# Led Zeppelin IV **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [August 14, 2011, 3:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/led-zeppelin-iv/592652 "2011-08-14T03:58:13Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![JessMagic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c0e974/32.png) [@JessMagic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JessMagic)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2011, 10:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/led-zeppelin-iv/592652/21 "2011-08-14T10:36:25Z")
LZII is my favourite. Physical Graffiti is way down the pecking order, for me. Mind you, I invariably prefer artists’ earlier stuff. ---
**Author:** ![John\_DiFool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_difool/32/19543_2.png) [@John\_DiFool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_DiFool)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2011, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/led-zeppelin-iv/592652/22 "2011-08-14T15:17:32Z")
> [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > The tragedy is that it actually is a really good song, wonderfully crafted and executed, and features one of Jimmy Page’s best solos. It’s not the song’s fault it got so overplayed, but I guess it goes to show that almost any song can be ruined by overplay. I haven’t heard it on the radio in years (then again I try to steer way clear of commercial radio when I can)-I think the length of the song may be a bit too much for modern playlists and program directors. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2011, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/led-zeppelin-iv/592652/23 "2011-08-14T15:22:03Z")
> [@mr.jp](#): > > Led Zeppelin I also only has one weak song: You Shook Me. But it is more raw and bluesy, and less mainstream. It’s my favorite Led Zeppelin album though, so I preserve my fan status. “Good Times, Bad Times” is one of the best first album, track one, side ones ever (and it’s my favorite Zeppelin track one.) What a perfect way to say “We are Led Zeppelin, and this is what we do.” ---
**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2011, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/led-zeppelin-iv/592652/24 "2011-08-14T15:39:03Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > The funny thing is, while Led Zeppelin IV is, all things considered, my favorite Zeppelin album, “Stairway to Heaven” is not even in the top half of my favorite tracks from that album. I like IV because it’s a tight album (there’s not a single track I don’t like) and it’s mature (they’ve clearly found their voice by this album). _Houses of the Holy_ is a close second. > > I used to think I & II were my favorites and, indeed, some of my favorite Zeppelin tunes are off those albums. All of this. Although I’ve listened to 1 as much as 4 _because_ it has that raw energy that is not often paired with maturity and is lacking in 4 relative to 1. StH is a firmly middling song relative to the rest of the album, and the fact that is at best my 4th favorite is an indication of how great the other songs are. Even the worst track\* is not a bad song in itself, merely redundant in the face of other songs on the album that covered the same ground much much better than it did. If it were released on another album it would have been, maybe not a standout track, but a good addition to fill out those other albums. \*Four Sticks. But you all knew that already. ---
**Author:** ![Mangosteen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Mangosteen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangosteen)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2011, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/led-zeppelin-iv/592652/25 "2011-08-14T15:52:37Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > “Good Times, Bad Times” is one of the best first album, track one, side ones ever (and it’s my favorite Zeppelin track one.) What a perfect way to say “We are Led Zeppelin, and this is what we do.” Can you imagine being a program director at the time LZ I came out and saying to yourself, “Hey, what that hell is _Led Zeppelin_? Wonder what kind of music Page has come up with.” You put the album on and hear “Good Times, Bad Times” and the rest of the album and all you can say is, “HOLY SHIT!”, where did this stuff come from? ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2011, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/led-zeppelin-iv/592652/26 "2011-08-14T15:56:14Z")
> [@JKellyMap](#): > > Many would say it’s because the “gem” to “clunker” ratio is 7:1 (the clunker being “Four Sticks”), which is a bit higher than for any other Zep album. I don’t find “Four Sticks” a clunker at all. I will agree, though, that it is the weakest track on the album. I actually do find the rhythms and main riff on that song pretty cool, and, on its own, it’s no worse than a 5 out of 10 track, but compared to the rest of the album, it does stick out. That said, I never feel compelled to skip over it, as opposed to tracks on other Zep albums. I think it’s a nice transition from Misty Mountain Hop to Going to California, and it works better in the album context than as a single. ---
**Author:** ![blondebear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blondebear/32/1022_2.png) [@blondebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blondebear)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2011, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/led-zeppelin-iv/592652/27 "2011-08-14T16:07:56Z")
[Zep-related hijack] If you haven’t heard it already, there’s an interesting cover of The Immigrant Song used for the [trailer of The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo](http://youtu.be/xeS8MNPocBw). [/hijack] ---
**Author:** ![JKellyMap](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jkellymap/32/15880_2.png) [@JKellyMap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JKellyMap)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2011, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/led-zeppelin-iv/592652/28 "2011-08-14T17:00:52Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > I don’t find “Four Sticks” a clunker at all. I will agree, though, that it is the weakest track on the album. I actually do find the rhythms and main riff on that song pretty cool, and, on its own, it’s no worse than a 5 out of 10 track, but compared to the rest of the album, it does stick out. That said, I never feel compelled to skip over it, as opposed to tracks on other Zep albums. I think it’s a nice transition from Misty Mountain Hop to Going to California, and it works better in the album context than as a single. Fair enough. I agree with every word. ---
**Author:** ![FoieGrasIsEvil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foiegrasisevil/32/16638_2.png) [@FoieGrasIsEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FoieGrasIsEvil)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2011, 5:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/led-zeppelin-iv/592652/29 "2011-08-14T17:08:53Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > The funny thing is, while Led Zeppelin IV is, all things considered, my favorite Zeppelin album, “Stairway to Heaven” is not even in the top half of my favorite tracks from that album. I like IV because it’s a tight album (there’s not a single track I don’t like) and it’s mature (they’ve clearly found their voice by this album). _Houses of the Holy_ is a close second. > > I used to think I & II were my favorites and, indeed, some of my favorite Zeppelin tunes are off those albums. But there’s too many songs I skip over on those albums–too many Zeppelin-doing-traditional-blues numbers which, forgive me, I just find dreadfully boring. (And. yes, “When the Levee Breaks” on IV is an exception to that, but, while a traditional song, it’s not the standard 12-bar blues.) > > III is really cool, and probably my third favorite, but a little too folksy at times. It’s IV that has the perfect marriage of the blues and rock in 1 & 2, with the folk and acoustic influences of III. > > For me, IV is the obvious choice for Zeppelin, but I can honestly see any of the first six albums being legitimate contenders for the best Zeppelin album. IV is not the popular choice among hardcore fans because it is the popular choice among casual fans, but I happen to think the casual fans are right (or damned close) on this one. IV is a masterpiece. This is exactly how I feel as well. Very well said. ---
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2011, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/led-zeppelin-iv/592652/30 "2011-08-14T17:11:55Z")
> [@Mangosteen](#): > > This question comes from another thread that is going on right now about top 10 albums. > > When people list Led Zeppelin as one of their favorite albums, they seem to always choose Led Zeppelin IV. > > Is this album really that much better than their others? I and II are IMHO really great albums, as well. > > Why IV? Same reason Sgt. Peppers is what your average person states as the best Beatles album - it became “the conventional wisdom” because it was a huge smash when the band was at their peak, has enduring songs, etc. I love IV (can’t call it Zoso; sorry) but am a Physical Graffiti guy - Kashmir, Trampled, In My Time, etc. Heck just for Kashmir. ---
**Author:** ![mr.jp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/48db29/32.png) [@mr.jp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mr.jp)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2011, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/led-zeppelin-iv/592652/31 "2011-08-14T17:51:27Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > “Good Times, Bad Times” is one of the best first album, track one, side ones ever (and it’s my favorite Zeppelin track one.) What a perfect way to say “We are Led Zeppelin, and this is what we do.” This is true. I also like the first album, track one, side one thing. Who can compete with them? Actually, I think there is surprisingly many of these that are strong and introductory. Oasis, Raconteurs, The Doors, Air, King Crimson, Ramones, Black Sabbath, Elastica, Guns 'n Roses, Velvet Underground (Maybe not typical for the band, but what would be), Strokes. ---
**Author:** ![Yorikke](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yorikke/32/4335_2.png) [@Yorikke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yorikke)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2011, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/led-zeppelin-iv/592652/32 "2011-08-14T18:24:17Z")
Well, I prefer Houses of the Holy and Physical Graffiti, but IV is solid front to back. The closest to a dud song is probably “Four Sticks,” which is pretty damn good. Plus, if anyone has only one Zep album, it’ll be the one with “Stairway.” Joe ---
**Author:** ![Typo\_Negative](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/typo_negative/32/484_2.png) [@Typo\_Negative](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Typo_Negative)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2011, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/led-zeppelin-iv/592652/33 "2011-08-14T18:25:50Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > I don’t find “Four Sticks” a clunker at all. I will agree, though, that it is the weakest track on the album.. I cannot agree. _Four Sticks_ is effing brilliant! _Misty Mountain_ _Hop_ is an abomination. But this all subjective. I also prefer _Physical Graffitti_, but we can all agree that IV was a great record. ---
**Author:** ![Yorikke](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yorikke/32/4335_2.png) [@Yorikke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yorikke)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2011, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/led-zeppelin-iv/592652/34 "2011-08-14T18:27:51Z")
> [@China\_Guy](#): > > I was a huge zep fan and my first concert ever was Day on the Green with Judas Priest, Rick Derringer and Zep. I didn’t listen to any music for about 20 years. I went back and listend to the Zep collection and Presence is the only albumn that really stood the test of time. YMMV Ha! I thought I was the only one who liked Presence! “Achilles’ Last Stand” is one of my favorites, as is “Tea For One.” Joe ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2011, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/led-zeppelin-iv/592652/35 "2011-08-14T19:29:28Z")
[Obligatory Onion link.](http://www.theonion.com/articles/teen-who-just-discovered-led-zeppelin-starting-to,199/) ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2011, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/led-zeppelin-iv/592652/36 "2011-08-14T20:06:27Z")
_In Through the Out Door_ is an underrated album too. ---
**Author:** ![koeeoaddi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/koeeoaddi/32/408_2.png) [@koeeoaddi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/koeeoaddi)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2011, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/led-zeppelin-iv/592652/37 "2011-08-14T20:10:26Z")
My opinion probably doesn’t count because I’m essentially an acoustic girl, but I think II is just about as perfect as an album can be. …and glad to see you back, **Dio**. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Shoeless](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shoeless/32/7099_2.png) [@Shoeless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shoeless)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2011, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/led-zeppelin-iv/592652/38 "2011-08-14T20:22:04Z")
I was one of the posters who deferred on picking a Zeppelin album in my Top Ten Albums, but if I had to pick one I think it would be III. “Immigrant Song” rocks and “Since I’ve Been Loving You” smokes. ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2011, 9:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/led-zeppelin-iv/592652/39 "2011-08-14T21:13:02Z")
I think their first was they best, since it was far more blues based (it can be argued that much of Led Zep’s output is just variations on “Communications Breakdown.”) But IV is the second. “Stairway” is overplayed, but is a great rock song, while “When the Levee Breaks” is even better. Later albums were more hit and miss, and nothing in them is up to the standards in LZ IV. ---
**Author:** ![Cliffy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/59ef9b/32.png) [@Cliffy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cliffy)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2011, 1:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/led-zeppelin-iv/592652/40 "2011-08-15T01:42:22Z")
IV’s the best IMO b/c it has the best balance between blues and rock and it’s a tighter album than some of their later stuff (I’m looking at you Physical Graffiti) which is occasionally sloppy. Like **mr. jp** says, it’s the same problem The White Album has, although to a less significant degree. –Cliffy [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/led-zeppelin-iv/592652.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/led-zeppelin-iv/592652.md?page=3)