Origin of the Swan Song record label art |
Whole Lotta Love was released in 1969 and I think was probably responsible for making the 1970s the Decade of the Zeppelin, when you could not listen to FM Rock radio for more than an hour before hearing another Zeppelin tune ("time to get the Led out" as the DJs used to say har har). If you want to get a feel for the 1970s check out Richard Linklater's Dazed and Confused - although I don't think any Zeppelin songs appear in the movie, the title is of course a Led Zeppelin song.
Whole Lotta Love is a truly Dionysian song, all passion and power. At the opposite end of the Decade of Zeppelin, released in 1979, is Fool in the Rain which is a balance between the Dionysian and the Apollonian.
Fool stars out with a leisurely riff and it's romantic:
Well there's a light in your eyes that keeps shiningIt's quite a masterful piece of poetry there, with the star metaphor and the many references to sight.
Like a star that can't wait for the night.
I hate to think I've been blinded baby,
Why can't I see you tonight?
(Full lyrics here.)
The verses go on to describe the singer being stood up by his beloved, and he is filled with self doubt. The song builds in power until after the third verse it breaks into what might be called a "Latin odyssey" complete with marimbas and whistles, and which represents the singer's inner turmoil - that's the Dionysian bit. It finishes off with a blazing electric guitar solo by Jimmy Page.
The odyssey over, the singer suddenly realizes, in a return to the rational Apollonian :
And I'll run in the rain 'til I'm breathlessOh the situational irony!
When I'm breathless I'll run 'til I drop, hey
And the thoughts of a fool's scattered careless
I'm just a fool waiting on the wrong block.
The Zep was more sophisticated than the casual listener might realize and they were also huge fans of both Joni Mitchell and the work of J. R. R. Tolkien.
Enjoy!
Enjoy!