Friday, 14 June 2013

The Greatest Song Ever Written?


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

 

 

 

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