Led Zeppelin – Stairway to Heaven

About The Song

“Stairway to Heaven” is a classic rock epic by the British rock band Led Zeppelin, released in 1971 on their untitled fourth album, commonly known as Led Zeppelin IV. The song is renowned for its intricate guitar work, mystical lyrics, and dynamic shifts, making it one of the most iconic and enduring rock compositions in history.

Five facts about “Stairway to Heaven”:

Epic Length: The song is known for its lengthy duration, clocking in at over eight minutes. Its structure features a gradual build-up, starting with acoustic guitar and vocals and escalating into a powerful crescendo.
Composition Credits: The songwriting credits for “Stairway to Heaven” are attributed to Jimmy Page and Robert Plant, the guitarist and lead singer of Led Zeppelin, respectively. The composition process reportedly involved collaboration between the band members.
Cultural Impact: “Stairway to Heaven” is often cited as one of the greatest rock songs of all time and is a staple of classic rock radio. It has been covered by numerous artists and is frequently referenced in popular culture.
Controversy: The song faced legal challenges in the 2010s, with accusations of copyright infringement. The band Spirit claimed that Led Zeppelin had copied a portion of their instrumental track “Taurus.” However, in 2016, a jury ruled in favor of Led Zeppelin, stating that they did not find substantial similarity between the two songs.
No Single Release: Despite its immense popularity, “Stairway to Heaven” was never officially released as a single in the United States. It gained widespread recognition through album-oriented rock radio and became a classic through word of mouth and extensive airplay.

Video

Lyrics

There’s a lady who’s sure all that glitters is gold
And she’s buying a stairway to Heaven

When she gets there she knows, if the stores are all closed
With a word she can get what she came for

Ooh, ooh, and she’s buying a stairway to Heaven

There’s a sign on the wall, but she wants to be sure
‘Cause you know sometimes words have two meanings

In a tree by the brook, there’s a songbird who sings
Sometimes all of our thoughts are misgiven

Ooh, it makes me wonder
Ooh, makes me wonder

There’s a feeling I get when I look to the West
And my spirit is crying for leaving

In my thoughts I have seen rings of smoke through the trees
And the voices of those who stand looking

Ooh, it makes me wonder
Ooh, really makes me wonder

And it’s whispered that soon if we all call the tune
Then the piper will lead us to reason

And a new day will dawn for those who stand long
And the forests will echo with laughter

Oh-oh-oh-oh-whoa

If there’s a bustle in your hedgerow, don’t be alarmed now
It’s just a spring clean for the May queen
Yes, there are two paths you can go by, but in the long run
There’s still time to change the road you’re on

And it makes me wonder
Ohh, whoa

Your head is humming, and it won’t go, in case you don’t know
The piper’s calling you to join him

Dear lady, can you hear the wind blow? And did you know
Your stairway lies on the whispering wind?

And as we wind on down the road
Our shadows taller than our soul
There walks a lady we all know
Who shines white light and wants to show
How everything still turns to gold
And if you listen very hard
The tune will come to you at last
When all are one, and one is all
To be a rock and not to roll

And she’s buying a stairway to Heaven