Ramble On
"Ramble On" is a song by English rock band Led Zeppelin from their 1969 album Led Zeppelin II. It was co-written by Jimmy Page and Robert Plant, and was recorded in 1969 at Juggy Sound Studio, New York, during the band's second concert tour of the United States.
The song's lyrics were heavily influenced by The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien. The opening line ("Leaves are falling all around") is probably a paraphrase of the opening line of Tolkien's poem "Namárië". The poem may also be the inspiration for the entire first verse.
The Tolkien references later in the song refer to the adventures of either Frodo Baggins as he travels to Mordor, or that of Aragorn as he has to choose between staying with his love Arwen (Elrond's daughter) or going to destroy the Ring in Mordor:
Mine's a tale that can't be told,
My freedom I hold dear;
How years ago in days of old
When magic filled the air,
T'was in the darkest depths of Mordor
I met a girl so fair.
But Gollum, and the evil one crept up
And slipped away with her.
References to the work of Tolkien also exist in other Led Zeppelin songs, such as "Bron-Y-Aur Stomp", "Misty Mountain Hop", and "The Battle of Evermore".
The guitar's jangly introduction employs a classic Jimmy Page technique: using regular open chords superimposed higher on the fretboard. Often mistaken for bongos, drummer John Bonham is actually hitting a plastic rubbish bin throughout the song.
The song also serves as an illustration of the tight interplay between bassist John Paul Jones and drummer John Bonham. Jones' light, melodic bass phrases give way to an ascending motif which follows Bonham's bass drum.
Until 2007 "Ramble On" was never performed live in its entirety at Led Zeppelin concerts. However, part of the song was performed by the band in the middle of "Babe I'm Gonna Leave You" at a concert at Toronto on 2 November 1969, as can be heard on the Led Zeppelin bootleg Listen to my Bluebird. The full version of the song was played at Led Zeppelin's reunion show on 10 December 2007, at the O2 Arena in London.
In 2004, the song was ranked #433 on Rolling Stone's list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.
Chart positions
Personnel
Robert Plant - vocals
Jimmy Page - guitars
John Paul Jones - bass guitar
John Bonham - drums
Cover versions
Album versions
1992: Dread Zeppelin (It's Not Unusual)
1993: The Dusty Diamonds (The Song Retains the Same II)
1997: Jason Bonham Band (In the Name of My Father - The Zepset)
1999: Great White (Great Zeppelin: A Tribute to Led Zeppelin)
1999: Magnificent Tracers (Stock Car Smashes)
2000: Lisa Tingle (Live at the Lucky Lounge)
2000: Kenny Blackwell (Bluegrass Then & Now: 25th Anniversary)
2000: The Exboyfriends (Harmony Sweepstakes a Capella Festival: 2000 National Finals)
2000: various artists (Pickin' on Zeppelin: A Tribute)
2001: Train ("Ramble On" CD single)
2001: Mad Zeppelin (The Song Remains on Stage)
2002: The String Cheese Incident (On the Road [recorded live 16 April 2002])
2002: Patricia Maertens (Livin, Lovin, Played: A Led Zeppelin Tribute)
2003: Letz Zep (Live on Broadway)
2004: Benjamin Levine (Chamber Maid: The Baroque Tribute to Led Zeppelin)
2005: Iron Horse (Whole Lotta Bluegrass: A Bluegrass Tribute to Led Zeppelin)
2005: Bustle In Your Hedgerow (Live at The Subterranean [31 July 2005])
2006: Kevin Martin (World's Greatest Metal Tribute to Led Zeppelin)
2006: Paul Hultman (Paul Hultman)
2007: Vanilla Fudge (Out Through the in Door)
2007: Frankie Banali & Friends (24/7/365: The Tribute to Led Zeppelin)
2007: Led Zepagain (Led Zepagain II: A Tribute to Led Zeppelin)
2008: Foo Fighters with Jimmy Page & John Paul Jones (Foo Fighters Live at Wembley Stadium DVD)
2008: Rick Derringer (Led Box: The Ultimate Led Zeppelin Tribute)
2008: Chris Poland (Misty Mountain Hop: A Millennium Tribute to Led Zeppelin)
Samples
1989: Donald D ("A Letter I'll Never Send")
Sources
Lewis, Dave (2004) The Complete Guide to the Music of Led Zeppelin, ISBN 0-7119-3528-9
Welch, Chris (1998) Led Zeppelin: Dazed and Confused: The Stories Behind Every Song, ISBN 1-56025-818-7
Translation
The phrase "Ramble On" occurs as such in the following languages: English, French, Italian, Swedish.
|
