Top 15 Led Zeppelin

Songs
JASON HIRSCHHORN

NOVEMBER 23, 2007

Led Zeppelin is the most mystifying band in all of rock and roll. Unlike the
Beatles, Rolling Stones, the Who, Dylan, U2, or any of the other great mega
acts, they kept mostly to themselves and away from the media. They usually
did not release singles, and they only really spoke out about themselves
during performances. Despite this, they are also the most popular hard rock
band ever. Like any other great artist, they have more than 15 great songs.
Many hard cuts had to be made (I still dont know how I was able to cut Going
To California, Immigrant Song, Heartbreaker and several others).
However, here are my top 15.
15. No Quarter

No Quarter is a gloomy foray into prog rock. The vocals are very low for
Plant, possibly due to slowing down the tape. The lyrics tend to lean slightly
towards the strange, referring to the god Thor and, by the title, to pirates. Live,
this song was a spotlight for the keyboard playing of John Paul Jones.
14. Babe Im Gonna Leave You

The earliest example of the famed Zeppelin light and shade dynamic, this
song is actually a cover. Babe Im Gonna Leave You was originally written by
Anne Bredon, although the band initially thought they were covering a Joan
Baez song. A great performance of this song can be seen on the 2003 selftitled DVD in the extra features.
13. Dazed And Confused

Dazed And Confused is the famed centerpiece of Led Zeppelins debut

album. The bass line is one of the most recognizable in all of rock. The
original is by a songwriter named Jake Holmes, who upon hearing Zeppelins
version is said to have declared, let them have it. The song was a guitar
workout live, stretching the song to near 30 minutes.
12. Communication Breakdown

One of the only Zeppelin songs that could ever be deemed punk, the song is
structured to go from riff to blues progression back to riff and repeat, thus
creating the formula for the riff rock of the seventies. The song is one of the
first that the band made a video for, and also one of the last.
11. Over The Hills And Far Away

After the success of their first four albums, Zeppelin was trying to experiment
with their sound so that it wouldnt become a routine. No where is that more
evident than on Over The Hills And Far Away, which is one of the songs on
Houses Of The Holy that is intended as a riff song, but is different than any
of their previous riffs. The riff is more elaborate and is changed slightly from
time to time during the song to keep it fresh.
10. How Many More Times

One of the best jam songs ever recorded. How Many More Times has
another great bass line from John Paul Jones and goes places most bands
would not have dared to go on record in 1969. The song is actually a
combination of several blues bits, including Albert Kings The Hunter and
Howlin Wolfs How Many More Years.

9. Achilles Last Stand

One of the most metal moments the band ever committed to tape (although
the band would never admit to being a part of metal), the song is a great
showcase for all members of the band. The machine gun drums, the driving
bass, the sharp guitar and the powerful vocals all come together to create one
of the last truly great songs of Zeppelins career. This is rumored to be Jimmy
Pages favorite Zeppelin song.
8. Whole Lotta Love

Technically, Whole Lotta Love is the biggest hit of Zeppelins career

(although now that the band has gone digital it could be overtaken by
downloads, but this has yet to happen). The song is certainly one of the
bands best songs, and is arguably the greatest/most memorable riffs of all
time.
7. Since Ive Been Loving You

Probably the best showcase of Robert Plants early vocals, Since Ive Been
Loving You is the epic composition the band recorded for its third album. The
guitar solo is the real gem here, which according to rock lore was improvised
in the studio. The song is even better live, and I would recommend those
interested have a listen to the version on How The West Was Won.
6. Thats The Way

The song sticks out in the Zeppelin catalog despite the fact John Bonham
doesnt play on it. The lyrics are some of Plants best, and they delve into such

issues as racism and childhood friendship. This was one of the most beautiful
acoustic pieces the band ever recorded, and was always great live.
5. Black Dog

This is the riff that was once called the dirtiest, sexiest riff around. Who was
this commentator? None other than Slash of Guns N Roses fame, who might
just know a thing or two about great riffs. The song is one of the more
complicated riffs in the bands catalog, and surprisingly is not written by Jimmy
Page (although he still had a hand in writing the song as a whole). The riffs
author was actually John Paul Jones, who wrote the riff after listening to
Muddy Waters Electric Mud LP.
4. Kashmir

Often championed as the bands greatest epic song by both fans and Robert
Plant himself, Kashmir is truly, literally epic. The riff is carried not only by
guitar, but by an orchestra and the song feels both like an eastern piece and
something a super villain would have as his theme. The lyrics are great and
refer to a trip Robert and Jimmy made to Kashmir (a trip that ended before
they reached their destination).
3. Stairway To Heaven

The most lauded piece in all of rock music. Stairway To Heaven is both the
most beloved and hated song ever written. For some the song is the most
beautiful and moving piece of music theyve ever heard, while others cringe at
the thought of hearing it. The fact is, while it is not necessarily the best song
ever written, its up there. The lyrics are brilliant, referring both to the greed of

people while taking an optimistic perspective. Oh, and that guitar solo is pretty
good too.
2. Ten Years Gone

A song about a love gone bad which seemingly has no business being on a
Zeppelin record, as its so melodic and mellow that it contrasts with what most
people associate with the band. The fact is that Zeppelin always had many
great melodic pieces, and none are more moving than this one. Another case
of great guitar, great rhythm section, and great lyrics and vocals.
1. When The Levee Breaks

When The Levee Breaks is a big slice of apocalyptic blues. The song is often
mis-credited as a cover of a song by Memphis Minnie. While the song does
borrow some lines from that song, those lines are rearranged and combined
with new lyrical verses and the music is entirely different. The song contains
the definitive drum sample of John Bonham, a sample that was used
throughout the following decades, most notably by the Beastie Boys.

Back In Black
Awesome song this is one of the best songs of AC/DC! This is the title track of the second best-selling
album of all time, and is by far their best song would tell you that
Man do I feel like jumping while hearing this song! CHEERS
This is the title track of the second best-selling album of all time, and is by far their best song.
Best solo ever better than the stairway to heaven solo and I an not giving you my opinion even jimmy
page would tell you that

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2Thunderstruck
THE GREATEST SONG & INTRO EVER! Needs to be in first place, come on guys, let's get this song to
first place, where it belongs.
CrazyBoyAdrian
Well, Back in black is a very great song, but thunderstruck is the best song that ac/dc have made. If you
just ask Angus you'll have this confirmed!
Why is this song not in the top spot. It has a way better intro and is much more engaging than Back In
Black. I just wish they would put there songs on iTunes then I would be set.

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3Highway

to Hell

Insane song. This should be at the top for sure. No band ever comes close to what AC/DC is. AC/DC
forever!
The best exponent of no fear to the hell! That's why we write AC/DC with capital letter, and this is a
classical exponent of rock!
Wow I didn't know acdc went down the road to MY suburb.
Laugh out loud I love this song.

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4You

Shook Me All Night Long

My favourite ACDC song! While not as well known to others as say, Back In Black, it's so cheerful and
makes you happy! Plus one of the catchiest choruses EVER!
This song really speaks about ac dcs versatility and how they are flexible, unlike what many critics say
they are- predictable... I love this song
Amazing! Really gets you up and rocking, true classic. If you say you don't rock to this, you're a liar!
AC/DC will never be irrelevant.

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5Hells

Bells

Man, this song should have been in the top three. Amazing guitar riffs. I've listened to this countless
times. I wish I could catch AC/DC performing it live.
This is an easy and awesome play for all those guitar players out there.
Oh my god! How this song can be not in the first place? The best of ACDC! One of the greatest hard
rockheavy metal songs ever!

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6T.N.T.
Simply best song of AC/DC. Its the one that got me to listen to them.
Because BABE I'M TNT! I'M DYNAMITE!
This song on tony hawk pro skater 4 was my childhood. My sister and I would always play that game and
set to only play this song over and over. Great riff and lyrics a true classic.
Best one, great music and lyrics. I like it because it's simply the best. For really Rock'n'Roll lovers and
those who knows what real music is.

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7Shoot

to Thrill

What? SHOOT TO THRILL>>>>>>>>>>> READY TO KILL!

Vote it up
I mean its also has been featured in IRON MAN!
After back in black and highway to hell,.. SHOOT TO THRILL deserves the the third position,. At least I
think ya'll need to listen to this track again and then decide,... If you still think the ranking is correct,.. Then
listen to it again and again till it reaches #3...
I just love this song, its so catchy and lively you just wanna listen to it all the time
I wish there was a botton to choose all there songs but I can't :(
But I got to say this is my favorite one out of ac/dc's songs. It's a very catchy song that I listen to every
time before I go to bed... Its that Badass. It may be Number Seven on this list but in my mind its number
ONE!

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8For

Those About to Rock (We Salute You)

Too bad not many people know about this awesome song. Once the cannons start firing on the latter part
of the song, you just can't help but feel the energy of the song. Fire!
What the hell? A masterpiece like this should be the 1st. Come on you haven't even listened this song
and you vote for something else. So obvious.
How is this? how can that freakin awesome song can be number 8?! COME ON THIS IS THE BEST
ACDC SONG EVA! this one should be in 3 first best acdc song with you shook me al night long and
highway to hell

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9It's

a Long Way to the Top

this is one song you get hooked up to and never get bored!
Guitar is although, simple sounding, very very addictive!
One Hell Of A Song!
Very Classical When Bon Scott Plays That Bagpipe!
Love It And Listen To It Everyday!
Such a rocking song, if you took rock n' roll and boiled it down for a hundred years, this is what would be
left.
Psykosauron

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10Dirty

Deeds Done Dirt Cheap

Bon Scott will never be equaled and this tune is the epitome of classic ACDC. You immediately get
hooked by the opening guitar chords...
Best song ever! Especially on the live album which got me into AC DC. Rock On!
One of my favorite songs by AC/DC, gotta love a bit of the old AC/DC songs sung by Bon Scott R.I. P