Robert Plant, the legendary frontman of Led Zeppelin, is known for his golden locks, tight pants, and his voice that could knock Sputnik out of orbit. However, it’s his discerning taste that sets him apart from other rock stars. In the intervening years, Plant has been honest about his opinions on Led Zeppelin’s music, claiming that some of his own vocals were “overblown” and that the band could be “pompous” in their approach. Despite this, Plant recognizes that Led Zeppelin was a pioneer in pushing music into a new era and illuminating the path for others.
According to Plant, there are only three Led Zeppelin songs that he considers to be the band’s finest moments: “Kashmir,” “All My Love,” and “In the Light.” These singles, released in 1975, 1979, and 1975 respectively, showcase the band at their most refined and varied best. While some fans may disagree with Plant’s choices, few would argue against these tracks being included in their top ten Led Zeppelin songs.
For Plant, these songs represent the energy that made Led Zeppelin a force to be reckoned with and rattled the embers of the 1960s like an old Skoda going over a cattle grind. He cites “Kashmir” as his favorite Led Zeppelin track, noting that it perfectly toes the line between drama and pomposity. “I wish we were remembered for ‘Kashmir’ more than ‘Stairway to Heaven,'” he said in an interview with Louder Sound. “It’s so right; there’s nothing overblown, no vocal hysterics. Perfect Zeppelin.”
Similarly, “All My Love” is an anthem that Plant poured his heart into following the unexpected death of his son Karac in 1977. Despite his emotional investment in the song, Plant was worried that it didn’t represent the band’s style. However, the gut-wrenching delivery and touching premise make it one of Led Zeppelin’s most beloved songs.
Finally, “In the Light” showcases the band’s ingenuity and exploration. As Jimmy Page explained in an interview with the BBC, the band knew exactly what they wanted to achieve with the song, but they had no idea that John Paul Jones would come up with such an amazing synthesizer intro. The band’s ability to play like a band while still allowing technique and progression to serve the poetry of the music is what made Led Zeppelin so unique.
Robert Plant’s opinion on Led Zeppelin’s finest moments may differ from other fans’ opinions, but his choices reflect the band’s energy, drama, and ingenuity. Led Zeppelin may have been pioneers in pushing music into a new era, but it’s their ability to play like a band that sets them apart from other rock groups.