Originally named the New Yardbirds, Led Zeppelin signed a deal with Atlantic Records that gave them considerable artistic freedom. Initially unpopular with critics, they achieved significant commercial success with eight studio albums over ten years. Their 1969 debut, Led Zeppelin, was a top-ten album in several countries and featured such tracks as "Good Times Bad Times", "Dazed and Confused" and "Communication Breakdown". Led Zeppelin II (1969) was their first number-one album, and yielded "Ramble On" and "Whole Lotta Love". In 1970, they released Led Zeppelin III which featured "Immigrant Song". Their untitled fourth album, commonly known as Led Zeppelin IV (1971), is one of the best-selling albums in history with 37 million copies sold. The album includes "Black Dog", "Rock and Roll" and "Stairway to Heaven", with the latter being among the most popular and influential works in rock history. Houses of the Holy (1973) yielded "The Ocean", "Over the Hills and Far Away" and "The Rain Song". Physical Graffiti (1975), a double album, featured "Trampled Under Foot" and "Kashmir".
Page wrote most of Led Zeppelin's music, particularly early in their career, while Plant wrote most of the lyrics. Jones's keyboard-based compositions later became central to their music, which featured increasing experimentation. The latter half of their career saw a series of record-breaking tours that earned the group a reputation for excess and debauchery. Although they remained commercially and critically successful, their touring and output, which included Presence (1976) and In Through the Out Door (1979), grew limited, and the group disbanded following Bonham's death in 1980. Since then, the surviving former members have sporadically collaborated and participated in one-off reunions. The most successful of these was the 2007 Ahmet Ertegun Tribute Concert in London, with Bonham's son Jason Bonham on drums.
Led Zeppelin are one of the best-selling music artists of all time; their total record sales are estimated to be between 200 and 300 million units worldwide. They achieved eight consecutive UK number-one albums and six number-one albums on the US Billboard 200, with five of their albums certified Diamond in the US. Rolling Stone magazine described them as "the heaviest band of all time", "the biggest band of the Seventies", and "unquestionably one of the most enduring bands in rock history". They were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1995; the museum's biography of the band states that they were "as influential" during the 1970s as the Beatles were during the 1960s.
Albums
Led Zeppelin (1969)
Led Zeppelin II (1969)
Led Zeppelin III (1970)
Led Zeppelin IV (1971)
Houses of the Holy (1973)
Physical Graffiti (1975)
Presence (1976)
In Through the Out Door (1979)
Coda (1982)
Immigrant Song
Led Zeppelin Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ah-ah, ah!
We come from the land of the ice and snow
From the midnight sun where the hot springs flow
Hammer of the Gods
Will drive our ships to new land
To fight the horde and sing and cry
Valhalla, I am coming
On we sweep with threshing oar
Our only goal will be the Western shore
Ah-ah, ah!
Ah-ah, ah!
We come from the land of the ice and snow
From the midnight sun where the hot springs flow
How soft your fields so green
Can whisper tales of gore
Of how we calmed the tides of war
We are your overlords
On we sweep with threshing oar
Our only goal will be the Western shore
So now you'd better stop and rebuild all your ruins
For peace and trust can win the day despite of all your losing
Ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh
Ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh
Ahh, ah
Ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh
Ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh
Ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh
Led Zeppelin's "Immigrant Song" is a powerful and energetic tribute to the Viking spirit of exploration and conquest. The opening vocals of the song declare the arrival of the Viking warriors ("Ah-ah, ah! Ah-ah, ah!"), who come "from the land of the ice and snow", a reference to the cold and rugged landscapes of Scandinavia. The Vikings navigated the seas of the North Atlantic, following the midnight sun to discover new lands.
The lyrics then introduce the Hammer of the Gods, a mythological weapon wielded by the Norse god Thor. The Vikings believed that the Hammer had the power to destroy their enemies and create new opportunities for conquest. The Vikings sailed their ships with this weapon and fought fearlessly against their foes. The reference to Valhalla, the afterlife hall of slain warriors, highlights the bravery and courage of the Vikings, who sought to earn a place in this revered place through their deeds in battle.
The chorus of the song is a rallying cry for the Vikings as they sail towards the Western shore with their only goal being to conquer new lands. The final verses of the song speak of the Viking conquests and how they were able to calm the tides of war. The song ends on a note of triumph, with a call for rebuilding and reconciliation. "Immigrant Song" is a testament to the Viking spirit and their determination to overcome all obstacles in their quest for adventure and conquest.
Line by Line Meaning
Ah-ah, ah!
A vocalization that is used to build excitement and energy for what is to come.
We come from the land of the ice and snow
We originated from a place that is cold and frozen.
From the midnight sun where the hot springs flow
We are from a region that experiences light for 24 hours during the summer season, where geothermal activity provides natural hot springs.
Hammer of the Gods
We possess a divine level of power and strength, likened to the mythical weapon used by gods.
Will drive our ships to new land
Our strength and power will allow us to explore and conquer new territories.
To fight the horde and sing and cry
We will engage in battle with a large group of people, but also express ourselves musically and emotionally.
Valhalla, I am coming
We are fearless, envisioning ourselves as warriors entering the ultimate paradise for those who died in combat.
On we sweep with threshing oar
We move forward with great force, using a tool to cut through and clear obstacles.
Our only goal will be the Western shore
Our sole objective is to reach the opposite side of the ocean.
How soft your fields so green
The landscape we encounter is gentle and lush, with greenery that appears soft to the touch.
Can whisper tales of gore
The peaceful scenery can also tell stories of violence and bloodshed.
Of how we calmed the tides of war
We have the power to bring an end to conflict and restore peace.
We are your overlords
We have authority and control over the people we encounter.
So now you'd better stop and rebuild all your ruins
We suggest that those who oppose us should focus on repairing their damage and prepare for what's to come.
For peace and trust can win the day despite of all your losing
Despite your defeats, choosing to seek peace and build trust can lead to a positive outcome.
Ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh
Vocalization that reinforces the energy and excitement of the song's climax.
Ah-ah, ah!
Final vocalization to end the song on a high note.
Ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh
Continuation of the vocalization that reinforces the energy and excitement of the song's climax.
Ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh
Continuation of the vocalization that reinforces the energy and excitement of the song's climax.
Ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh
Continuation of the vocalization that reinforces the energy and excitement of the song's climax.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Jimmy Page, Robert Plant
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
robin
i love this