The Who’s Keith Moon, one of several musicians who had declined guitarist Jimmy Page’s invitation to join his next project said the band would “go over like a lead zeppelin.” Page liked the phrase but decided to drop the ‘a’ from ‘lead’. Despite predictions, Led Zeppelin became the biggest Hard Rock band in the world. Each entry has the song’s title followed by the parent album. 10. Kashmir (Physical Graffiti) Written over a period of three years by guitarist Jimmy Page and vocalist Robert Plant with contributions from drummer John Bonham, the song became a concert staple, performed by the band at almost every concert since its release in 1975. Kashmir 9. Black Dog (Untitled-Led Zeppelin IV) The title is a reference to a nameless black Labrador Retriever the band saw wandering the Headley Grange studio grounds. The song is based on a call-and-response structure between the singer and the band. Page, inspired by Fleetwood Mac’s “Oh Well,” got the idea to start and stop the music. Black Dog 8. Good Times Bad Times (Led Zeppelin I) The main riff was written by bassist John Paul Jones on a Hammond organ. And Page’s guitar solo was fed though a Leslie speaker to create a swirling effect. The song was Led Zeppelin’s first single released in the US, where it landed on the “Billboard Hot 100 (#80). Good Times Bad Times 7. Dancing Days (Houses Of The Holy) Inspired by an Indian tune that Page and Plant heard while traveling in Bombay (Mumbai), the song premiered on BBC Radio One in March of 1973. It was frequently played in concert prior to its commercial release – as the B-side of “Over The Hills And Far Away.” However, with the arrival of the “Houses Of The Holy” album, “Dancing Days” was largely dropped from concerts. Dancing Days 6. Stairway To Heaven (Untitled aka Led Zeppelin IV) Composed by Page with lyrics by Plant, it is widely regarded as one of the greatest Rock songs of all time. It has three sections, each one progressively increasing in tempo and volume. The song opens with acoustic instruments (guitar and recorder) playing in a a slow tempo before introducing electric instruments. The final section has a Rock arrangement, highlighted by Page’s masterful guitar solo.  Stairway To Heaven 5. Immigrant Song (Led Zeppelin III) Reykjavik, Iceland, the opening date of a 1970 tour inspired Plant to write the lyrics. “We were invited to play a concert in Reykjavik and the day before we arrived all the civil servants went on strike and the gig was going to be cancelled,” Plant recalled. “The university prepared a concert hall for us and it was phenomenal. The response from the kids was remarkable and we had a great time. ‘Immigrant Song’ was about that trip.” Immigrant Song Live Immigrant Song The song peaked at #16 on the Billboard Hot 100. 4. Whole Lotta Love (Led Zeppelin II) It became the band’s first U.S. hit peaking at #4 on the Billboard Hot 100 and was certified gold, Some lyrics were lifted from Willie Dixon’s “You Need Love,” recorded by Muddy Waters in 1962. Dixon filed a lawsuit in 1985 and was awarded a payment and credit on subsequent releases. Heartbreaker 3. Heartbreaker (Led Zeppelin II) Credited to all four band members, the song was recorded in New York while they were on their second North American tour. It features one of Page’s greatest, if not his greatest, guitar solo. Two minutes into the track, Page, playing a Gibson Les Paul performs an unaccompanied guitar solo by plucking or “pulling” a string off the fretboard before Jones and Bonham join in to create the “Hammer of the Gods” sound. Eddie Van Halen once claimed the “Heartbreaker” solo as the inspiration behind his own tapping technique. Heartbreaker Live Heartbreaker 2. Communication Breakdown (Led Zeppelin I) The song’s original title was “Too Good” and it had been performed during the band’s 1968 Scandinavian Tour when they were billed as The New Yardbirds.  Page created the machine-gun opening riff while the rest of the band wrote the song around it. “This is Page’s riff – you can tell instantly,” offered Jones.  Plant could not receive a songwriting credit owing to a previous record contract. It was simply credited to the other three band members. 1. Rock And Roll (Untitled aka Led Zeppelin IV) The band had become frustrated attempting to finish recording “Four Sticks.” During a break Bonham began playing the drum intro to Little Richard’s “Keep A-Knockin’.” Page joined in adding a Chuck Berry style riff while Rolling Stones pianist/road manager Ian Stewart added the piano. Realizing song’s potential, the band put “Four Sticks” on the “back burner” until after “Rock And Roll” was completed. Rock And Roll Led Zeppelin: Robert Plant – Vocals Jimmy Page – Guitar John Paul Jones – Bass John Bonham – Drums ### The post 10 Classic Led Zeppelin Rock Songs appeared first on RockinTown.