what’s your favorite st*irway song? comment below!

Because Stairway is amazing!

I used to joke that Stairway to Heaven was like Gilligan’s Island, there’s probably not a minute of the day it’s not playing somewhere in the world

I’m glad they finally found the identity of the man in the photo. His name is Lot Long he is from a small town in England and the photo it’s self was taken in 1892

The album that sums up Led Zeppelin: dark, cryptic and mysterious.

An album with no name, no singles, and still found the way to be part of rock history. I have to admit that even though it is the most cliche song, I absolutely love stairway to heaven.

1971 was an epic year for classic LPs. Sticky Fingers. Imagine, Hunky Dory, Who's Next, this masterpiece, among others. It doesn't get any better. You have great taste!

Led Zeppelin literally changed the course of music ! I was 15 when i bought Zep 1 in 68 and when i first heard Battle of Evermore it was so beautiful i instantly became a Sandy Denny devotee !

The first time I heard "the song", (yes, I'm that old) is when I bought the album and brought it home. FM radio was just coming of age when IV was released. 'Rock and Roll' was probably the only track most of us heard on the radio, until the mid to late 70's, when AOR became the thing. Yea, after that, "the song" got played to death.

Very "Going To California," "Misty Mountain Hop" outfit. Flowers in their hair and all. Wow, you do your research.

“That Song” got over-played for a reason. I submit that, even though we might see it as chichéd, if it comes on the radio it’s one of those songs that gets left on till it’s finished…

As is with so many middle boomers, Led Zeppelin was and still is, to those who never grew up, so very very meaningful. It was perfect music to escape to far off places in our heads with, no hallucinogens or stimulants needed. They never let me down.

I’m 53, I didn’t care if I heard certain bands ever again having played them to death. Led Zeppelin being one. After your analysis I’m breaking them out again. Great review.

First, thank you for this video. Great review! Second, I love Led Zeppelin. LZIV is fantastic! There is no weak song on it. STH is, IMHO, a masterpiece. When that album came out, no one could get enough of the entire album in general and of STH in particular. I remember the first time I ever heard the album. My friend played it on his very-high-quality stereo while a whole roomful of us sat and listened in awe. (His parents were rich; his system cost just over $4,000.00---a month before LZIV came out. That would be about $30,000.00 today. I, OTOH, was lucky to afford food, clothing, and shelter.) When I sit and listen to LZIV, I am transported back to the days of my youth. I am nineteen again, and LZ is rocking the whole world. Oh, to live just one more day in the early Seventies!

1. Love your college borne communications skills. Grammer, enunciation and presentation is top notch. 2. Your musings are based in an understanding of music i've not seen in a child your age. 3. You, with a personality of maturity, mixed with a curiousity that can only be attributed to small humans. Innocent yet honest. 4. Overall, as a album reviewer, (i've seen tons), you're a ten out of ten. Not to mention a natural beauty that leads me to listen and watch that much closer. 5. Sadly im old enough to be your grandpa lol, which allows me to step back and warmly; fondly and respectfully tell you, good job kiddo. Keep it up.

'The Battle Of Evermore'. I have this sailboat that I built from aircraft lumber. I saved the wood, and materialsI in my apartment in Downtown Houston; ( that took 3 1/2 years). Then I lived on it for 9 1/2 years, in Key West. The name of the boat is: "Easting". Lyrics from that song. It's still central to my life. Pretty much one of the few things that I care about.

"If there a bussel in your hedgdrow, don't be alarmed." Great lyrics.

You look GORGEOUS in your beautiful outfit & flowers! Wadda Flower Power KNOCKOUT!

Misty Mountain Hop for me. My favorite from this album.

That shot of you that uses the hair light is very angelic.

"BLACK DOG" Babe!! "Who doesn't like the Black Dog riff"!! LOL!!

Going to California is for me the prettiest song Led Zeppelin has done. Rock and Roll is a perfect diss for the critics

Favorite tune Sandy Denny singing with Robert on 'The Battle of Evermore'

The big song for me on this one is When The Levee Breaks, mainly cause of Bonham's drums. I like Four Sticks a lot too, it helps it's not overplayed and Battle of Evermore cause of the great guest vocal from Sandy Denny.

Funniest thing I ever saw. In Adelaide (where I'm from) there was this music shop with a downstairs section that sold musical instruments, especially guitars. Over the doorway was a sign: ''Anyone playing Stairway To Heaven or Smoke On The Water will be immediately shown the door''.

I love this video. You look like a cross between Stevie Nicks and Samdy Denny. You are so cool!

This album is one of my all-time favorites.

Loving all your videos, by the way. "Led Zeppelin IV" is a mighty fine album, indeed. Rest in peace John Bonham & Sandy Denny.

This is my favorite Zeppelin album. I know it may be a kind of lame choice, as this album is so iconic and quite overplayed, but to me it still represents all i love about Led Zeppelin best.

I just found out the old man in the picture was a widower, Lot Long, the Wiltshire thatcher @1889

Best all time Led Zeppelin ever recorded

Totally dig the outfit; as always 🔥!

My fav zepplin song is MobyDick, which shows how great of a drummer John Bonham was

The best Led Zeppelin album for me.

In the summer of 1972 when I was fifteen four friends and I got arrested for smoking weed in the woods at a baseball game. I was searched and the cops didn't find any weed on me because I had tossed it away after I hit the ground when the officers told us to at gunpoint. One friend ran back into the woods and got away so there had originally been six of us... three boys and three girls. When they searched my pockets, the only other thing I had with me was a piece of paper with the lyrics and chords to... a song. They had no idea what to make of it but they took it to mean I was on drugs. That's what the night sergeant asked me. He was sincerely concerned because his wife worked for my father. I said, "Do you mean am I high right now? Because after having a gun pointed at my head, no, I'm not." He said good and told me he never wanted to see me there again and let us all go free. None of us ever spoke a word about it until years later, I was home visiting my parents and their guests for dinner were to be my dad's office manager and her husband. I told my parents I would cook dinner. I made a great dinner for five--I think it was brisket--and when we sat down at the table, I said, "I have a story I want to tell." And I spilled all the beans, only I didn't reveal who I was with. That would have been even more shocking because let's just say I didn't have any track record as a ladies' man. I was as geeky a kid as you ever saw. My mom said she remembered that night when I came home and went straight up to my room and didn't come out until the next morning. She just thought I was drunk. The sergeant's wife turned to her husband with fire in her eyes and said, "You never told me about this!" He just smiled, sat back in his chair, and said, "He's a good kid." At my 40th high school reunion, one of the girls brought it up and then everybody knew what had happened more than 40 years before. Many were shocked, not that I had weed, but that I was smoking in the woods with three "good" girls. That's my Stairway story and I'm sticking to it. LOL

I used to hang out at KTBA FM when I was a teenager - this album had a note on the front ordering DJ's to NOT play this song every time they wanted to but only half that many times.

Groovy

Enjoyed the analysis. I always find the cover art so enigmatic: the portrait of the reclusive hermit gathering sticks in the countryside; the decaying, derelict house walls; the overgrown suburb beyond, and the streamlined monolithic high-rise on the back. Seems to be a lament that all things are slowly passing into history? I'm still not sure. Cheers from London!

This unassailable classic is Led Zeppelin's masterpiece. All their other albums contain fine, memorable music, but the untitled LP endures as their single most iconic outing. This album enshrines what may be my single favorite Zeppelin song, "Going to California", and even the overexposed "Stairway to Heaven" endures as a deserved classic, one of the all-time greats in the rock canon. Last but not least, this untitled 1971 beauty has my all-time favorite cover art of any music album. Congratulations, Abby, on another great, informative analysis. You don't simply offer your opinions, but go into detail about how they formed and why you hold them, demonstrating impressive research combined with considerable eloquence.

Greatest rock album ever, IMHO. Some songs are virtually cinematic in scope, like When the Levee Breaks. That blues interpretation is epic.

We back in the day use to call it the Zoso album.

There were times in the eighties and early nineties when if you were listening to fm radio you would here Stairway three or four times a day. I remember a particular day when it came on, I immediately flipped the station, and sure as shit they were playing it too. Madness.

The Rolling Stones Mobile was set up outside Headley Grange. The band would play in the house with the Rolling Stones mobile truck recording everything.

19:15 This was not only one of the best Led IV reviews, but was one of the best When the Levee Breaks review i've heard Levee is my favorite song of all time, and i never get sick of either listening to the song or watching people talking about it And your review was freaking amazing Amazing channel and work

This was my "gateway drug" to Zeppelin: specifically Misty Mountain Hop. When I first heard that one, it blew my fucking head off!. Check again: I believe that Memphis Minnie-who did the original version-gets a writing credit on Levee Breaks. The drum sound on that number was Bonzo playing in the foyer of Headley Grange with 2 mic's above him. I also heard that JPJ pinched a musical idea for Black Dog from the Electric Mud album by Muddy Waters.

Used to go to renaissance fairs.....hippy heaven...ha ha

I love sandy Dennys story.. cool lady.. my favorite led zeppelin is in through the outdoor by far however

Given Robert Plant's outspoken disdain for Stairway to Heaven, I have a feeling those weren't tears of joy when Heart played it at the Kennedy Center

I've listened to Stairway thousands of times and nearly every time it gives me goosebumps. It's time to open up the Stairway again people ;-P

One of your best ever episodes of Vinyl Monday. It helps of course when I'm actually into the album. I always have to watch twice because I never hear anything the first time.

Joni M was referenced in interviews with Mr Plant as the "Queen" in "Going to Cali," so I'd say that the tribute to her is definitive... Further, he sez that Zepp's song is also a reference to her then-recently released lp Blue, and especially the Joni track "California"! The source of your reluctance to spell out the song "Stairway" is understandable (radio overplay is putting it mildly!), but I still love the MSG live version of the anthem with Page's ruthlessly unhinged solo and Plant's elfin hand signaling of the lyrics.

Abbey ..U Rock !!! 🌠🌌🪐

The very first album i ever bought with my own money! I was a freshman high school student in an all boys catholic school in Manila where everything seemed to rock insofar as music was cocerned. Led Zeppelin was (and still is) my favorite band, and Led Zep 4 was my favorite Led Zeppelin album for as long as i can remember. Not long after when i started buying all of their records, i suddenly replaced Led Zeppelin 4 with Zeppelin 2 as my favorite record by the band. I was already in college when i started to really appreciate John Paul Jones as a musician and how he partnered with John Bonham to create what was in my opinion, the best kiss-ass rhythm section the rock genre has ever produced! Needless to say, Led Zeppelin 4 has become my second favorite Led Zep album next to Led Zeppelin 2 (a close second at that) with Physical Graffitti at the third spot. Thank You for including Led Zeppelin in your vinyl collection. Your program is very informative and entertaining and you are so pretty and intelligent and fun to watch. You remind me of a young and better (more intelligent) version of Goldie Hawn. Peace and Love be with you always! 😊

Have a couple US pressings one is a white label promo. Love When the Levee Breaks. Got into 78 collecting and have the Memphis Minnie Kansas Joe on Columbia. Stones, Zep, Cream etc. etc. got me into 78 collecting. Charley Patton, Robert Johnson, Barbecue Bob, Blind Gary Davis etc. Your videos are great and I love the attention to detail.

The photo is painted over in 19th century style. That photo was around way before I was born, 1953. Awww shit, the net spider...

The problem with the "The stairway intro was a common progression" is that the structure of the timing and the turnaround is also the same. The pause at the end of the last chord is identical to Taurus, which makes the similarity uncanny. Make of that what you will but there's definitely more to it than just the descending riff. Great job on this.

Another great video. I've never been a big Zep fan, but I did get this LP years ago so that if someone came over and asked to hear them, I'd have something to play. Now, I've got all their albums digitally, but that's still the only physical media I own. I'm so not into Zeppelin that my favorite tracks are still "Black Dog" and "Rock and Roll." But I think I can answer your question as to why "Stairway" got so much radio play that people thought it must be the greatest song ever recorded. As a radio DJ myself from the late '70s-mid-'80s, that was the #1 song on the DJ bathroom list. If you needed to go and it was going to take longer than a three-minute single (or maybe some of them wanted to smoke a joint or have sex), you put on "Stairway to Heaven" and slipped out of the studio. It had various "movements" (sorry!), so it didn't get too annoying to play it very often, unlike the Beatles' "Hey Jude," which was the #2 (sorry again!) bathroom song. So my theory is that it became so iconic because it was #1 on radio's literal s**t list. As for Zeppelin claiming authorship of other people's old blues songs, they reminded me of the Kingston Trio, who openly joked on one live LP about traveling around "with our portable copyright machine." BTW, couldn't agree more on Christgau, who also never got the greatness of the Kinks.

I couldn't agree more with you on Christgau, I don't believe he even listens to music and instead rates how he felt when he woke up that morning and it seems he woke up in a good mood that day. Anyway, I really love the second side of this album after hearing the first side to death and I think it's the unsung (or unplayed) hero of the album and I particularly love Four Sticks, the VSC3 synthesiser makes that song in my opinion.

In the days of live radio, Deejays chose "Stairway..." for frequent radio play because, at 8 minutes length, it gave them time to visit the loo, pour coffee, grab a smoke on the fire escape, whatever, before changing the record. Likewise, :American Pie" (or so I've been told.) "Alice's Restaurant" clocked in with enough time for lunch!

My favorites on LZ4: When the Levee Breaks, Misty Mountain Hop, Battle of Evermore, and THAT song.

Great video I love the part when you accidentally show led Zeppelin 4 on you wish you were here video that made my day lol 😂

I have said it before, and it bears repeating; No matter what you have to say about LZ and especially “THAT SONG”, the fact of the matter is that they’ve been responsible for sooooo many people picking up and learning the guitar, every bit as much as Elvis Presley and The Beatles. And regardless of their mis-steps and such, I’d say that’s quite an accomplishment. And Abigail, once again, BRAVO on your presentation. College instructor-worthy!

I looove this album Abby!!!! I have no words to say... All the songs are fantastic!!!! I don't have favorite, because all the tracks are best of the best .. I can't wait for Bod Dylans' album... Have a nice week Abby, a lot of love...

Got my Led Zeppelin IV album around twenty years ago for 25 cents at a flea market, I feel old.

The painting on the cover of Led Zeppelin four is a painting of an old black and white picture of a "victorian Wiltshire thatcher" The gentleman was collecting sticks for a roof

Yabbus and them! I enjoy forgetting that they come out at the same day

Great outfit!!! My fave Is the Battle of Evermore. Plant and Allison Krause do a very beautiful version nowadays

You are funny, uplifting, charismatic and beautiful. Just wanted to point out that Zeppelin did indeed credit Memphis Minnie for When the Levee Breaks on the original 1971 release along with all four members for the reworking of the song. Often with most of the emphasis being on what they "stole" people tend to overlook the artists/songs they did credit. I adore your channel keep up the glorious work!

When I first heard Zeppelin, I thought it sounded like noise. It wasn't until a couple years later, that I suddenly could hear all the notes. Certain substances may or may not have been involved. Before, I thought hard rock/metal banks were just hitting random notes really fast. Which, admittedly, some do. But not Page or Hendrix. I was like, ooooh sh-----

This album (along with "Houses of The Holy") were in the house when I was growing up in the 70' s and 80s. A few years back I was given a collection of cassettes and Zep 4 was included. Faves include " Black Dog", "Rock and Roll and " Going To California." Another fine video Abby. 🙂

Great video, Abby! I look forward to these on Monday mornings. My mind is blown at the other examples of the chord progression of That song. The beginning part might be common, but that build-up to the dramatic ending was unique. I love the vibe of Misty Mountain Hop & Four Sticks. It was epic Stoner Rock for me in the '70s. I also loved Sandy Denny's beautiful vocals on Battle of Evermore. I have a lot of Zep bootlegs & it's kind of weird to hear it sung by Plant & John Bonham. When The Levee Breaks takes me back to the days of cranking up my first stereo. Still love that album.

Another amazing album from my favorite rock year, 1971. The Battle Of Evermore is my favorite on this album, very Ethereal, takes me to a completely different world with every listen. The drum sound Bonzo got on When The Levee Breaks is one of the greatest sounds ever.

Hi Abby.Thanks for another brilliant review of a very good album although I do prefer Physical Graffiti.BTW if you open the gate fold cover and look at the front it makes more sense. Please keep up the good work.

I used to have a copy I bought when I lived in South Africa in 82 and it had a really different album sleeve when you opened it up it had the lyrics for Stairway To Heaven in big print. I wish I'd kept it now.

Useless fact…I was born just a few miles away from Salisbury Tower Block in Birmingham, anyway another fascinating deep dive into a bonafide classic album.

This album was of course never titled Led Zeppelin Four. It may just be an industry/media rumour that the ‘unofficial’ name was ‘Four Runes’ (although if you count the late, lamented Sandy Denny it is five). As an album it is a masterpiece even if STH is overplayed and overhyped. ‘Levee’ is just unbelievable. This album is Zeppelin reaching full maturity and showing just what they were capable of. I think you did the ‘4’ album and the band full justice, Abigail in your as usual engaging way. One other note regarding ‘that’ song, is that allegedly you will be immediately stopped by music stores’ staff if you play so much as a note for a guitar try out (urban myth?). Love you, keep up the great work … Vinyl lives! ❤️❤️❤️❤️

Awesome sauce a gem album my favorite lp of all time , you nailed it aby

also, back in the days of "Album Rock" DJs looked for a few "Bathroom Songs" which they could play if they needed to run to the can. Other songs like this were "Working Man" by Rush and "MacArthur Park" by Jimmy Web/Richard Harris. Could've been another reason DJs picked "Stairway."

I think my favorite is When The Levee Breaks. It may not be the best song, but it really ends the album well. You did another great review, and your look is awesome! I believe this album is their biggest seller. It failed to hit the summit of the charts because Carole King was simply on fire with Tapestry, but it has become an enduring seller. The album is five stars out of five.

hello abigal . u look amazinggggg my friend. great review. i like zepplin 4. cannot wait for next monday. mike fan and friend from canada eh

I just saw this. Very well documented review. I liked it. Very informative and well described.

That old guy on the cover? It's not a painting but a colourized photograph ! Take a closer look, especially the branches on his back. I made a miniature sculpture of it so I've studied it a lot ! 🤟😎

The only time I got an opportunity to see Zeppelin (and took it of course) was 16th February 1972 in Perth Western Australia 3 months after this album came out. I was 15. It was fun.

As a Zeppelin fan since the early 70's, three has always been my favorite. I think it's raw.

Up to number 4, and a little bit of physical Graffiti that’s all you need. A bit of Kashmir is the best goof night song

What's yer favorite " Song Remains The Same " fantasy scene ?!?

I love taking two pairs of drum sticks together, and playing Bonzo’s beat from FOUR STICKS. It is challenging to do, and when you start to get it, it’s never ending joy, to jam around with the concept.

This album is still so amazing, evn though STH got played to death. (Please cover Presence!)

Agreed, "Stairway To Heaven" has been played to death. Still a great song, though. 😊😊

😊Thank you for the massive insight on this most awesome album✨

I saw a few Led Zeppelin tours in the nineties. One thing that amused me is that they would always play a few notes from Stairway to troll the crowd. The crowd would flip out, and then they'd move on to the next song. Made me laugh every time, especially when I saw the deflated look of the Boomers around me. Heh.

Fine stuff! I think LZ4 was one of those suitcase records for me. It was already an oldie by the time one of my sisters introduced me to it but once I'd heard it it really put the hook in. As for THAT song, I think playing it would be a good AI/Human differentiation test. I can't imagine anyone not liking it the first time. But yes it wears thin soon. My favourite track is Levee and it joins other epics like Kashmir, Achilles or In the Evening for that extra serve of wow that can take someone indifferent to the band and, if not change their mind, at least open a window. It's hard to know what some of the songs are about which only adds to the mystique which adds to the adventure of listening to it. Of all the bands I cast off with the advent o' punk LZ were one of the first I took up again (after giving away all the US pressed studio albums I'd bought). Thanks for another great ep.

You have been reviewing some absolute classic vinyls of late 👏

Stairway: the pee AND smoke break song (I started in radio as stations ditched their ashtrays). DJs picked Stairway due to its insane length, to stretch their legs.

'Looping' back in Vinyl Monday time when you couldn't see the wood for the Zeppelin's. You created a great look, so another time another place. What an opener. Love the way Page's guitar sounds, crunchy or munchy can't decide. This band the sound of humans playing together sometimes dragging sometimes pushing. I do listening for 'my Vinyl Monday's'. I do. Before watching this I would have said that II was my thing but listening tonight I was blown away. Power. Pleasure. Positivity. Your review did it proud and I totally caught the earlier VM enthusiasm for Zeppelin. B-Roll Abby Accidentally Starts Inter Galactic War: only if she did summat like this would I say she'd been stupid. She's built up so much credit. Two Abby's play nice!

It's interesting because in the UK stairway to heaven isn't as much a part of pop culture as it is in the US. It's never been overplayed or done to death over here. I bet a lot of people under the age of 40 couldn't even sing along to it.

This is my fave vinyl Monday! I saw Robert Plant in concert back in 2005 from the 5th row on the floor! After the show he said " I Hope you enjoyed the show see you soon Victoria! I still have my ticket and my "Robert Plant and the strange sensation t shirt!

I seen Led Zep at Cobo Hall in the early 70s.....great concert...they got down.

I got a UK second pressing of this recently for £17, so was well chuffed with that! Like you I also have the 2014 remaster but play this old copy a lot more, there's something more lovable about a musty pre-owned copy! 🙂

I was going to ask you what you thought of 'Presence', but then you mentioned 'Achilles Last Stand', and that being where Page claimed his crown, and nothing more needs to be said. 'Achilles Last Stand' and 'Nobody's Fault But Mine' are two of my favorite LZ songs. As for LZ 'IV', 'Black Dog' and ' Rock N Roll' are my favs. Excellent video, and as always very informative.