Every
once in a while a song comes along that makes you think “how and where the hell
did they get the inspiration to write such a song”
Personally,
I’ve never really liked “Stairway” that much due to being an obsessive Zeppelin
fan and obviously the stigma that has attached itself to the band over the
years (some of the members actually dread the song due to being bombarded with
requests to play the song by some of their more ‘pushy’ fans over the years)
But,
when you see the song being performed by what can only be described as a ‘Pub
Band’ containing one seriously bad show off guitarist (complete with extra
Billy Ocean odour) and two seriously fit, talented ladies (complete with
leather kex, boots and a pout that makes Posh Spice look like a chicken with a
nettle stuck in its grid) – it kind of makes you stay and listen along to the
song that usually fills you with dread.
So,
coat on and half way out the door - listen I did. And, I’m glad I stayed as it
was performed by previously mentioned Billy Ocean smelling show off and his two
squeezes with the most exact, pinpoint accuracy I have ever had the joy to
watch in my life.
After
leaving the venue with a smile on my face and a sort of semi-on, I thought I‘ll
have to go home and listen to it again. Sadly I couldn’t find the leather kex
me missus used to wear years ago so she had to make do with a pair of mine (which,
to be honest, were a bit loose around her arse, but hey ho)
So,
having listened to the song on my headphones with a slightly dizzy head due to
afore mentioned erotic experience, it dawned on me – is Stairway to Heaven by
Led Zeppelin the greatest song ever written?
The
greatest song ever written is of course a touchy, murky, controversial subject
that has been argued about for years by people who take such partisan views to
the max and stick to their guns even though you think their talking gout of
their hoops! But, I’m gonna (try) and sort out and maybe, without, sounding too
much in Led Zep’s ‘corner’, make my point for ‘Stairway’ to be placed at the
top of the table.
Firstly,
the lyrics courtesy of the one and only Golden God himself – Robert ‘Percy’
Plant: A lot of the lyrics (like most Zep songs) are stooped in mystery and
confusion. The opening line “There a lady whose sure all that glitters is gold
and she’s buying a stairway to heaven” – what does this mean? Is it a reference
to the lost generation of hippies who yearned for the sixties ‘feel’ to return
to their lives? Or, as popular opinion goes, it’s a reference to the hordes of
Groupies that followed the band around complete with their very dangerous drug
habits! Maybe, maybe not! That was the beauty of Plant’s lyrics – he made himself
out to be a poet, but he wasn’t, he was just a rough arse from Birmingham who
was graced with a phenomenal voice that sprouted into one of the most iconic
vocalists of all time.
Plant’s
other outstanding attribute was his range of vocal techniques which are evident
in all 3 parts of ‘Stairway’. Plant could mix the ‘rough’ (“and as we wind on
down the road/our shadows taller than our souls”) with the quaint (“Ooooooh and
it makes me wonder”)
But,
without doubt, the lyrics in this song are Plant’s finest. Here are a few
examples:
“There’s
a feeling I get, when I look to the west, and my spirit is crying for leaving”
“When
she gets there she knows, if the stores are all closed, she can’t get what she
came for”
“Through
my thoughts I have seen, rings of smoke through the trees, and the forests will
echo with laughter”
In a tree by the brook, there's a songbird
who sings, sometimes all of our thoughts are misgiving”
Plant, although extremely comfortable in any
Zep song, you get the feeling feels truly at home singing on this song! If you
get a minute, sit back and have a very close listen to his voice in this song! You
could almost imagine him sat there in his (overly) skin tight kex (2 eggs in a
hanky), spliff in hand waving the other hand in the air while contemplating softly
singing the words “does anyone remember laughter??”
Second,
there was a certain member of Zeppelin who was playing guitar when he left the
womb, a guitarist who was so talented with playing gut-wrenching guitar riffs
and solos that he actually found time to produce some of the finest albums ever
made! He is, of course, James Patrick Page – the TRUE driving force that made
Zeppelin the band they were and encrusted them into rock n roll history that
will never be forgotten!!
As for
his ‘effort’ on ‘Stairway’ you only have to listen to the production work on
the 4 (or so) guitars he plays on the actual song! It sounds like there are no
over dubs at all as it sounds THAT good! Clear, crisp and, as always in Page’s
case – perfect! He was THAT good!! Simple as that.
From the
picking intro through to the end – the guitar work is quite simply superb and
flawless. You can listen to any version you want whether it be on The Song
Remains the Same, Led Zep 4, Celebration Day or the darkest depths of YouTube –
Page does NOT waver! He does not flinch! In my opinions, it is without doubt one
of the finest pieces of guitar work ever witnessed by anyone in the history of
music!
Jimmy Page
– I tip my hat!
Thirdly,
the production: I only have a few words to say on this matter and it is quite
simply this – Led Zeppelin’s 4th album which contains ‘Stairway’ was
released 42 years ago! FORTY TWO YEARS AGO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Fourthly,
in my opinion, the rhythm section of John Paul Jones & John Bonham’s contribution
to this record is pretty minimal. This is mainly due to the fact that Page
& Plant (just for a change) stole the show! But, the drumming towards the
end of the 2nd ‘section’ and throughout the 3rd ‘section’
is absolutely outstanding. As for Jones’ contribution, the organ he plays at
the intro makes the intro feel almost like some sort of Christmas song Bing
Crosby
Finally,
there is one endearing quality that will always exist in ‘Stairway’ and it’s
this – whenever anyone hears it they always roll their eyes with that ‘here we
go’ expression all over their Chevy Chase waiting for some dodgy gimp with a mullet
sporting a denim sawn-off on to do that stupid
lighter-waving-in-the-air-routine!
But
the truth is this – deep down, they know they are hearing one on the greatest,
thought provoking song that has ever been written. Why is this? Is it because
it makes you feel good? Is it because it makes you feel some sort of guilt that
you never bothered to pick up the guitar or have a crack at singing and try to
emulate your heroes? Personally, I think it makes me feel good as I am in total
awe of this song and the great great band that produced this song!
So,
there you have it – is Stairway to Heaven the best song ever written?
Personally
I think Jumpin’ Jack Flash pisses on it!
But
that’s another matter!
Mol
