Led Zeppelin - When the Levee Breaks - Alternate Version Outtake

[@SearchingGeostationary]

the drum beat that started the industrial revolution.

[@johnlawson7306]

Searching2112 Geostationary. Nuclear waste sinking to the bottom then blowing up! Page, Rodgers, The Firm, Radioactive, baby!

[@hooliogoolio4446]

THIS COMMENT MADE MY WEEK LMAO

[@chuckcorbett4620]

No industry was involved in The Zep revolution!

[@DG-sf9ei]

Started and ended it. Bonham's legend on drums could never be equalled.

[@ALIAN18]

Beat so good it inspired the past to open a steel mill 😂

[@chidoquest8759]

This is the one Zeppelin song that I never grow tired of, basically a masterpiece of the blues rock genre.

[@timwilde4200]

Arguably my favourite song by Zep - never tire of hearing it. It offers up an absolute smorgasbord of musicality from all of the members that's virtually unsurpassed by them as a collective. From the relentless drive of Jones' bass, the famous Headley Grange dynamic of Bonham's drums, Page's hypnotic rhythms on guitar, and Plant's bluesy harmonica playing, you can sit back and listen to the song repeatedly and focus on each one of them for the duration of the song. It's rare that a song offers up so many different flavours to listen to, either individually or taken as a whole. Rounding it out of course is that it's an incredibly raunchy song that just grooves on endlessly with that trance-inducing rhythm.

[@timwilde4200]

@@jimmypaladinomusic Wow, there's stupid and then there's you. That was the point of the comment, moron, that there's a whole range of Led Zep songs I could point to as my favourite at any given moment in time, or don't you understand the definition of 'arguably'? But hey, congrats on managing to come up with such a cutting riposte - 7 months after I posted it. Really worked overtime on it, hmmm?

[@jimthomas1989]

Recording this John Bonham was down stairs in the stairwell , the rest of the group upstairs , microphones hungover into an echo machine and the sound traveled up the stairwell into the Mics . And Bonham beat the drums with what sounds like hammers instead of drum sticks. It's not my Favorite though , I like Kashmir, then this , then In The Evening, Immigrant Song, The Ocean, Black Dog , Dancing Days , I like Little by Little, Heaven Knows, and Jimmy playing in The Firm with lead singer of Bad Company Paul Roger's , Radio Active .

[@bradsquires5971]

In my opion even greater than the album version! If this doesn't get you jammin' nothing will.

[@slayer51811]

John Paul Jones doesn't get enough credit for his awesome bass-playing

[@tambourini]

Truly!

[@crupert23225]

Bass players are the most underappreciated members of every band. They're in the background, doing their magic, and most don't even notice them. Watch any footage of a concert, and you almost never see them getting any camera time. It's all about the singer, lead guitarist and drummer. They're just as important as the others, but they always get short shrift.

[@tambourini]

@@crupert23225 Agreed! However they are not underappreciated by you and me! Thanks for your accurate reply!

[@djinnmagik2003]

JPJ also arranged many of the Led Zeppelin songs.

[@robertorick6383]

@@crupert23225 Except for Paul McCartney. He seems to be the only bass player with a very high profile even at his age. The late session bassist Bob Moore was also very prolific in Nashville and Memphis, performing on over 5,000 sessions from the early 1950's until his death in 2021. Elvis Presley's original bass player, Bill Black was highly prolific too. There was one famous bass player who started out as a lead guitarist: The Venture's Bob Bogle. He played the lead guitar on the hits "Walk, Don't Run" and "The Lullaby Of The Leaves." Then, in 1961, they hired Nokie Edwards. Nokie was more adept on lead guitar than Bob, so Bob switched places with Nokie on lead guitar while Bob took up bass guitar and occasional string bass fiddle (on their cover of "Wack Wack") until Bob's death in 2014.

[@culiacan929]

I have 66 years old and still continuos hearing, this guys...awsone music

[@needsaride15126]

If I had to choose a favorite Led Zepplin song, this would be the one.

[@zuzupetals1999]

This is a really cool version. The sharpness of Page's guitar is what makes it great. It just reaches out and slices your ears to pieces. Great stuff as always from the Greatest band ever.

[@specialsnowflake9097]

It's a single coil

[@davidgreene7676]

another interpretation by plant...in the original voice....they are all on fire (as usual)...

[@dinoveneziale]

Listening to zeppelin since i was 14 , 49 now and just discovered this version i will play it as many times as ui played original version love i

[@OzziesRobots]

They were all so dialed in for the 4th album it's crazy. This song is their Day in the Life

[@johnlawson7306]

Plant's wailing voice............Page's slicing riffs....... Jones laying it down thick...... Bonzo beating the shit out of it ...... and the levee breaks.... damn!

[@DG-sf9ei]

The levee doesn't stand a chance against free-spirited musician's, it crumbles like all the fads in music, while Zep looks down from the Mountain top

[@vankirk11]

Damn! No pun intended!

[@Xonida_NcTroller]

@@vankirk11 God dam!

[@zuzupetals1999]

As much as I adore the album version, I can't stop listening to this. I'm with you on this one.

[@FlamencologyDance]

This one is even wilder.

[@douglas2902]

This has to be one of bonzos greatest highlights

[@SJKLR99]

Killer underrated harmonica!

[@Virgin_Oil]

This song doesn’t get old lmao

[@ZipLineFine]

This incredible version is literally giving me chills and goose bumps... Head to toe... I was fortunate enough to experience LZ LIVE in concert in 1975(?) @ the Summit in Houston Tx. The "smoky" atmosphere added an aromatic note to the show.. LZ is / was a memory making machine...

[@paulgallagher1882]

I never saw them live unfortunately I have a friend who saw them in 72 he still says it was best concert he ever went to

[@mikeglasgow9618]

I was there also. My best friend was a groundskeeper for Greenway Plaza. Knew everything about the underground.

[@thehollyrocker69]

The bassline at the pre chorus is fucking amazing

[@fifa13online]

im not ashamed to admit it, im headbanging to this so hard

[@davebowden4010]

I'm 56 but I still wake up every day, put on some LZ and contemplate what could have been had Bonzo stayed with us . Led Zeppelin.... Undisputed GOAT

[@marioski54]

I am almost 70 and every time I listen at this song is a heartbeat

[@markmeriano2070]

Think I better go.......think I better go back home...........The Mighty Led Zeppelin!!!! The best band in the land!

[@allancerf9038]

the roll at 5:12 is phenomenal.

[@MrNotenoughtime]

05:12

[@the_rover1]

6:15 listen to that. that echoes, that power. the deep tension let loose. that musical freight train roaming through your head.

[@thomashope373]

This version is so cool, thanks for posting.

[@djinnmagik2003]

Yeah, I didn't know it existed. Very interesting to hear and enjoy 😁💖🎶

[@sidebarrecon2201]

Who in the hell could touch this band ? Nobody!

[@panamcail]

The most correct KZbin post ever!

[@divadjm]

It’s magic, just pure fucking magic.

[@shawnwhittle98]

Most of the blues artists they ripped off without giving credit probably, given a similar budget and equipment.

[@larrypelotte6311]

@@shawnwhittle98 Heard the original artists were very well compensated... Just saying

[@shawnwhittle98]

@@larrypelotte6311 some where, only after extensive lawsuits.

[@ATIHpss64HM]

So the vocals were re-made, it was slowed down a tiny bit and echo was added to the drums. Facinating!

[@Jon-d6s9i]

Hauntingly beautiful yet blisteringly powerful harmonica playing by Plant… Rip-roaring, eardrum splitting guitar perfection by Page..... Hypnotic banshee-like rhyming & rhythmic singing and wailing by Percy sung with glee and abandon.... Thunderous drums beaten with the Hammer of the Gods, coupled with those insanely inhuman drum rolls by Bonham..... With Jonsey keeping an even keel in the wild musical maelstorm..achoring it all into a cohesive musical tapestry... All resulting in the best groove ever laid down in music history. I was never convinced that Led Zeppelin made a deal at the crossroads for their musical talent until I heard this Alternate Take of Levee. Simply the most badass rock track ever recorded.

[@yiggoto]

Just goosebumpy everything.

[@cbshelby]

I know, once the harmonica starts the hair on the back of my neck stands up and I tingle everywhere.

[@chrissy3938]

Another version is called "if it keeps on raining". Was added to Coda remasters. I love this one so much. Robert's voice is 🔥

[@westsidesmitty1]

I'll have to check that out at once. Thanks!

[@eye5856]

SO HEAVY

[@MikeRoth-ex1wk]

Probly the best cover song of all time.

[@MrSistermaryelephant]

Come children, come sit. I'm gonna tell you a story from a long time ago. A time when giants walked the earth

[@scottlewis8386]

one more comment, every time I here this version of this song...... goosebumps

[@DG-sf9ei]

Whenever I hear the chord and cymbal sustain accents (1:17 - 1:28), sounds like waves crashing down a levee. Wonder if Zep intended that effect. ....

[@ls1959]

For the first five minutes I would have said the original was better, but I really like the way the harmonica was used, especially at the end. It ends up being kind of a toss up as to which version is better. Plant sings in a more bluesy style on this one.

[@panamcail]

This IS the original version but not used for several reasons. Did you catch the lyric "monkey man?" Anyway I"ve been listening this version for a couple of years and it is not just my favorite version but my favorite zeppelin tune.

[@westsidesmitty1]

@@panamcail That is a fascinating comment. I just listened to the one extant live version. In the comments, I wrote that I was amazed to hear Plant sing ''monkey man'' (an old blues usage). For damn near 50 years, I thought he said ''mountain man'' (as in the epitome of gritty survivor. Are you saying that they recorded a second set of lyrics because of the ''monkey man'' reference?

[@JayCail]

@ westsidesmitty1 ... They didn't record a second set of lyrics. This is the original. They used a slower version with similar lyrics for the actual album release. Monkey man lyric likely too controversial even though there is a video of Plant using the lyric later in a live performance. @@westsidesmitty1

[@Meditation409]

Damm the riffs sound more heavy and faster as hell! 😯😍

[@richardheinz]

I love Plant's vocals at 2:40-3:00.

[@mirror1001]

i’m weak from that

[@DG-sf9ei]

This version is more organic and at the same time more enchanting, almost their natural state couldn't be overdubbed to sound any better.

[@specialsnowflake9097]

@@DG-sf9ei is the official recording overdubbed? I know Jimmy used a telecaster on top of his les paul?

[@westsidesmitty1]

@@specialsnowflake9097 The slide is played on a '61 Dan Electro tuned EACFAC.

[@khuddle]

From 1969 to 73 he still had full mastery of that incredible voice of his. Could still hit the shrieks of the Immigrant Song. Post 73 Plant was just not the same.

[@Hamer4114]

Love the first libe in this song that plant sings. It has such great power and just sounds incredible

[@gregbeck8895]

JPJ a heavy bass player with many musical talents

[@Terri-d5v]

Loving every minute of it.❤

[@TheRover1977]

Part of it was the acoustics of the stairway of Headley Grange. There is an echo effect on the drums, though. What you hear in this version above is just the acoustics of Headley Grange. After slowing the tape down, there is an echo added. Just listen to the two side-by-side. In the beginning of this version above, the snare drum and bass drum don't have much of a reverb after, but in the official release, there is a definitive "BUM-bum" echo after each time the snare and bass drum is hit.

[@TheRover1977]

I know the sound of those drums are one of a kind.

[@stevefairweather159]

Here in 2021. No one touches Zeppelin........never

[@the_rover1]

holy drums this is GREAT!

[@Scoobydcs]

the fact any human being (and only he could!!) make THIS sound from a kit is just unbelievable

[@TheRover1977]

I didn't know that these were separate takes. Thanks for the correct info! VALHALLAH I AM COMING

[@VaheTheGreat1]

never heard a better zep !!!!

[@balko1653]

I like the vocals much more in this version. And I am glad that the base is louder. So much better than the original overall.

[@TheDjshortblueberry]

"one word" BEAUTIFUL 1:13

[@Thorum13]

Simply fucking bad-ass all the way around...powerfully sublime.

[@santiburon66]

Estaban jodidamente en pena forma. La poderosa bateria de Bonham, el ritmo de Jones, Plant todavía tenía voz, y Page dominado las seis cuerdas. Hasta los outtakes eran poderosos, magicos, sublimes... como el puto disco entero.

[@smith9808]

It still blows my mind what they all achieved before they turned 30.

[@sonicretreatownerceocircut5274]

This song is King 👑 the King 👑 Rock n Roll King 👑 Memphis Mafia 👑🎵🎶🎵🎶🎵🎶🎵🎶

[@molanlabexm15]

This song makes me think of the road in the morning and leaving town.

[@zuluzoltar]

Quite possibly the best drum track ever.....

[@stitchgrimly6167]

Holy shit the kick from 5:14 is crazy. The bass from 6:00 is super badass too. I feel like there is still echo on the drums though. I'm sure that second ghost kick wasn't played.

[@manynukes11]

I prefer this version honestly, sounds better :)

[@Meditation409]

Omg yes! 😂💯

[@biphkreimier8210]

Me too

[@VisionaryDreamsByPamela]

Love this version, wish Yt hadn't removed the Hurricane version video.

[@biphkreimier8210]

That was a wicked video! I'm glad that someone else knows what I'm talking about

[@evidenceia5699]

Crispy!!! I love this

[@manynukes11]

I was gonna sing along but then I realised these lyrics are completely different

[@keithstone673]

Since this version doesn't have the binson echorec on it, we can hear the drums as they were played clearly. The first kick drum hit is most definitely followed by another small hit. It's the same "heartbeat" double that he does on Kashmir. It's very faint, but it's not played as loud as it may seem with the echorec.

[@Scoobydcs]

i can hear it on kashmir but never heard it on this! ah well good excuse to listen again hah

[@DG-sf9ei]

I noticed the same thing as a drummer, that's part of Bonham's style. Yet there's a bloke named Rick Beato on YT who knows everything and thinks that 1st bass drum note was a single bass kick. This version shreds his echo effect theory to cause a double note into pieces.

[@timhoovermusicman]

​@@DG-sf9ei I like rick... Learn a lot and he's got great stories. I think he does the best song breakdowns.

[@timhoovermusicman]

​@@DG-sf9ei I'll have to find Rick's breakdown and give it a spin.

[@gmfw9777]

Been steady using the sound of that drum to pound fence posts into the earth and shatter my kidney stones to dust

[@jasonlockwood-james1507]

john pauls bass is so much more driven on this. wow

[@badtexasbill5261]

Pure gold

[@nelsonlara8417]

Impresionante!!!

[@TheRover1977]

Heck yea!

[@meepenjaap7999]

RP has a lot more vibrato in his voice in this version, love it. Only thing better would be if this was a video of them singing it.

[@davidbates2808]

If you had told me before I heard this version that I'd hear a version of Levee that I'd like better than the album version I would have said impossible. Oh how very wrong I would have been!!!!!!!!!!!

[@DG-sf9ei]

Only Zep can outdo themselves, and they did it night after night on stage.

[@djinnmagik2003]

I agree, but I think that the track on LZ 4 is better. Simply my opinion!

[@Drummunchies]

Goosebumby Bassline...

[@divadjm]

I’m goin down now

[@solarismoon3046]

And you CAN hear the echo effect on the drums. Just because you don't hear it that doesn't mean that it isn't there. It's a slight delay with compression through the microphones. The original version is only slowed down a half note so that it's in the key of G major. Otherwise Robert Plant sung it in the key of G to give it a more gospel or blues sound than rock and roll from the sixties.

[@jamesgoforth1606]

Fascinating, but I like the vocals in the album version better, glad they opted for that.

[@stephenpeterson6676]

This should be the version on the IV companion disc, this is just as good (if not maybe even better I’m not sure yet) than the actually album WTLB

[@JAMESGANG-f5u]

That Harmonica tone could clean a grill

[@juarezmendes6744]

Led zeppelin pauleira eterna 🇧🇷🤘

[@paulorenatodasilva4320]

Plágio de Memphis Minnie.

[@LeandroRodrigues-kt2ie]

A canção é a mesma do álbum IV..mas a letra é diferente.

[@LeandroRodrigues-kt2ie]

​@@paulorenatodasilva4320A maioria das grandes a maioria das grandes bandas tem músicas plagiadas ou referências de outras músicas que já existem..

[@patrickalloyssius9138]

Vocals are great

[@Annmarietenacious]

sounds so amazing!! more robert plant screams!

[@ragzrocco8803]

Bonzos drums broke that mean ol levee

[@DG-sf9ei]

A 26" Ludwig bass drum can break down alot of barriers, including the neighbor's living room tranquility.

[@MrSadsack56]

Fuck the harmonica at the end wins it for me!!

[@Aridzonan13]

We used to rat race in the fog on River Road to this, LaPlace to Kenner, LA

[@321blastdafckoff]

actually they positioned the Mic/s differently between the takes. And that ''BUM-bum'' as you so put it, is john bonhams third leg flapping against the bass drum. Balls of steel. RIDE ON TO VALHALLER

[@Virgin_Oil]

321blastdafckoff best answer I’ve seen 😂😂

[@richardheinz]

I'm probably wrong, but I thought it was the same take with a different vocal track. The instruments are a rough mix, that's why it sounds different.

[@scomu9742]

False, natural reverb + binson echorech

[@tommalik413]

@@scomu9742 At least someone finally got it right.

[@eaglerocvox3277]

Earth Soul Blues RocknRoll...

[@fremontrecording]

Super cool! Thanks for this!

[@LeandroRodrigues-kt2ie]

De qual álbum é essa canção? Pois do álbum IV.. A letra é diferente dessa!

[@gregorylapointe4157]

Appears to be more harmonica in this version or perhaps it is just brought out a little more, either way, I like it.

[@j.a.191]

This is the same instrumental take as the album cut. Probably was all recorded live with Plant singing and playing harmonica. Then when they decided to slow the track down, the vocal would have had to be redone but the harmonica part stayed.

[@bcb2555]

This projects rock innocence

[@gregbeck8895]

What’s not to enjoy.. a haze of smoke and deep mindset (no) outside interference to propel one into the infinite spaces of life

[@MrOpodeldok]

Kansas Joe McCoy & Memphis Minnie (1929) due to the Mississippi-Flood in 1927

[@TheRover1977]

I would have to agree with you one this one

[@scottsiniscalchi9795]

THAT WAS FUCKING AWESOME !!

[@scottlewis8386]

harmonica is unbelievable. wonder who's playing that?

[@bradsquires5971]

I have always heard Robert was on harmonica and damn was he great hear just bone chilling! What a fantastic sound this version is, no one anywhere near their level at any point the Stones with Taylor closest.

[@scottlewis8386]

brad squires thanks for the info. kinda what I thought

[@Virgin_Oil]

brad squires it’s insane, it’s a harmonica reversed

[@theresacarmen9847]

Robert is playing the harmonica, we're told and I've never heard any other person mentioned.

[@the_rover1]

robert plant. have a listen to 'nobodys fault but mine'. includes a harmonica solo.

[@AvonNabors]

Wish they had 1000 different alt takes of every song out there

[@glaucod6093]

Hey Luke! Led Zepp 4Ever ❤️❤️❤️

[@solarismoon3046]

This is in the key of F - the original is in the key of G. This just sounds transposed.

[@tanneryordan]

how do you know the original was in the key of G? When you speed/pitch up the song to what it would have been in G, everything sounds chipmunk-y. The drums are tuned way higher than Bonzo ever would have, along with everything including guitars being played unnaturally fast.

[@RawrzillaFilms]

What is he saying in that "Breakdown Section" that was changed to "It's gonna make ya' bad when you're try'n find....". He does that Breakdown twice (another toward the end) and it's different lyrics as well... I just wish I could understand everything he's saying in those "Breakdowns". I working on a SUPER LONG cover of this song involving all the lost and unused lyrics (including the lyrics used by Minnie & Mcoy).... Homework, dispose, Lol! Well, If anyone who can hear better than me can help me out with those lyrics, it would be greatly appreciated. ✌

[@RawrzillaFilms]

I did that same thing with this song except I added in the extra verses from the original 'Minnie & McCoy' version after the 3rd Bridge & the breakdown.

[@RawrzillaFilms]

Ha! XD I just realized I responded to myself from about a year ago... Lol! XD

[@JayCail]

1st set of lyrics at around 2:40 mark you requested: "Oh don't you think it's gonna rain, when I followed the cloud and don't you know 'bout the tears in my heart. Don't you hear the rain come when it's time to run MUCH FASTER don't you know that ya, you're gonna DIE ... oh, oh, oh, ah ha ha ha ha ..."

[@JayCail]

2nd set of lyrics at around 5:13 mark you requested: "Levee breaks, got no place to stay, gonna make you wanna feel so BAD When you board that train you're gonna run from downtown, don't you wish that you were born to FLY ... It's coming down now" ... (4x)

[@Terri-d5v]

Breake off some of that Leeve fot me. Piece of Robert Plant ❤

[@deangray9552]

whoa , check out those morbid lyrics in a the break . Plant on his Robert Johnson trip. . Can see the producer dialed it back .

[@chiappettamark]

Original release far better, yet we all know THIS is a must listen for we have been starved of just how did Led Zep nail this song. So it (mostly Percy's lyrical treatment) did evolve.

[@michaelpilon2429]

Total killer drum tracks no computer garbage

[@resdek2246]

damn son

[@comontoshi]

I was asked what I wanted if I was going be stranded somewhere . . . I said Led Zeppelin and some food and water.