4urlife Posted January 2, 2009 Share Posted January 2, 2009 I tried doing a search, but the search function on this board isn't really all that great. I was wondering about the lyrics for "In the Evening"... Was this song possibly written about Page? or maybe even Bonham? --- In the evening, When the day is done I'm looking for a woman, but the girl don't come So don't let her, Play you for a fool She don't show no pity baby, she don't make no rules Chorus: Oh, oh, I need your love, I need your love Oh, I need your love, I just got to have So don't you let her, Oh, get under your skin It's only bad luck and trouble, From the day that you begin I hear you crying in the darkness, Don't ask nobody's help Ain't no pockets full of mercy baby, Cause you can only blame yourself Chorus Oh it's simple, All the pain that you go through You can turn away from fortune, fortune, Cause that's all that's left to you It's lonely at the bottom, Man, it's dizzy at the top But if you're standing in the middle, Ain't no way you're gonna stop Chorus Oh whatever that your days may bring No use hiding in a corner, Cause that won't change a thing If you're dancing in the doldrums, One day soon, it's got to stop, it's got to stop When you're the master of the off-chance, When you don't expect a lot Chorus Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ninelives Posted January 2, 2009 Share Posted January 2, 2009 I don't see that at all - what part of the song makes you think that? Sounds to me more like he's talking about a relationship with a woman that's at odds. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4urlife Posted January 2, 2009 Author Share Posted January 2, 2009 Aside from the first verse, it just seems to be about a person who is going through a very difficult, yet self induced, problem. I figured I was probably off base with that, but figured I would ask anyway. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ninelives Posted January 2, 2009 Share Posted January 2, 2009 Aside from the first verse, it just seems to be about a person who is going through a very difficult, yet self induced, problem. I figured I was probably off base with that, but figured I would ask anyway. Relationships can be difficult due to our own making Robert's lyrics are often quite thought provoking to say the least Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
glicine Posted January 2, 2009 Share Posted January 2, 2009 Aside from the first verse, it just seems to be about a person who is going through a very difficult, yet self induced, problem. I figured I was probably off base with that, but figured I would ask anyway. I see your point here, I've made thoughts about some lyrics on "In through the out door" as well. And Robert himself has said this song is about "how the rich and famous are still exposed to pain and suffering, just in different ways." Ah well that's really difficult to tell, fans can always speculate about the "real meaning" until Robert himself would reveal it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4urlife Posted January 2, 2009 Author Share Posted January 2, 2009 Relationships can be difficult due to our own making Robert's lyrics are often quite thought provoking to say the least Very true on both counts. Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reggie29 Posted January 2, 2009 Share Posted January 2, 2009 I tried doing a search, but the search function on this board isn't really all that great. I was wondering about the lyrics for "In the Evening"... Was this song possibly written about Page? or maybe even Bonham? --- In the evening, When the day is done I'm looking for a woman, but the girl don't come So don't let her, Play you for a fool She don't show no pity baby, she don't make no rules Chorus: Oh, oh, I need your love, I need your love Oh, I need your love, I just got to have So don't you let her, Oh, get under your skin It's only bad luck and trouble, From the day that you begin I hear you crying in the darkness, Don't ask nobody's help Ain't no pockets full of mercy baby, Cause you can only blame yourself Chorus Oh it's simple, All the pain that you go through You can turn away from fortune, fortune, Cause that's all that's left to you It's lonely at the bottom, Man, it's dizzy at the top But if you're standing in the middle, Ain't no way you're gonna stop Chorus Oh whatever that your days may bring No use hiding in a corner, Cause that won't change a thing If you're dancing in the doldrums, One day soon, it's got to stop, it's got to stop When you're the master of the off-chance, When you don't expect a lot Chorus Welcome. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4urlife Posted January 2, 2009 Author Share Posted January 2, 2009 Thanks Reggie. I actually signed on here a year ago today (just realized that a few minutes ago when I happened to glance at my join date on this post). Cool pic with the lyrics, by the way. I see your point here, I've made thoughts about some lyrics on "In through the out door" as well. And Robert himself has said this song is about "how the rich and famous are still exposed to pain and suffering, just in different ways." Ah well that's really difficult to tell, fans can always speculate about the "real meaning" until Robert himself would reveal it. That is an interesting quote from Robert. Thanks. I've always been amazed by his lyrics, and how they seem to say one thing but mean another. Maybe one of these days he'll write a book explaining what his songs are really about. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zanadu Posted January 2, 2009 Share Posted January 2, 2009 We can only guess, but that possibility is what finally let me go of my feminist doubts concerning the Zeps (whom I've loved since the 1990's). I'm ever so glad these people are not on the front pages of gossip rags all the time. A little mystery is such a lovely thing... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reggie29 Posted January 2, 2009 Share Posted January 2, 2009 Thanks Reggie. I actually signed on here a year ago today (just realized that a few minutes ago when I happened to glance at my join date on this post). Cool pic with the lyrics, by the way. Your welcome. Song lyrics mean different things to everyone, in how they interpret them on a personal level or how they relate to circumstances within their daily lives. I often wonder what Robert's thinking about with some of his lyrics. Most are obvious and literal with their content like WLL, GTC, Kashmir etc. Then there's Stairway!!!!!? He certainly knows how to turn a phrase! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drudeboy Posted January 4, 2009 Share Posted January 4, 2009 I think it's most definately about drug addiction Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ninelives Posted January 4, 2009 Share Posted January 4, 2009 I think it's most definately about drug addiction I see it more as the pains or conflicts of a relationship (not with drugs). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SuperDave Posted January 4, 2009 Share Posted January 4, 2009 I think it's most definately about drug addiction It's possible, but I don't think so. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aquamarine Posted January 4, 2009 Share Posted January 4, 2009 Song lyrics mean different things to everyone, in how they interpret them on a personal level or how they relate to circumstances within their daily lives. I often wonder what Robert's thinking about with some of his lyrics. Most are obvious and literal with their content like WLL, GTC, Kashmir etc. Then there's Stairway!!!!!? He certainly knows how to turn a phrase! Song lyrics are certainly a question of interpretation (though I wouldn't call Kashmir obvious and literal at all, personally)-- however I just posted to say how much I love In the Evening! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
barrios Posted January 5, 2009 Share Posted January 5, 2009 ...i find the lyrics to this song, like a few off the last couple of albums, very dark and foreboding. whatever the song is about, it's almost like an ominous warning. an excellent song that stands up against any of their best. great middle section, then the band return for another verse and chorus. great bass drum work by bonzon before the page's guitar lick at the end, and a hint of plant's love of eastern singing during a great fade out chase. i remeber the first time i heard this song, still one of my top zep tunes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John M Posted March 14, 2018 Share Posted March 14, 2018 The lyrics to this song got a bad rap when it was released because of all the "oh, oh I need your love" and the opening lines. Critics and casual fans said it was weak watered down retreads. All they focused on was the many "Oh oh I need your love" refrains and the opening about "when the day is done, I'm looking for a woman" cliches. But when you look at all the lyrics it is really, really strong. Plant was master at making meaningful points about life. As described above, the lyrics could be about relationships, success and fame, the band, how challenging life is, etc. To me the best lines are: I hear you crying in the darkness, Don't ask nobody's help Ain't no pockets full of mercy baby, Cause you can only blame yourself Oh it's simple (I always thought the word here was "sinful") , All the pain that you go through You can turn away from fortune, fortune, Cause that's all that's left to you It's lonely at the bottom, Man, it's dizzy at the top But if you're standing in the middle, Ain't no way you're gonna stop Oh whatever that your days may bring No use hiding in a corner, Cause that won't change a thing If you're dancing in the doldrums, One day soon, it's got to stop, it's got to stop When you're the master of the off-chance, When ( think it is "then" here?) you don't expect a lot One non lyric related note about this song - the slow burn Page does beneath the last chorus starting around 5:34 and the little outro solo licks after that are some of the coolest guitar on the album. They fit perfectly. I recall an old review that said Page rarely overplayed on record. This section of this song is a perfect example. Everything in its place, everything with a purpose. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheStairwayRemainsTheSame Posted March 14, 2018 Share Posted March 14, 2018 This might be the song that speaks to me most in the catalouge. Really is inspiring when you're in a rut. "Master of the off-chance", pretty inspiring from a man famed for his banshee screaming about lemon squeezing Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EaglesOfOneNest Posted March 14, 2018 Share Posted March 14, 2018 For the most part, I think (as with most songs) there is a meaning for the author and a meaning for the listener. Like poetry, open to interpretation. That's what makes good music so interesting. I love In the Evening; one of my all time favorites. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dark Lord Posted March 18, 2018 Share Posted March 18, 2018 I’ve always seen this song as a reference to the drugs in the band, and in particular with Page. The most poignant line is: So don’t you let her, oh, get under your skin (ie: heroine via a needle) I could well be wrong, but the song has those undertones in my mind. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IpMan Posted March 18, 2018 Share Posted March 18, 2018 11 hours ago, The Dark Lord said: I’ve always seen this song as a reference to the drugs in the band, and in particular with Page. The most poignant line is: So don’t you let her, oh, get under your skin (ie: heroine via a needle) I could well be wrong, but the song has those undertones in my mind. Plant always liked to place multiple meanings into his lyrics and this sounds about right. Supposedly, Jimmy did not shoot H, he snorted it in which case the lyric makes sense yet is also a scathing indictment, ie. just because you don't shoot it does not mean you are not an addict. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tenyearsgone21 Posted March 18, 2018 Share Posted March 18, 2018 13 hours ago, The Dark Lord said: I’ve always seen this song as a reference to the drugs in the band, and in particular with Page. The most poignant line is: So don’t you let her, oh, get under your skin (ie: heroine via a needle) I could well be wrong, but the song has those undertones in my mind. Could be although I would tend to lean towards references to lust and the conflict of that and his being married at the time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LZforlife Posted March 18, 2018 Share Posted March 18, 2018 I think it could be a lot of things; the rigors, strains and craziness of fame, the pain of seeing someone close to you, or realizing you, yourself are in a bad relationship, insecurity in your talents and worrying that the muse will leave you because someday it's "got to stop", and, of course, addiction. I lean more towards addiction because you're always looking for the next great high "but the girl don't come" plus the comment about hiding and not asking for help. In the end, you can only blame yourself for your own life choices. What does "dancing in the doldrums" mean? Putting on a brave face while suffering inside? Enjoying wallowing in your own misery, as some people seem to do? Also what is a "master of the off chance"? Someone who's lucky to have survived? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jsj Posted March 18, 2018 Share Posted March 18, 2018 It could be he wrote the lyrics in ten minutes and didn't put as much thought into it as is suggested Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheStairwayRemainsTheSame Posted March 19, 2018 Share Posted March 19, 2018 17 hours ago, IpMan said: Plant always liked to place multiple meanings into his lyrics and this sounds about right. Supposedly, Jimmy did not shoot H, he snorted it in which case the lyric makes sense yet is also a scathing indictment, ie. just because you don't shoot it does not mean you are not an addict. How do you know how he took it? I've never seen that documented ANYWHERE Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveAJones Posted March 19, 2018 Share Posted March 19, 2018 4 hours ago, TheStairwayRemainsTheSame said: How do you know how he took it? I've never seen that documented ANYWHERE Although Page usually dances around answering the question directly, there's a mountain of circumstantial evidence. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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