The song features furious multi-tracked guitar from Jimmy Page, played on a Gibson EDS-1275 double neck 12-string during live shows and vocals from lead singer Robert Plant. This was Plant's tribute to world music, reflecting his belief that music is universal.
The song was originally an instrumental which was given the working title "The Overture", before Plant added lyrics to it, after which it temporarily came to be known as "The Campaign" before the band settled on the title "The Song Remains the Same". In an interview he gave to Guitar World magazine in 1993, Page discussed the song's construction:
"It was originally going to be an instrumental -- an overture that led into "The Rain Song". But I guess Robert had different ideas. You know, "This is pretty good, Better get some lyrics--quick!" [laughs]... I had all the beginning material together, and Robert suggested that we break down into half-time in the middle. After we figured out that we were going to break it down, the song came together in a day... I always had a cassette recorder around. That's how both "The Song Remains The Same" and "Stairway" came together -- from bits of taped ideas."
Plant's vocal track was slightly sped up for the album release. Page played overdubs with a Telecaster on this recording, and also a Rickenbacker 12-string guitar.
The band first performed this song live on their 1972 Japanese Tour. Bootlegs from this tour reveal that the song was still without a settled title, with Plant introducing it as "Zep" from the stage at Tokyo. At Led Zeppelin concerts from late 1972 through 1975, "The Song Remains the Same" was followed (just as on the original album) by direct segue into "The Rain Song". For this live arrangement, Page employed his trademark Gibson EDS-1275 double-necked guitar. "The Song Remains the Same" would be the opening song for the 1977 US tour and 1979 concerts, before being dropped from the set list for the 1980 European tour. The song was also performed at Led Zeppelin's reunion show at the O2 Arena, London on 10 December 2007.
"The Song Remains the Same" was featured on Led Zeppelin's 1976 concert film (and accompanying soundtrack), as part of lead singer Robert Plant's fantasy sequence. The title of the song was used as the title of both the film and the album.
The Song Remains the Same
Led Zeppelin Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Oh, yeah
Crazy dream, uh-huh
Anything I wanted to know
Any place I needed to go
Hear my song
Yeah, people don't you listen now?
Sing along
You don't know what you're missing, now
Any little song that you know
Everything that's small has to grow
And it's gonna grow, push push, yeah
Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh, California sunlight
Sweet Calcutta rain
Honolulu starbright
The song remains the same
Ooh, ooh, oh, oh
Here we go, here we go
All you gotta do, now
All you gotta do, now
Ooh-ee
Sing out Hare-Hare
Ooh, dance the Hoochie-Koo
City lights are oh so bright, as we go sliding, sliding
Sliding, sliding, sliding, sliding, sliding, sliding
Oh
The lyrics to Led Zeppelin's song "The Song Remains the Same" convey a sense of restlessness and longing for adventure. The singer begins with referencing a dream in which they can go anywhere and learn anything. They urge the listeners to join them in the journey and open their minds to the possibilities. The refrain of "California sunlight, sweet Calcutta rain, Honolulu starbright, the song remains the same" reinforces the idea that even though they may physically move from place to place, internally, they remain the same person with the same desires.
Moving into the second half of the song, the sense of restlessness continues as the singer urges for action - to sing, dance, and enjoy the bright city lights. The repetition of "sliding" suggests a sense of carefree movement and motion, as if they are sliding through life without a care in the world. Overall, the song can be interpreted as a call for adventure and a reminder that even though we may physically travel to new places, our identity and desires stay with us.
Line by Line Meaning
I had a dream
I had a wild dream
Oh, yeah
Yes, indeed
Crazy dream, uh-huh
A very bizarre dream, yes
Anything I wanted to know
I could learn anything I wanted to
Any place I needed to go
I could go anywhere I needed to
Hear my song
Listen to what I have to say
Yeah, people don't you listen now?
Hey, are you folks paying attention?
Sing along
Join in and sing with me
Oh
Ah
You don't know what you're missing, now
You don't realize what you're passing up at the moment
Any little song that you know
Even the smallest melody you're familiar with
Everything that's small has to grow
Everything has potential for growth
And it's gonna grow, push push, yeah
It will grow with a little help and effort
Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh, California sunlight
The sun in California is glorious
Sweet Calcutta rain
The rain in Calcutta is sweet
Honolulu starbright
The stars shining over Honolulu
The song remains the same
The melody stays unchanged
Ooh, ooh, oh, oh
Ah, ah, oh
Here we go, here we go
Let's do this, let's do this
All you gotta do, now
All you need to do at the moment is
All you gotta do, now
All you need to do at the moment is
Ooh-ee
Ah man
Sing out Hare-Hare
Sing a song about Hare Krishna
Ooh, dance the Hoochie-Koo
Do the Hoochie Koo dance
City lights are oh so bright, as we go sliding, sliding
The lights of the town are very bright as we slide around
Sliding, sliding, sliding, sliding, sliding, sliding
Sliding, sliding, sliding...
Oh
Ah
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JAMES PATRICK (JIMMY) PAGE, ROBERT ANTHONY PLANT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@markfrost2707
I saw them when i was just 14!!! It was the ASU Activity Center!! I took my first half a hit of acid and was transformed as a person. I now teach guitar and teach music, as well as "The History of Rock n Roll" at a major university here in Washington State--all thanks to that day. I didnt even really like Zeppelin at that time. I was a young teen. I did prefer rock, but pop music was really good back in 78, so I was more into Fleetwood Mac and Frampton Comes Alive, The Eagles, etc, etc. I stumbled on this today by accident and it reminds me of how professional these guys were. Im sure Jimmy is on Heroin and Bonham is probably drunk, but they are really tight here for a meandering album rock set. After I saw these guys--it was impossible to like those amateur musical groups in the 80s like motley Crue and Bon Jovi, winger, ratt, Poison, UGH!!!!. You cannot, especially as a guitar player, go from Zeppelin to Poison. I could NOT do it. Zeppelin spoiled me. LOOK at this playlist!!! I swear it was 8 hrs long that day/night at ASU
The Song Remains the Same
Sick Again
Nobody's Fault but Mine
(Blind Willie Johnson cover)
Over the Hills and Far Away
Since I've Been Loving You
No Quarter
Ten Years Gone
The Battle of Evermore
Going to California
Black Country Woman
Play Video
Bron-Y-Aur Stomp
Trampled Under Foot
White Summer/Black Mountain Side
Kashmir
Guitar Solo
Achilles Last Stand
Stairway to Heaven
@stephenslusser2895
11:30 BRON-YR-AUR (STUDIO VERSION, ONLY VERSION)
12:55 ROCK AND ROLL
16:55 BLACK DOG
21:45 SINCE I'VE BEEN LOVIN' YOU
30:45 NO QUARTER
43:22 THE SONG REMAINS THE SAME
49:00 THE RAIN SONG
58:21 DAZED AND CONFUSED
1:28:13 STAIRWAY TO HEAVEN
1:39:34 MOBY DICK
1:54:50 WHOLE LOTTA LOVE
2:09:35 STAIRWAY TO HEAVEN (STUDIO VERSION)
@OldIrishFan1966
I remember going to see this at the Midnight Movies.
We long-hairs on one side and the Rocky Horrors on the other.
Shouting insults at each other and lovin every minute if it.
Great nights, better memories. Most of buddys I went to see this with have passed on now.
I know I'll always have a special place in my heart for them and the Greatest Hard Rock Band of all-time!
@tenaciousD
LET'S GOOOOOOO
@majorfloydian6744
This is not the greatest comment in the world
@VioOfficial.
hi back jlack
@noblefrost
THIS should be Required Viewing for all who Dare to play in a Band.
(I would love to know the story of the chick at the end of the vid in the parking lot, she seems so sad watching the cars drive away)
@atravelerofbothtimespace4172
Yea sorry Grandpa.
You're just not a real rock n roller if you didn't roll fat doobies or trip behemoth balls to this film over n over as a teenager and it was always the best thing you ever sawed❤🎉
@dustinchen
No where kid
@patton303
If you’re old enough to remember going to midnight movies to see this along with Rocky Horror, Heavy Metal and The Wall, we would definitely be good friends. Sneaking some cheap booze and a few joints into the theater and watching along with all of the other weirdos in your town. Great days.
@jamesmorgan2064
❤❤❤ ACDC - Let there be Rock. Wasn't that the name of their movie ?
@patton303
@@jamesmorgan2064 I never saw it at the midnight movies, but you are correct.
@martygedeon
😊😊❤