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Led Zeppelin: 20 Best Songs For Your iPod

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By Isabella Snow


© Bob Gruen
© Bob Gruen
Jimmy Page
Jimmy Page

I’ve been an avid blues purist since I was 8 years old. I don’t really care for blues-rock, and I especially do not care for bands which call themselves blues, but are actually blues rock – or just rock.

However.

Led Zeppelin is one of the only bands who’ve ever been able to pull off classic blues songs and turn them into something which I cannot even begin to categorize. It’s not blues, obviously, but it’s absolutely fantastic, whatever it is.

As for the rest of what they did.. simply put, Zeppelin was the greatest heavy rock band of their time, and with good reason – they had the stuff. So much so, I couldn’t come up with a 10 Best list – I had to make it 20, and even that was difficult. Can you name another band which you’d have difficulty narrowing down the best songs?

I can’t.

The following is my list of faves. You’ll notice Stairway to Heaven is NOT on this list. It’s a good song, but it’s not their best – it’s just the most commercially promoted. Also, I’ve only included album art from the albums mentioned here – there are several other albums, and countless more songs which are more than worthy of your attention. And they are finally available at iTunes! So here they are, in no particular order: The Top 20

Led Zeppelin Promo Photo © Dick Barnatt
Led Zeppelin Promo Photo © Dick Barnatt


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Mothership 2CD/1DVD Mothership 2CD/1DVD
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Led Zeppelin II Led Zeppelin II
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Led Zeppelin IV (aka ZOSO) Led Zeppelin IV (aka ZOSO)
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Led Zeppelin: The Song Remains the Same (Collector's Edition) Led Zeppelin: The Song Remains the Same (Collector's Edition)
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Led Zeppelin 1 Led Zeppelin 1
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Physical Graffiti Physical Graffiti
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Houses of the Holy Houses of the Holy
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Dazed and Confused

This was actually a folk song written by someone else – but I’ll be damned if Zeppelin didn’t make this their own. Slow, sexy – hot as anything. I hear this song and I want to do very naughty things. One of the best songs ever recorded.

When the Levee Breaks

This song was originally recorded by Memphis Minnie – and let me assure you, Zeppelin’s version is more than a little bit different, apart from the words. The groove in this song is so sexy it’s not funny. Hawt, people. Hawt.

Your Time Is Gonna Come

This is an awesome song about an evil-doing woman. (That would be most of us, eh?) Honestly, it makes a great anthem. When I was an angst-ridden teenager, I used to blast this from my bedroom and sing it at the top of my lungs. I wonder if my mother knew to whom I was singing.

Led Zeppelin: Dazed and Confused (1969)


Robert Plant
Robert Plant
Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin II
Led Zeppelin II

The Ocean

All four band members wrote this one – which is rarity in and of itself. The Ocean is what they used to call the mass of fans clustered at the stagefront. The riff in this song is very famous due to the Beastie Boys sampling it on one of their albums.

Heartbreaker

The incredibly famous riff in this song was completely improvised on the spot. The song’s about a girl named Annie, who’s been up to no good. You know how women are! One of the best Zeppelin songs ever written, and credited to all 4 musicians.

Four Sticks

I love the pauses in this song, and the many, many changes in style throughout. Hard, soft, low, high. The title comes from John Bonham recording his part while using two sets of drumsticks. Yet another excellent Zeppelin song.

The Wanton Song

This song is here purely for that riff. The bridge does get a bit soft, but when it goes back to that hard, sexy groove….yummy. And it goes well with the lyrics. This is a lesser-known song, but one which easily makes this list.

The Lemon Song

A Howlin’ Wolf number. Oh my.. what can I say about this song that won’t get me into trouble? This is one saucy, saucy song. The lyrics may sound innocent at first, but on closer inspection… these are classic blues lyrics, and blues lyrics often involve naughty subject matter. That said, they were innocent enough to be recorded in a time when you couldn’t even use the word “hell” on a lyric sheet.. so I guess it’s not too naughty.

Classic US Interview with Robert Plant and John Bonham


John Paul Jones
John Paul Jones
Led Zeppelin III
Led Zeppelin III

Immigrant Song

This album was kind of dissed by the media, but that doesn’t mean some great songs weren’t on it. This one, for example. The groove here is relentless. It’s dedicated to viking Leif Ericson.

Hey Hey What Can I Do?

I used to have this single on vinyl, if you can believe it. And for those of you too young to vote yet – I am from the tape era, not the vinyl era! Which means it took a lot of work to find it. This song is playful and catchy – and rare. I don’t understand why it was never properly released on one of their main albums.

What Is and What Should Never Be

This is a popular song, and with good reason; it's amazing. And it’s classic Zeppelin. The beginning is ethereal, and then it goes back and forth between that and hardcore. You have to love this song – if you don’t, this band is not for you.

Led Zeppelin: No Quarter (1975)


Physical Graffiti
Physical Graffiti

Thank You

This is the first song Plant wrote by himself. The lyrics, anyway. It’s a semi-slow number, acoustic and heartfelt. It’s really very lovely and has always been popular with the ladies.

Kashmir

Not my favorite album, but one of my favorite songs. The orchestral background in a heavy number was so ingenious its almost amazing. Both Page and Plant have said this is the quintessential Zeppelin song – so add this to your list.

Going to California

This is an acoustic number. It’s very melodic and hauntingly beautiful. I sometimes don’t even hear the lyrics, because the music is so hypnotic in places. Speaking of lyrics, this song is allegedly about Joni Mitchell.


Houses Of The Holy
Houses Of The Holy

Over the Hills And Far Away

This starts out acoustically and then gets into the nitty gritty. It’s a love ballad, and a very sweet one, at that. Not your typical overtly sexual Zeppelin groove – this one is far more tender and romantic than the usual.

Since I’ve Been Loving You

This was a return to the classic blues covers they’d done on the previous two albums. As I’ve said, they took blues and turned into something I cannot categorize in any way other than to simply say it’s fantastic, whatever it is.

Bring It On Home

The beginning is from a Willie Dixon song, but the bulk is original. And it’s awesome. I don’t usually like harmonica, but I love it in this song. And I love the vocal phrasing. Make sure you give it a listen.


John Bonham © Jan Perssons
John Bonham © Jan Perssons
The Fourth Album
The Fourth Album

You Shook Me

This is a Willie Dixon song Zeppelin covered on the first album. It’s a classic blues number, and, as such, pretty much revolves around the true meaning of rock and roll, if you can follow that. If you can’t.. well.. listen to it anyway.

Whole Lotta Love

The music is pure Zeppelin, but the words came from a Willie Dixon song. The result was magic. You cannot listen to this song without suddenly feeling like you need to get up and do something. Anything. A very energizing song.

Ramble On

As much as they were hard rock, they also had a number of acoustic-based songs, most of which also had hard elements. This is one of them. It’s beautiful and heavy at the same time. I love this song, it’s so amazingly unique.

I don’t listen to Led Zeppelin much these days, as I had an intense obsession with them in my teenage years and kind of overdid it. But I have to say, listening to them tonight has really reinforced my previous opinions that they were one of the greatest bands the world has ever known.

xx Isabella

Comments

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MrMarmalade profile image

MrMarmalade  says:
2 years ago

Not into rock like blues

OneShot profile image

OneShot  says:
2 years ago

I agree. They kick butt. However, I have to add Boston, Queen, and (at the risk of getting flamed) APP.

Isabella Snow profile image

Isabella Snow  says:
2 years ago

Mr. Marmalade - This is the exception! ;)

Oneshot - Add them to what?? You cant compare Zeppelin to Boston or Queen even in the rock genre! Boston sux!! Queen was ok, though. Some of it. ;)

Kenny Wordsmith profile image

Kenny Wordsmith  says:
2 years ago

After reading this, I too am going to listen to them again! Thank you for that!

OneShot profile image

OneShot  says:
2 years ago

My apologies... I was not aware that yours was the only opinion that mattered. I will take it under advisement and remember it for future coments.

Isabella Snow profile image

Isabella Snow  says:
2 years ago

Kenny - You can listen to them in those vids and see if you like them. :)

Oneshot - No smilies, so I'll assume you're being.. terse. I don't mind other opinions, I just don't really see how Boston or Queen are relevant to a hub entirely devoted to Led Zeppelin songs. If you were going to add an opinion, I'd have thought it would be something about a song or the band itself.

Hot Rocks Review profile image

Hot Rocks Review  says:
2 years ago

I loved the in depth coverage of the individual Zepplin albums. I've been a Zep fan for many years, and still crank the dial when they pop one on the airwaves. For anyone thats only heard of Led Zepplin, your article covers the A-Z's and was extremely informational and well written...by a true fan! Loved It!

H. Irving  says:
2 years ago

I don't particularly like Zepplin but your article was well written and interesting, thanks for sharing!

Fretbuzz  says:
2 years ago

Right on, Isa -it is very difficult to even keep it at 20, I would have to add Out on the Tiles and say Black Sabbath is right there with Zep.

J.T. profile image

J.T.  says:
2 years ago

I have to leave a comment to you isabella snow, about this hub..... BRILLIANT WORK,

J.T

Isabella Snow profile image

Isabella Snow  says:
2 years ago

Hot Rocks - Thank you!! :)

H. Irving - Thank you very much! :)

Frettbuzz - Thanks! I didn't know you were a Zeppelin fan... I'll do one on Sabbath soon. ;)

JT - Thank you! :)

Fretbuzz  says:
2 years ago

That would be very cool.

JamesRay profile image

JamesRay  says:
2 years ago

Fantastic List.

Mark Knowles profile image

Mark Knowles  says:
2 years ago

Takes me back. I could almost imagine I was 16 again reading this. Good one.

Isabella Snow profile image

Isabella Snow  says:
2 years ago

James - Glad you like it! :)

Mark - Thanks! :)

funride profile image

funride  says:
2 years ago

I found this important hub after reading the Best rocking Christmas songs one, Led Zeppelin are still one of my favorite band.

Thank you for such remarkable hub!!

Isabella Snow profile image

Isabella Snow  says:
2 years ago

I'm glad you liked it, funride! :)

Mike Spain profile image

Mike Spain  says:
2 years ago

Great list. Great band. Really to me they are a music road map. At least to me they made me want to find out where this music came from and it's great. I was listening to Sleepy John Estes "Drop Down Mama" which Zep turned into "Custard Pie', and of course Muddy, Wolf and John Lee Hooker (live whole lotta love medley).

aimen  says:
2 years ago

awsome list !

love itt

adventure profile image

adventure  says:
2 years ago

Ah yes, the mighty Zeppelin! The Ocean was my favorite Zep song way back in high school. They really rock.

Angela Harris profile image

Angela Harris  says:
2 years ago

Led Zeppelin was loaded with talent. How could they not be awesome? But I'm a bit biased, as I'm a huge Robert Plant fan. Thanks for the trip down memory lane.

edu  says:
2 years ago

hey man! i don't know anything about led zeppelin. but when i downloaded the songs.... men i can't stop listening to it!! great rock! thanks man.

Kosmo profile image

Kosmo  says:
2 years ago

I've been a Zep fan since the sixties. Their first album is one of the greatest of all time and in the top ten for the best of the sixties. In General, I agree with your choices buy can't figure how you left out "Black Dog," "Dancing Days," "Rock and Roll" and "The Rain Song." Shame on you! Whatever, eh? Please check out my hubs. I write a lot about rock.

Kosmo

ipodzune profile image

ipodzune  says:
2 years ago

An awsome band and a great track listing. Best rock band in the world ever!!!

R. Martin Basso profile image

R. Martin Basso  says:
2 years ago

Hi Isabella;

I am going to have to agree with you on all of these points. Your insight into Led Zep is deep and profound and truly very appreciated.

Well Done!

R. Martin Basso

Some Random  says:
18 months ago

You were dead on by saying that it is hard to narrow down the top 10 Zeppelin songs- My "top 20" playlist on Media Player consists of about 30 of their songs :P Please tell me that "Achille's Last Stand" is number 21 on your list... at least!

gabriel page fuller  says:
15 months ago

zeppelin is how you spell it for those at the top and they r hands down the greatest band of all time.

gabriel page fuller  says:
15 months ago

u know every one of their songs is great so how can you have a top 20?

andrew  says:
13 months ago

um just to let everyone know stairway to heaven is their best song and is the best song ever in the history of music. i'm not gonna lie it's good.

brooke  says:
12 months ago

i'm only fourteen and i absolutely adore led zeppelin i think they are amazing good job on this blog, this would have been my top twenty greatest hits of led zep too. (:

HS  says:
11 months ago

Just listen to stairway to heaven and feel the beauty of music

mm  says:
10 months ago

I luv led zep w/ a deep passion

Ryan McAdam  says:
10 months ago

i agree with your list, i was reading the top section and you said that stairway to heaven Isn’t one of thier top 20, i think in my opion that it is, anyway no big deal.

Rock on

vampire  says:
10 months ago

where is Good Times Bad Times , Black Dog, That’s The Way, Achilles Last Stand, How Many More Times?? they r definitely top 20 stuff..but damn, can't take any of the one's which you have already put in..i guess top 20 is a tough thing to pull off..well, then good work i say..

abby  says:
8 months ago

You left out White Summer and Moby Dick. Two of the greatest instrumentals ever made. R.I.P. The Great John Henry Bonham.

It sucks being born 13 years after they disbanded. I had to grow up listening to Celine Dion and The Backstreet Boys. The 70's must've been great huh?

Matt  says:
8 months ago

Good list, but you forgot Traveling Riverside Blues!

it's a shame too, it's the perfect example of them making old blues songs their own.

Dorothy  says:
6 months ago

Good List!

But I must sayy..one must have "Ten Years Gone" on their iPod. It definitely holds a lot of emotion.

Dan  says:
6 months ago

Great list but you are missing two incredible songs. One is Tangerine on Led Zeppelin III and the other is Achilles Last Stand on Presence

hglick profile image

hglick  says:
6 months ago

Isabella,

Great Hub. I love Led Zeppelin. Many of the songs you list by them are definitely some of the best Classic Rock songs out there, Especially Kashmir. I've been hypnotized by this tune ever since it's inception. Excellent Job!!

jon wilson  says:
5 months ago

stairway to heaven...

Krystal Paige profile image

Krystal Paige  says:
4 months ago

I love Led Zeppelin. Misty Mountain Hop, Kashmir,The Ocean, and Going to California are my favourites. The whole Zeppelin IV album and Presence is great. I like the list,you got good taste in music.

Andy-Laa  says:
4 months ago

I was just waiting for Ramble On...and I was pleased to see it's your number one :D

   says:
3 months ago

"TOP all" to Led Zeppelin.

However, I like your choice, Isabella.

Congratulations for the work and thanks for helping me to remember some songs.

Eric  says:
2 months ago

Not sure how old you are, but I had a Zeppelin craze in my teenage years, and learned a lot of these songs on guitar. I can't disagree with any of your picks. They did so many different things with their style and made their own category. One song that features slide guitar that's an old Robert Johnson blues song is "Traveling Riverside Blues". Overall I liked your choices.

Andy  says:
2 months ago

Leaving out Achilles Last Stand is almost a crime... I understand why you would want to leave out Stairway to Heaven though (even if it might be the best song of all time).

As for other bands with an impossible top 20... Queen. If your music tastes are complex and you can take pretty much anything from Tie Your Mother Down to Under Pressure, or to put it in other parameters, anything from Smoke on the Water to Bille Jean, then Queen is the perfect band simply because they have so many great rock songs and so many great pop songs and so many great 'I don't know what the hell this is' songs.

DennisBarker profile image

DennisBarker  says:
2 months ago

Thanks for the reminder, I just spent the weekend watching footage from Live Aid, and Earls Court.

Jayhawk  says:
3 weeks ago

Achilles Last Stand needs to be on this list.

nat  says:
2 weeks ago

archilles last stand i agree

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