South Bound Saurez

The Zoo Crew is spinning the infectious grooves of South Bound Saurez by Led Zeppelin, a track from their 1979 album In Through the Out Door, and the Zoo Freaks are surely vibing to its rollicking piano and sultry rhythms. This song, credited to John Paul Jones and Robert Plant, is one of only two original Led Zeppelin tracks where guitarist Jimmy Page had no songwriting credit, the other being All My Love from the same album. The title is a playful pun, possibly a nod to the wine-producing Suarez region in Uruguay, with lyrics evoking a southbound journey and the joy of having "feet on the ground again." Some fans speculate "Saurez" might be a misspelling of the French word "soirée," meaning an evening party, though the South American connection aligns with the song’s loose, celebratory feel. Notably, the track features Jones’s honky-tonk piano, recorded on a Steinway grand, driving the song’s New Orleans barroom vibe, as described by author Dave Lewis.

Another layer of intrigue comes from fan discussions on platforms like the Led Zeppelin Official Forum, where a user from Uruguay shared their excitement upon discovering the song, connecting its title to their homeland. The song’s recording at Polar Studios in Stockholm during late 1978 was marked by a shift in the band’s dynamic—Page and drummer John Bonham were often absent due to personal struggles, leaving Jones and Plant to steer the creative process. This led to a track that diverged from Zeppelin’s heavier roots, embracing a lighter, almost party-like atmosphere. Fan comments on sites like Songfacts highlight its "naughty but nice" sexual undertones and circus-like energy, with one listener calling it a perfect party anthem. Despite its charm, South Bound Saurez was never performed live by Led Zeppelin, making it a hidden gem for Zoo Freaks to rediscover.

Led Zeppelin began as a force of nature in 1968, born from the ashes of The Yardbirds, when guitarist Jimmy Page sought to form a new band with a heavier, blues-infused sound. Page, already a seasoned session musician, recruited vocalist Robert Plant, whose raw, soaring voice became the band’s hallmark. Plant brought along drummer John Bonham, a powerhouse whose thunderous rhythms defined their sound, while Page tapped John Paul Jones, a versatile bassist and keyboardist he’d worked with in the studio scene. Originally called The New Yardbirds to fulfill tour obligations, the quartet soon became Led Zeppelin, a name inspired by a quip from The Who’s Keith Moon about the band going down like a "lead balloon." Their early gigs, like those at London’s Marquee Club, showcased a raw, electrifying blend of blues, folk, and hard rock, setting them apart in a post-Beatles era.

The band’s meteoric rise came with their self-titled debut in 1969, recorded in just 36 hours, and their second album, Led Zeppelin II, cemented their legacy with hits like Whole Lotta Love. Drawing from diverse influences—blues legends like Muddy Waters, folk traditions, and even Eastern music—they crafted a sound that transcended genre, pioneering hard rock and heavy metal while remaining fiercely individualistic. Despite critical backlash, as seen in the 2025 documentary Becoming Led Zeppelin, their fanbase grew through word-of-mouth, packing venues like Knebworth in 1979, around the time In Through the Out Door was released. The band’s chemistry, marked by respect and camaraderie, shines through in interviews where surviving members reflect fondly on Bonham, whose death in 1980 ended their reign.

Zoo Freaks can dive deeper into Led Zeppelin’s world through their official website, which offers news, reissue details, and a mailing list for updates. On social media, follow them on Facebook, Instagram, and X for archival photos, tour date anniversaries, and fan engagement. Fans also gather at the Led Zeppelin Official Forum, a hub for discussions on tracks like South Bound Saurez, while groups like the Led Zeppelin Fan Community on Facebook share memes, rare footage, and concert memories. Sites like Led-Zeppelin.org offer detailed discographies and fan-curated content, perfect for any Zoo Freak looking to keep the Zeppelin spirit alive.