Song Of The Week: 5/22/11

Song: "Over The Hills And Far Away" (live version)

Artist: Led Zeppelin

Album: "How The West Was Won"

Year: 2003



After reading the lyrics to this song, it appears to me that the vocalist is searching for love that will last. It seems he has made his share of mistakes when it comes to relationships and he is on a quest, of sorts, to find that "pocket full of gold". I've heard some say the song is about sleeping around with as many women as possible. I can see that, but I sense he's doing it because he hasn't found the "one" yet that he feels comfortable and confident he can settle down with. "Over The Hills And Far Away" is a classic Led Zeppelin song that was originally released on the band's 1973 album "Houses Of The Holy". The version I chose to use was taken from the band's 2003 live release, "How The West Was Won". The song was recorded during the band's stop at the L.A. Forum on their 1972 U.S. tour. Led Zeppelin formed as a band out of the ashes of The Yardbirds in 1968. Originally, guitarist Jimmy Page wanted to form a supergroup with himself on guitar along with Jeff Beck and The Who's rhythm section, John Entwistle on bass and Keith Moon on drums. That band would never see the light however. Page worked with bassist John Paul Jones in some studio sessions in the past, so Jones has an inside track to the new band. Plant was also recommended to Page by a friend. Plant was the one who introduced John Bonham to the band and alas, Led Zeppelin was formed. At their height, you can argue that Led Zeppelin was as important and influential a band that The Beatles or The Rolling Stones were. That's how solid and innovative they were. Though based on a solid American blues foundation, Led Zeppelin was not afraid to push the envelope when it came to experimenting with different styles of music, as well as different instruments. When you talk about being the best of your craft, you're talking about Led Zeppelin. Robert Plant, arguably the best lead singer in rock and roll history. Jimmy Page, one of the best guitarists ever. John Paul Jones, perhaps the most talented musician in the rock world. John Bonham, the best hard rock drummer of all time, period. Led Zeppelin would rule the rock world from 1968 until 1980, when tragically, John Bonham would die in his sleep from choking on his own vomit. The band decided that Bonham was too important to the band to carry on and Led Zeppelin would be no more. Zeppelin would reunite for some shows, most notably Live Aid in 1985 and a benefit concert in 2007 for Ahmet Ertegun, a concert which trully showed the raw power of one of the best bands of all time, and also featured Bonham's son, Jason behind the drum kit. After this 2007 show, Page, Jones and Jason Bonham wanted to embark on a full scale Zeppelin tour. Robert Plant however, wanted to focus on his solo career and seemed to want to close the book on Zeppelin. Currently, the hopes of a Zeppelin reunion do not look good and Page has said that they would not tour under the Zeppelin name unless Plant is a part of the project.