In the Light
| In the Light | |
|---|---|
| Appears on | Physical Graffiti |
| Published by | Flames of Albion Music |
| Registration | ASCAP 390281677 |
| Release date | 24 February 1975 |
| Recorded | January - February 1974 at Headley Grange, Hampshire. Mixed at Olympic Studios, London. |
| Genre | Hard rock, progressive rock |
| Language | English |
| Length | 8 minutes 46 seconds |
| Composer | John Paul Jones, Jimmy Page, Robert Plant |
| Label | Swan Song Records |
| Producer | Jimmy Page |
| Engineer | Ron Nevison and Keith Harwood |
'In the Light' is a song by English rock band Led Zeppelin from their 1975 album Physical Graffiti. Most of it was composed by bassist/keyboardist John Paul Jones on his synthesizer. It was based on an earlier song the band had written called 'In the Morning'.[1]
Overview
The unique sound of the intro to the song was created by Jimmy Page using a violin bow on an acoustic guitar. This was one of three Led Zeppelin songs on which Page used bowed guitar, the others being 'Dazed and Confused' and 'How Many More Times'. The song 'In the Evening' utilized several tremolo bar drops to mimic the bow sound.
A strange reedlike instrument solos over the introductory guitar drone. This melody is played by Jones on the EMS VCS3, and makes excellent use of its joystick to create a pitch-bend, similar to the expression used by Arabic musicians. The strangeness of the sound is enhanced by a delay, which creates a distant, hazy sound. Jones uses a Hohner Clavinet D6 as a harpsichord-like sound during the breaks at 3:54 and 6:35.
In an interview he gave to rock journalist Cameron Crowe, Plant stated that this song was one of Led Zeppelin's 'finest moments'.[2] Similarly, Page has stated that this is his personal favourite track on Physical Graffiti.[3]
Live performances
'In the Light' was never played live at Led Zeppelin concerts.[4] According to Jones, Robert Plant was emphatic about wanting to play the song onstage, but because Jones could not reproduce the synthesizer sound properly outside of the studio, he vetoed the idea.
Page performed this song on his tour with the Black Crowes in 1999. Although not included on their original album Live at the Greek, a version of 'In the Light' can be found as a bonus track on the Japanese version of this album, released in 2000.
Credits
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References
- ↑ Lewis, Dave (2012). Led Zeppelin: From a Whisper to a Scream. London: Omnibus Press, 71. ISBN 978-1-78038-547-1.
- ↑ Liner notes by Cameron Crowe for The Complete Studio Recordings.
- ↑ Lewis, Dave (2012). Led Zeppelin: From a Whisper to a Scream. London: Omnibus Press, 71. ISBN 978-1-78038-547-1.
- ↑ Lewis, Dave (2012). Led Zeppelin: From a Whisper to a Scream. London: Omnibus Press, 71. ISBN 978-1-78038-547-1.