Retro Music 58

~ beetleypete

Regular readers will know that I am not generally a fan of Rock Music. Whether that might be Progressive Rock, Heavy Rock, Heavy Metal, or any of the other names that fans give to it.

However, there are many notable exceptions, and this classic song is definitely one of those.

Led Zeppelin had been around since 1968, and this British four-piece band had already had much success, as well as legions of devoted fans. But I wasn’t one of those, so had never bought any of their records. Then I heard ‘Stairway To Heaven’, and decided I had to have it. This meant that I had to buy their latest album, which had no title. It was generally known as Led Zeppelin IV, and that’s what I asked for in the record shop.

True fans will be mortified to know that I didn’t like any of the other tracks, and only ever played ‘Stairway To Heaven’. I still like that song now.

Here it is, 52 years later. And in case you have forgotten by now, it is over 8 minutes long!

There’s a lady who’s sure
All that glitters is gold
And she’s buying a stairway to heaven
When she gets there she knows
If the stores are all closed
With a word she can get what she came for
Ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh
And she’s buying a stairway to heaven
There’s a sign on the wall
But she wants to be sure
‘Cause you know, sometimes words have two meanings
In a tree by the brook
There’s a songbird who sings
Sometimes all of our thoughts are misgiven
Ooh, it makes me wonder
Ooh, it makes me wonder
There’s a feeling I get
When I look to the west
And my spirit is crying for leaving
In my thoughts I have seen
Rings of smoke through the trees
And the voices of those who stand looking
Ooh, it makes me wonder
Ooh, it really makes me wonder
And it’s whispered that soon
If we all call the tune
Then the piper will lead us to reason
And a new day will dawn
For those who stand long
And the forests will echo with laughter
Oh whoa-whoa-whoa, oh-oh
If there’s a bustle in your hedgerow, don’t be alarmed now
It’s just a spring clean for the May Queen
Yes, there are two paths you can go by, but in the long run
And there’s still time to change the road you’re on
And it makes me wonder
Oh, whoa
Your head is humming and it won’t go
In case you don’t know
The piper’s calling you to join him
Dear lady, can you hear the wind blow?
And did you know
Your stairway lies on the whispering wind?
And as we wind on down the road
Our shadows taller than our soul
There walks a lady we all know
Who shines white light and wants to show
How everything still turns to gold
And if you listen very hard
The tune will come to you at last
When all are one and one is all, yeah
To be a rock and not to roll
And she’s buying a stairway to heaven
Source: Musixmatch
Songwriters: Jimmy Page / Robert Anthony Plant
Stairway to Heaven lyrics © Flames Of Albion Music Inc., Succubus Music Ltd., Flames Of Albion Music, Inc.

43 thoughts on “Retro Music 58”

  1. Yes, you have mentioned a time or two, on my rock music posts, that you don’t like that genre. 😉 Imagine my surprise to learn you enjoy Led Zeppelin’s Stairway to Heaven, one of the greatest rock anthems ever written! I’m also thrilled that you enjoyed Heart’s performance of it. That truly made my day, Pete. 😎

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. It got played on the radio a lot, and the length was mentioned. It wasn’t until I heard ‘Tommy’ and ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ that I remember hearing the term ‘Rock Opera’, GP.
      Best wishes, Pete.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  12. Pingback: Retro Music 58 | Ned Hamson's Second Line View of the News

  17. Arguably the greatest rock song of all time…mesmerizing lyrics and don’t ever forget:
    “If there’s a bustle in your hedgerow, don’t be alarmed now
    It’s just a spring clean for the May Queen!”

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

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