future ambitions, on some schoolboy game show; Jimmy's solo on a novelty science fiction record (Doctor Who!) where he seems to be playing a different and far more Hendrix-style tune than anyone else on the track, and some later clips where he's playing his favourite old 45rpm Rock'n'Roll/skiffle singles and chatting about London coffee bars and live bands of the early 60s. All around on the 'net if you search hard enough. What a lovely man.
Ann Wilson is the greatest female vocalist in rock period. Gorgeous voice.
Just about perfect 👌🏼 Seeing the three remaining guys made me cry.
Just wow Doug, wow. I’ve felt like I understood the message. I was close but you really brought the juxtaposition of the “two paths” to light! Thank you!
Zappa's cover on Stairway to heaven is also amazing, it's worth a listening.
Chills
Will never get old. Never.
"When I look to the West" is a Lord of The Rings reference, the most direct one in this song. At the end of the 3rd Age, when LOTR takes place, the elves long to sail west to the Undying Lands, as their power fades in the mortal realm of Middle Earth. Annie Lenox has a BEAUTIFUL song, "Into The West", from the Return of the King soundtrack, about this
Thanks for breaking this song down and explaining the lyrics. I've heard this song since it came out and really never knew it's true meaning till today...Bravo.
Frank Zappa played Stairway live a number of times, especially n his 1988 world tour. The album 'The Best Band You Never Heard in Your Life' provides an excellent example.
Had the guitar solo arranged, note for note, for a three piece horn section.
It's amazing.
Great cover. Heart did it justice.
imo, the best live cover of a classic track
These two are incredible and this is the best cover of this song
That whole section of the choir had Derbys on.
Powerful. Got me right in the feels. And I'm a Rush/Dream Theater type. Helps that I was born in '71 also. Thanks, Doug!
Thanks for your great review and insightful commentary. You are a welcome learned ear and have, more than once helped me to see the key ideas that shaped the tunes I grew up with.
one of the greatest performances ever !
Well done Doug. You've helped me re-love this old classic. I bought this album in the early seventies back in Scotland. 💙
Great revue, I wish you played the full version ... this was a harsh cut version for TV!
Doug, one of the cool things about this song is how it gradually speeds up instead of having a definite tempo change