The Rain Song

The Zoo Crew is spinning the dreamy vibes of The Rain Song by Led Zeppelin, from their 1973 album Houses of the Holy, and the Zoo Freaks are surely soaking in its lush, emotional layers. This seven-minute ballad was born out of a challenge from George Harrison, who, according to Jimmy Page, told drummer John Bonham that Led Zeppelin didn’t write enough ballads. Page took it personally, crafting this intricate piece at his home studio in Plumpton, England, and even nodded to Harrison by quoting the opening chords of The Beatles’ Something. The song’s working title was “Slush,” a cheeky reference to its orchestral, easy-listening vibe, complete with John Paul Jones’s evocative Mellotron strings. Robert Plant considers his vocal performance here among his finest, weaving poetic lyrics about love’s seasons that hit like a gentle rain. Fans on platforms like Reddit have noted its emotional depth, with one user comparing a progression at the 2:40 mark to the Hamilton musical’s Say No to This, showing its surprising influence across genres.

Another layer of trivia comes from its live performances. From late 1972 to 1975, Led Zeppelin played The Rain Song right after The Song Remains the Same, as both used Page’s iconic Gibson EDS-1275 double-neck guitar—12-string for the former, 6-string for the latter. The song was dropped from their 1977 U.S. tour but made a comeback for 1979’s Copenhagen shows and the 1980 European tour. Guitar nerds, take note: Page used a unique tuning (DGCGCD, a DADGAD variant) for that Celtic, open-chord shimmer, as confirmed by a guitar tech on Songfacts. In 2023, Page shared a rare demo of the song on his YouTube channel to mark the 50th anniversary of Houses of the Holy, revealing its full orchestration was nearly complete even in its earliest form. Though some critics, like Rolling Stone’s Gordon Fletcher, initially dismissed it as overlong, later reviews hailed its “exquisite heartache” and patient beauty.

Led Zeppelin’s origin story is as legendary as their music. Formed in 1968 in London, the band emerged from the ashes of The Yardbirds, where guitarist Jimmy Page was a member. When the Yardbirds disbanded, Page recruited singer Robert Plant, bassist/keyboardist John Paul Jones, and drummer John Bonham, initially performing as the New Yardbirds to fulfill leftover tour dates. By October 1968, they became Led Zeppelin, a name inspired by a quip from The Who’s Keith Moon that the band would go down like a “lead balloon.” Their debut album, recorded in just 30 hours, blended heavy blues, folk, and raw energy, setting the stage for their reign as pioneers of hard rock and heavy metal. Their early tours, especially in Scandinavia, and albums like Led Zeppelin II and IV (home to Stairway to Heaven), cemented their global dominance, with stadium shows and a reputation for excess.

For Zoo Freaks wanting to dive deeper, connect with the band through their official website or follow them on Facebook, Instagram, and X. Fans can also join vibrant communities like the Led Zeppelin Official Forum or the Led Zeppelin Fans Facebook group for discussions, rare photos, and tour memories. Another great spot is r/ledzeppelin on Reddit, where fans debate everything from tunings to setlists. Whether you’re a longtime Freak or new to the Zep, The Rain Song and the band’s legacy are a cosmic journey worth taking.