Atomic Dove

Hi, first time poster.

I wanted to talk about this since I've read it sporadically regarding the band over the years, usually in critical analysis' of the group.

I can't say that I can argue with it from a lyrical standpoint when you compare their lyrics to the subject matter in the lyrics of other Hall of Famers like the Beatles, the Who or Pink Floyd. Even the Stones with their ostensible bluesy roots rock had content that was far more layered with meaning than most notice when listening to them.

As a symbol, they didn't stand for any particular sort of rebellion either. So I guess my question is does it really matter? While my love for the group has cooled since my teens and early 20's (I'd have to say that I actually like the Stones and the Who slightly better now) I still feel that they produced some of the finest played and produced rock albums ever.

Should the band lose "points" for simply being concerned with how the music is performed and recorded without any care for message? Voltaire said that art should seek to enlighten as well as entertain and if it fails to do either it isn't great art. (paraphrasing)

Did Zeppelin fail artistically in your minds? At least lyrically in symbolically?

Guybrush

I've never seen that argument before .. Looks a bit to me like you've made up something to argue against.

I like lots of music by bands that never really concerned themselves too much with messages. Just throw a glance at the many content Canterbury bands from the 70s. Or another example; I very much like the album Tarkus which is about a half-tank/half-armadillo. I don't think any of the sane people I know would stand behind the proposed argument you present and oppose (that LZ fails artistically).

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Axiomatic Wiki

I really do not think it matters. Music is the art of musicianship, not political or philisophical enlightenment. I am not a huge Zeppelin fan, but even if I hated that band I would not deny that their musicianship on a technical level is up there with the best from their time. I can not really say much about their lyrical content, I have never paid close enough attention to be honest. The dozen or so songs I have heard by the band however do not seem to be lyrically lacking.

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ConGrUenCy

Well, if poetry or literature didn't have a meaning, then yeah, it would suck, but if the music sounds excellent, despite not having a real meaning, it's still great, because it sounds good- which is the point of music.

guerillabedlam

I think lyrics and subject matter really has nothing to do with Led Zeppelin or many bands place in music history. The Beatles have many songs with pointless lyrics 'Octopus Garden' ' I am The Walrus' 'Yellow Submarine' and that does not diminish their place in music history. Led Zeppelin has cemented their place in rock history regardless of what any critics say or if it's music that just appeals to most in their late teens/early 20's or whatever. There are many bands with strong messages that are never really acknowledged and not even that great of bands, Devo is one that came to mind right away.

I don't think Led Zeppelin failed artistically in the least, and in my opinion while some of their lyrics weren't necessarily significant I do think some of the lyrics painted a picture that went along with the music well, and added to their mystique.

undertow

they were a great band, but not really a legend in rock music. i doubt many of the great artists think of Led as being one of the best rock bands artisticly. they stole the riff for stairway.

The Monkey

Actually one of the things I like about Led Zep is that they never went political. There's this great confusing that music have to be political to be meaningful. It's true, their lyrics weren't always very strong, but Plant developed to quite a nice songwriter from III onwards, which the Celtic influenced being quite evident. I think the lyrics on The Battle of Evermore and Going to California, for example, is on the same level or higher than anything The Beatles put out.

ConGrUenCy

Not a legend? :O
They along with Black Sabbath were the pioneers of metal, and whenever people talk about rock, Zepellin always comes up.
Can you prove they stole the riff?

turntwo21

Great music is great music. Why do we have to look any deeper than that?

mr dave

it's a song called 'Taurus' by Spirit. it's pretty obvious. the band had opened for LZ at one point. Page liked what he heard and 'borrowed' it for Stairway. from what i've read the original guitar player didn't really give a crap. just happy that his music moved people.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ogTFdlbup24

if you don't hear the intro to Stairway at all about a minute into this clip from 6 years before LZ4 you really need to get your hearing checked.

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