Custard Pie

Alright, Zoo Freaks, you’re tuned into THE ZOO with the Zoo Crew, spinning the raunchy, blues-soaked vibes of Led Zeppelin’s "Custard Pie" from their iconic double album Physical Graffiti. This track, kicking off the album with a swagger, is a nod to blues roots with a heavy dose of sexual innuendo. The lyrics draw from classics like Sleepy John Estes’ "Drop Down Mama," Bukka White’s "Shake ‘Em On Down," and Blind Boy Fuller’s "I Want Some of Your Pie," blending them into a funky, riff-heavy banger. Songfacts notes that Robert Plant’s harmonica solo and John Paul Jones’ electric clavinet add a gritty edge, while Jimmy Page’s wah-wah guitar, run through an ARP synthesizer, gives that wild, psychedelic kick. Fun fact: the song’s recording at Headley Grange in 1974 started fast and loose, with the band slowing it down after jamming out arrangements, as detailed in Wikipedia. Drummer John Bonham’s cough at the end? Totally accidental, left in to show the band’s raw, human side—he even shouted, “That’s got to be the one, hasn’t it?”

Here’s a juicy tidbit for you Zoo Freaks: "Custard Pie" was rarely played live by Led Zeppelin. According to their official site, there’s only one documented full performance from Rotterdam in 1975. But the song got some love later—Jimmy Page and Robert Plant dusted it off in 1996 for their No Quarter tour, and Page rocked it with The Black Crowes in 1999, as noted on Wikipedia. Another cool story? The three surviving members—Page, Plant, and Jones—reunited in 1990 at Jason Bonham’s wedding (John’s son) and jammed a 20-minute version of "Custard Pie" with Jason on drums. Talk about a legendary wedding band! Fans on Genius also point out the song’s cheeky double entendres, with Plant’s closing line, “Chew on a piece of your custard pie,” leaning hard into the blues tradition of sly, sexy metaphors.

Let’s rewind to how Led Zeppelin got their start. Formed in London in 1968, they began as The New Yardbirds, a continuation of Jimmy Page’s earlier band, The Yardbirds. Page, a session guitarist with serious chops, recruited Robert Plant, a blues-loving singer from the Midlands, John Paul Jones, a multi-instrumentalist and arranger, and John Bonham, a powerhouse drummer with a larger-than-life style. As Last.fm explains, they ditched the Yardbirds name, inspired by a quip from The Who’s Keith Moon that the band would “go down like a lead balloon.” Rebranded as Led Zeppelin, they fused hard rock, blues, and folk, creating a sound that defined the ‘70s. Their debut album in 1969, recorded in just 36 hours, skyrocketed them to fame, with their raw energy and epic live shows cementing their legend status.

Zoo Freaks, you can keep up with Led Zeppelin’s legacy on their official website, dive into their history on Facebook, check out killer photos on Instagram, or join the conversation on X. For fan-driven vibes, head to Led-Zeppelin.org, a killer fan site packed with news and forums, or join the Led Zeppelin Fans group on Facebook to connect with fellow Zep heads. Stay tuned, Zoo Freaks, as we keep the grooves spinning!