Stairway To Heaven (Full Version)

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humbleinspirit -> Stairway To Heaven (6/9/2008 6:17:33 PM)

I have to ask, why do people think that this is just the best rock song of all time? While musically it is quite well done, I do not see in the world why this is such the greatest of all time, but espeically these days. I was just wondering what you all think?



mayfly -> RE: Stairway To Heaven (6/9/2008 7:59:15 PM)

I think it's a great song, but I don't know about "greatest of all time". What do you mean by especially these days? What have heard more recently that you think is better?



humbleinspirit -> RE: Stairway To Heaven (6/9/2008 8:00:14 PM)

Not so much that I have heard anything that is better per say, just that it has been over 30 years since this song has come out now. There must be something that is better!



markb77 -> RE: Stairway To Heaven (6/9/2008 9:57:43 PM)

I guess it was a favorite the first three or four years that "Led Zeppelin IV" was out. Then "classic rock" radio took over and you heard it everyday and everywhere and it just became a joke. (The guitar shop in the Wayne's World movie with the sign reading "No Stairway to Heaven" comes to mind.) For me, I'd much rather hear The Rain Song or No Quarter from Houses of the Holy. Or even Kashmir from Physical Graffiti - which is also in danger of reaching "overplayed" status.



Terath -> RE: Stairway To Heaven (6/9/2008 10:28:57 PM)

Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap blows Stairway to Heaven out of the water. But then again, I might just have a *slight* bias towards AC/DC. ^_^ If you want good rock songs made recently, Wolfmother is probably your best bet. Songs like Woman and Joker and the Thief are really good songs. So are Apple Tree or Dimension.



WesleyGlenn -> RE: Stairway To Heaven (6/9/2008 10:45:43 PM)

I've always wondered about the same "stigma" that surrounded that "Stairway To Heaven" song. I could go into some kind of deep convo about where our country was at that point in time and the spiritual aspects of it all, but not right now. Is it a good song? I think that all lies in personal opinion. I've always thought that "Dream On", written by Stephen Tyler of Aerosmith, was the greatest secular song ever recorded. But, that's just my opinion.



Rufas2000 -> RE: Stairway To Heaven (6/10/2008 2:25:05 AM)

quote:

Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap blows Stairway to Heaven out of the water.


Perfect quote to make my point (BTW: I know this poster was just expressing a preference but its really conveinent to use this for an example).

How can there be a "greatest rock song of all time"? Looking at the quote above, how can you compare the two? They are two totally different types of songs that both happen to fall in the rock genre. Its like saying that Brown Sugar Cinnamon Pop Tarts (TM) blow Fruit Loops (TM) cereal out of the water (or milk as it were). They are both considered "breakfast foods" but beyond that they are two totally different things that cannot be compared in a meaningful way. Well other than I like this better and most of my friends agree.

As far as "Stairway to Heaven" its a great song in its category of rock. So is "Freebird". So is "American Pie". So is "Dream On". And so on and so on. Even in its own category its all subjective and its fun for "music talk" but really what evidence can be used to back it up?

If there were a "greatest rock song of all time" I doubt it would be "Stairway To Heaven". Not that it isn't great and all but I'm sure the greatest rock song of all time was recorded in someone's basement and only sold as a demo tape in the Grand Rapids area (or perhaps the Tampa area or maybe Boston, definitely not LA though) while the band that recorded it was playing packed bars of over 50 patrons / fans a pop.

quote:

Is it a good song? I think that all lies in personal opinion.


Pretty much what I said without the fluff.

BTW: "Dirty Deeds ..." is a great song.



Rufas2000 -> RE: Stairway To Heaven (6/10/2008 2:33:57 AM)

quote:

If you want good rock songs made recently, Wolfmother is probably your best bet.


They sound fine but I kinda thought while listening to them that I'd just as soon listen to something made during that time period rather than something that emulates music from that time period. Just my opinion.

What is more interesting (and the point of my post) is the horrible job their record company did in bringing their debut CD to America. They put the songs in a different order. Not preferable but not horrible in and of itself. The problem lies in that the songs are"connected" on the album (another homage to them 70s bands) so when they are put in a different order the one song will just cut off and the next one will begin. They should flow one into another. It was a little jarring and I might have enjoyed the CD more if the songs flowed like they werre supposed to.



uncabeeil -> RE: Stairway To Heaven (6/10/2008 8:38:50 AM)

Whew! I thought this was gonna be another one of those discussions on how theologically wrong the song is!

I don't know about greatest of all time, but it was one of the first songs with an extended guitar solo, and one that was extremely well played at that. It doesn't hurt to have most of rock radio dj's at the time declare it the greatest. Some people will believe anything they're told.



BlindLemon5103 -> RE: Stairway To Heaven (6/10/2008 9:09:26 AM)

quote:

Whew! I thought this was gonna be another one of those discussions on how theologically wrong the song is!


Yeah, we've been there and done that....the occult, Aleister Crowley's influence, backmasking, etc., etc.

quote:

I don't know about greatest of all time, but it was one of the first songs with an extended guitar solo, and one that was extremely well played at that. It doesn't hurt to have most of rock radio dj's at the time declare it the greatest. Some people will believe anything they're told


I agree, I think it's one of the greatest (musically speaking) of all time, but perhaps not THE greatest. All a matter of opinion.

To me, the greatest, most thrilling rock song of all time is "Highway Star" by Deep Purple, the live version off the "Made In Japan" album. Nothing beats that one!



freakofnature -> RE: Stairway To Heaven (6/10/2008 9:42:57 AM)

Okay... I can't discuss "Stairway to Heaven" without discussing the serious spiritual aspects of the song....



LOL! JUST KIDDING [:D][:D][:D][:@]

It isn't the greatest all time. As my Friend Rufus pointed out, it is subjective. Perhaps the Greatest Zepplin song ever recorded? Perhaps. Every Genre has it's own "Stairway to Heaven" at least up and unto this point, I am not sure yet where this generation is going. But the 60's, had the Beatles, 70's, Led Zepplin, 80's Metallica/Motley Crue, 90's Nirvanna. Pit "Stairway" against "Enter Sandman," "Sad but True" or even "The Unforgiven" or then against Nirvana's "Smells Like Teen Spirit" I tend to think also as Rufus stated that some may argue that "Freebird" was the best rock song evah!!! Personally, for pure Rock and Roll, I think Van Halen "Top Jimmy" or earlier works, the cover of "You really got me" are two of the best R & R songs evah!!!!



uncabeeil -> RE: Stairway To Heaven (6/10/2008 10:41:01 AM)

quote:

Okay... I can't discuss "Stairway to Heaven" without discussing the serious spiritual aspects of the song....
Ya had me for a second on this one. I couldn't see the rest of your post til I scrolled down, and was already working on a snarky remark.



rlj -> RE: Stairway To Heaven (6/10/2008 12:35:17 PM)

The fact that this is still a relevant discussion over 20 years after I first heard the song and the hype around it probably means something to. ; )

You take arguably the most influential rock band ever, the best song off of their arguably best album, a song that's been covered to death, played to death etc. you probably have the recipe for something special.

quote:

Pit "Stairway" against "Enter Sandman," "Sad but True" or even "The Unforgiven"


I can't see the contest putting Stairway up against something produced by Bob Rock. Perhaps something by New Kids on the Block or Cinderella but not Led Zepplin. Compare Stairway to say Puppets and that is enough to make me think.



freakofnature -> RE: Stairway To Heaven (6/10/2008 1:21:33 PM)

quote:

I can't see the contest putting Stairway up against something produced by Bob Rock. Perhaps something by New Kids on the Block or Cinderella but not Led Zepplin. Compare Stairway to say Puppets and that is enough to make me think.


And I tend to agree with you... but merely speaking as to the popularity of a song as it "stands the test of time." Not by the merits of the songwriting itself. Tough stand to make on my behalf but when you look at the most popular selling Metallica album and the fact that the song "The Unforgiven" has that accoustic sort of sound whereas it gets meatier and meatier as it goes along... IDK. I guess just looking at the success of Metallica, people tend to argue that the "black album" was the turning point in their career, beit good or bad isn't the argument here.



DaveW -> RE: Stairway To Heaven (6/10/2008 2:08:22 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: uncabeeil

I don't know about greatest of all time, but it was one of the first songs with an extended guitar solo, and one that was extremely well played at that.
STH recorded in dec 1970. Innagadda Vida was recorded in 1968 with a guitar solo (by a kid who only had been playing guitar less than a year) longer than the entire STH recording. (not to mention a monster drum solo that became the standard for all rock drummers and a wildly psycadelic organ solo)

There were many recordings in the late 60s with great solos and longer than STH.

Edited to add:

Gadda Vida, or While My Guitar Gently Weeps, or Oh Well, or Whipping Post all could be in the running and are at least equal with STH.



gtrdave -> RE: Stairway To Heaven (6/10/2008 2:46:18 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: humbleinspirit

I have to ask, why do people think that this is just the best rock song of all time? While musically it is quite well done, I do not see in the world why this is such the greatest of all time, but espeically these days. I was just wondering what you all think?


I think it's difficult to call any piece of music "best" simply because one's opinions on music (and any art form for that matter) are totally subjective and hardly based on concrete data nor measurable by tangible means.

It's fair to call "STH" a very popular song as far as pop rock goes but best? Not applicable. To me it's quite boring but that's because I've not only listened to it for almost 4 decades but have also had to teach it to countless students who've requested it.
I know every single note and beat of the song by heart...not that I'm proud of that at all but it is what it is.

Frankly, it's one of many songs that I never need to hear again.

See? Subjective. [:D]



uncabeeil -> RE: Stairway To Heaven (6/10/2008 4:14:44 PM)

Personally, I'll take anything played by Duane Allman over Jimmy Page.

Subjective? Yup!. [8D]



freakofnature -> RE: Stairway To Heaven (6/10/2008 4:22:55 PM)

quote:

Personally, I'll take anything played by Duane Allman over Jimmy Page


Now that is a statement I can get behind. Page couldn't play his way out of a wet paper bag compared to real guitar greats.



humbleinspirit -> RE: Stairway To Heaven (6/10/2008 10:34:55 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: uncabeeil

Whew! I thought this was gonna be another one of those discussions on how theologically wrong the song is!

I don't know about greatest of all time, but it was one of the first songs with an extended guitar solo, and one that was extremely well played at that. It doesn't hurt to have most of rock radio dj's at the time declare it the greatest. Some people will believe anything they're told.



Glad that I could have you relieved Bill!



quote:

ORIGINAL: freakofnature

Okay... I can't discuss "Stairway to Heaven" without discussing the serious spiritual aspects of the song....



LOL! JUST KIDDING [:D][:D][:D][:@]


Yes, you had me going as well!



mapachito13 -> RE: Stairway To Heaven (6/11/2008 6:14:50 AM)

Stairway to Heaven IMO is a classic song but I find that it was overplayed by radio just like Frampton's "Show Me the Way", Lynyrd Skynyrd's "Freebird", Eric Clapton's "Layla", most of The Beatles library, etc.

Clapton's "Layla" has a guitar solo that makes me nauseous just thinking about it. My apologies for offending the fans of the Church of Clapton. I'm sure some of my preferred music choices could make some nauseous as well.



gtrdave -> RE: Stairway To Heaven (6/11/2008 3:55:19 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: mapachito13

Stairway to Heaven IMO is a classic song but I find that it was overplayed by radio just like Frampton's "Show Me the Way", Lynyrd Skynyrd's "Freebird", Eric Clapton's "Layla", most of The Beatles library, etc.

Clapton's "Layla" has a guitar solo that makes me nauseous just thinking about it. My apologies for offending the fans of the Church of Clapton. I'm sure some of my preferred music choices could make some nauseous as well.


The Layla outro guitar solo was played by Duane Allman so your apologies really need to be directed to fans of the late slide guitarist and not so much to EC. [;)]



rlj -> RE: Stairway To Heaven (6/11/2008 11:53:49 PM)

quote:

And I tend to agree with you... but merely speaking as to the popularity of a song as it "stands the test of time." Not by the merits of the songwriting itself. Tough stand to make on my behalf but when you look at the most popular selling Metallica album and the fact that the song "The Unforgiven" has that accoustic sort of sound whereas it gets meatier and meatier as it goes along... IDK. I guess just looking at the success of Metallica, people tend to argue that the "black album" was the turning point in their career, beit good or bad isn't the argument here.


When I think of Wayne talking to Garth in Wayne's World I think one of his quotes needs updated: "Led Zeppelin didn't play the songs everyone liked they left that for the Bee Gees (and Metallica)"

I did listen to a 3 disk Metallica ROIO years ago(all studio outtakes from every album through Black except Ride The Lightning plus the original demo songs with Dave Mustaine and Ron McGovney) that had some outtakes from the Black album sessions and every song was just awesome because you could hear them before they went through all of the production.

Since we're on the subject of Stairway <snicker> is there any truth to the rumor that they sold their souls to satan when they wrote that because of all of the stuff that happened afterward? (Drug addiction, Robert's wife and daughter dying, John Bonham's deat) Except for John Paul Jones and this is why he was never invited to tour with Page and Plant? [sm=hammerhead.gif]



mapachito13 -> RE: Stairway To Heaven (6/12/2008 7:29:32 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: gtrdave

quote:

ORIGINAL: mapachito13

Stairway to Heaven IMO is a classic song but I find that it was overplayed by radio just like Frampton's "Show Me the Way", Lynyrd Skynyrd's "Freebird", Eric Clapton's "Layla", most of The Beatles library, etc.

Clapton's "Layla" has a guitar solo that makes me nauseous just thinking about it. My apologies for offending the fans of the Church of Clapton. I'm sure some of my preferred music choices could make some nauseous as well.


The Layla outro guitar solo was played by Duane Allman so your apologies really need to be directed to fans of the late slide guitarist and not so much to EC. [;)]


Uh-oh! That means supernatural retribution! I'm doomed! [:o]

I guess it goes to show, never be critical of a man who plays the ax.

Duane Allman fans are some of the most loyal (and rabid) fans out there. I am sure I am beings PM'ed death threats as I write this! [:o][:D]



uncabeeil -> RE: Stairway To Heaven (6/12/2008 12:07:19 PM)

quote:

Duane Allman fans are some of the most loyal (and rabid) fans out there. I am sure I am beings PM'ed death threats as I write this!
That's all right, it falls under hate the sin not the sinner. [8D]



mapachito13 -> RE: Stairway To Heaven (6/12/2008 12:38:01 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: uncabeeil

quote:

Duane Allman fans are some of the most loyal (and rabid) fans out there. I am sure I am beings PM'ed death threats as I write this!
That's all right, it falls under hate the sin not the sinner. [8D]


Thank God for Christianity!!!! I've been saved!!!!



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