"Stairway To Heaven" is more than THE anthem of the whole rock history, it's THE revelation at all. I gave them my soul when I was sixteen, and now they are not going to give it me back.
Thanks Saeed - this is a very deep rabbit hole. They formed in 1968 and disbanded in 1980 after the death of John Bonham, said to be one of the, if not THE best drummer ever. His death hit the band extremely hard. Although they got back together in various iterations and did some solo work as well, the amount of music they put out in a relatively short period of time is quite something. I saw them live in the 70s, something I will never forget. ☮
Im 71 years young😉 when i was a teen id sit in my bedroom on my bed, headphones on, purple wall on one side of room, black on other, had a hanging light with with black light balb, listening to this album! Great times🥰🥰. Its so enjoyable to see younger generations enjoy the music i did as a youngin, to the age iam now❤️❤️
"Stairway To Heaven" is their most famous song & considered by many as one of the all time best. Led Zeppelin have a huge library of hits. "Immigrant Song", "Whole Lotta Love", "Black Dog", "Ramble On", "Kashmir", "When The Levee Breaks", “Dazed & Confused”, “Since I’ve Been Loving You”, "Rock & Roll", "The Ocean", "Over The Hills & Far Away", "The Song Remains The Same", "The Rain Song", "Good Times Bad Times" etc.
Lead singer is Robert Plant...drummer is John Bonham...guitarist is Jimmy Page...Bass is John Paul Jones? anyone out there correct me if I am wrong, love this Saeed...very nice...Heart does a GREAT cover of this live at The Kennedy Center Honors in Washington D.C....if you look it up on youtube, Jason Bonham, son of the late drummer John Bonham played drums... check out the full version of it...Robert Plant, Jimmy Page and John Paul Jones were all there in person, all three brought to tears by Heart's performance....
Many will mention Heart performing this song in tribute at the Kennedy Center Honors in 2012, with the 3 surviving Zep members looking on, and the late John Bonham’s son Jason on drums. Truly one of the very best tributes in rock history. Can’t wait for more Zep from you!
You need to watch The Lincoln Center Honors with Heart paying tribute to Led Well soon with their performance, featuring John Bonham Jr on drums! It brought tear of joy to the members of the group & to me as well!
😳What an exceptional, and intelligent reaction to this timeless song! FUN FACT: Robert Plant was a mere 21yrs old when he wrote these lyrics! Truly wise beyond his years!!😊 I saw a quote once (from Morgan Freeman, I think😅), and it said something to the effect of true musicians are modern day prophets... I feel this song speaks volumes to that!! Thanks for sharing your journey with us!!❤ Oh and... you REALLY need to revisit this song and watch their legendary performance of it at Madison Suare Garden in 1973. It will give you a better idea of Zeppelins greatness!!💯💯💯
@@SaeedReacts. everything they do is amazing, this song live at Madison Square Gardens (1973) is absolutely fantastic. Their live performances are legendary, they improvised often, each song live is never the same. Singer Robert Plant often adds to his lyrics & lead guitarist Jimmy Page does longer incredible solos. Since I’ve Been Loving You live at this concert, is another amazing standout. Each member is the best at their crafts, together they are The GODS Of MUSIC! Their early story is really amazing, how quick they rose to legendary status. They perform so many genres of music (& to perfection) Rock Blues Folk Funk Reggae Prog etc. Plant is a very poetic lyricist, & is a huge fan of Lord Of The Rings, so there are references in some songs. Jimmy Page lead guitarist founded the band, he produced & edited all their albums. If you choose to take the amazing journey down the Led Zeppelin rabbit hole, they will give you the greatest experience. Interviews of members are amazing to see & hear, highly recommend checking out each album in order starting with LZ one. An amazing debut album. Thank you so much for your reaction, hope to see much more Led Zeppelin.
One word to describe this song is ‘Epic’! This song takes you on a journey that slowly builds to an explosive crescendo then the outro returns to the starting tempo of song. A masterpiece of composition from the wonderful vocals of Robert Plant, the beautiful acoustic beginning and the electric guitar finale by Jimmy Page, the bass by John Paul Jones and Jon Bonham’s explosive drumming. As you alluded to, the Rings of Smoke and the piper will lead us to reason may be references to Gandalf and the Lord of the Rings. You just aced another advanced lesson in your classic rock education.
I was a teenager when this song came out and I promptly bought the record. I pretty much drove my parents nuts because I'd play it over and over. I still get chills when I hear this song.
🌸 there's a live version of the concert in Madison square garden 1973 and it's always kind of nice to see a live version because it gives you a different perspective
At the beginning, that instrument is not a flute, but a mellotron. If you liked this so much, you will also like the live version (Madison Square Garden, 1973). I strongly recommend it.
@laszlovszky1234 it's actually John Paul Jones playing the recorder on the studio version - 2 in harmony, in fact. But he does utilise the mellotron for that part when he plays it live
@@RobONeill-b5e Indeed. I looked it up now, he really didn't use a mellotron, but he didn't use a flute either, but a recorder, formerly known as an English flute. Unlike the flute, it is a whistling instrument.
The origins of the songs started at Plant & Page's retreat to Bron-Y-Aur, a remote 18th Century cottage in Wales (1970). The cottage had no electricity or running water. Lyrics were written in one night in front of a roaring wood fire at Headley Grange, spontaneously improvised by Plant.
Turn it up! Turn it up! Turn it uuuuuup! As you venture through the Led Zeppelin tunnel (bigger than a rabbit hole), remember that they were only together for 12 years! They did one performance at the O2 arena in London in 2007. They received 20 million ticket requests.
Hi Saeed. Listening to Led Zeppelin IV for the first time was one of the pivotal moments in my musical journey, especially this song. I am so glad you listened to the album version as I think that is where it really shines. Fun Fact (maybe): I read that this was the most played song on American radio in the whole decade of the 70's.
Hey Saeed, i subscribed when you first hit Chisel...now you are doing my second love, Zeppelin. My third love is Metallica but Zeppelin will open doors you never thought existed....they have hard rock, psychedelia, folk music, reggae, and an awful lot of blues...it is still to this day, the greatest musical journey that i have undertook...i wish i could go back! I'm going to jump the queue and suggest Ramble On...another acoustic based song which shows every band member's skill...you will love the crap out of it!!!!...the real magic is that it never gets old...ive heard it a thousand times and i still want to hear it again
" ... sometimes words have two meanings..." etc... For me, Stairway Heaven is nomber one in the category of hard rock ballads. Led Zeppelin are one of the rock GOATS. I am 49 years young man 😊 from Serbia 🇷🇸, and i love your reaction!❤ Whole Lotta Love, Dazed and Confused, Moby Dick, Kashmir are just few of Led Zeppelin's songs that i recommend you to react. "To be a rock, and not to roll!"
Never gets old. (I spent far too much time back in the day, teaching myself this great song on guitar. But I did, and I still enjoy playing the various parts.)
Rip John Bonham… gone way too soon… these boys are already legends, imagine what could have been.. I was born in 85(39 yrs old)… reminds us of me dad showing (educating) us this at 5 years old
There are songs that you like, songs that you love, songs that have special meanings, And then there are the songs that you feel into your soul and can take you away. Stairway To Heaven has done that for me since 1971 when I was a Jr in High School.🎸🎤 ❤Stay safe
If you liked this song(it looks like you did), check out the Kennedy Center tribute to Led Zeppelin with the Heart sisters doing this song with orchestra and choirs behind them. One of the greatest tribute covers on TH-cam
A lot like a Jethro Tull intro with gentle guitar and flute backing up the mysterious vocals - then when the guitar comes in it feels like something just shifted in the space/time continuum. I must have heard this a million times and yet every time "my spirit is crying for leaving" - and it does, it does....
Good decision to listen to the studio version first. This was massive, a defining song of rock in the first half of the 70s. It was played daily and often on FM radio for years.
It's the GOATS with their GOAT rock song!!! 😮. I think this song is very spiritual!! It's about us hearing the spirit in us, if we listen very hard. If we go off the path, the path of the Lord, we get lost. But anyway, thx for this genuine reaction.
Jimmy Page,, the guitarist, came up with the music and presented it to the band. Robert Plant, lead singer, heard the music and immediately wrote the lyrics. The song was played so much on the radio that the band grew tired of it. Years later, Page recalled the song and admitted that it was their masterpiece.
“The meaning of "Stairway to Heaven" When I run or hike my mind often plays songs repetitively. If I don't like the song or don't know enough of the lyrics to make it a pleasant experience the resulting monotony can get quite burdensome. But if I'm lucky, a beautiful ballad that I know and love will play and I can enjoy the experience. "Stairway to Heaven" is one such song. Written in 1971 by Robert Plant and Jimmy Page, performed by the incomparable Led Zeppelin, it played endlessly on the radio when I was in high school. And every time it came on, I turned up the volume and let the spell of that song carry me away. At over 8 minutes long, with lyrics scattered sparsely throughout, it's arguable that the lyrics aren't central to the song. It's one of the greatest rock anthems of all time - who even listens to the lyrics? I certainly didn't. Not until it started playing endlessly in my head. When you are forced to listen to a song 15 times in a row, you get past the awesome guitar solos and the ethereal mood of the song and you start to wonder, "What the F--- is this song really about?" At least I do. When I first heard the song it seemed to be about some rich lady who bought her way into heaven. The line "your head is humming and it won't go, in case you don't know" seemed appropriate to the endless loop I was experiencing. But it took a long time for the story to come together in my mind. As I got into it, there seemed to be a lot of non-sequiturs. Consider the line "in a tree by the brook, there's a songbird who sings, sometimes all of our thoughts are misgiven." Where did THAT come from? We were just talking about the Stairway lady. It made me wonder. In time I realized the song is not a linear story. It's a series of images altered by the later context. It's kind of like a movie that starts in the middle of the story and only later supplies the context to understand what you've seen. "There's a lady who's sure all that glitters is gold, and she's buying a stairway to heaven." The lady and her stairway represent materialism. There's also a hint that she may be misguided because all that glitters is NOT gold. "When she gets there she knows, if the stores are all closed, with a word she can get what she came for." Money, privilege and power. Pretty simple so far. "There's a sign on the wall, but she wants to be sure, 'cause you know sometimes words have two meanings." She doesn't trust anyone. Money has cut her off from people. Then comes the apparent non-sequitur. "In a tree by the brook, there's a songbird who sings, sometimes all of our thoughts are misgiven." So far the song has been about a lady and a stairway, or if we're already on the metaphorical bandwagon, it's about materialism and the way that cuts us off from other people. We can't understand this line except in the context of the rest of the song, but we'll soon see that a change from an old way of thinking to a new one is the real theme of this song. So eventually we'll understand that this line starts the real theme of the song and everything that came before it is a metaphor for the old way of thinking. The refrain is "Oooo, it makes me wonder." Wonder what? The singer is rethinking something. But what? The story takes a personal turn with the line, "There's a feeling I get when I look to the west and my spirit is crying for leaving." This is a lovely poetic line that boils down to "Facing death makes me think about what's important in life." Because the sun sets there, west has been a metaphor for death since at least ancient Egyptian times. "In my thoughts I have seen rings of smoke through the trees and the voices of those who stand looking." Rings of smoke denote campfires, indicating that people live there, despite being hidden. Those who stand looking are people who witness evil, but say nothing. The people in his thoughts are coming out of hiding to stand up for what's right. "And it's whispered that soon, if we all call the tune, then the piper will lead us to reason." The vision continues.The tune and the piper are musical metaphors connoting the spread of the goodness and truth seen in the vision. "And a new day will dawn for those who stand long and the forest will echo with laughter." As the vision gathers momentum, the people are no longer hiding in the trees. But we're still not sure what this great vision really is. Does it have anything to do with the lady or the materialism she represents? In the next few lines, we the listener are brought into the song somewhat ambiguously. "Your" and "you" could refer to the lady, but as we'll see later, they don't. "If there's a bustle in your hedgerow, don't be alarmed now. It's just a spring clean for the May queen." Very poetic again, and very British. Some translation is needed. In rural England the hedgerow is the line of shrubs denoting the property line between your estate and the next, so a "bustle in your hedgerow" means something is changing in your life or your mind. The May queen was chosen by a village to represent youth, beauty, newness, and hope for a better future. So this line boils down to "if your old ideas start crumbling, don't be alarmed, you have new and better ideas forming in their place." It's also possible that the May queen is another reference to the lady, though significantly changed in her ways. "Yes there are two paths you can go by, but in the long run, there's still time to change the road you're on." This is a major clue to the still nebulous vision. It's a vision about a change for the better, one that we the listener can make. "Your head is humming and it won't go, in case you don't know. The piper's calling you to join him." Since the bustle, hedgerow and May queen were so mysterious, this stanza restates and clarifies the previous one. The piper, as mentioned earlier, represents the vision, now evidently an idea because it is humming in our head. It's also a popular idea because here the piper is portrayed like the Pied Piper whose pipe magically lured rats and children to follow him. "Dear lady can you hear the wind blow, and did you know, your stairway lies on the whispering wind." There's a lot going on here. Blowing wind is a metaphor for popular opinion, just as it was in many other songs from this era. Now we see the flaw in materialism, represented by the lady. Her money is only good if people accept it. And her reliance on it has cut her off from those people to the point where she may not be able to hear them at all. "Dear lady" is a clue that the lady also represents the materialist part of ourselves, one of the "two paths you can go by." "And as we wind on down the road, our shadows taller than our souls." I really love this image. This song could have been about other people's flaws, but it's not. As time goes by, we inevitably grow more materialistic. One day we realize that we haven't lived up to the idealism of youth. Our material selves are now more important to us than our spiritual selves. But why shadows? A close inspection of the entire song shows a consistent differentiation between things seen and things heard. Things seen are false and misleading. Things heard are real and from the heart. This might seem strange, but remember, we're listening to a song. The truth is coming to us aurally, not visually. "There walks a lady we all know, who shines white light and wants to show, how everything still turns to gold." The shadows of the previous line come from the shining white light of a materialistic point of view. If we cast a shadow, it's because our materialism is showing. "And if you listen very hard, the tune will come to you at last." The tune returns. Like last time, the tune is the new way of thinking, the second path, the non-materialist way of living that is more genuine, and keeps us connected to other people. "When all are one and one is all. To be a rock and not to roll." It's too bad this line is so hard to understand in the recording because it really ties everything together. If the new way of thinking is good for one person, it's even better for a group. If enough like-minded folks get together and form a community then we'll live in a real, solid and reliable paradise. "And she's buying a stairway to heaven." If not, the materialists will take advantage of the rest of us. So that's how I interpret the song. It has added immensely to my enjoyment of Stairway to Heaven. I hope it does the same for you. Brian Robinson” This is the best interpretation of “Stairway to Heaven” lyrics I encountered so far. If you/anyone knows a better one, please share. “... It's one of those songs where… if you have a moment, with either someone else or just a moment where you're watching the sun rising or something… It's one of those moments that, this piece of music, if it connects, it's going to connect fully, into every vein you've got going, and makes something inside you… Your little atoms are stirred by it. Your being… it's one of those songs that actually connects with your being.” Krusher More than a Rock band, Led Zeppelin is an experience. An emotional rollercoaster able to show you places and feelings deep within yourself, that you, yourself, never knew existed. That is the reason, I think, Led Zeppelin is the greatest Rock band of all time.
Back in the day my boyfriend and I had Led Zepplin as the music of our romance. Lol. We are still together after 50 years. The music also made me buy a mandolin to lure my husband over to my place with his guitar. Other songs have the mandolin.Wonderful, wonderful band.
What you heard in the opening part was not a flute but John Paul Jones on synth. Robert Plant has said that he does not know what the lyrics mean and he didn't when he wrote them. But it's worth noting that he was at the time and afterwards very interested in English folklore and Norse and Welsh mythology. Quite a lot of the references only make sense from that point of view eg "When I look to the West" - in Celtic mythology the Blessed Isles were in the west (think also of Tolkien, who wrote that the ships at the end of LOTR went into the west). The main point is that the stairway doesn't exist - that wisdom lies in the natural world, and that if you "listen very hard" you will become a rock, find your place and steadiness. What is often overlooked, because their songs were so musically complex and multi-layered so other bands would never cover them, is how influential they were. Robert created a lot of the public image of the frontman as rock god - blonde waves started appearing everywhere! Nobody could play like Jimmy Page but the appearance of making love to the guitar became fashionable. The looseness of structure most evident here also had an effect which you can hear in a lot of work released in the following decade.
John Paul Jones played not only the bass but metronome which is how Led Zeppelin had so many sounds. There are some videos of him teaching how to play it.
My introduction to this was at school.We had a new music teacher who was young and progressive and pestered our headmaster to play this at assembly instead of the usual classics. We all usually talked and misbehaved but this time we all sat mesmerized in silence. In the months that followed we had many other introductions to new sound. Unfortunately he left at the end of term and the classics returned. Funny that many now think of this as a classic.
So happy you're discovering Led Zepplin! I got to see them early 70's in Mobile Al. I love all of their Madison Square Garden performances, especially "Since I've Been Loving zyou" and "Kashmir"
I enjoyed your interpretation. Those lyrics are not the easiest to understand. I don't typically pay attention to lyrics, but have done so more since I've been watching reaction videos. Your interpretation seemed to really flow. It made sense. It's a much deeper song that I thought. Thank you!
🌟🌟🌟🎼🌟🌟🌟 .. this top of the tops Saeed. The lyrics are cryptic , but even after hundreds of listens it still makes me feel something special every single time. I am very glad that we can enjoy this magical song with you. Jimmy Page is a master in the guitar. Robert Plant is the voice of Rock & Roll. Stunning song ...... 🎀
Saeed, I agree, some songs are a requirement to hear before we leave this Earth… for me, Kashmir from Led Zeppelin is definitely one of those songs! Please check that one out & then check out All of My Love… I think you’ll enjoy them immensely 🙂
Been looking forward to this. Your Saeed-community are here because of your insights. "And I look to the West..." so many interpretations; just sunset and recharge before new beginning, the end of something but hope for the new light. Then I don't even touch on the rest. First time really listening. TX Saeed. Great as always. Greetings from South Africa
Great reaction once again Saeed! There's a joke that started here at The Guitar Center music store in Hollywood over30 years ago. So many people were coming into the store to tryout guitars with the first few bars of Stairway to Heaven that all the people were getting sick of it. They finally put up a sign (tongue in cheek I presume) "No Playing Stairway to Heaven!" Pretty soon the sign spread to other music stores throughout So. California and I believe the joke spread throughout the world.
Zep also has a few songs that heavily allude to Tolkien. Ramble On is a prime example of this, as is Misty Mountain Hop, The Battle of Evermore, Over the Hills and Far Away.
Everyone wanted this played at their funeral back in day. Iconic tune! I see you did Ann and Nancy covering this. Dolly Pardon does a cool version, too. Another great break down. Hadn’t really feathered out the lyrics like you did. I think we all learned that guitar intro 😂
LZ was very much into LOTR and refer to it in many of their lyrics! (Ramble On, Battle of Evermore, Misty Mountain Hop). But you really MUST delve into their Blues inspired music ("Since I've Been Loving You" live MSG '73, "When the Levee Breaks", "In My Time Of Dying")! ❤
A true masterpiece. Saw them in the mid 70s. Great concert 🤘🏻🤘🏻🤘🏻🤘🏻🤘🏻 The Madison Square Gardens 1973 is an awesome live version of this There is a great reference to this song in Tim Minchin's Rock & Roll Nerd. Should check that out at some time
I have listened to your analysis of lyrics in songs. I also enjoy figuring out meanings of lyrics too. As far as I can see within your vast list of videos no one has suggested anything by the band Moody Blues. I'm positive you would be in your lyrical glory. listening to their music. Thank you for all the work! Wayne
When this was new I assumed it was about materialism. After years of meditation and correcting attitude to harmonize with Love I see the stairway and the white light shining from her are helping us find our way to higher frequency dimensions. My aura turns the details on my path golden as well.
@@jeffrubinelectronics I am not a big fan of genre and labels. It is mostly a marketing tool. As a writer myself i always struggle with this when readers ask what genre my books are.
YAY YAY & YAY!!! **MyBelovedOtherWorldlyLedZeppelin** & course **MyMadLuvJimmyPageMagicaMusicallGeniusWizardBabe** F YEA!!! cant wait to see/hear your **Feelings&Thoughts** on THE **Best Band EVER!!!** to me
All members are highly Intelligent and are avid readers, especially of Old English Literature and anything of the bizarre. All this comes out in their brilliance of lyricism. Must watch live…It’s always Robert, Jimmy, John Paul & Bohnam…in and out of the studio. Hint - no flute.
Watching people hear this song for the first time is the best thing about reaction videos
Amen...Zep in general. 😊
And this song is definitely an experience unlike anything else. Thanks for watching.
😊"Yes there are two paths you can go by, but in the long run, there's still time to change the road you're on." Profound lyrics.
Incredible lyrics in this one.
One of the greatest rock songs(maybe the greatest)in rock history
One of... There is so much music that there is great music everywhere
@@rubroken ...without a doubt!
@@stevenseul361 I have no problem saying 'one of'. The greatest is more subjective. And yes, there is so much music that is great
"Stairway To Heaven" is more than THE anthem of the whole rock history, it's THE revelation at all.
I gave them my soul when I was sixteen, and now they are not going to give it me back.
+1! Greedy bastards. You give them a finger and they take your soul, so every other genre than LZ just isn't good enough^^
Thanks Saeed - this is a very deep rabbit hole. They formed in 1968 and disbanded in 1980 after the death of John Bonham, said to be one of the, if not THE best drummer ever. His death hit the band extremely hard. Although they got back together in various iterations and did some solo work as well, the amount of music they put out in a relatively short period of time is quite something.
I saw them live in the 70s, something I will never forget. ☮
Im 71 years young😉 when i was a teen id sit in my bedroom on my bed, headphones on, purple wall on one side of room, black on other, had a hanging light with with black light balb, listening to this album! Great times🥰🥰. Its so enjoyable to see younger generations enjoy the music i did as a youngin, to the age iam now❤️❤️
Those are amazing memories. Thanks for sharing.
I'm 71 years young and I was there with you in Led spirit.
Robert Plant was a big fan of Tolkien, so you'll notice some references to his work.
Dude,,,,,you'll come to realize,,,Led Zeppelin and Pink Floyd are for the ADVANCED music listener. They're just on another level. 💥💥💥🤘😎
Looking forward to more!
"Stairway To Heaven" is their most famous song & considered by many as one of the all time best. Led Zeppelin have a huge library of hits. "Immigrant Song", "Whole Lotta Love", "Black Dog", "Ramble On", "Kashmir", "When The Levee Breaks", “Dazed & Confused”, “Since I’ve Been Loving You”, "Rock & Roll", "The Ocean", "Over The Hills & Far Away", "The Song Remains The Same", "The Rain Song", "Good Times Bad Times" etc.
Incredible song! Thanks for watching and the recommendations.
Led Zeppelin - my all-time favorite.
Looking forward to get to know their music.
The greatest band ever. Start with the first album, first track, then go from there. 😊 ty for reaction sir!
Then guitar solo is so good in this studio version. I get chills every time. Also it fits so perfectly with song as it builds.
Lead singer is Robert Plant...drummer is John Bonham...guitarist is Jimmy Page...Bass is John Paul Jones? anyone out there correct me if I am wrong, love this Saeed...very nice...Heart does a GREAT cover of this live at The Kennedy Center Honors in Washington D.C....if you look it up on youtube, Jason Bonham, son of the late drummer John Bonham played drums... check out the full version of it...Robert Plant, Jimmy Page and John Paul Jones were all there in person, all three brought to tears by Heart's performance....
Thanks so much! These are names i have seen and heard quite a few times. Looking forward to actually get to kno their music.
Yes, JPJ - John Paul Jones - Bass, keyboard, and 3 different flutes on this song alone.
@@THXx1138They aren’t flutes…they’re recorders.
Many will mention Heart performing this song in tribute at the Kennedy Center Honors in 2012, with the 3 surviving Zep members looking on, and the late John Bonham’s son Jason on drums. Truly one of the very best tributes in rock history. Can’t wait for more Zep from you!
@@tjrivers Recorders are flutes. js
You need to watch The Lincoln Center Honors with Heart paying tribute to Led Well soon with their performance, featuring John Bonham Jr on drums! It brought tear of joy to the members of the group & to me as well!
That one is coming in 5 minutes 😀
That would be Jason Bonham !
RIP John Bonham 🤘🇬🇧
This has been with me for half a century. Welcome.
😳What an exceptional, and intelligent reaction to this timeless song! FUN FACT: Robert Plant was a mere 21yrs old when he wrote these lyrics! Truly wise beyond his years!!😊 I saw a quote once (from Morgan Freeman, I think😅), and it said something to the effect of true musicians are modern day prophets... I feel this song speaks volumes to that!! Thanks for sharing your journey with us!!❤
Oh and... you REALLY need to revisit this song and watch their legendary performance of it at Madison Suare Garden in 1973. It will give you a better idea of Zeppelins greatness!!💯💯💯
Wow! 21! That is amazing.
Definitely want to check out that live version at some point. Thanks so much for watching.
You have been officially baptized in music❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
🙏🏽❤️
@@SaeedReacts. everything they do is amazing, this song live at Madison Square Gardens (1973) is absolutely fantastic. Their live performances are legendary, they improvised often, each song live is never the same. Singer Robert Plant often adds to his lyrics & lead guitarist Jimmy Page does longer incredible solos. Since I’ve Been Loving You live at this concert, is another amazing standout. Each member is the best at their crafts, together they are The GODS Of MUSIC! Their early story is really amazing, how quick they rose to legendary status. They perform so many genres of music (& to perfection) Rock Blues Folk Funk Reggae Prog etc. Plant is a very poetic lyricist, & is a huge fan of Lord Of The Rings, so there are references in some songs. Jimmy Page lead guitarist founded the band, he produced & edited all their albums. If you choose to take the amazing journey down the Led Zeppelin rabbit hole, they will give you the greatest experience. Interviews of members are amazing to see & hear, highly recommend checking out each album in order starting with LZ one. An amazing debut album. Thank you so much for your reaction, hope to see much more Led Zeppelin.
One word to describe this song is ‘Epic’! This song takes you on a journey that slowly builds to an explosive crescendo then the outro returns to the starting tempo of song. A masterpiece of composition from the wonderful vocals of Robert Plant, the beautiful acoustic beginning and the electric guitar finale by Jimmy Page, the bass by John Paul Jones and Jon Bonham’s explosive drumming. As you alluded to, the Rings of Smoke and the piper will lead us to reason may be references to Gandalf and the Lord of the Rings. You just aced another advanced lesson in your classic rock education.
Epic indeed!
What a musical education i am getting. Thanks for sharing some info on the band and their members.
Number one song of all time…period.Nice choice of words by you…
I was a teenager when this song came out and I promptly bought the record. I pretty much drove my parents nuts because I'd play it over and over. I still get chills when I hear this song.
🌸 there's a live version of the concert in Madison square garden 1973
and it's always kind of nice to see a live version because it gives you a different perspective
I hear so many great things about that performance. Hope i can check that one out too.
At the beginning, that instrument is not a flute, but a mellotron. If you liked this so much, you will also like the live version (Madison Square Garden, 1973). I strongly recommend it.
@laszlovszky1234 it's actually John Paul Jones playing the recorder on the studio version - 2 in harmony, in fact. But he does utilise the mellotron for that part when he plays it live
@@RobONeill-b5e Indeed. I looked it up now, he really didn't use a mellotron, but he didn't use a flute either, but a recorder, formerly known as an English flute. Unlike the flute, it is a whistling instrument.
YES As a teenager in 1970s You had to listen to this in your room with Black lights!!!!
Fantastic mood sound
I love the thought of the exit sign next to The stairway to heaven and the questions it raises.
The origins of the songs started at Plant & Page's retreat to Bron-Y-Aur, a remote 18th Century cottage in Wales (1970). The cottage had no electricity or running water. Lyrics were written in one night in front of a roaring wood fire at Headley Grange, spontaneously improvised by Plant.
Turn it up! Turn it up! Turn it uuuuuup! As you venture through the Led Zeppelin tunnel (bigger than a rabbit hole), remember that they were only together for 12 years! They did one performance at the O2 arena in London in 2007. They received 20 million ticket requests.
Those are numbers! Wow! Definitely need to explore more.
@@SaeedReacts. That was the Celebration Day concert and "Kashmir" from this concert is a "must see"! ❤
Masterpiece.
100%
Jimmy's lead in this epic is perfection. Not the most technical, not the flashiest, not the most pyrotechnic but each note is perfect for this song.
Robert Plant sang the incredible Whole Lotta Love...couldn't be more different. What a legend ❤
Hi Saeed. Listening to Led Zeppelin IV for the first time was one of the pivotal moments in my musical journey, especially this song. I am so glad you listened to the album version as I think that is where it really shines. Fun Fact (maybe): I read that this was the most played song on American radio in the whole decade of the 70's.
"When The Levee Breaks"
Imagine this quality, but badass blues!! And the best harmonica you've ever heard. Omg.
Led Zepplin are icons. Love this song. Love your reaction!
What an epic masterpice! Thanks for watching!
Hey Saeed, i subscribed when you first hit Chisel...now you are doing my second love, Zeppelin. My third love is Metallica but Zeppelin will open doors you never thought existed....they have hard rock, psychedelia, folk music, reggae, and an awful lot of blues...it is still to this day, the greatest musical journey that i have undertook...i wish i could go back! I'm going to jump the queue and suggest Ramble On...another acoustic based song which shows every band member's skill...you will love the crap out of it!!!!...the real magic is that it never gets old...ive heard it a thousand times and i still want to hear it again
You have been here for a while. Thank you!
This is an awesome piece. Glad i finally sat down and listened to it all the way through.
Rick Beato did one of his What Makes This Song Great on Ramble On (my favourite LZ song) Rick said it is the perfect rock song.
"To be a rock and not to roll" ... Zeppelin in my top 3 bands of all! Great 😊
Best Rock that started in the late 60’s and became popular in the 70’s; actually I think they are the best rock band
" ... sometimes words have two meanings..." etc... For me, Stairway Heaven is nomber one in the category of hard rock ballads. Led Zeppelin are one of the rock GOATS. I am 49 years young man 😊 from Serbia 🇷🇸, and i love your reaction!❤ Whole Lotta Love, Dazed and Confused, Moby Dick, Kashmir are just few of Led Zeppelin's songs that i recommend you to react. "To be a rock, and not to roll!"
Magnificent song. Looking forward to discover more of their music. Thanks for watching and the recommendation. Greetings from Belgium.
Never gets old. (I spent far too much time back in the day, teaching myself this great song on guitar. But I did, and I still enjoy playing the various parts.)
Rip John Bonham… gone way too soon… these boys are already legends, imagine what could have been.. I was born in 85(39 yrs old)… reminds us of me dad showing (educating) us this at 5 years old
There are songs that you like, songs that you love, songs that have special meanings, And then there are the songs that you feel into your soul and can take you away. Stairway To Heaven has done that for me since 1971 when I was a Jr in High School.🎸🎤
❤Stay safe
If you liked this song(it looks like you did), check out the Kennedy Center tribute to Led Zeppelin with the Heart sisters doing this song with orchestra and choirs behind them. One of the greatest tribute covers on TH-cam
That reaction is coming in 5 minutes 😀
@@SaeedReacts. I saw that reaction!!!
One of the best solos ever it's basically makes people say yeah....this is inspiration of rock n roll 🤘💥💥🤘
A lot like a Jethro Tull intro with gentle guitar and flute backing up the mysterious vocals - then when the guitar comes in it feels like something just shifted in the space/time continuum. I must have heard this a million times and yet every time "my spirit is crying for leaving" - and it does, it does....
Good decision to listen to the studio version first. This was massive, a defining song of rock in the first half of the 70s. It was played daily and often on FM radio for years.
It's the GOATS with their GOAT rock song!!! 😮. I think this song is very spiritual!! It's about us hearing the spirit in us, if we listen very hard. If we go off the path, the path of the Lord, we get lost. But anyway, thx for this genuine reaction.
Amazing song. Definitely one that will be around forever. Thanks for watching.
"Required listening"....Well said....
Jimmy Page,, the guitarist, came up with the music and presented it to the band. Robert Plant, lead singer, heard the music and immediately wrote the lyrics. The song was played so much on the radio that the band grew tired of it. Years later, Page recalled the song and admitted that it was their masterpiece.
Robert Plant is the one who wrote the lyrics. Greatest band in history!
You are a highly intelligent person. I appreciate you sharing your interpretations.
Thank you! That is very kind of you to say.
Can't believe you weren't more familiar with the " #1 song in Rock as voted in many rankings. Not numero Uno for me but an epic song regardless. 🩵💯🔥
I knew the beginning, but never sat down to listen to the entire song. Glad i finally did 😀
it was perfect just perfect..
“The meaning of "Stairway to Heaven"
When I run or hike my mind often plays songs repetitively. If I don't like the song or don't know enough of the lyrics to make it a pleasant experience the resulting monotony can get quite burdensome. But if I'm lucky, a beautiful ballad that I know and love will play and I can enjoy the experience. "Stairway to Heaven" is one such song. Written in 1971 by Robert Plant and Jimmy Page, performed by the incomparable Led Zeppelin, it played endlessly on the radio when I was in high school. And every time it came on, I turned up the volume and let the spell of that song carry me away. At over 8 minutes long, with lyrics scattered sparsely throughout, it's arguable that the lyrics aren't central to the song. It's one of the greatest rock anthems of all time - who even listens to the lyrics? I certainly didn't. Not until it started playing endlessly in my head. When you are forced to listen to a song 15 times in a row, you get past the awesome guitar solos and the ethereal mood of the song and you start to wonder, "What the F--- is this song really about?" At least I do.
When I first heard the song it seemed to be about some rich lady who bought her way into heaven. The line "your head is humming and it won't go, in case you don't know" seemed appropriate to the endless loop I was experiencing. But it took a long time for the story to come together in my mind.
As I got into it, there seemed to be a lot of non-sequiturs. Consider the line "in a tree by the brook, there's a songbird who sings, sometimes all of our thoughts are misgiven." Where did THAT come from? We were just talking about the Stairway lady. It made me wonder.
In time I realized the song is not a linear story. It's a series of images altered by the later context. It's kind of like a movie that starts in the middle of the story and only later supplies the context to understand what you've seen.
"There's a lady who's sure all that glitters is gold, and she's buying a stairway to heaven." The lady and her stairway represent materialism. There's also a hint that she may be misguided because all that glitters is NOT gold. "When she gets there she knows, if the stores are all closed, with a word she can get what she came for." Money, privilege and power. Pretty simple so far. "There's a sign on the wall, but she wants to be sure, 'cause you know sometimes words have two meanings." She doesn't trust anyone. Money has cut her off from people.
Then comes the apparent non-sequitur. "In a tree by the brook, there's a songbird who sings, sometimes all of our thoughts are misgiven." So far the song has been about a lady and a stairway, or if we're already on the metaphorical bandwagon, it's about materialism and the way that cuts us off from other people. We can't understand this line except in the context of the rest of the song, but we'll soon see that a change from an old way of thinking to a new one is the real theme of this song. So eventually we'll understand that this line starts the real theme of the song and everything that came before it is a metaphor for the old way of thinking.
The refrain is "Oooo, it makes me wonder." Wonder what? The singer is rethinking something. But what?
The story takes a personal turn with the line, "There's a feeling I get when I look to the west and my spirit is crying for leaving." This is a lovely poetic line that boils down to "Facing death makes me think about what's important in life." Because the sun sets there, west has been a metaphor for death since at least ancient Egyptian times.
"In my thoughts I have seen rings of smoke through the trees and the voices of those who stand looking." Rings of smoke denote campfires, indicating that people live there, despite being hidden. Those who stand looking are people who witness evil, but say nothing. The people in his thoughts are coming out of hiding to stand up for what's right.
"And it's whispered that soon, if we all call the tune, then the piper will lead us to reason." The vision continues.The tune and the piper are musical metaphors connoting the spread of the goodness and truth seen in the vision. "And a new day will dawn for those who stand long and the forest will echo with laughter." As the vision gathers momentum, the people are no longer hiding in the trees.
But we're still not sure what this great vision really is. Does it have anything to do with the lady or the materialism she represents?
In the next few lines, we the listener are brought into the song somewhat ambiguously. "Your" and "you" could refer to the lady, but as we'll see later, they don't. "If there's a bustle in your hedgerow, don't be alarmed now. It's just a spring clean for the May queen." Very poetic again, and very British. Some translation is needed. In rural England the hedgerow is the line of shrubs denoting the property line between your estate and the next, so a "bustle in your hedgerow" means something is changing in your life or your mind. The May queen was chosen by a village to represent youth, beauty, newness, and hope for a better future. So this line boils down to "if your old ideas start crumbling, don't be alarmed, you have new and better ideas forming in their place." It's also possible that the May queen is another reference to the lady, though significantly changed in her ways.
"Yes there are two paths you can go by, but in the long run, there's still time to change the road you're on." This is a major clue to the still nebulous vision. It's a vision about a change for the better, one that we the listener can make.
"Your head is humming and it won't go, in case you don't know. The piper's calling you to join him." Since the bustle, hedgerow and May queen were so mysterious, this stanza restates and clarifies the previous one. The piper, as mentioned earlier, represents the vision, now evidently an idea because it is humming in our head. It's also a popular idea because here the piper is portrayed like the Pied Piper whose pipe magically lured rats and children to follow him.
"Dear lady can you hear the wind blow, and did you know, your stairway lies on the whispering wind." There's a lot going on here. Blowing wind is a metaphor for popular opinion, just as it was in many other songs from this era. Now we see the flaw in materialism, represented by the lady. Her money is only good if people accept it. And her reliance on it has cut her off from those people to the point where she may not be able to hear them at all. "Dear lady" is a clue that the lady also represents the materialist part of ourselves, one of the "two paths you can go by."
"And as we wind on down the road, our shadows taller than our souls." I really love this image. This song could have been about other people's flaws, but it's not. As time goes by, we inevitably grow more materialistic. One day we realize that we haven't lived up to the idealism of youth. Our material selves are now more important to us than our spiritual selves.
But why shadows? A close inspection of the entire song shows a consistent differentiation between things seen and things heard. Things seen are false and misleading. Things heard are real and from the heart. This might seem strange, but remember, we're listening to a song. The truth is coming to us aurally, not visually.
"There walks a lady we all know, who shines white light and wants to show, how everything still turns to gold." The shadows of the previous line come from the shining white light of a materialistic point of view. If we cast a shadow, it's because our materialism is showing.
"And if you listen very hard, the tune will come to you at last." The tune returns. Like last time, the tune is the new way of thinking, the second path, the non-materialist way of living that is more genuine, and keeps us connected to other people.
"When all are one and one is all. To be a rock and not to roll." It's too bad this line is so hard to understand in the recording because it really ties everything together. If the new way of thinking is good for one person, it's even better for a group. If enough like-minded folks get together and form a community then we'll live in a real, solid and reliable paradise.
"And she's buying a stairway to heaven." If not, the materialists will take advantage of the rest of us.
So that's how I interpret the song. It has added immensely to my enjoyment of Stairway to Heaven. I hope it does the same for you.
Brian Robinson”
This is the best interpretation of “Stairway to Heaven” lyrics I encountered so far. If you/anyone knows a better one, please share.
“... It's one of those songs where… if you have a moment, with either someone else or just a moment where you're watching the sun rising or something… It's one of those moments that, this piece of music, if it connects, it's going to connect fully, into every vein you've got going, and makes something inside you… Your little atoms are stirred by it. Your being… it's one of those songs that actually connects with your being.”
Krusher
More than a Rock band, Led Zeppelin is an experience. An emotional rollercoaster able to show you places and feelings deep within yourself, that you, yourself, never knew existed.
That is the reason, I think, Led Zeppelin is the greatest Rock band of all time.
This was a very interesting read! Thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts
Black Sabbath,Led Zeppelin,Deep Purple the holy triad of rock music🤘
Deep Purple is definitely on my list!
Back in the day my boyfriend and I had Led Zepplin as the music of our romance. Lol. We are still together after 50 years. The music also made me buy a mandolin to lure my husband over to my place with his guitar. Other songs have the mandolin.Wonderful, wonderful band.
The Mighty Zep!
What you heard in the opening part was not a flute but John Paul Jones on synth.
Robert Plant has said that he does not know what the lyrics mean and he didn't when he wrote them. But it's worth noting that he was at the time and afterwards very interested in English folklore and Norse and Welsh mythology. Quite a lot of the references only make sense from that point of view eg "When I look to the West" - in Celtic mythology the Blessed Isles were in the west (think also of Tolkien, who wrote that the ships at the end of LOTR went into the west). The main point is that the stairway doesn't exist - that wisdom lies in the natural world, and that if you "listen very hard" you will become a rock, find your place and steadiness.
What is often overlooked, because their songs were so musically complex and multi-layered so other bands would never cover them, is how influential they were. Robert created a lot of the public image of the frontman as rock god - blonde waves started appearing everywhere! Nobody could play like Jimmy Page but the appearance of making love to the guitar became fashionable. The looseness of structure most evident here also had an effect which you can hear in a lot of work released in the following decade.
Page explains on video that the beginning of SWH are recorders to give a slightly medieval feel.
Thansk for taking the time to let me know about some of these things. Learning a lot!
John Paul Jones played not only the bass but metronome which is how Led Zeppelin had so many sounds. There are some videos of him teaching how to play it.
One of the greatest songs ever
Now you must do the Heart Tribute to Zep when they were given a National award.
That reaction is coming in 5 minutes 😀
My introduction to this was at school.We had a new music teacher who was young and progressive and pestered our headmaster to play this at assembly instead of the usual classics. We all usually talked and misbehaved but this time we all sat mesmerized in silence. In the months that followed we had many other introductions to new sound. Unfortunately he left at the end of term and the classics returned. Funny that many now think of this as a classic.
Is and forever will be a classic banger.
Thanks for checking out this amazing song and band.
Now you need to hear "Kashmir"
So so many songs to listen to from here. Ramble On will always be one of my favourites ❤
Will check it out.
You REALLY need to watch the MSG live version!!
I hear great things about that one!
So happy you're discovering Led Zepplin! I got to see them early 70's in Mobile Al. I love all of their Madison Square Garden performances, especially "Since I've Been Loving zyou" and "Kashmir"
Welcome to my high school years~ 1970-74. So lucky to have grown up then. I was waiting for your head to explode~~
Awesome music back then!
I enjoyed your interpretation. Those lyrics are not the easiest to understand. I don't typically pay attention to lyrics, but have done so more since I've been watching reaction videos.
Your interpretation seemed to really flow. It made sense. It's a much deeper song that I thought.
Thank you!
I love your Reactions Saeed, you really give it thought in your Comments
Thanks so much!
Thanks for checking out my favorite band since 1969❤
What an epic song! Thanks for watching.
🌟🌟🌟🎼🌟🌟🌟 .. this top of the tops Saeed. The lyrics are cryptic , but even after hundreds of listens it still makes me feel something special every single time. I am very glad that we can enjoy this magical song with you. Jimmy Page is a master in the guitar. Robert Plant is the voice of Rock & Roll. Stunning song ...... 🎀
Special piece of music. Truly magnificent.
Saeed, I agree, some songs are a requirement to hear before we leave this Earth… for me, Kashmir from Led Zeppelin is definitely one of those songs! Please check that one out & then check out All of My Love… I think you’ll enjoy them immensely 🙂
Must add these to my list. Thanks!
Been looking forward to this. Your Saeed-community are here because of your insights. "And I look to the West..." so many interpretations; just sunset and recharge before new beginning, the end of something but hope for the new light.
Then I don't even touch on the rest.
First time really listening.
TX Saeed. Great as always.
Greetings from South Africa
What an epic masterpiece. This was quite the experience. Thanks for watching. Greetings from Belgium.
Great reaction once again Saeed! There's a joke that started here at The Guitar Center music store in Hollywood over30 years ago. So many people were coming into the store to tryout guitars with the first few bars of Stairway to Heaven that all the people were getting sick of it. They finally put up a sign (tongue in cheek I presume) "No Playing Stairway to Heaven!" Pretty soon the sign spread to other music stores throughout So. California and I believe the joke spread throughout the world.
Haha, i guess i would have been one of those people 😅 that is hilarious!
It is truly an epic piece of music.
My bad! Probably closer to 50 years ago.
I don’t even play guitar, but my brain knows every guitar lick in this song. It’s so funny how our brains work!
That is funny indeed! It is part of the collective consciousness.
Masterpiece,epic,classic! Not enough words to describe this monster!keep up good work.
It truly is an epic masterpiece. Thanks so much for watching.
The GOATs
This was a time WHEN GIANTS WALKED THE EARTH 🌎 LED ZEPPELIN ❤
Zep also has a few songs that heavily allude to Tolkien. Ramble On is a prime example of this, as is Misty Mountain Hop, The Battle of Evermore, Over the Hills and Far Away.
Interesting! Those definitely need to be on my to do list.
Kashmir and When the Levee Breaks.
So many!
Great analysis of this one!
These are now on my list. Thanks for watching and the recommendations!
Everyone wanted this played at their funeral back in day. Iconic tune! I see you did Ann and Nancy covering this. Dolly Pardon does a cool version, too. Another great break down. Hadn’t really feathered out the lyrics like you did. I think we all learned that guitar intro 😂
That intro is so iconic! Epic song!
Thanks so much for watching!
Best version to react too
LZ was very much into LOTR and refer to it in many of their lyrics! (Ramble On, Battle of Evermore, Misty Mountain Hop). But you really MUST delve into their Blues inspired music ("Since I've Been Loving You" live MSG '73, "When the Levee Breaks", "In My Time Of Dying")! ❤
They're lyrics are so cool, they speak of Tolkien♡.
The theme for our senior prom!🎉
Gorgeous! It's one of my favorite songs! I used to sing this at Karaoke when I lived in Japan, although my voice is horrible.🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
Its all about the fun you are having when singing it 😀
Epic song!
@@SaeedReacts. You are right!
This Song was played Last at most of the Dances I attended in 1979 to 1987
That is interesting! Thanks for sharing. Learned something new. (I was born in 1987 btw)
A true masterpiece. Saw them in the mid 70s. Great concert 🤘🏻🤘🏻🤘🏻🤘🏻🤘🏻
The Madison Square Gardens 1973 is an awesome live version of this
There is a great reference to this song in Tim Minchin's Rock & Roll Nerd. Should check that out at some time
That's awesome! Great memories!
I have listened to your analysis of lyrics in songs. I also enjoy figuring out meanings of lyrics too.
As far as I can see within your vast list of videos no one has suggested anything by the band Moody Blues. I'm positive you would be in your lyrical glory. listening to their music. Thank you for all the work!
Wayne
Thanks for watching and sharing a recommendation. I did not have them on my list yet.
How good they were!. Thx Saeed 👏👋
Incredible! Thanks for watching
When this was new I assumed it was about materialism. After years of meditation and correcting attitude to harmonize with Love I see the stairway and the white light shining from her are helping us find our way to higher frequency dimensions. My aura turns the details on my path golden as well.
One of if not the best rock bands ever put together! Thanks for the reaction.
Definitely want to explore more of their music. Thanks for watching
We all felt like you felt, Saeed. Gives me hope for the future. All these reactions.
This truly is a masterpiece. A word that is used a lot, but definitely warranted in this case. Thanks for watching.
@@SaeedReacts. You kids have been relegated to the segregation of "Genre's". This was a time when genre's were being invented.
@@jeffrubinelectronics I am not a big fan of genre and labels. It is mostly a marketing tool. As a writer myself i always struggle with this when readers ask what genre my books are.
@@SaeedReacts. Nicely stated.
YAY YAY & YAY!!! **MyBelovedOtherWorldlyLedZeppelin** & course **MyMadLuvJimmyPageMagicaMusicallGeniusWizardBabe** F YEA!!! cant wait to see/hear your **Feelings&Thoughts** on THE **Best Band EVER!!!** to me
What an epic masterpiece. There is a life before Stairway to Heaven and a life after listening to this song.
@@SaeedReacts. Ha YAY zactly!
Great reaction !Please do RAMLE ON and OVER THE HILLS FAR AWAY by Led Zepplin next
Thanks for the recommendations!
This song lead FM radio listener polls as greatest song ever for many years, before the streaming age.
It's only when the drums kick in that you realise they weren't there before.
I am 76 I would listen to this song on a weeked-night after partying, it would be like 2 or 3 in the, morning, get in Bed and listen to this song.
All members are highly Intelligent and are avid readers, especially of Old English Literature and anything of the bizarre. All this comes out in their brilliance of lyricism.
Must watch live…It’s always Robert, Jimmy, John Paul & Bohnam…in and out of the studio. Hint - no flute.
Looking forward to discover more. I heard it was not a flute, but seen different answers in the comments 😅
Glad you did the original of this epic and timeless song. Now, with both reacts (original and tribute), the beautiful history is complete. Ana
The best recording of this song
Glad i checked out this one first .
I see a lot of shouts for ramble on Saeed. And as a fan of JRR you should know that song is based on the LOTR books. The band were huge fans.
Oooh! I definitely need to listen to that song.