In retrospect, "Stairway to Heaven" sucks

[ALago1]

This post is a little random but I just listened to this song for the first time since high school (4 years) and I have come to the conclusion that it is a horribly pretensious and overrated rock record. The revered "solo" Page throws in at the end isn't all that moving either.

I used to think this song was the pinnacle of creativity and more profound than any other musical piece ever.

Amazing what a little maturity and time can do :)

On edit: Just to clarify, I don't want people to think that I perceive anyone who does like this song as "immature", growing up in a certain way just made me less inclined to like the song...

[coloradodem2005]

1. Either that or maturity will make you like it more.

I like Stairway to Heaven. Of course I am a Zephead.

[ALago1]

8. Tis possible

I am still quite wet behind the ears...

[villager]

2. Now on to "Stairway to Gilligan's Island,"

...by Little Roger & the Goosebumps.

[BlueEyedSon]

3. Dude, don't go there!

[Nlighten1]

4. To each their own...

I think it is one of the greatest songs ever written.

[a_random_joel]

5. I have heard this frequently as of late.

But I disagree.:shrug:

[wyldwolf]

6. I made an similar observation to someone about "Free Bird"

It was cool when I was 12 year old growing up in the South, but 10,000 times later, is now sucks royally.

[a_random_joel]

9. Lynyrd Skynyrd sucks. It sucked then...

It sucks now.

[EstimatedProphet]

17. Thank you

I never got Skynard. I like southern rock, but not Skynard.

[Liberal Veteran]

19. A-f**king-men!

God, I hate that song!

[a_random_joel]

7. Elevator to Men's Wear, however...

[RobinA]

10. Funny...

It drove me nuts in the '70's, because here in Philadelphia they played it about once an hour for the entire decade and most of the '80's. Now that I haven't heard it in awhile, when it does come on I like it a lot more. I actually think it's a good song, just waaaaaaay overplayed in these parts.

[cryofan]

11. Other Zep works and other 70s rock ballads

I used to think that Stairway was Zep's best. But I now think that other Zep songs were better contenders for the best 70s rock ballad.

How about these Zep songs:
1. Rain Song
2. That's the way
3. Ten Years Gone
4. Ramble On
5. Tangerine
???

Also, how about the Allman Brother's ballad "Melissa"? And how about Lynnyrd Skynryd's "Tuesday's Gone"? How about Manfred Mann's "Blinded By The Light"?

[Liberal Veteran]

16. My favorite Zep song is Immigrant Song....neat lyrics.

Mail: Led Zeppelin - Immigrant song Lyrics to a friend


Ah, ah,
We come from the land of the ice and snow,
From the midnight sun where the hot springs blow.
The hammer of the gods will drive our ships to new lands,
To fight the horde, singing and crying: Valhalla, I am coming!

On we sweep with threshing oar, Our only goal will be the western shore.

Ah, ah,
We come from the land of the ice and snow,
From the midnight sun where the hot springs blow.
How soft your fields so green, can whisper tales of gore,
Of how we calmed the tides of war. We are your overlords.

On we sweep with threshing oar, Our only goal will be the western shore.

So now you'd better stop and rebuild all your ruins,
For peace and trust can win the day despite of all your losing.

Plus you watch the Viking Kittens perform this at this link.

http://users.wolfcrews.com/toys/vikings/

[EstimatedProphet]

20. Then you'll love this!

http://www.vikingkittens.com/

On edit: looks like the same mpg. Sorry.

[Nostradammit]

12. Funny you should say that -

I just got done with a 1400 mile road trip and somewhere in the middle of Idaho, Stairway to Heaven came on the radio and when it was done I thought to myself, "you know, that song still holds up!"

I've been a dedicated musician for more than 25 years and I like all different kinds of music, and I've been a studio rat for many, many hours, and I can tell you that it's not very often that all the elements come together to create a sound as cohesive as STH is.

Did Zeppelin make a lot of mistakes? You bet. That's what made it sound human.

Was it actually kind of cheesy? Well, it may not fit the current paradigm very well, but when it came out it was a new sound, and the whole Tolkein thing was peaking in momentum.

Was it heartfelt? I think it was.

(Sorry about the Rumsfeld-style self-questioning)

I got into jazz pretty heavily at one point in my life and I found myself starting to turn my nose up at all things popular, but nowadays I appreciate a player's "feel" over their "technique." And the drum tracks on that whole album are just bursting with feel.

Some day, ten years from now you'll be partying with some friends one night and you'll hear that song and love it.

[Ksec]

13. How dare you!

disgrace the name of Zep!

Most things of youth seem silly as you mature . The drugs the sex ..well the drugs ..

[sendero]

14. I like Zep...

... and still marvel at Page and Bonham now and then.

But Stairway to Heaven is not one of their best efforts IMHO.

Musically, is it barely average Zep. And what's with that bustle in your hedgerow? The lyrics are goofy :) As I've grown older I'm able to understand a lot of lyrics that I didn't get before. I don't really think there's much to get there :)

[thatgemguy]

15. Are you sure...

that you're not just burned out on the song?

After all, it is played ad nauseum on "classic rock" radio.

For a change, listen to the versions by Frank Zappa or Dread Zepplin, these versions just might bring a smile to your face.

[EstimatedProphet]

18. Kashmir is a better song IMO

Stairway to Heaven in part got its rep because some people confused it with spirituality