Ramble On: Difference between revisions
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''''Ramble On'''' is a song by [[England|English]] [[rock music|rock]] band [[Led Zeppelin]] from their 1969 album ''[[Led Zeppelin II]]''. It was co-written by [[Jimmy Page]] and [[Robert Plant]], and was recorded in 1969 at Juggy Sound Studio, New York, during the band's [[Led Zeppelin North American Tour Spring 1969|second concert tour of the United States]]. | |||
The guitar's jangly introduction employs a classic Jimmy Page technique: using regular open chords superimposed higher on the fretboard. Often mistaken for [[Bongo drum|bongos]], drummer [[John Bonham]] is actually hitting a [[bodhran]] throughout the song. The song also serves as a classic illustration of the tight interplay between bassist [[John Paul Jones (musician)|John Paul Jones]] and drummer [[John Bonham]]. Jones' light, melodic bass phrases give way to a clever ascending motif which follows Bonham's bass drum. | |||
The song's lyrics were heavily influenced by ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'' by [[J.R.R. Tolkien]].<ref>Dave Lewis (1994), ''The Complete Guide to the Music of Led Zeppelin'', Omnibus Press, ISBN 0-7119-3528-9.</ref> The opening line ( | ==Tolkien influence== | ||
The song's lyrics were heavily influenced by ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'' by [[J. R. R. Tolkien]].<ref>Dave Lewis (1994), ''The Complete Guide to the Music of Led Zeppelin'', Omnibus Press, ISBN 0-7119-3528-9.</ref> The opening line ('Leaves are falling all around') is probably a paraphrase of the opening line of Tolkien's poem '[[Namárië]]'. The poem may also be the inspiration for the entire first verse. | |||
It is most likely about Frodo Baggins's stay in [[Rivendell]], while the [[Council of Elrond]] decided what was to be done with the [[Ring]]. Frodo enjoys his stay very much, but knows through this time that he has a very somber task ahead of him, and he must indeed 'ramble on.' It is equally possible that the song is about Frodo's stay in [[Lothlorien]], where the [[full moon]] cycled a full time, and it would have 'lit his way.' | |||
{{ | The Tolkien references later in the song refer to the adventures of either Frodo as he travels to Mordor, or that of Aragorn as he has to choose between staying with his love [[Arwen]] ([[Elrond]]'s daughter) or going to destroy the Ring in Mordor. The mention of [[Gollum]], from the Tolkien Trilogy, makes this song's relation to Tolkien the most widely known: {{Quote| | ||
''Mine's a tale that can't be told,''<br> | ''Mine's a tale that can't be told,''<br> | ||
''My freedom I hold dear;''<br> | ''My freedom I hold dear;''<br> | ||
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''T'was in the darkest depths of [[Mordor]]''<br> | ''T'was in the darkest depths of [[Mordor]]''<br> | ||
''I met a girl so fair.''<br> | ''I met a girl so fair.''<br> | ||
''But | ''But Gollum, and the [[Sauron|evil one]] crept up''<br> | ||
''And slipped away with her.''}} | ''And slipped away with her.''}} | ||
References to the work of Tolkien also exist in other Led Zeppelin songs, such as | References to the work of Tolkien also exist in other Led Zeppelin songs, such as '[[Bron-Y-Aur Stomp]]', '[[Misty Mountain Hop]]', and '[[The Battle of Evermore]]'. | ||
==Live performances== | ==Live performances== | ||
Until 2007 | Until 2007 'Ramble On' was never performed live in its entirety at [[Led Zeppelin concerts]].<ref>Dave Lewis (1994), ''The Complete Guide to the Music of Led Zeppelin'', Omnibus Press, ISBN 0-7119-3528-9.</ref> However, part of the song was performed by the band in the middle of '[[Babe I'm Gonna Leave You (Led Zeppelin song)|Babe I'm Gonna Leave You]]' at a concert at [[Toronto]] on 2 November 1969, as can be heard on the [[Led Zeppelin bootleg recordings|Led Zeppelin bootleg]] ''Listen to my Bluebird''. The full version of the song was played at [[Ahmet Ertegün Tribute Concert|Led Zeppelin's reunion show]] on 10 December 2007, at the [[The O2 arena (London)|O2 Arena]] in [[London]]. | ||
In 2004, the song was ranked #433 on ''[[Rolling Stone]]'''s list of [[Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Songs of All Time|the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time]]. | In 2004, the song was ranked #433 on ''[[Rolling Stone]]'''s list of [[Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Songs of All Time|the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time]]. | ||
== Chart positions == | ==Chart positions== | ||
=== Single (Digital download) === | ===Single (Digital download)=== | ||
{|class= | {|class='wikitable sortable' | ||
!Chart (2007) | !Chart (2007) | ||
!align= | !align='center'|Peak position | ||
|- | |- | ||
| Canadian ''Billboard'' Hot Digital Singles Chart<ref name= | | Canadian ''Billboard'' Hot Digital Singles Chart<ref name='Canadian digital singles chart'>{{Cite web|url=http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/esearch/chart_display.jsp?cfi=346&cfgn=Singles&cfn=Hot+Canadian+Digital+Singles&ci=3088339&cdi=9518234&cid=12%2F01%2F2007 |title=Hot Digital Singles - 1 December 2007|publisher=''Billboard''|accessdate=2009-04-20}} | ||
|align= | |align='center'|66 | ||
|- | |- | ||
|} | |} | ||
{| class= | ==Credits== | ||
|colspan= | {|class='wikitable' | ||
|colspan='2' style='background:lightgreen'|<center>'''Personnel'''</center> | |||
|- | |- | ||
| | | | ||
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==Notes== | ==Notes== | ||
{{ | {{Reflist}} | ||
Revision as of 07:54, 16 October 2009
| Ramble On | |
|---|---|
| Appears on | Led Zeppelin II |
| Published by | Superhype Music |
| Registration | ASCAP 480095609 |
| Release date | 22 October 1969 |
| Recorded | June 1969 at Juggy Sound Studio, New York. Mixed at A&R Studios, New York. |
| Genre | Hard rock, folk rock |
| Language | English |
| Length | 4 min 35 sec |
| Composer | Jimmy Page, Robert Plant |
| Label | Atlantic Records |
| Producer | Jimmy Page |
| Engineer | Eddie Kramer |
'Ramble On' is a song by English rock band Led Zeppelin from their 1969 album Led Zeppelin II. It was co-written by Jimmy Page and Robert Plant, and was recorded in 1969 at Juggy Sound Studio, New York, during the band's second concert tour of the United States.
The guitar's jangly introduction employs a classic Jimmy Page technique: using regular open chords superimposed higher on the fretboard. Often mistaken for bongos, drummer John Bonham is actually hitting a bodhran throughout the song. The song also serves as a classic illustration of the tight interplay between bassist John Paul Jones and drummer John Bonham. Jones' light, melodic bass phrases give way to a clever ascending motif which follows Bonham's bass drum.
Tolkien influence
The song's lyrics were heavily influenced by The Lord of the Rings by J. R. R. Tolkien.[1] The opening line ('Leaves are falling all around') is probably a paraphrase of the opening line of Tolkien's poem 'Namárië'. The poem may also be the inspiration for the entire first verse.
It is most likely about Frodo Baggins's stay in Rivendell, while the Council of Elrond decided what was to be done with the Ring. Frodo enjoys his stay very much, but knows through this time that he has a very somber task ahead of him, and he must indeed 'ramble on.' It is equally possible that the song is about Frodo's stay in Lothlorien, where the full moon cycled a full time, and it would have 'lit his way.'
The Tolkien references later in the song refer to the adventures of either Frodo as he travels to Mordor, or that of Aragorn as he has to choose between staying with his love Arwen (Elrond's daughter) or going to destroy the Ring in Mordor. The mention of Gollum, from the Tolkien Trilogy, makes this song's relation to Tolkien the most widely known:
| ‘ |
Mine's a tale that can't be told, |
’ |
References to the work of Tolkien also exist in other Led Zeppelin songs, such as 'Bron-Y-Aur Stomp', 'Misty Mountain Hop', and 'The Battle of Evermore'.
Live performances
Until 2007 'Ramble On' was never performed live in its entirety at Led Zeppelin concerts.[2] However, part of the song was performed by the band in the middle of 'Babe I'm Gonna Leave You' at a concert at Toronto on 2 November 1969, as can be heard on the Led Zeppelin bootleg Listen to my Bluebird. The full version of the song was played at Led Zeppelin's reunion show on 10 December 2007, at the O2 Arena in London.
In 2004, the song was ranked #433 on Rolling Stone's list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.
Chart positions
Single (Digital download)
| Chart (2007) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Canadian Billboard Hot Digital Singles Chart<ref name='Canadian digital singles chart'>Hot Digital Singles - 1 December 2007. Billboard. Retrieved on 2009-04-20. | 66 |
Credits
| |
Notes
- ↑ Dave Lewis (1994), The Complete Guide to the Music of Led Zeppelin, Omnibus Press, ISBN 0-7119-3528-9.
- ↑ Dave Lewis (1994), The Complete Guide to the Music of Led Zeppelin, Omnibus Press, ISBN 0-7119-3528-9.