Led Zeppelin - Led Zeppelin IV (1971) | FIRST REACTION

[@cody95]

Can’t wait for the House of the Holy reaction

[@tonybeltran4366]

same, it's my favorite album

[@galvinklatt5273]

Ditto, my fave too!

[@Beevaldi]

The best for me

[@AmeliaHubbard-rb6hz]

Me too my fav album

[@andrepetson1440]

👍me too😊

[@davidmitchell-baker1701]

One of those classic albums that, like Fleetwood Mac's Rumours, you always hear so much about and think "Well, it can't be THAT good" but then you listen to it and it really is THAT good

[@christopherjarrett9067]

100%. There are a few classics that are absolutely incredible. This was the one that moved me from listening to greatest hits records to individual albums in the 5th grade hahaha.

[@MojoPin1983]

Four Sticks is the most underrated song on this album. The chaotic vocal inflections during the outro are probably my favourite vocal lines from Robert Plant in the entirety of Led Zeppelin’s discography. He sounds like some savage wolfman, crying out in pain, from an alpine tree. In 1995, Jeff Buckley performed a version of Van Morrison’s The Way Young Lovers Do, live in Germany. He incorporated into this cover a really cool medley of the interlude from Four Sticks. One can listen to this show on YT.

[@juliemanarin4127]

Yes

[@joaolucasgomes3033]

This is the album I would put on for someone to start enjoying rock.

[@LordEriolTolkien]

Don't knock him, man. He did the adult thing and started with the debut and worked through chronologically. He is earning his fan status legit.

[@joaolucasgomes3033]

​@@LordEriolTolkien"fan status legit" It's complete bullshit in my opinion.

[@LordEriolTolkien]

@@joaolucasgomes3033 Ok

[@Nirvanafanboy1991]

Black dog, Stairway to heaven, four sticks, and when the levvee breaks are my favorite tracks on here.

[@kirstenstewart5758]

This is the first album I bought my son, just this Xmas gone, to play on the turntable I also gave him. He’s on a deep dive into 70s rock and loves Zeppelin, my job as a parent is done 😅

[@nicem2229]

I'm 14 and my step-father has given me a turntable a few months ago, and Led Zeppelin IV was the last album i bought as for now. I haven't heard the album before buying the vinyl, because i heard it was very good, and i was already familiar with Zed Zeppelin's earlier work, and i wanted to experience this masterpiece in the highest possible quality for the first time. The moment "Black Dog" started i already knew i was in for something special. My favourites are: "Black Dog", "Stairway To Heaven"(which is one of the best and most beautiful songs i've ever heard),"Going To California", and "When The Levee Breaks". Other albums i already own are "In Utero" by Nirvana, "Ok Computer" and "A Moon Shaped Pool" both by Radiohead, who are my favourite band ever, "Wish You Were Here", "Dark Side Of The Moon" and "Animals" all by Pink Floyd, who are my second favourite band, and i concider all of these albums to be one of the best of all time. I also listen to King Crimson, Queens Of The Stone Age, The Beatles and many more similar bands and artists.

[@kirstenstewart5758]

@@nicem2229 You’re step dad has got the right idea and you have great taste, all the bands you’ve mentioned are amazing artists in their own right. You can’t go wrong with any albums in the Zeppelin catalogue, who have always been, and remains, my favourite band. To experience songs like Stairway, or any of the others you mentioned, for the first time is quite something, and there’s so much more to explore. Sounds like you and my son are on a similar path, enjoy 😁

[@juliemanarin4127]

Absolutely a 10/10!! Every song!!!

[@brandonj162]

When the Levee Breaks ... goddamn what a track

[@CatharticCreation]

This was a fun journey with you. I always enjoy your fresh perspectives on my beloved faves. you pick up a lot i wouldn’t have on a first listen.

[@amjrpain919]

"P H Y S I C A L G R A F F I T I" Their best album EVER! 👋😎👌

[@melissagottlieb3381]

The first album i heard, on a stereo with huge speakers and headphones. Still my favorite album! And my favorite group!! ❤😊

[@K4neki_CNTP]

The drums on When the Levee Breaks were sampled a lot. They're on Army of Me by Björk and Don't Hurt Yourself by Beyoncé and Jack White most notably.

[@AminorMorning]

Damn, I wish I was your lover..Sophie B. Hawkins and Return to Innocence by Enigma are a few more

[@BumbaClo-bh8xp]

Stranded on death row by Dr dre

[@scottmcrae3355]

Rhymin’ and Stealin’ on the Beastie Boys debut too

[@PaulHarrison-f5r]

And Beastie boys, among others

[@AndrewMalcolmson]

Sandy Denny was a major figure in the 60's British folk club scene. Her "Who knows where the time goes?" recorded with Fairport Convention was voted the all time greatest folk song in a BBC listeners poll.

[@briannewton1251]

Don't stop doing the Zeppelin albums. Some of the best is yet to come!

[@mitchellbatchelor1594]

Before I listen to your “IV”reaction, I like that you enjoyed their 1st LP. The “Led Zeppelin” LP is my favorite. Big fan of all their catalog, but we all have favorites.

[@pedronight2150]

great reaction! I was excited for this one. One of my favs oat, killer album

[@K4neki_CNTP]

Man, you kept us waiting - excited to get into it.

[@heliotropezzz333]

On The Battle of Evermore a key instrument is the mandolin.

[@SlowUnsteadyTV]

Stairway To Heaven feels like a very old piece of music but at the same time very ahead of time.

[@saltyandthebeefcracker4863]

One of the most interesting aspects of your reactions is your sensitivity to tempo. The looser time of these older recordings is something that just sounds natural to me.

[@scruffyapples]

It just reminds me that, so many decades later, this is a masterpiece of writing, arrangement, performance and production. It shall not grow old.

[@markearnestfromreno613]

Great insight on this one, Dave. It is a really bold record of its time, and partially way ahead of its time too. Some of my favorite guitar work of all time is on it - just peerless!

[@JohnFloss]

great video! ( i havent watched it yet but i already know )

[@dalmac5978]

Good job picking up the various funky time signatures. 👍

[@DeanHymas]

12:07 maybe that's why it's named stairway to heaven 😉

[@davidschecter5247]

Yes, it's the best of their releases and one of the greatest hard rock albums ever. Deep Purple's MACHINE HEAD is another perfect hard rocker. Nice review. Great insights. Glad you're getting back into the sixties and seventies. Those two decades were the most creative in terms of songwriting/production. So inventive back then, as new sounds and structures were being created for the first time.

[@juliemanarin4127]

Just as great are Houses f The Holy and Physical Graffiti!!

[@stealthy5776]

Man, I’ve listened to this album hundreds of times and I never realized Sandy Denny sang on Battle of Evermore. Have never heard two voices mix more perfectly. So so good.

[@scruffyapples]

She sounds other-worldly, and somehow gender-less.

[@addy3164]

Literally one of the best albums of all time, can’t get enough of it

[@supobostarman]

Bonham was the master of keeping the drums a fraction of a second slower than tempo which made his drums sound even more bombastic!

[@heliotropezzz333]

The going down part of When the Levee Breaks is referring to going to Chicago but Chicago is up from most places and the going down lyrics make me think of him sinking down into the flood waters.

[@catoftroon]

"This doesn't feel like the 70s". With respect, how would you know? As someone who actually lived through the 70s, Led Zeppelin and Stairway to Heaven felt very much of their time. The 1970s was a golden age of music creativity and innovation. Dude.

[@benoitdesmarais2948]

Funny to hear a 70's defining record described as ahead of it's time, not sounding like the 70's 🙂 Going to California directly refers to another 70's defining artist, Joni Mitchell, who released Blue just a few months before IV.

[@MD-cn1nt]

53 years old. Feels like it could have been written yesterday.

[@Matthijsklaassen]

No it doesn't

[@donaldschneider5441]

Great reaction!! Looking forward to your Houses of the Holy reaction - very experimental!!!

[@masudashizue777]

I wish I could listen to "Stairway to Heaven" for the first time again. It's still my favorite track on Led Zeppelin IV after 50 years.

[@scottmcneely1927]

Stairway to heaven is written as a description of a three card tarot reading. The first part is about the Star card. the middle I believe is Judgement, while the last hard rock part is the Hermit.The Hermit is also the picture on the inside of the album cover.

[@mjames4709]

16:01 and so begins the greatest guitar solo of all time. 🎸

[@williamcabell142]

The GOATS…PERIOD! 😎🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@mrddcass6540]

10/10 indeed

[@michaelfoley4247]

on black dog the drums and the guitar are on different time signatures

[@scruffyapples]

Yes, and JPJ wrote that riff.

[@michaelfoley4247]

@@scruffyapples didn't know that! very cool

[@PaulyPaulPaul]

I watch your reaction vids because you give the impression you are being honest. I don't want you to say you like a track if you don't.

[@thewizard6077]

I'm not sure when (or if) you'll get to my personal favorite album (alongside the Beatles "White Album"), Led Zeppelin's "Physical Graffiti". I believe Houses of the Holy would be their next album in chronological order, then Physical Graffiti, but if you ever get the chance, and you decide to continue down this path, I think it might end up being one of your favorite Zep albums as well. Peace

[@criss_v33]

A well deserved 10! Stairway to heaven still gives me goosebumps. One of the things I most appreciate about LZ is that they brought mystical folklore, stories of gods and tribal rhythms to their songs, a very earthy sound.

[@Rabs1]

Fun Trivia: There is no album titled Led Zeppelin IV - this album was released without a title in order to prove a point to their label. It’s just called Led Zeppelin IV because it follows the naming convention of all their albums up to this point. Along with Led Zeppelin IV, this album is also occasionally called Zoso (after the symbols on the album that represent each member, specifically Page’s), The Fourth Album (what Page calls it), Runes (after the aforementioned symbols), and Four Symbols (…).

[@jjsdad4952]

Just watched…great reaction! From a long time Zep fan, I have Houses Of The Holy as my 2nd fav, with Physical Graffiti being my fav Zep album. Food for thought

[@K4neki_CNTP]

Yeah, this was the first Zep album I fell in love with and every time I hear Stairway to Heaven, I can't help but think that it must be one of the like top 5 best songs ever. The next two albums I almost prefer these days tho. Plus, the drums will come back harder on Physical Graffiti and Presence and even parts of Houses of the Holy (although I personally don't think they ever went away).

[@scruffyapples]

In watching these reactions it seems to me that the albums that have aged the most gracefully were the ones that were most sonically crafted.

[@Ratlove101]

Track 3 is written in Rock N Roll chords in the classic style, as well as the rhythm and key signatures. It's classical rock and roll but embellished with what only Zep can do. This is still my favorite band. This album was released when I was 11 yrs old. It was everywhere for a long time.

[@scruffyapples]

Four Sticks is the most overlooked track on this album. It’s not overplayed, so it retains its power and mystery.

[@paulryan5150]

He actually said that the most requested song of the 70s didn't feel like it was from the 70s. It did at the time.

[@dynjarren8355]

Good accurate reaction on Stairway! Some critics say it’s their greatest song. Page even said it was what they will be remembered by. Their Masterpiece of musical immortality. I agree besides the incredible climb and buildup which you noticed right away. It’s starts with acoustic and then switched to electric seamlessly and theirs a clarity and cleanness which separates the instruments so perfectly. Even at fast ending three chords, you can hear the guitar chords clearly. It doesn’t get fuzzy or out of focus like some guitars do. It’s plays clear and clean until the end even as it goes from soft to loud. That’s an achievement in itself! Then the lyrics are mystical and many have wondered what it’s really about. It’s too much to take in at the first listen. I listen to the guitar and drums and melodies first, too. The lyrics are last with me. It appears that it’s about a lady who thinks she can buy her way into Heaven. From what I gather. But it’s also vague and open to interpretation. You’re Stairway lies on the Whispering Wind. That could mean anything. A Bustle in your Hedge grow I have no idea what that means. So they song can mean many things. It makes me wonder, too. I think that’s another reason for it’s popularity. It could be about whatever you like. And you’re right. That chord just hits the right note. The whole song hits the right notes in my opinion. Page and Plant were in sync. Page said Plant wrote most of the lyrics in a half hour and it just flowed out of his head in complete sentences. Like it was meant to be. Those are the best songs! The ones that come out complete! Don’t you agree? Like a river or free flow of prose. He didn’t have to change it. I think they topped themselves with that song and it will be remembered 100 years from now. And on a personal note, I feel the Flute in the beginning is the sad sound of the weariness of humanity. It’s like it’s weeping for all the Wars humanity has suffered and it’s mourning all the losses. It’s a sad, melancholy opening but then the mood changes to a more hopeful one. That’s just my take on it. What do you think? You’re very bright and I think you get what I’m saying. Anyway,LZ 4 is a great album! Stairway, Black Dog and Rock n Roll are my favorites. When the Levee breaks has a Bluesy charm to it. Thanks!

[@mitchellbatchelor1594]

If you have a curious mind, check out the original recording of “When The Levee Breaks” by Memphis Minnie & Kansas Joe McCoy from 1929. It’s available on KZbin.

[@ophidicism]

I love this record, but I honestly go back to Physical Graffiti the most. When you're ready to come back to Zepp maybe do Physical Graffiti instead of Houses of the Holy (also great, but)

[@jamestoddjackson9655]

Led Zeppelin IV may be the best album of all time, period. But yeah I do love Physical Graffiti also lol

[@honuman39]

The thing about Stairway to Heaven is that it was the first modern rock ballad. I never found the lyrics that great myself. They're pretty opaque and random to me but it fits the music great.

[@CharlesEastOfficial]

Has anyone suggested that you react to Diamanda Galas?

[@christianmarler2253]

After 40 years of listening, "LZ I" still hits me more powerfully than "LZ IV." I bet you'll find that too, upon subsequent listens. First-class reaction and review. 👍

[@erikgilson1687]

My first led Zeppelin album and still my favorite

[@scruffyapples]

The most emotional guitar solo ever

[@tnightwolf]

Led Zeppelin are simply just an incredible band!

[@garyarnold3141]

This album will never mean as much to a younger generation. Any reaction/criticism to Led Zep IV will be inadequate.

[@brutbrutus2669]

I think Physical Grafitti best showcases how talented the band was. It has such a variety of blended genres. I always say it is the one album I want if stuck on a desert island.

[@jboy55]

Note about "Rock and Roll". He's signing about bringing him back to "where he came from". Which is the early days of Rock and Roll in the late 50s. Which of course to today would be the late 2000s.

[@mitchellbatchelor1594]

1970 LZ released a single “Immigrant Song”. The B side was never released on a studio LP. “Hey, Hey, What Can I Do”.

[@MichaelWojciechowski-k4u]

8 minutes long but the most requested song on the radio for over 50 years

[@rikurodriguesneto6043]

It's interesting how we grope for things instinctively.. like on the third album they probably knew they had the potential to do something like Battle of Evermore. But they didn't have the full picture. You could still see a failed attempt as a foundation for something greater - that's a big lesson to learn.

[@philshorten3221]

When the Levee Breaks isn't just a classic blues song it was recorded in 1929!!! So it's nearly 100 years old Also I think Tool had a crack at this too? (not sure)

[@thefreewaykiller405]

The cover was a variation of the Hermit card in the Tarot.

[@LucTonnerre2000]

When the beat of "When the levee breaks" started, I was hoping for a "Oh, Beastie Boys!" ;)

[@scottadams7523]

Most folks don't know that "Going to California" is a song about Joni Mitchell.

[@davidbuzzin426]

👍🇬🇧❤BEST BAND EVER 🎸

[@jemchurch1260]

My 5cents ( may have already been stated ). You and hundreds of thousands of peeps LOVED the first album. Then the 2nd album ( both released in the same year ). Four twenty-something chums went global and were pulled in all sorts of directions. All de-camp to a cottage in Wales ( England :-) ) and chill for a bit. Just jammin', and out of that came the non-window breaking non 'commercial' LZ III, Yes it was a break. Yes it was just getting away from traveling and promoting and pressures of 'Ya'll gotta follow that up with some BIG stuff'. LZ III is more introspective and internally finding out what they enjoyed back in the peace and quiet. Without that space ( listen to it again ), you could either come out, crash and burn, or focus and get back to what really turns you on and why you're chums. LZ III is very good, when seen in the perspective of the circumstances.

[@jemchurch1260]

Churlish as it may be to reply to my own comment ..... meh .... WIthout the chill time of LZ 3, LZ 4 and subsequent would not have happened. And that would have been a tradegy for all involved and on the listening end. Ahhhhhh the Rain Song ...........

[@MatheusOliveira-fy1gk]

11/10

[@bowtiefidenine]

5 is my favorite ❤

[@Scoobydcs]

levee has the best drum beat ever! its been sampled over 200 times! its soooooo good

[@unicornrecords3691]

hope to see houses of the holy. its my favorite zeppelin record. one of the greatest sounding albums of all time from an audio engineering aspect. everyone knows jimmy page is one of the greats of guitar, but he doesnt get nearly enough credit as a producer and composer. from all of the articles i read with their engineer, it really is Jimmy's vision. led zeppelin albums sound fantastic. i actually find it amazing that all these years later with how much technology has advanced, led zeppelin still has the hugest drum sound of all time. nothing has ever sounded more massive than when the levee breaks.

[@MojoPin1983]

Try not to avoid Zeppelin reactions for too long, as some of their best work awaits you in the next three albums. Achilles Last Stand and In My Time of Dying will floor you.

[@dbclassic8733]

Yeah LZ1 changed everything, but LZ4 was so complete and original definitely a landmark in rock history many say the peak. The albums to follow are never as complete even though there are some band defining tracks still to come

[@philshorten3221]

Stairway to Heaven, live at Madison Square Gardens 1973 is awesome. You can understand why every budding guitar player would start to play this if every guitar store. So much, that it started driving the staff nuts which lead to the infamous "NO STAIRWAY" signs! (there's a brilliant funny KZbin vid of a guy trying to slip a few bars in and constantly stopped dead in his tracks with a "sorry man... You can't do that here!" 😂

[@andrewmorton9327]

That’s the one where Page fumbles the guitar solo and Plant destroys the end of the song with over ornamentation.

[@simonteppett8435]

Physical Graffiti is the best 😊

[@fidenciohernandez5739]

The 1st Album was the introduction of Bonzo..... to the World of Rock ❤

[@kusamarampling]

"Going to California" is a song for Joni Mitchell.

[@olli__]

Take a break but do continue with Zeppelin! Lots of great stuff on the latter albums too

[@munchfacemgee7361]

Masterclass of folk, rock, and blues definitely, however, physical graffiti is creme of the crop when it comes to Led Zeppelin

[@katyharrs278]

I agree, Physical Graffiti is my favorite album 😊

[@Chris-fd9er]

Do you plan to react to any Beatles?

[@lennonpender8063]

Hey do you do requests?

[@FarazYazdanY]

Hello dear. First of all, I'm from Iran and always check out your channel. So I just wanted to thank for your content.. And I’ve got a request for you: Would it be possible for you to create a reaction video for Céline Dion's 'Taking Chances' album? It's more like a rock album with some other genres mixed in. It's an absolute masterpiece for me personally, and there wasn't anyone who has reacted to this album so far. If you could be the first to do this, it would mean a lot to me. The album is highly recommended by me and I hope it is discovered by many people.

[@tedlemoine4742]

all only 8 songs are solid so good; my favs are stairway..., misty.., & 4 sticks [so cool for me to play on guitar]. happy yet to hear your review on their only double lp-physical graffitti: some very good songs on there. yeah i teared to your tearing to radiohead's heart/spirit felt: let down [i can relate]. check out crack the sky [1st 3 lps], muse-absolution, queen-news of the world, night @ the opera, yes-yes, drama, styx-equinox, rush-5th lp, hemispheres, neil young-zuma, comes a time, on the beach, r.e.m.-collapse into now, pfr-them, etc.; always thanks for your reviews & reactions

[@benaiah2119]

Stairway to heaven is a masterpiece. Houses of the holy is very different.

[@Michael-Philip]

Houses of the Holy

[@zosometalgod]

Messy? I've been in the music and movie production for over 30 years and Zeppelin 3 wasn't messy! It was well produced by Jimmy Page! And Led Zeppelin was ahead of its time! Zeppelin changed the way the music would go! They influence so many bands even today! Zeppelin is timeless music! They opened the doors to other great ground breaking bands like Black Sabbath Deep purple Aerosmith and many metal bands from the 80's!

[@rocknroll5941]

Houses of The Holy has zero covers on it. If your looking for an all original album by Led Zeppelin, Houses of The Holy is the one to go.

[@markearnestfromreno613]

I’m in this line. It’s a personal thing with me because Houses is the first Zeppelin album that I felt was really mine, and that I heard for the first time right when it came out. So I rate it higher than 4, but not by much!

[@gelsol]

Four Sticks is a superior deep cut.

[@fedegwagwa]

If I know your tastes a bit better by now, I think Houses of the Holy is going to be your favourite album from them

[@ThaWiteRabit]

Nick Drake - Pink Moon album

[@textureedition624]

You need to react to Gustavo Cerati - Bocanada,I'm sure you'll love it!

[@buclesoficial]

I don't understand this guy. He never heard any of the greatest/most important albums in history? The Beatles, Led Zeppelin... But he has beside him a lot of vinyl records. It makes no sense. Probably faking, but either way, if you really didn't listen to these records I can't understand how... (this comment has not bad intention whatsoever, I'm just really shocked)

[@DAVECHER]

There's no one correct music listening journey. There's tons of "classics" from the 60s, 70s and 80s that I haven't heard. When I first started getting into music the bulk of my listening was more modern stuff that I would see younger music nerds on the internet talking about. I bet there's tons of modern stuff that you probably haven't listened to that I would consider a "classic".

[@moviemania2269]

Dude you just got to get to physical graffiti someday. It's my personal favourite and their most ambitious imo.

[@heartislikeawheel]

It’s a recorder

[@mitchellbatchelor1594]

If you want to understand what taking the genius of an original artist and making it your own, listen to “Dazed & Confused” by Jakes Holmes. He wrote & recorded the original release of the song.

[@hoolihanmick5897]

It's noticeable that many established artists don't cover LZ too much. I know Train did a tribute album and Heart rocked 'Stairway' at the Presidential awards and Beth Hart nailed a cover of 'Black Dog'.But I think most give their songs the upmost respect by not covering. Let's be fair, if you are going to cover LZ you have to have something say, playing or singing wise. Two bands I was in wanted to cover 'Rock 'n Roll'. I could sing it (at the time) but I wouldn't touch it. Felt like heresy somehow. I got '4' in '72 on my 14th birthday. I loved it then as I do now. If I was to try and cover anything from this album now it would be 'Evermore'. The folky feel is more my music these days....just the 53 years on...🤣