A First Reaction of What Is and What Should Never Be by Led Zeppelin

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[@BalbazaktheGreat]

Crazy how one band could generate so many amazing tracks...

[@ArmandoMPR]

Jimmy Page is a great producer. At least for his own music. This is a fine song. I hope you consider doing “Ten Years Gone”. Imo, it has his greatest solo ever, in part because it is his most emotional, and it happens early in the song. There are many that can shred and noodle away on a guitar, but not many can make you cry.

[@honoraryamerica5943]

Those transitions from soft to chaos formed the nucleus of Jimmy Pages, and by extension LZs philosophy in music. He referred to it as "light and shade". The most prominent example of this is probably Stairway to Heaven with the ascending, gradual crescendo throughout until the peak, but it is found in many songs by them. If you are looking for their best work worthy of deeper analysis IMO, you have to explore the middle of their careers, 4th, 5th and 6th albums named "Zeppelin IV (it's untitled, referred to by different names)", "Houses of the Holy" and "Physical Graffiti". Enjoy, and keep up the good work.

[@anthonyblakely399]

This song is among my favorites of Led Zeppelin.

[@vicprovost2561]

What a great song, coming right after Whole Lotta Love on that ground-breaking album! The whole world was freaked out by Led Zeppelin in 1969, as a freshman In high school, everyone I knew loved their first 2 albums, setting the stage for everything to come. Try Heartbreaker from the same album to hear Jimmy Page go completely off! Enjoy. 🎵🎸🎤🎹🎶

[@sonofrobert]

He is suppose to do heartbreaker followed by Living lovin maid. Cheers

[@Happyheretic2308]

The incomparable JPJ …

[@antonballard2212]

One of my favorite songs by Zep - you are a beast! Grrrrreat job!!!!

[@jmar7631]

Great song! I really like their live performance of it during their 1970 Royal Albert Hall concert. Maybe when you're finished with album ii, you can give that a listen. The entire concert was pretty incredible. The setlist included many of the songs from their first two albums. Anyway, enjoyed your reaction, as usual, and looking forward to the next.

[@heliotropezzz333]

This song is said to be about his affair with his sister in law. He went out with her before he married his wife, but she wanted him to choose between her and his music. They got together again later after his marriage failed it's said, but if you read the lyrics of Black Country Woman it sounds like he was still married at the time. Ultimately it didn't last but he did have a son, Jesse, by her.

[@MrDiddyDee]

Plant's voice is put through a Leslie speaker cabinet which is the wavy underwater effect you described. Originally designed as an accessory for organ players, it was used by The Beatles on their experimental track 'Tomorrow never knows' to distort Lennon's voice. It's also very prevalent on Harrison's vocals for 'Blue Jay Way', off the 'Magical Mystery Tour' album. The 'Leslie' sound can be replicated electronically now, but in the 1960's it was created mechanically by a motor spinning the sound from a high and low frequency pair of speakers. The high frequency speaker spun horizontally with a counterbalance, and the low frequency was fixed above a rotating cylinder. The motor could be adjusted to alter the speed of the vibrato. The Beatles also often used it to great effect by running guitars through the speaker too.

[@henriettaskolnick4445]

Another beautifully melodic example of their ever-present penchant for "light and shade". I like your description of the dream-like sections being exactly that, while the more chaotic sections being reality. As others have mentioned, this song was about the affair Robert had had (or was having, or wanted to have - I'm not sure of the timeline) with his sister in law. Clearly, getting caught is the chaos while the carnal thoughts are the dream.

[@joshuadeshaies7106]

Aren’t these guys just the best bro!!! Rock on!!¡

[@stratfanstl]

This is my all-time favorize LZ track. Probably cuz it is the first song that is 100% original -- something they had a bit of a challenge with for a few albums. It's totally original and there is no other song in rock with this vibe before it or since. And the final segue with "Well girl, the answer lies with you...." is one of Plant's best vocal "arrangements" along with the entire outro.

[@lyndoncmp5751]

Well Good Times Bad Times, Communication Breakdown, Heartbreaker, Ramble On, Living Loving Maid and Thank You are all totally original as well, and to be fair 90% of what they are said to have stolen is original too. Even Dazed and Confused. Just saying. 👍

[@stevenrenton1679]

I suppose there's a reason the term stupid has been replaced with euphemisms. You're proof of it.

[@robertlear2735]

When I graduated from 8th grade in 1962 my parents got me a record player. It was one of the new portable stereo record players. There was a speaker built into the lid and it had a long wire so you could detach the lid and place it at a distance so you could get that stereo effect.

[@remmymafia3889]

You're one of my top reactors from your generation in my full year now perusing KZbin of reactions to my era's music. (b1955) Your take on the Rolling Stones is spot on of all the reactions to their songs. This Zeppelin song is a bit of a roller coaster as of course you mentioned, but so many of their songs kind of are. You use the term 'dreamy' to describe to slow parts here, and that's of course is a good description, but like many Zep songs, they infuse some bluesy parts, and dreamy break here with Page's soft blues lead work, really hits home about the blues aspect of this composition. Zep put their own distinct spin on some real old blues stuff, as well as their own original stuff.

[@Hartlor_Tayley]

These guys had great chemistry, that’s the thing with most of the great classic rock bands, they all had great chemistry. Many bands didn’t have great chemistry generally didn’t stay together long or put out consistently good stuff. It’s really what separates the best from the good.

[@dalesamuels8667]

I'm 54, been listening to Led Zep since I was 13 years old, i'm still hearing new things in these old songs, thanks for the videos young man, ha ha ha

[@juliemanarin4127]

Every song they made was fantastic! This is great live too!

[@bostonvair]

Syed, I love your thoughtful reactions, and I have always loved this unusual song!

[@mauricelaidler4789]

I bought this album in my teens when it came out. What an experience it was listening to it for the first time. All of the new sounds and effects were just amazing.

[@davidhart8621]

This song stirs the blood every time.

[@Scott-hq3jq]

Yeah, Led Zeppelin man... What can you say...?!.... This song is so chill but - like the chill of a summertime evening storm, flashes lightning and sounds the thunder between dreamy raindrops. This song also I think really showcases Robert Plant. As you yourself said, his voice sounds like an instrument! .. Man between Led Zeppelin and The Doors I just feel so lucky to have experienced their music 🎶.

[@freedomisall5620]

Love this track. It is so unique and even different from the brilliant bluesy, heavy style of tracks on LZ1. You got it right, they were 'pushing new horizons'. This is the first of those dreamy, middle-earth tracks on LZ2.

[@jons3808]

The brilliance of Zeppelin is on full display here. Such an incredible track. 👍🏻

[@susanpalmer8931]

It's so good that you are considering where this music at the time it was released and your perspective as you move through the tracks in order is so on point. Thank you! ☮

[@Phi1l]

Plant was so good at vocal improvisations

[@fightingwords8955]

Great Job 🤩

[@julienmarquet8612]

As always, a very cleaver, intelligent, analysis, explanation, of the song, and, I'm shocked, by the fact, a rapper, a fan of hip hop music, finally, understood, that it's those bands of the 60's, 70's, who influenced, if not, created that kind of beat, like Bonham, or Buddy Miles, with Jimi Hendrix, during the BAND OF GYPSIES SHOW, ALBUMS, the way of speaking, rapping like Plant, etc..... 👍Great job! Peace from France bro! 👍✌️😂🎸🇫🇷

[@awoken1445]

I am rediscovering LZ thru yr reactions. Love yr insights.

[@jameshuston9589]

Have you ever watched a movie a couple of different times and drew more out of it every time? I'm 60. I broke my teeth on this era. First time I heard this song, I was pretty f... ed up. But it still rings in my heart.

[@Fuphyter]

Incredible song ❤

[@alpetrocelli4465]

Thanks for the shout out, and for sharing more from one of the greatest rock bands ever.✌️❤️🎶

[@tektoniks_architects]

Light and Shade.....dynamics. Soft and hard. Led (heavy) and Zeppelin (lighter than air). That's what they do.

[@Dan-zq5wt]

You point out they’re trying new things, and that is true. But Page knew exactly what he was doing. So many hooks in just one song, multiplied by hundreds throughout the catalogue. Master composers and arrangers for rock! One more point: IMHO, Zeppelin II Plant is the greatest rock singer of all time.

[@BrianMihok]

Another great reaction, Syed!

[@williamwilkes9873]

Love your comments......,you suss them....,,had friends/ roadies so saw them free a lot.....,...wish you had.,.....fanxxx

[@phillipareed2]

Jimmy also switches back & forth from C# minor to F# minor effortlessly.

[@user-xk7ol2zj5d]

outstanding commentary

[@terryross1032]

Saw Zepp in London when I was 15. I am now 65.

[@kevinbrady6075]

You nailed it!!

[@XLiquidSnakeX00]

I think you would absolutely love the song silent lucidity by Queensrÿche

[@jahl14]

Great analysis

[@seajaytea9340]

I laughed when you started by noting the "dreamy, fantasy"-like aspect of the song - but you can't forget about Bonzo Bonham and the drums that command your attention.

[@georgegwoolston1730]

I call "Bullsheet"...Stereo was available in the '40s in high-end equipment that many jazz aficionados utilized at home albeit a very expensive hobby until the advent of transistors invented by Bell Laboratories in the late 50s(?) and copied extensively by Japanese manufacturers which brought the price of stereo equipment down to make the technology available to working stiffs. I also take umbrage about needing headphones to appreciate the stereo imaging. If your equipment works properly and is of moderate or greater quality, and the speakers are equal to the task, and properly distanced, then the stereo panning/imaging is even to a greater effect on said speaker setup with greater spacial impact than with headphones. Stay safe...be well...

[@bobbyboogie2603]

Relax dude, did someone piss in your corn flakes?

[@Scott-hq3jq]

...trying new things... Yeah, I mean there are nuances and variations all throughout Led Zeppelin and it's not just all the same even if, it may 'seem' like they have 'a sound'. Just another thing that makes them great and... I come back to my tier1 and say I get that same thing from the Doors. Always experimenting... Like how Spanish Caravan is sooo different yet amazing... And so on.

[@davidl9771]

The end of this song is epic

[@Paladin1701]

Maybe give “God of Thunder” by Kiss a try.

[@robertherring9277]

Have OG release press of Zep 1 and 2. Dad got them on leave from Nam and shipped them over. When I hit about 7th grade... i actually went through all his vinyl... both there and unopened! Along with a slew of other awesome stuff!

[@anthonyattard6726]

Thanks

[@shaunmccaul1695]

saw them twice in 1969 in Boston

[@iainprendergast8311]

This is my favourite Led Zeppelin track who is my gateway into them before that as musician I didn’t like them at all I didn’t like the voice the attitude then after this tune I softened and started to listen and I got it.

[@Alewifes_Husband]

Freestyle in rock music is normally called Ad-libbing. Like in a movie. Ad-lib, no script, etc.

[@poison3602]

If you really do like the mighty zep then the tribute band Get the Led Out reproduces the studio versions live and sound exceptionally good

[@williamvonschenk2273]

The differating vocal effect on Plant in the verse is a flange.

[@davidreilly8888]

Hey Syed Just wanted to fill you in on the lyrics...This song is about an inappropriate affair Robert had with his sister in law. He has actually spoken openly about it. Great song.

[@BRNRDNCK]

You gotta hit some Steely Dan Also commenting for the algorithm

[@iainprendergast8311]

Syed, have you done the four Akala fire on the booth?

[@tanyaweathersby9393]

Robert Plant is magical!

[@gerhardbraatz6305]

It was a fantastic time to be a teenager.

[@user-xk7ol2zj5d]

interesting, i thought the opinions were for the most part spot on, but i also disagree in one sense, i think they 'landed' with this album, a lot of what happened in 2 lead to 3 also, whch also had great music, i also don't agree that there is necessarily a 'pinnacle' they had multiple songs that were fantastic at different times in their life

[@Alewifes_Husband]

Syed, you should just break down and listen to Led Zeppelin II as a whole, on channel. You'll be blown away. As great a debut as they had, this one is another level and really propelled the band to superstardom. Such a groundbreaking album in 1969, even though some of that ground had been explored by the Beatles, the Beach Boys, Jimi Hendrix, and others. Led Zep just had such a unique sound for the time, and it's still that way. You can tell right away it's Led Zeppelin, and also that it's NOT.

[@richardhughes4622]

What happened to a review of the entire Led Zep 11 album? One song and that's it?

[@nancymjohnson]

Save all the comments til the end lol

[@StarCitizenSpeakeasy]

Pretty sure this is a song about Parasailing LOL

[@antarcticorb9197]

This song is about a relationship with his sister in-law, Believe it or not. Taboo territory...

[@helenespaulding7562]

Snd they all get along famously from what I hear. One big happy family. Seriously,..that’s great.

[@peterbartolomeo9574]

Too too much interruption your very good but it's a short song. Let it play so the listener can make heads or tails first...then bring the critique your too smart to lose your place. I love your reactions but this is a short track. Let's groove a bit ...then I'm all ears