Ramble On
| 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[3] | 66 |
Credits
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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.
- ↑ Hot Digital Singles - 1 December 2007. Billboard. Retrieved on 2009-04-20.