The Top 5 Psychedelic Rock Songs by Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin is one of the most influential rock bands of all time, and their psychedelic rock songs are some of the best in the genre. In this blog post, we count down the top 5 psychedelic rock songs by Led Zeppelin.
Introduction
Psychedelic rock, also referred to as “psychedelia”, is a subgenre of rock music that emerged in the 1960s.Psychedelic rock is characterized by odd, often drug-induced experiences and altered states of consciousness, frequently with a focus on extended improvisation. The genre began to gain popularity in the mid-1960s with bands such as The Beatles and The Rolling Stones releasing songs such as “A Day in the Life” and “Paint It Black”, respectively. This popularity continued into the 1970s with bands such as Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, and Black Sabbath releasing groundbreaking albums such as Led Zeppelin IV and Dark Side of the Moon.
“Whole Lotta Love”
“Whole Lotta Love” is a song by English rock band Led Zeppelin. It was composed by Jimmy Page and Robert Plant for the band’s second album,Led Zeppelin II (1969). Although credited to Page and Plant, the song was originally written by Page with contributions from John Paul Jones. With its driving, rhythmic riff and keep-time drumbeat, it is one of Led Zeppelin’s most recognisable songs.
The song was released in November 1969 as the album’s lead single (retitled “Whole Lot of Love” in the US) with “What Is and What Should Never Be” as the B-side. It reached number one in several countries, including Germany, Australia and the Netherlands. In the US, it peaked at number four on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and at number two on their Cashbox Top 100. The single was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) in January 1970 for sales exceeding one million copies.
“Ramble On”
“Ramble On” is a song from English rock band Led Zeppelin’s second studio album, Led Zeppelin II, released in October 1969. Written by Jimmy Page and Robert Plant during their 1968 US tour, it features Page’s guitar and Plant’s vocals. The song is based on J.R.R. Tolkien’s book The Lord of the Rings, with references to characters such as Gollum and Gandalf.
The song was accompanied by a promotional film, directed by Peter Whitehead, which featured the band members dressed as medieval knights riding through the Welsh countryside. “Ramble On” was released as a single in the UK in September 1969, peaking at number 51 on the UK Singles Chart. It was more successful in the US, where it reached number 16 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The song has been included on several Led Zeppelin compilation albums, including Early Days (1975) and Remasters (1991).
“Heartbreaker”
“Heartbreaker” is a song by the English rock band Led Zeppelin, released in 1969 on their debut album Led Zeppelin. It was written by Jimmy Page and Robert Plant, and produced by Peter Grant.
The song is noted for its fast tempo, guitarist Jimmy Page’s use of the vibrato arm on his Gibson Les Paul to create feedback, and John Bonham’s double bass drumming. It has been praised as “one of the most influential electric guitar tracks of all time”. In 2003, it was ranked number 313 on Rolling Stone magazine’s list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.
“Immigrant Song”
“Immigrant Song” is a song by the English rock band Led Zeppelin, released on their third album, Led Zeppelin III, in October 1970. It was recorded earlier that year at Olympic Studios in London and released as a single in November 1970.
The song is about the Norse mythology of Valhalla and follows a similar theme to “Battle of Evermore”, which was released on the same album. “Immigrant Song” became one of Led Zeppelin’s most popular songs and is often considered one of their best. It was later included on Led Zeppelin’s fourth album and greatest hits collection, both titled The Best of Led Zeppelin.
