Aitch58 Posted August 3, 2021 Share Posted August 3, 2021 Just curious, why is this track so well liked by Zep fans? For me personally, this track is SO not Zep's style. It's a pleasant pop song, no more, no less. But considering the band's previous recordings, it just doesn't sit right. Like I said, this is just my opinion. I've been a massive Zep fan since buying Houses Of The Holy back in 1973 when I was 15 years old. From then on I was hooked. I appreciate that the band never stayed stuck in one groove, and thats one reason I love them, but this track? I dunno, I just don' t get it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveAJones Posted August 3, 2021 Share Posted August 3, 2021 Arguably the most poignant song a parent has ever written about the loss of their child. Eric Clapton's 'Circus Left Town' is equally remarkable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rm2551 Posted August 3, 2021 Share Posted August 3, 2021 1 hour ago, Aitch58 said: Just curious, why is this track so well liked by Zep fans? I think a part of it is It's a part of their skillset to produce that kind of variety. From D'yer Maker to Communication Breakdown to Down By the Seaside to so on and so on.... Even the re-release with the extra's had even more with stuff like 10 Ribs & All / Carrot Pod Pod and St Tristan's Sword which sounded like the opening to a '70's action packed "hard edged cop/detective" type of TV show. Plus like SAJ says, find a more poignant song than that! ....and that middle section is magic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aitch58 Posted August 3, 2021 Author Share Posted August 3, 2021 (edited) Fair comments, like I said, just curious as to what others thought. Not trying to knock the song per se, just, for me, it doesn't really sit right. Sounds to me something like Plant would have recorded about the time of Pictures At Eleven, as a solo artist. Edited August 3, 2021 by Aitch58 Put a space in between two words Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul carruthers Posted August 3, 2021 Share Posted August 3, 2021 This would be a tough song to knock given the subject matter, but I've never attempted to. I was hooked the 1st time I heard it on FM radio years ago when I was first getting into Zeppelin. For me it goes back to what I like most about my favorites bands--Rush and STP included--and that would be the musical variety & different styles of musicianship. Or the "Light and Shade" as Zep coined it during their years together. Btw, I've always slightly favored the live cuts from the Tour over Europe to the one from the album... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aitch58 Posted August 3, 2021 Author Share Posted August 3, 2021 Ok, let me re-emphasise, I'm not knocking the song. I'm fully aware of what the song is about. I'm merely saying that in my opinion I don't see it as a Zep song, more of a Plant solo song. So for me it doesn't sit comfortably in the Zep catalog. And yes, I totally get that Zep were about light and shade, thats what made them so interesting. But having said that, I respect other folks opinions, was just curious to hear what their opinions were. Peace. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John M Posted August 3, 2021 Share Posted August 3, 2021 54 minutes ago, Aitch58 said: So for me it doesn't sit comfortably in the Zep catalog. The Zep catalog is so diverse, I wonder if there are other tracks you don't think sit comfortably in it? Growing up in the 70s I would hear this point about numerous songs on each album starting with LZ III as it was released. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aitch58 Posted August 3, 2021 Author Share Posted August 3, 2021 D'yer Mak'er Most of In Through The Out Door. However, it's all subjective. Everyone has certain songs that they don't take to as much as others. I love Zeppelin, but I don't necessarily love every single thing they recorded. Like I say, its all down to individual tastes. However, I think most people on here would agree, there will never be another band like Led Zeppelin. They left a legacy which few, if any, can equal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveAJones Posted August 3, 2021 Share Posted August 3, 2021 3 hours ago, Aitch58 said: I'm merely saying that in my opinion I don't see it as a Zep song, more of a Plant solo song. So for me it doesn't sit comfortably in the Zep catalog. Fair enough but the fact remains it IS a Led Zeppelin song. We'll never know for certain what musical direction they may have taken together in the future. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aitch58 Posted August 3, 2021 Author Share Posted August 3, 2021 We agree on that point, friend. Not taking anything away from Jason Bonham, who is a phenomenal drummer, a chip off the old block, but with John Bonham's passing what constituted Led Zeppelin as a foursome finished as well. What might have followed, musically, is anyone's guess. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul carruthers Posted August 3, 2021 Share Posted August 3, 2021 (edited) I've always thought that if Zeppelin released an album in the early 80s it would have followed in the same footsteps as ITTOD & the entire new wave vibe of the 80s (synthesizers and all). I know JP has said he wanted to do something in more of a hard rock vibe, but given his drug addled state, I think Jonesy still would have been the driving force if their had been a 9th studio album.... Edited August 3, 2021 by paul carruthers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aitch58 Posted August 3, 2021 Author Share Posted August 3, 2021 (edited) You could well be right. JPJ was getting more into the new technology at that time. But lets not forget, it was Jonesy who came up with the riff to Black Dog. He could, and still can, rock with the best of them. Edited August 3, 2021 by Aitch58 Correct a spelling mistake Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveAJones Posted August 3, 2021 Share Posted August 3, 2021 28 minutes ago, paul carruthers said: I've always thought that if Zeppelin released an album in the early 80s it would have followed in the same footsteps as ITTOD & the entire new wave vibe of the 80s (synthesizers and all). I know JP has said he wanted to do something in more of a hard rock vibe, but given his drug addled state, I think Jonesy still would have been the driving force if their had been a 9th studio album.... Possibly. In my opinion, it was 50/50 at best that they would have continued once their contractual obligations to Atlantic Records were met with the next album. Of course we'll never know for certain. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobDobbs Posted August 4, 2021 Share Posted August 4, 2021 On 8/3/2021 at 6:43 AM, Aitch58 said: Ok, let me re-emphasise, I'm not knocking the song. I'm fully aware of what the song is about. I'm merely saying that in my opinion I don't see it as a Zep song, more of a Plant solo song. So for me it doesn't sit comfortably in the Zep catalog. And yes, I totally get that Zep were about light and shade, thats what made them so interesting. But having said that, I respect other folks opinions, was just curious to hear what their opinions were. Peace. Well, to be fair it is kind of a Plant solo song with the other three involved as any and all such songs within a bands (any bands) catalogue typically are. This was a song Plant wrote about the passing of his son and he and Jones (mostly Jones) wrote the music. So though it is a Zep song and part of the Zep catalogue I personally consider it more of a Plant project. I really like the song, always have but I feel the song "I Believe" off of Fate of Nations is a superior song in general. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brigante Posted August 4, 2021 Share Posted August 4, 2021 I'm only bothered about one thing: do I like it? All My Love? I like it. Not even vaguely fussed what style it's in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluecongo Posted August 4, 2021 Share Posted August 4, 2021 I love it Just goes to show Zep could even pull off a Pop ballad. Would’ve topped singles chart if they’d released as a single, but in typical Zep fashion, they didn’t Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Walter Posted August 5, 2021 Share Posted August 5, 2021 Fantastic song. Another perfect example of what separates zeppelin from the rest. Instead of a guitar/drum driven song like Kashmir, it’s a synth/vocalist driven song. A dimension of zeppelin (Jones/plant) that was never delivered until that album. Love it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anandi Posted August 5, 2021 Share Posted August 5, 2021 It's one of my fav LZ songs. Specially the prelude. If you listen to it hard, you'll get the feel. It's melodious and I love it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hummingbird69 Posted August 5, 2021 Share Posted August 5, 2021 On 8/3/2021 at 6:41 AM, Aitch58 said: Just curious, why is this track so well liked by Zep fans? For me personally, this track is SO not Zep's style. It's a pleasant pop song, no more, no less. But considering the band's previous recordings, it just doesn't sit right. Like I said, this is just my opinion. I've been a massive Zep fan since buying Houses Of The Holy back in 1973 when I was 15 years old. From then on I was hooked. I appreciate that the band never stayed stuck in one groove, and thats one reason I love them, but this track? I dunno, I just don' t get it. Have you heard the extended version? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aitch58 Posted August 5, 2021 Author Share Posted August 5, 2021 In all honesty, no I haven't. Probably because when I listen to Zeppelin, 9 times out of 10 I tend to not listen to the In Through The Out Door tracks. I've tried to over the years, but for reasons I've explained, I never bonded with that album. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobDobbs Posted August 5, 2021 Share Posted August 5, 2021 3 hours ago, Aitch58 said: In all honesty, no I haven't. Probably because when I listen to Zeppelin, 9 times out of 10 I tend to not listen to the In Through The Out Door tracks. I've tried to over the years, but for reasons I've explained, I never bonded with that album. ITTOD is, believe it or not, one of my favorite Zep albums and I was very pleasantly surprised when it was released in 79'. Several other rock bands had gone disco, such as KISS but Zeppelin went more the Roxy Music, New Wave direction instead which was great as I loved the early New Wave from 78'-82'. IMO those were some golden years for music with Thomas Dolby, Elvis Costello, Talking Heads, Modern English, Joe Jackson, Nick Gelder, and the criminally underrated Rick Springfield to name just a few. My main issue with ITTOD is they kept some amazing tracks off that album (Wearing & Tearing is one example), and did not develop a couple of seriously awesome jams Jimmy brought to the sessions (Fire & Shake My Tree). The album would have had much greater balance with W&T and SMT or Fire included. If you are not a fan of ITTOD (justifiable as it was quite the departure for LZ), just imagine how much you would have loved In the Evening or Fool in the Rain with a sweet disco beat and mellowed out harmonies. Oooofff! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brigante Posted August 5, 2021 Share Posted August 5, 2021 3 hours ago, Aitch58 said: In all honesty, no I haven't. Probably because when I listen to Zeppelin, 9 times out of 10 I tend to not listen to the In Through The Out Door tracks. I've tried to over the years, but for reasons I've explained, I never bonded with that album. The 'extended' version isn't extended in the sense of a horrible '80s 12" version - it's pretty much the released version except that it carries on and finishes after the point at which the released version fades out. It doesn't have Jonesy's keyboard solo, but after the point at it's faded on ITTOD there's some great 'vocalising' from Robert and a short not-quite solo from Jimmy. It also sounds as if Robert sang the whole thing in one go. Well worth hearing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aurelius Posted August 5, 2021 Share Posted August 5, 2021 I love Page's acoustic fills on it and his b-bender. He made "the song" work rather than being flashy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrlowry Posted August 6, 2021 Share Posted August 6, 2021 I think it's a great song and it shows their range as musicians. It demonstrated that they could have made top 40 pop singles if they wanted to but it just wasn't on their agenda. I have read a few places that Jimmy Page doesn't like the song, feels it was very un-Zeppelin, and may even have turned down a writing credit. But at a true pro he still turned in some beautiful, and understated guitar work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
in_the_evening Posted August 6, 2021 Share Posted August 6, 2021 I'm with the OP. This song has never done much for me. Page's playing on it is very good, Bonzo's drums feel a little too heavy for such a soft song. It does (in retrospect) feel a bit like a Principle of Moments song, though POM is one of my fave Plant solo works. To each their own. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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