Darlene by Led Zeppelin

Album: Coda (1982)

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Songfacts®:

An outtake from the In Through the Out Door sessions recorded in 1978, this song was remixed for Coda, an album of unreleased tracks. A different version appears on Led Zeppelin's 1993 boxed set.
This was one of three songs recorded for the In Through the Out Door album but didn't fit onto that album. The other two were "Ozone Baby" and "Wearing And Tearing."
Though this song was never released as a single, it hit the US Billboard Top Tracks chart (based on airplay alone) at #4 anyway. Just one more testament to how badly the fans would miss Led Zeppelin, knowing that this album was their swan song (barring reunions).

Led Zeppelin is one of the most famous bands in history to have never gotten a #1 hit single on the US Hot 100. They only mustered one Top 10, with 1969's "Whole Lotta Love." Only five other Zeppelin songs scored in the top 40!

Comments: 26

Thanks For The Dance from ArizonaThe missing line above (third from bottom) is "I've got a pink carnation and a pickup truck," which is a reference to "American Pie" by Don McLean. I am guessing Robert Plant threw that in for fun.
Bill from Dirty Scottsdale, AzPercy and the boys didn't score more "hits" because they rarely released singles. Peter dictated that to Ahmet and Jerry W. very early on. Jimmy was not a fan of what Jerry G. at Atlantic had done editing WLL into a single, and that was the end of that.
Dc from Va, Usai heard there was this song Darlene in 1982 but didnt believe it. so just yesterday, i heard there was such a song from a nurse asst. She told me about how she loved the song and named all her dolls Darlene. i finally just now asked Alexa to play. there are two Darlene songs now... Led Zep and a country guy. made me smile...
Darlene E from PennsylvaniaI have always enjoyed Led Zepplins music ,I graduated high school in 1982,I never knew about this song until about 9 years ago .I love it !I could never find my name on anything growing up ,and to have a song called DARLENE,and by LED ZEPPLIN its so SWEET!I also discovered T Grahm Brown has a song Darlene ,which I also love !Rock on!
Pjyenn from Indonesia, Indonesiabig thanks to Page for releasing CODA so that we can enjoy Darlene. Marvelous song really. Love Plant's voice and Jonesy's guitar solo. Cool song!
Grayson from Evansville, InI agree with Collin. This is one of the best songs on the album. A couple of my friends would listen with me, (i'm 13 btw), but most of them listen to today's trash
Sr.jardel from GuaÃ?ba, Brazil@Mason No,I dont... Tell us!
Brett from Varsity Lakes, AustraliaWell I first heard this song as 29 years ago in 1981 when I was 2nd year at Uni.
I loved it then and I still adore it now 19 years later.
Why don't they do songs like this anymore ?
Just shows this is pure class. Long Live Led Zep !!!
Reed from New Ulm, MnLove the middle part of the song where it goes into like a swing tempo-----these guys could really ROCK!
Jake from Baltimore, Mdim am a huge led head, but unlike other led heads i am different because coda is my favorite album and this is a key component to that
Brayden from Winnipeg, Mbdespite what some say coda isn't a bad album, this, bonzos montreux and white summer are the best on the album.
Peter Griffin from Quahog, RiThe part that I think sounds like Elton John is the bit before Plant sings "Darlene" for the first time. That piano sounds kind of like Elton.
Peter Griffin from Quahog, RiAnybody else think a bit of this song sounds like Elton John?
Bill from Topeka, KsI love this Song I bought the Complete Studio recordings which by the way are worth every penny but anyway i heard this off of Coda and fell in love instantly
Rafael from Belo Horizonte, Brazillast week my friend met a Girl named Darlene and now He want to know the meaning of the song as he doesn't speak english I'll try to translate it, this was the first site where I found the lyrics so I decided to join in.
Darrell from EugeneIf I had been born a girl, I would have been named Darlene. My name kind of sounds similar to "Darlene".
Niall from Dublin, Irelandgreat tune, fun to listen to

John paul jones kills on this tune
Tom from East Lyme, CtThis is an AWESOME song...I wonder why they took it off ITTOT. Almost all of MY friends listen to Zeppelin, but I know what you mean Collin, I have one friend who listens to crap like puddle of mud and slipnot who HATES LEd Zeppelin
Spencer from Richmond, Vai love the rockabilly part at the last half of this song
Darlene from Calgary, Canadahehe. my name is Darlene. I used to hate my name but now i love it because Led Zeppelin is cool and they have a song with my name. I agree with you collin. Only one of my friends likes Led Zeppelin and all the other ones trash it too.
Collin from Midland, TxWhat about JPJ's keyboards? They're pretty awesome too! I would love to have a few friends my age (I'm 14) that would listen to this with me and not trash Zeppelin...
Nick from Solvang, CaOnce I listen to it It's stuck in my head all day, but that's a good thing cause I like this song.
Kelli from New Milford, Ctthis is my moms name and when i first made her listen to this song she was like wow i have never had a song about me lol
Mason from Greenville, NcWhen you hear this song, you can understand why Plant formed "The Honeydrippers" after the falll of Led Zeppelin. IMO, this is the best song off the Coda album.
John from West Covina, CaI actually have that 1993 boxed set. This song's good but not the greatest.
Adrian from Wilmington, DeNice journey back to rock 'n roll basics. Page's solo at the end is awesome

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