According to music journalist Stephen Davis, although the song was released in 1971, it took until 1973 before the song's popularity ascended to truly "anthemic" status.
"Stairway to Heaven" continues to top radio lists of the greatest rock songs, as well as topping a recent Guitar World poll. On the 20th anniversary of the original release of the song, it was announced via U.S. radio sources that the song had logged up an estimated 2,874,000 radio plays - back to back, that would run for 44 years solid. As of 2000, the song had been broadcast on radio over three million times. It is also the biggest-selling single piece of sheet music clocking up an average of 15,000 copies yearly. In total, over one million copies have been sold.
The song's length precluded its release in full form as a single. Despite pressure from Atlantic Records the band would not authorize the editing of the song for single release, making "Stairway to Heaven" one of the most well-known and popular rock songs never to have been released as a single. It did, however, appear as a promotional disc in the United States, pressed as a 7:55 track on each side; on an Australian acoustic EP, and in the 1990s as a 20th anniversary promo book.
The group's recording of this song also appeared as the sole Led Zeppelin track in the 1977 Atlantic Records 2-LP promotional sampler album, We've Got Your Music, marking the very first time that Led Zeppelin's "Stairway To Heaven" made its official debut appearance in an American-released various artists compilation collection.
In 2004, Rolling Stone magazine put it at number 31 on their list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. In in a January 29, 2009, article, Guitar World magazine rated Jimmy Page's guitar solo at number one in the publication's 100 Greatest Guitar Solos in Rock and Roll History.
Critics of rock and roll songs (and of Led Zeppelin in particular) have alleged that a backmasked message is recorded into "Stairway to Heaven." The message, which allegedly occurs during the middle section of the song ("If there's a bustle in your hedgerow, don't be alarmed now..."), is purported to contain Satanic references:
Oh here's to my sweet Satan.
The one whose little path would make me sad, whose power is Satan.
He will give those with him 666.
There was a little tool shed where he made us suffer, sad Satan.
– Most popular version of the lyrics to Stairway to Heaven played backwards
The controversy originated from a prominent Baptist, who, in 1982, preached on the radio that "Stairway to Heaven" contained subliminal backward messages. This theory was later primarily advanced by Michael Mills, Jacob Aranza, and Jeff Godwin, who offered detailed analyses asserting the existence of hidden meanings within both the "backwards" and actual lyrics. In 1982, the Consumer Protection and Toxic Materials Committee of the California State Assembly held a hearing on backmasking in popular music, during which "Stairway to Heaven" was played backwards. William Yarroll, a self-identified neuroscientist, also claimed that "Stairway to Heaven" contained a message when played backwards. Various versions of the alleged message exist.
The band itself has for the most part ignored such claims; for years the only comment came from Swan Song Records which issued the statement: "Our turntables only play in one direction—forwards". Led Zeppelin audio engineer Eddie Kramer confirmed this, calling the allegations "totally and utterly ridiculous. Why would they want to spend so much studio time doing something so dumb?" Robert Plant expressed frustration with the accusations in an interview: "To me it's very sad, because 'Stairway to Heaven' was written with every best intention, and as far as reversing tapes and putting messages on the end, that's not my idea of making music."
An informal experiment by scientist Simon Singh suggested that listeners only hear the message after prompting.
Stairway to Heaven
Led Zeppelin Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
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
Oh oh oh oh and she's buying a stairway to Heaven
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 misgiving
Ooh, it makes me wonder
Ooh, it 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, it 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
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
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
Led Zeppelin's "Stairway to Heaven" is one of the most iconic and recognizable rock songs of all time, and its lyrics are often interpreted in different ways by listeners. Some have suggested that the song is about spiritual enlightenment or the journey towards it, while others see it as a warning against the seductive nature of materialism.
The opening lines of the song introduce a lady who believes that all that glitters is gold and is buying a stairway to heaven. This lady can represent the idea that people can gain access to enlightenment or heaven through material means such as wealth, power, or status. The second stanza includes a line about there being two meanings to some words, which can refer to how people can easily be misled by appearances or misunderstanding—echoing the idea that enlightenment or true understanding can be elusive.
The following stanzas include vivid imagery, such as a desire to head west and leave behind the past, and the suggestion that the piper will lead them to reason or salvation. Overall, the lyrics of "Stairway to Heaven" suggest the idea that the path to spiritual enlightenment is a difficult one, with many pitfalls and temptations along the way.
Line by Line Meaning
There's a lady who's sure
A confident woman who thinks she knows the way to something greater.
All that glitters is gold
She thinks that everything that looks good is worth pursuing.
And she's buying a stairway to Heaven
She believes that she can buy her way into a higher place.
When she gets there she knows
She's so confident she thinks she will make it to her goal.
If the stores are all closed
Even if she's unable to purchase her way in.
With a word she can get what she came for
She has a charm to get whatever she wants.
Oh oh oh oh and she's buying a stairway to Heaven
She is still certain that buying her way up is the answer.
There's a sign on the wall
There's a guide to follow leading to a higher place.
But she wants to be sure
She's hesitant to trust the guide, as she's been misled before.
'Cause you know sometimes words have two meanings
She's fearful of misinterpreting the guidance, which could lead her astray.
In a tree by the brook
Nature, and everything that surrounds her, is soothing.
There's a songbird who sings
It reminds her that everything has its own tune and rhythm.
Sometimes all of our thoughts are misgiving
At times, introspection can cause doubt, making everything feel uncertain.
Ooh, it makes me wonder
It gives her pause and makes her ponder deeply.
There's a feeling I get
A strange sensation that engulfs her and offers glimpses of another world.
When I look to the west
Contemplating the beauty that lies in the sunset.
And my spirit is crying for leaving
Her soul desires to leave her current state and ascend to something new.
In my thoughts I have seen
She's had visions of another place and a new way of thinking.
Rings of smoke through the trees
Symbols of what's obscured from plain sight.
And the voices of those who stand looking
People are observing her, and their whispers echo through the landscape.
Ooh, it makes me wonder
It's a recurring thought that's always on her mind.
Ooh, it really makes me wonder
Her curiosity grows more intense.
And it's whispered that soon, if we all call the tune
There are rumors of a method or a pathway that can lead her to her desired destination.
Then the piper will lead us to reason
By following the guide, she can find her way to enlightenment.
And a new day will dawn
The path to a new life will be opened for those who are seeking it.
For those who stand long
For anyone who is patient and unwavering in the quest for knowledge.
And the forests will echo with laughter
The spirits of the forest will help guide her way forward, joyfully.
If there's a bustle in your hedgerow
Often external events can cause a stir and create unrest.
Don't be alarmed now
She shouldn't worry overmuch, as instability is a part of any journey.
It's just a spring clean for the May queen
This period of uncertainty could be interpreted as a way to cleanse herself and start anew.
Yes, there are two paths you can go by
There are two ways to evolve or grow in life.
But in the long run
Eventually, one way will reveal itself to be superior.
There's still time to change the road you're on
She can still adjust and pivot if she's not happy with where she's headed.
And it makes me wonder
She's still not entirely comfortable with the dualities of life, the choices to be made, and the mysteries of the world.
Your head is humming and it won't go
Thoughts and worries can cling to her mind, just as a tune plays repeatedly in her head.
In case you don't know
Awareness is key in any venture, and she's mindful of this fact.
The piper's calling you to join him
She needs only to follow the guidance of the piper to reach the next step.
Dear lady, can you hear the wind blow?
Guidance and help are everywhere, even in the gentle sway of the wind.
And did you know
She's surprised by this revelation.
Your stairway lies on the whispering wind?
The path to enlightenment is available to anyone who listens closely.
And as we wind on down the road
As she continues her journey.
Our shadows taller than our soul
Who we are is sometimes eclipsed or obscured by our fear and self-doubt.
There walks a lady we all know
A mystic or a guide that can help us find our way.
Who shines white light and wants to show
The guide wishes to display the way forward to enlightenment.
How everything still turns to gold
Despite the uncertainties and doubts, we are all headed towards greatness if we just keep the faith.
And if you listen very hard
If we listen carefully.
The tune will come to you at last
The right path will eventually reveal itself to anyone who follows the guidance.
When all are one and one is all
When everyone is united in purpose, anything is possible.
To be a rock and not to roll
To be grounded and steady, to believe in oneself and not to doubt is to achieve immortality.
And she's buying a stairway to Heaven
She's still certain that buying her way into a higher place is the way forward.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Jimmy Page, Robert Plant
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Marie Fenouilliére
j'adoreeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
@idk-ic1vi
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, ooh, ooh, 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, it 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, it 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
Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh
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
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 souls
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, yeah
To be a rock and not to roll
And she's buying a stairway to heaven
@christopherarrascuerios4619
Stairway To Heaven
----------------------------
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, ooh, ooh, 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, it 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, it 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
Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh
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
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 souls
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, yeah
To be a rock and not to roll
And she's buying a stairway to heaven
@ryanpallone1746
I'm turning 80 on my next birthday. I grew up with this music. Bings back a lot of really good memories.
@MintyFreshVA
as a young person its still good.
@yyyy-ml9pr
You have good music taste
@armanvranka7520
I’m 22 and this is still one of my favorite songs
@zariaa3794
14 y/o here, this song is one of the best in my playlist(s) and will always be amazing.
@debramartin7475
Best times beautiful loving we had it all then
@ChrisSzabo-y6k
93 years old, two wars, 5 kids, 9 grandchildren, this song brings back memories of my past !
@viitanen.
sure
@maxlopez3566
The ww2 and the Korean war, right?