It’s one of the most iconic songs of all-time, but Led Zeppelin frontman Robert Plant says 48 years after the release of ‘Stairway To Heaven’, he can no longer relate to the classic track.
Back on November 8th, 1971, the world of music was forever changed by the release of the fourth album from Led Zeppelin. While both fans and the band’s vocalist have had trouble knowing what to call the record exactly, they know for sure that its track ‘Stairway To Heaven’ should be called a classic.
Often cited as one of the greatest songs ever written, the tune is an undeniable piece of rock history, with frontman Robert Plant having performed the track countless times since its creation.
Now, almost 50 years after it was first released, Plant has explained that the passing of time has left him unable to relate to the song anymore.
Check out ‘Stairway To Heaven’ being played live:
Speaking to the Ultimate Classic Rock Nights radio show, Plant conceded that ‘Stairway To Heaven’ is indeed a great song, but explains that he no longer relates to the lyrics the same way that the 23-year-old that wrote them all those years ago did.
“Of course, it was a good song,” Plant explained. “The construction of the song, the actual musical construction is 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, fine piece of music.”
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“Lyrically, now, I can’t relate to it, because it was so long ago,” he added. “I would have no intention ever to write along those abstract lines anymore.
“I look at it and I tip my hat to it, and I think there are parts of it that are incredible. The way that Jimmy [Page] took the music through, and the way that the drums reached 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.'”
While we certainly can’t blame Robert Plant for getting a little bit burnt out by the track after 48 years (why, some of us cringe looking at messages we sent to people the previous day), we can’t deny the fact that the tune has changed the lives of countless people over the past decades.
Check out ‘Stairway To Heaven’ by Led Zeppelin:
