The Led Zeppelin Lyrics Robert Plant Wouldn’t Write Again

All popular bands have one or a few signature songs that they will be remembered with forever. Those songs can either be the band’s biggest hits or be famous due to their inclusion in other notable works. While it can differ based on their audience, there are a few songs that come to almost everyone’s minds when referring to a specific rock band.

Some great examples are Queen’s ‘Bohemian Rapsody,’ AC/DC’s ‘Highway to Hell,’ Guns N’ Roses’ ‘Sweet Child O’ Mine,’ and the Beatles’ ‘Let It Be.’ Similar to these iconic tracks, trailblazer Led Zeppelin’s ‘Stairway to Heaven‘ also holds an exceptional place for most music lovers, and some even argue that it is the greatest Zeppelin song. However, it seems like the song’s co-author seems to have mixed feelings about it.

Led Zeppelin Released ‘Stairway To Heaven’ In 1971

Composed by the Led Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page and lead singer Robert Plant, ‘Stairway to Heaven‘ appeared in the band’s untitled fourth studio album, ‘Led Zeppelin IV,’ released on November 8, 1971. The success of the track on the radios was remarkable. Although three-minute pop songs had reigned over the industry for the past two decades, 7-and-a-half-minute ‘Stairway to Heaven’ was a groundbreaking step in the transition to long rock songs.

The song also attracted attention with its mystical lyrics, giving it a magical atmosphere. The hit track became an essential part of mainstream culture in the 1970s. It was almost impossible to escape the song since it constantly received airplay on the radios and found a prominent place for itself in daily conversations. Despite the track’s worldwide popularity and appreciation, Robert Plant could no longer relate to the lyrics.

What Did Robert Plant Say About ‘Stairway To Heaven’?

Although it is hard to find any rock music lover who hasn’t heard ‘Stairway to Heaven,’ everybody has their own opinions on its meaning due to its lyrics that are open to different interpretations. The song features Robert Plant’s poetic and vague songwriting style, relying on the power of metaphors to deliver the intended meaning. As the song’s co-creator, the singer also had a few words to say.

In a 2019 interview with Ultimate Classic Rock, Robert Plant revealed that Led Zeppelin’s classic track didn’t mean that much to him anymore. Even though he liked the well-crafted musical structure of the song, he didn’t feel the same about the lyrical content. Plant noted that he couldn’t relate to the lyrics because he wrote them long ago.

The rocker admitted that the lyrics were too abstract and didn’t intend to write these sorts of songs anymore. He liked the guitar and drum parts of the track but was no longer sure about the lyrics. Plant regretted writing such abstract lines since the meaning he attributed to them has permanently changed. He didn’t want to make the same mistake again in his future career.

Here are Plant’s words on ‘Stairway to Heaven’:

“Of course, it was a good song. The construction of the song and the actual musical construction are very, very good. It’s one of those moments that really can stand without a vocal – and, in fact, it will stand again without a vocal, I’m sure, because it’s a fine piece of music. Lyrically, now, I can’t relate to it because it was so long ago. I would have no intention ever to write along those abstract lines anymore.

I look at it and tip my hat to it and think there are parts of it that are incredible. The way Jimmy Page took the music through, and the way that the drums almost climaxed and then continued – it’s a very beautiful piece. But lyrically, now, and even vocally, I go, ‘I’m not sure about that.'”

You can listen to the classic song below.