In 1984, Plant formed a short-lived all-star retro rock group with musicians Jimmy Page (also of Led Zeppelin), Jeff Beck, and Phil Collins called The Honeydrippers. The band had a Top Ten hit with their song "Sea of Love", a remake of the Phil Phillips' chestnut. Plant's also notably performed with Page in the outfit Page & Plant.
Plant's love of the music of Morocco led him to a new collaboration called Robert Plant and the Strange Sensation. The band's releases met with critical acclaim and numerous Grammy nominations. They completed a notable 2006 tour of Europe in September.
In 2007, Plant began recording and performing with American bluegrass star Alison Krauss. A duet album, Raising Sand, was released on 23 October 2007 on Rounder Records. The album, recorded in Nashville and Los Angeles and produced by T-Bone Burnett, met with enormous critical and commercial success. Tours have reached devoted audiences in multiple cities.
The year of 2010 proves to be yet another successful year for the lemon squeezer. During the summer, Plant will be reuniting with his old, Pre-Zep group, The Band Of Joy, for a tour of the southern and mid continental tour of the US.
In 2012 Robert Plant starts another band project going by the name Sensational Space Shifters releasing the live album Robert Plant Presents: Sensational Space Shifters. Along with Plant himself the band consists of Liam "Skin" Tyson, Justin Adams, Billy Fuller and John Baggot along with Dave Smith, Juldeh Camara and Patty Griffin.
Pledge Pin
Robert Plant Lyrics
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Hearts in tow; it's just a game; she's only having fun
She laughs and turns away surprised; she mocks it all the same
Tonight's the loss; tomorrow's gain and in the end it's so
Stand in line, 'cause one by one they march in time
In the wings I stand and watch these foolish things go by
Just preparing for the play; aloof, she moves
The memory dance she executes; her role, oh
As the cavalcade begins to thin, do you stop and look around?
Free to choose but not to win, you're just too late
Your show is at an end; now you're the victim of your game
Through your fingers watch them slip
Familiar rules just hit and miss for the one who never shows
The lyrics of "Pledge Pin" by Robert Plant describe the game of power, seduction, and manipulation that often takes place in the entertainment industry. Plant tells the story of a woman who revels in the attention and admiration of those around her, using her charm and cunning to manipulate others for her own personal gain. Meanwhile, those who fall under her spell are left with nothing but disappointment and loss.
Plant depicts the cycles of those who rise only to fall, playing their part in a never-ending game. Whether they are the stars on stage or the audience watching from the wings, they all play their part as the game continues. The lyrics suggest that this game is a familiar one, where the rules are constantly changing, and those who can't keep up will be left behind.
Overall, "Pledge Pin" is a commentary on the emptiness and futility of the entertainment industry, where success is fleeting, and those who play the game are always at risk of losing everything.
Line by Line Meaning
Watch them go, 'cause one be one they rise to fall
Observing people succeed and fail, driven by their hearts
Hearts in tow; it's just a game; she's only having fun
The characters in the song are driven by fun and competition, with hearts in tow
She laughs and turns away surprised; she mocks it all the same
The characters mock their struggles as they continue to play
Tonight's the loss; tomorrow's gain and in the end it's so
Winning is temporary and there's always another game to play
Stand in line, 'cause one by one they march in time
The characters are following a predetermined path, lining up in order
In the wings I stand and watch these foolish things go by
The singer is an observer who sees the characters as foolish
Just preparing for the play; aloof, she moves
The characters are preparing for their role in the game, indifferent to the outcome
The confidante, with practice steps
One character is the confidante and practices their moves for the game
The memory dance she executes; her role, oh
The confidante performs their routine, deeply ingrained from memory
As the cavalcade begins to thin, do you stop and look around?
Now that only a few competitors remain, will they take notice of their surroundings?
Free to choose but not to win, you're just too late
The characters have the freedom to make choices, but their chance of winning is already gone
Your show is at an end; now you're the victim of your game
The game has ended and the characters are the ones who must suffer the consequences
Through your fingers watch them slip
As the characters try to hold onto their victories, they slip through their fingers
Familiar rules just hit and miss for the one who never shows
The rules of the game are unpredictable, especially for those who don't show up to play
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: ROBERT BLUNT, ROBERT PLANT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind