“I guess it comes with the territory, you have a very creative imagination, therefore your life can be wonderful, or a living hell. Because your mind is so creative it goes to places that aren't necessarily realistic. You feel things a lot.” »read more
Tuesday, February 09, 2010 | A | B | C | D | E | F | G |
| H | I | J | K | L | M | N |
| O | P | Q | R | S | T | U |
| V | W | X | Y | Z | # |
Browse Categories Random Songfact Random Category Add to Songfacts Take the Quiz SongFAQ Get the Newsletter E-Mail Us Message Boards Songwriter Interviews Song Writing Songfactor's Choice Lyrical Pursuit Song Fallacies
Get the Ringtone
Get Song @ Amazon
Get the Sheet Music
Songfacts: You can leave comments about the song at the bottom of the page.
Musician types consider this one of Led Zeppelin's technically strongest performances.
This is based on a Blues song by Willie Dixon that he wrote for Otis Rush, who recorded it in 1956. Many of Led Zeppelin's songs were influenced by old Blues or Folk songs. (thanks, Bertrand - Paris, France)
The version on Coda is a soundcheck for a show at Royal Albert Hall on January 9, 1970. Coda is a collection of outtakes released after John Bonham died.
Some guitar parts are very similar to the guitar solo in "Heartbreaker." (thanks, Jack - Beijing, China)
More songs by Led Zeppelin
More songs that were adapted from early Blues songs
More songs about heartache
More songs about trying to give something up
Comments:
led zeppelin first playing this song at concerts in late 1967 but never recorded it till 1969
- sean, boston, MA
Connor, you're probably thinking of the Coda version. This song, in its original version, was released in 1969.
- Peter Griffin, Quahog, RI
This song could be recorded in 1969 BECAUSE IT WAS ON LED ZEPPELIN'S FIRST ALBUM, RELEASED IN 1969. SO THERE.
- Peter Griffin, Quahog, RI
I have never heard the Coda version, but the led zep 1 version is awesome. I love the guitar because it has a Hendrix-like feel to it.
- Connor, Coral Springs, GA
How can it be released 1969, if it is soundcheck recorded January 9, 1970?
- John, helsinki, Finland
There's what I was trying to get at, Ryan. This song is quite fun to improvise on the guitar. Like most Zeppelin blues songs, its based in A, and its fun to just mess around with. Great song, all the versions.
- Collin, Midland, TX
this is well known to not be a sound check, its just a cut up version of the actual RAH preformence.
- ryan, ashland, OR
This is on there first album, right? I think I remember seeing when I saw the titles, and was putting it in my computer, and I know I've heard this song before, on the album, and on the radio.
- Stefanie, Rock Hill, SC
The Coda version is shorter, with much of the middle section cut out. Listen to one, and then the other. Listen for Robert Plant say "Mr. Jimmy Page, lead guitar." on the DVD. Afterwards, he almost immediately sings "They told me not to worry..." This introduction and ensuing verse are absent in the Coda version. They are not identical "versions" but they are identical "songs", Coda just has the solo and one of the last verses eliminated.
- Collin, Midland, TX
The one from Coda and from the double DVD are different. If you don't believe me, listen to then simultaneously. The Coda version is from the soundcheck of the RAH show.
P.S. DVD version is ultimate
- Jesse, Toronto, Canada
when i hear this song i definitely think drugs.
- Jeanette, Irvine, CA
I wonder if Page had a reason for snipping the audio of the two live performances from CODA; it couldn't have anything to due with runtime given that the album is only 33 minutes long.
- David, Orlando, FL
Yeah, all of these guys are right. This is perfectly identical to the "Led Zeppelin DVD" version. Anyway, I believe this version is superior to the studio version. The vocals and the guitar have so much more emotion put into them, and Bonzo's solo at the end is pretty dang awesome. Led Zeppelin rules.
- Collin, Midland, TX
this song owns everything else on their first
- Mike, Cambridge, MA
The best version of this song is by Otis Rush, recorded on the Sue label in 1959, IMO. John Mayall also cut a pretty good version.
- robert, Santa Barbara, CA
Is this song an allagory about drug addiction?
- Fergal, Dublin, Ireland
The Coda version is soo much better than the studio version. Man, Led Zeppelin own.
- Danny, Sydney, Australia
Jim and Adrian are right. "I Can't Quit You Babe" from the CODA album is NOT from any "soundcheck", it is from the actual concert performance. Please, take that off immediately.
- Peter, Everett, MA
Anyway, the Coda version crushes the studio version like a grape. It is my favorite Jimmy Page guitar solo. Given the disappointment of Song Remains the Same, the Coda version of "I Can't Quit You Baby" was the first recorded (and released) evidence that Zeppelin could indeed kick ass live.
- Rob, Santa Monica, CA
could have been played-over like a voice-over
- Andres, Santa Rosa, CA
The version on Coda and the version from "How the West Was Won" ARE exactly the same and as Jim said, the Coda version was edited. It omits part of Jimmy's solo and most of the last verse.
- Adrian, Wilmington, DE
I'm not one to disagree, I've heard about this being from the sound check. I also read it on the album jacket. But did you ever see the video from the actual show? The lead is identicle, how often did Jimmy play two leads exactly the same. On Coda the lead break is also cut at the end.
- jim, bethlehem, PA