Vulture published a ranking of all of Led Zep’s 74 studio album songs. I was a big fan in my school-age days but rarely listen to them anymore. It’s fun to revisit some of the tracks now with perspective and see which ones aged well (quite a few, I think). And interesting to learn more about the “loathsome” John Bonham.
What would you have ranked differently? At first glance, I’d have had Custard Pie and Nobody’s Fault but Mine both higher - something about the opening riffs always grabbed me. I can’t argue with any of the top 10 except the #1 choice, Kashmir. Maybe Fast Times ruined it for me.
I would have “The Song Remains The Same” as #1, move the other top nine down a notch, and kick “All of My Love” in the dustbin, despite excellent keyboard/guitar synthesizer work.
It’s my opinion that this list is relative to the most-popular tunes, not necessarily LZ’s best-constructed works. Yes, they’ve listed some strong, general-rock-type songs, but any list of LZ tunes that puts the likes of “In My Time of Dying” and “For Your Life” outside of the top ten may want to revaluate itself (and that list couldn’t be bothered to even place them w/in the top 41).
And the fact that songs like “Hot Dog” are even on the list at all… ugh.
But, John Bonham and JPJ are what held this music together. Perhaps that’s why I find the 2 tunes above as some of the best pieces LZ ever put-together; I love the rhythm section! And what a strong rhythm section it was. I like that JB appears to often be a millisecond behind the time of the beat… feels like it hits stronger.
Different strokes and all, but Dude is missing some of the best parts of the blimp.
That first one that came to mind for me is “Good Times, Bad Times,” and that was #2, so I’m good with that. Kashmir is a good song, but I’m not sure it’d hit top 5 for me. “Stairway” is iconic, but it’s not one of my favorites. I’m not sure I’d put it in my top 20, even. “All My Love” is another one that is highly ranked here that I don’t really like much. I’d probably throw “When The Levee Breaks” into my top 5, as well as “Ramble On.” “D’yer Maker” would also be much lower on my list. “Hot Dog” at #28 is just silly to me. That’s bottom 10 for me. The rest I might have minor quibbles with, but are more-or-less in the ballpark of where I’d expect them. “Gallow’s Pole” also seems to be ranked much too low at #69 of #74. If I actually took the time to write out a chart, I expect it would fall in the top half of my Zep list.
Bonham is definitely a “behind the beat” player. Strong, rock-solid groove, but he plays on the backside of the beat rather than on top of the beat or right at the front. It gives LZ’s music the bluesy swagger. Powerful beats, but with a laid-back cool that playing on the backside of the beat brings.
Although I’d move Ramble On into the top 10 based on that bass alone. And the criticism for it seems to mostly be about its lyrics - which are silly, but who cares?
Kashmir, to me, is their masterpiece, so i was looking for it to be #1. Beyond that, nah, not much use for the list. All of My Love and Immigrant Song so high and Rock and Roll and Black Dog so low? Dazed and Confused ahead of so many other cool experimental songs? Trampled Under Foot in the 20’s?
Nice to see someone’s list for a discussion, but not much value past that to me.
As for the lower ranked songs; I like “Royal Orleans” and the other hard funk songs from their later years, especially “Trampled Under Foot.” “The Crunge” is not so hot, but goes with those songs.
As for the top tier, “Good Times, Bad Times” is ok, but not their second best! “Over The Hills and Far Away” is my favorite.
“Hot Dog” is 28, and above “Out on the Tiles” or “No Quarter”?
…on second thought, it was their best attempt at humor.
Really? IV is the only album in which I love every single song–it’s perfect from start to finish. Even though I’m a little down on Stairway, I won’t skip it, whereas every other album pretty much has a song I tune out for.
Another list pretending to be a Serious Work, but is just another One Man’s Opinion.
And putting Moby Dick last, not due to any opinion on the quality of the song, but because someone beat someone else up? Because Bonham was “semi-human”? So much for the credibility of the sorting criteria.
I know many people disagree, but Kashmir does a perfect job of conveying the actual feeling of riding a camel through the hot Sahara desert without water for days. It is interminable and unbearable, and I can’t wait for it to be over. (actually, I just skip it.) I wouldn’t put it at the bottom (that spot is reserved for The Crunge), but it’s way too high for me at number 1.
I mean, yes, every last one of them sucks, but they are “real” tracks.
I have always thought Coda could have been a million seller if they’d put Hey Hey What Can I Do on it. At the time, it was still only available on a 45 rpm record.
I agree with your comparison b/t those two. Though it really doesn’t take much work to find something less solid and great (overall album) in their discography. And no, you’re not the only one who loves DBTS, either. It took me a while to warm up to it, but it’s a great (though simple) tune; another example of JB & JPJ pulling their weight. IMHO, that side of the album has always been the best-composed with regards to not being a “clumsy, erratic mess”.
