Houses of the Holy (song)

"Houses of the Holy"
Song by Led Zeppelin
from the album Physical Graffiti
Released 24 February 1975 (1975-02-24)
Recorded 1972
Studio Olympic, London
Genre Hard rock[1]
Length 4:01
Label Swan Song
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s) Jimmy Page

"Houses of the Holy" is a song by English rock band Led Zeppelin from their 1975 album, Physical Graffiti.

Production

The track is a mid-tempo song, heavy on bass and featuring a distinctive Jimmy Page guitar riff.

In order to create the layered guitar introduction and fade-out, Page used a Delta T digital delay unit.[2] The squeak of John Bonham's drum pedal can be heard throughout the song.

Although the name of the song is "Houses of the Holy," the track does not appear on the earlier-released album Houses of the Holy. It was originally set to be the title track of that album but was removed when the band decided it did not fit.[2]

Record producer Rick Rubin has remarked, "This is a funk jam with really interesting, jazzy chords. It's one of their more compact feeling songs. And it's the only Zep song to use what sounds like a cowbell."[3]

Lyrics

The song title taken with the lyrics refers to the "sacred" places where young adults have their sexual rites of passion such as movie theaters, drive-in movies, concert halls and arenas, or even a hilltop. The opening and closing lines are, "Let me take you to the movies. Let me take you to the show. Let me be yours ever truly," with sexually suggestive verses in between (e.g., "Let me wander in your garden, and the seeds of love I'll sow").

Live performances

The song was never played live by Led Zeppelin,[2] though Robert Plant performed it with the Band of Joy during his 2010 solo tour.[4] Additionally, Jimmy Page and the Black Crowes tested out the song in rehearsals for their 2000 tour, but dropped it before touring began.[5]

Reception

In a contemporary review of Physical Graffiti, Jim Miller of Rolling Stone gave "Houses of the Holy" a positive review, saying "Plant's lyrics mesh perfectly with Page's stuttering licks."[6] Miller continues "Here again, the details are half the fun: Bonham kicks the cut along with a cowbell while the two final verses add what sounds like a squeaky chorus of "doit"s behind the vocal; Plant meanwhile is almost inaudibly overdubbed on the song's central chorus, underlining the phrase "let the music be your master.""[6]

Chart positions

Chart (1975) Peak position
Italy (FIMI)[7] 27

Personnel

Cover versions

References

  1. ↑ Miller, Jim (27 March 1975). "Led Zeppelin – Physical Graffiti". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 13 March 2014.
  2. 1 2 3 Lewis, Dave (1994). The Complete Guide to the Music of Led Zeppelin. Omnibus Press. ISBN 0-7119-3528-9.
  3. ↑ "Fifty Artists Pick Their Personal Top 10s – Rick Rubin: Led Zeppelin". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on 11 December 2010.
  4. ↑ Derrough, Leslie Michele (13 August 2010). "Robert Plant: Saenger Theatre, Mobile, AL 7/28/10". Glide Magazine. Archived from the original on 16 August 2010.
  5. ↑ Basham, David (9 March 2000). "Jimmy Page, Crowes Discuss Possible Set Lists". MTV News. Viacom. Retrieved 31 August 2015.
  6. 1 2 Miller, Jim (27 March 1975). "Physical Graffiti". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 28 July 2017.
  7. ↑ "Indice per Interprete: L" (in Italian). Hit Parade Italia. Creative Commons. Retrieved 19 January 2009.
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