The classic Led Zeppelin intro that Jimmy Page regrets

(Credits: Far Out / Andrew Smith)

Sun, November 24, 2024 6:00 p.m., United Kingdom

The introduction of a song can make or break it. The thuds that open “Eye of the Tiger” are truly essential to the drama of the song, the bouncy synthesizer riff that opens “Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)” makes it instantly recognizable, and “Sweet Child O’ Mine” would be considerably less iconic without that blistering opening riff Another band who mastered the art of the intro was Led Zeppelin.

Perhaps the most notable example of Led Zeppelin’s understanding of the intro is “Stairway to Heaven”. The 1971 track opens with a beautiful guitar riff, provided by Jimmy Page, eases listeners into the track. From there, the eight-minute epic moves through dramatic lyrics, increasingly rocking guitars and a searing vocal delivery. But these first moments perhaps still remain most iconic and instantly recognizable part of the song.

“Stairway to Heaven” isn’t the only Led Zeppelin song with a stellar intro. “Immigrant Song” begins as it wants to go on, with thumping drums, an iconic riff and a series of screams. “Kashmir” opens with those all-too-familiar strings, which increase in intensity with repetition throughout the song. And “Whole Lotta Love” opens with a classic guitar riff.

However, there is one song where Led Zeppelin didn’t really nail the art of the intro, according to Page. In 1970, the group released their third eponymous album, Led Zeppelin IIIwhich featured a large proportion of softer, more folky rock tracks. One of those tracks was “Tangerine,” an album-only track originally written for the Yardbirds.

The song was never recorded on a Yardbirds record, but it became a Led Zeppelin song. With beautifully smooth sounds, harmonized vocals and rippling percussion, it’s a beautiful track that shows a softer side of Led Zeppelin without losing its edge. “Tangerine, tangerine, living reflection of a dream,” sings Robert Plant, “I was her love, she was my queen, but now a thousand years between.” »

Although fans seem to love the track, Page has one regret about “Tangerine.” In the song’s introduction, these gentle strumming can be heard for a few seconds before quickly stopping. After a brief count-in, they come back to the front, and it looks like you’re there in the rehearsal room or in the studio with Page and Plant. But Page quickly regretted this artistic choice.

“This is what we commonly call a false start,” he shared, quoted in Led Zeppelin FAQ by George Case, “It was a tempo guide, and it seemed like a good idea to leave it in. I was trying to keep the tempo a little.” Beyond guiding the tempo, the beginning also adds to the raw folk feel of the song, as well as its honesty and vulnerability. But Page couldn’t quite get into it.

“I’m not sure now if it was a good idea,” he admitted. It certainly changes the direction of the song, removing a finishing element from the opening with its brief pause and whispered count-ins. However, that doesn’t necessarily mean it wasn’t a good idea on Page’s part. The raw opening matches the mood of the rest of the song, the warm folk sound that follows. It’s a production choice that some might disagree with, but others will appreciate for its honesty.

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