D'yer Mak'er

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	To oppose or discuss a nomination, please go to CZ:Proposed for deletion and follow the instructions. For the monthly nomination lists, see Category:Articles for deletion. D'yer Mak'er 1973 French single Appears on Houses of the Holy Published by Superhype Music Registration ASCAP 340144267 Release date 17 September 1973 Recorded May - June 1972 Genre Reggae, rock Language English Length 4 minutes 23 seconds Composer Jimmy Page, Robert Plant, John Paul Jones, John Bonham Label Atlantic Records Producer Jimmy Page Engineer Eddie Kramer 'D'yer Mak'er' (intended to be pronounced with a British non-rhotic accent as 'Jamaica', IPA dʒəˈmeɪkə) is a song by English rock band Led Zeppelin, from their 1973 album Houses of the Holy. Overview This song was meant as a tribute to reggae music. Its genesis is traced to Led Zeppelin's rehearsals at Stargroves in 1972, when drummer John Bonham started with a beat similar to 1950s doo-wop, and then twisted it into a slight off beat tempo, upon which a reggae influence emerged. The distinctive drum sound was created by placing three microphones a good distance away from Bonham's drums. 'D'yer Mak'er' is one of the few Led Zeppelin songs where all four members share the composer credit. This track, as well as another song from the album entitled 'The Crunge', was initially not taken seriously by many listeners, and some critics reserved their harshest criticism for these two arrangements. Led Zeppelin bassist John Paul Jones has expressed his distaste for the song, suggesting that it started off as a joke and wasn't thought through carefully enough. However, 'D'yer Mak'er' has gathered critical respect in the years since, and has grown into something of a Led Zeppelin classic. Upon the album's release, Robert Plant was keen to issue the track as a single in the United Kingdom. Atlantic Records went so far as to distribute advance promotional copies to DJs (now valuable collectors' items). While it was released in the US, and the single peaked at #20 in December of 1973, it was ultimately never released in the UK. This song was never performed live in its entirety at Led Zeppelin concerts, although excerpts of it were played during 'Whole Lotta Love' during the 1975 concert tour of the United States and 'Communication Breakdown' at the Earls Court shows in the same year. On 23 June 1977 at Los Angeles Forum Robert Plant sang the, 'Oh, Oh, Oh' refrain and first line during the acoustic set. Song title pronunciation The name of the song is derived from a play on the words 'Jamaica' and 'Did you make her', based on an old joke ('My wife's gone to the West Indies.' 'Jamaica?' 'No, she went of her own accord'). On 21 July 2005, Led Zeppelin vocalist Robert Plant discussed the song during an interview with Mike Halloran, a DJ on radio station FM94/9 in San Diego. During the interview, he talked about the different interpretations and pronunciations of the name of the song . The title, which appears nowhere in the lyrics, was chosen because it reflects the reggae flavour of the song. Accolades Publication Country Accolade Year Rank Radio Caroline United Kingdom 'Top 500 Tracks' 1999 453 DigitalDreamDoor United States 'The 100 Greatest Recordings From 1973' 2007 79 Chart positions Chart (1973) Peak position US Billboard Hot 100 Singles Chart 20 US Cash Box Top 100 Singles Chart 16 US Record World 100 Top Pops 15 Chart (1974) Peak position Canadian RPM Top 100 Chart 24 Canadian CHUM Chart 7 New Zealand Top 50 Singles Chart 20 Credits Personnel Musicians: Jimmy Page – electric guitar, producer, remastering, digital remastering Robert Plant – vocals John Paul Jones – piano, bass guitar John Bonham - drums, percussion Production: Peter Grant – executive producer Eddie Kramer – engineer, mixing Joe Sidore - original CD mastering engineer (mid-1980s) George Marino - remastered CD engineer (1990) References