The Song Remains The Same - The Album

Led Zeppelin’s The Song Remains the Same refers to all these things: the lead-in track to the Houses of the Holy album, released in 1973, a film released in October 1976 and its corresponding soundtrack album, released in September 1976.

Furthermore, it refers to remasterings of both the film and the soundtrack album that were released in 2007.

In 2008, a four-album set of 2007’s reissue was made on 180g audiophile vinyl. Only 200 were produced; only 100 of those were made available to the public through Led Zeppelin’s official website, making this set a highly sought-after collectible.

I’m discussing TSRTS in two parts. Part 1 refers to the film’s soundtrack album and Part 2 refers to the film itself. I’m talking specifically about the 1976 releases, but I’ll also compare them to 2007’s remasterings when relevant.

First Things First: Some Background Info

The soundtrack album The Song Remains the Same was Led Zeppelin’s first-ever official release of live concert material. Three performances were taped at New York’s Madison Square Garden (July 27-29) on Zeppelin’s 9th U.S. and Canadian Tour of 1973.

Coming out only six months after Presence, the soundtrack has been much maligned over the years. Some consider it a mediocre effort. Critics and fans were disappointed some tracks on the film didn’t make it to the soundtrack and vice versa.

Nevertheless, both the TSRTS film and soundtrack emerge as important historical documents of Led Zeppelin reaching a dizzying pinnacle of popularity, technical mastery and creative excellence. That 1973 tour saw the band at its best. And happiest.

Note that the TSRTS soundtrack is not a true live recording because producer Jimmy Page added overdubs in the studio. Eddie Kramer taped the live tracks; final mixing was done at Electric Lady Studios, New York and Trident Studios, London.

Capturing The Concert Experience

The Song Remains the Same soundtrack was released on tapes and vinyl as a double album. Six songs from the film didn’t make the album. Page and Kevin Shirley, who engineered How the West Was Won, added them back on 2007’s remaster.

They were: Black Dog, Over the Hills and Far Away, Misty Mountain Hop, Since I’ve Been Loving You, The Ocean and Heartbreaker.

TSRTS’s first track is Rock and Roll. It’s the power and glory of Led Zeppelin right off and a tangible sense of why Zeppelin is flying so high at this time in 1973. The sound and texture are rich and raunchy.

Page’s solo is searing from the moment it starts. Its awe-inspiring sound is accurately captured, giving listeners a front-row sonic seat to exactly what he’s doing. No wonder future guitarists like Eddie Van Halen were so taken with Jimmy’s solo style!

Cause For Celebration

Track Two on The Song Remains the Same is Celebration Day. A song from Led Zeppelin III, it doesn’t let up at all from Rock and Roll. Plant’s approach on both songs is noticeably guarded. He’s warming up his vocal cords.

Remember he’s had vocal problems in 1972 and 1973. Already with Track Two, you can hear how well the guitar, vocals, drums and bass are balanced. Plant then introduces the next song and plugs the newly-released Houses of the Holy album.

Jimmy Page switches from his Gibson Les Paul guitar to his trademark Gibson double-neck to perform the title track from TSRTS. It sounds regal and majestic, thanks to the sonority of Page’s axe. What gives it that singing quality?

The extra stings vibrate “in sympathy” as others are struck. This also happens on Indian instruments like the sitar and tambura. TSRTS was intended to embrace and showcase the whole of world music. Mission accomplished with this track!

And For Our Next Song…

The Song Remains the Same segues immediately into The Rain Song, whose warm and chime-like intro stands in direct contrast. Page is still using his double-neck Gibson. Plant’s vocals are sirenesque. The song has elements of jazz and symphonic music.

John Paul Jones’ Mellotron mimics sounds from cello to violin. Bonham uses his tympani to magical effect. When Jonesy’s solo ends, Plant and Page come bellowing back. “Talk to me, talk to me!”. Finally, Page’s gentle arpeggios fall like rain.

Dazed and Confused has been an electrifying tour de force right from the start of the band’s career. Drawing a violin bow across his Les Paul guitar, Page casts a spell enhanced with strategic use of the wah-wah pedal and Echoplex.

When Led Zeppelin first performed this song on the band’s self-titled debut album, it clocked in at 6:20. Here on the TSRTS soundtrack, ingenious improvisations extend the audience’s ecstasy for an incredible 27 minutes! Always a show-stopping, jaw-dropping musical experience.

photo credits

Their Songs Never Remain The Same

No Quarter leads off the second album of The Song Remains the Same with Jones’ foreboding, jazz-inspired electric piano notes. Bonham’s quiet accompaniment has the same swing. Listen for amazing wah-wah effects in the intro.

This soundtrack’s version of Stairway to Heaven is about four minutes longer than it was on the band’s untitled fourth album. Why? Largely because Jimmy Page extended rock and roll’s greatest guitar solo by adding a tango!

John Bonham’s masterpiece, Moby Dick, has morphed from 4:21 on Led Zeppelin II to a stunning 12:47 here. Bonzo makes brilliant use of sticks, bass drum, cymbals and creates an extended barehanded drum solo that became his trademark.

Whole Lotta Love closed off the TSRTS soundtrack as well as most of the band’s concerts. Here its improvisation includes a workout on John Lee Hooker’s Boogie Chillun. Plant even does a quick Elvis imitation in it.