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

Songfacts:  You can leave comments about the song at the bottom of the page.

The title was used for a concert film and soundtrack released in 1976. Footage from three 1973 Madison Square Garden shows was mixed with scenes of the band acting out their "fantasies." The band was not happy with the results.

The lyrics were based on Robert Plant's belief that music is universal.

This was an instrumental called "The Overture" before Plant put lyrics to it.

Plant introduced this in concerts as "The Campaign" before the title was changed.

Plant's vocals were sped-up.

Jimmy Page always used his legendary double-necked guitar to play this live. He used the same guitar on "The Rain Song" which would always directly follow it. (thanks, Adrian - Wilmington, DE)

Comments:

I had a dream that I traveled with Led Zep back in the 70's. If only it were true.
- CHRIS, MCHENRY, IL

Jonesy (as called by his band mates) is playing an amazing bass line
- David, Los Angeles , CA

i love the way roberts voice sounds on this track but...this song is 100% about guitar amazingness!! who cares what he says, listen to those riffs! my lord
- Nick, Seattle, Albania

Just wish I was born earlier so I could've sen em live. There music transcends time and space tho
- Joshua, Frankfort, KY

Strange way to open "Houses of the Holy," but it really grew on me when I first popped my tape copy into the deck. There are some songs that rarely, except on radio station "Get The Led Out" segments, get airplay, that are more enjoyable because the have not yet gotten drilled into your head. This is one such song.
- oldpink, New Castle, IN

"The song remains the same"...even if it grows. What is universal?...everything grows...souls,humans,plants,weed,trees,love,snails,you and me, etc.....That is the the point....This song will stand still in time as you will grow, with everything around you will. Rain is well spoken in this song and what does rain do?
- Michael, Honolulu, HI

Nothing against this song's originality, but it reminds me of a faster, modified version of The Who's "Sparks" from Tommy. Also the similarities in "Tinker Tailor Soldier Sailor" are only vaguely present, but you can hear them. Anyways...JPJ's Bass Guitar is amazing in this song I wanna hear it without accompaniment.
- Roy, Granbania, MA

Everyone is completely off on this one. This song (and the movie) were written about the exploitation of Led Zeppelin and how they were a pawn for thier label and their management. The lyrics talk about the places they go and the things that they do and that no matter where or what they are all the same in the end. This is the constant theme throughout the movie as well as the song. Shame on anyone who cant see this metaphor from the get go. Get on amazon and order the remastered DVD of the SRTS and commit to memory!
- Scott, Burlington, CA

What these guys did cannot be even approached by any of todays contempoaries. The talent and imagination that created this song can't be recreated
- Kirk, Waterford, MI

Greastest band of all time... hands down.
- Tim, Boulder, CO

TSRTS version is the best. Plant sings it with more power and a rockier tone. AND the mix into the Rain Song is just sublime!
- Luke Taylor, Manchester, United Kingdom

Page recycled some of his Yardbirds riffs on "Tinker, Tailor, Soilder, Sailor" for TSRTS.
- Ben, Nashvegas, TN

this song is about 10000000000000000x better live... plant doesnt sound like a little girl
- ledhead1234, Agusta, GA

Why did Plant lose his ability to scream very loudly that he had for the first 4 albums? He just lost that ability suddenly. Why? How?
- Peter Griffin, Quahog, RI

jimmys guitar in this song is far greater than in any other song
- JAMBI, t-town, MI

gosh led zeppelin is just amazing
- paul, columbia, SC

My God,what a band!!!
- Åge, arendal, Norway

My God,what a band!!!! Åge,Norway
- Åge, arendal, Norway

good tune nice guitar sweet drums
- Bill, Topeka, KS

Recently I purchased a remastered DVD of The Song Remains the Same, 30 years later.While not much is gained in the video, Page worked his magic in the remix. Now having the best audio equipment I've owned in years,it's amazing, almost daunting. Jimmy, dwarfed by the double neck, feeding the audience, owning the stage. A completely awesome song live. The percussion and bass just course through your flesh.My 7 year old daughter is hypnotized by the fantasy sequence.
- Scott, Chicago, IL

I love the drive of this song. It really shows the band in top form, blistering through some rough terrain. As much as I'm a fan of Plant, for some reason, to me anyway, the lyrics struggle a bit in this song. Maybe something that just kept time with the music with no message might have worked better? Just a thought.
- mark, worcester, MI

page..enough said
- Ryan, Cincinnati, OH

goood song really fast
- Marc, Niagara falls, Canada

I like it, but i'm sure i heard bits of it in Tommy
- al, yick, England

this song is one of JPJ's best works too. this song wouldnt be half as good without sych a genius bass part
- spencer, richmond, VA

This has to be one of the very best songs they ever made, if not the best of them all. They are the greatest band of all time, and if there is a god, it's definitely Page. Actually, I consider the little intro solo which starts at 0:57 into the song the best solo Page ever made - there's just something simply geniously about it!
- Joel, Stockholm, Sweden

An amazing song, but I found the interplay between JPJ and Bonham to be the crucial play in the song. JPJ's bass is incredible in this effort.
- Sean, Colorado Springs, CO

To kuet bain....i agree jimmy Page is the best in the world and is a guitar god.......wow it rips in that song...one of my favorites -Chris Galea-
- Chris, Paradise, CT

Awesome on the album, even better live (like most Zep songs).
- Bill, Bedford, NH

I always thought the lyric was "sliding out" at the end? Anyway, this song kicks!
- David, Orlando, FL

WICKED GOOD SONG UNDERRATTED like the people in this world not getting the fact the jimmy page is the best in the world then need more credibility
- Kurt Bain, Bracbridge

Thanx Tay - I never realized the MLK reference before. Incredible song - prog-rock-ish?
- Jimmy, LA, CA

i used to hate this song...i considered it too poppy, but now i love it. its good.
- Jeanette, Irvine, CA

to chris from Lansing, MI: When they say Plants lyrics were sped up that means he sang it slower and then they sped up the tape. This gives him that shill sounding voice that is also on songs like Dancing Days and a few others.
- Taylor, Austin, TX

great song.... you know when your in a bad moment in your life, and you were listening to a certain song, or band? and you listen to them later.. and its unlistenable, because it brings out bad memories? zeppelin songs dont do that.. they make you wanna remember those nights when you were sprawled out over your bed, zoning out to a blusey riff, made by the 4 gods of rock, and the world..
- nick, baton rouge, LA

what does it mean when they say plant's lyrics were sped up? GREAT SONG
- chris smith, Lansing, MI

Can u get more energytic song then this.....it keeps up throughout and i really get high on it ...Hail Zeppelin
- Bobby, Cleveland, United States

The song lyrics are actually in reference to MLK's I have a dream speech and the 'vibe' that Plant got when he read it.
- Tay, Minneapolis, MN

great uplifting song.
- Don, Philadelphia, PA

Plant could never resist talking, often to the audience's dismay, before playing this song.
- James, San Francisco, CA

The second-best song on Zep's best album
- brian, Mayfield Heights, OH

Just more proof that Jimmy Page is a Guitar God!
- Adrian, Wilmington, DE