History Music / LedZeppelinIV

The record is best known for the fan favorites "Black Dog", "Rock And Roll", "Going To California", "Misty Mountain Hop"... and their SignatureSong "Stairway To Heaven". The latter has become somewhat of a BlackSheepHit to the band, as it's not really indicative of their usual style and has been played, covered and referenced so often that [[CreatorBacklash even Robert Plant is sick of it]]. The songs have been cited to [[TropeCodifier codify]] the HeavyMetal and HardRock genres as they exist today, using [[ThreeChordsAndTheTruth spare instrumentation]] and complex song structures.

[[caption-width-right:300:''Does anybody remember laughter?'']]

# "Rock And Roll" (3:40)
# "The Battle Of Evermore" (5:51)

# "Going To California" (3:31)
# "When The Levee Breaks" (7:07)

* EruditeStoner: "Misty Mountain Hop" interlaces a Creator/JRRTolkien reference in a song mostly about smoking pot. This could parody the fact that hippies are AcceptableTargets despite being rather intelligent.

* NoTitle: The album is deliberately nameless in reaction to the lukewarm press reviews of their previous album ''Music/LedZeppelinIII'' (1971). The band decided to avoid including a title, a band name, or any other indication that would prevent people from judging the record on its own terms.

Music/LedZeppelin's fourth studio album, released in 1971, [[NoTitle officially doesn't have a title]], so it's best known as ''Led Zeppelin IV''. This decision represented a clean slate for the band, who wanted to write an album [[NewSoundAlbum completely different from the rest of their material]]. It also served as [[TakeThatCritics a retaliation against critics]] who believed the band had no substance after the mostly negative reactions to ''Music/LedZeppelinIII'' the previous year. Recorded in isolation in the English countryside with support from contemporaries Music/{{The Rolling Stones|Band}} and Music/FleetwoodMac, the album usually ranks at the pinnacle of Led Zeppelin's songwriting abilities, due to its impressive GenreRoulette and accessibility.

--> ''There's a feeling I get, when I look to the west / And my spirit is crying for leaving...''

--> ''So I've decided what I'm gonna do now\\

--> ''There's a sign on the wall\\

* LuckyCharmsTitle: While the album officially has NoTitle, the LP sleeve (and [https://twitter.com/downsampled/status/1365754261808635904 one early CD pressing]] by CBS/Sony Records Inc.) features the band's four symbols on the spine. It's just easier to say "Untitled" or "Led Zeppelin IV".

--> ''If there's a bustle in your hedgerow, don't be alarmed now\\

--> ''It's been a long time since I rock and rolled\\

--> ''I don't know but I been told\\

* LuckyCharmsTitle: Technically, the name of their fourth album is the symbols on the spine. It's just easier to say "Untitled" or "IV".

* NonAppearingTitle: The album has no title, in reaction to the lukewarm press reviews of their previous album ''Music/LedZeppelinIII'' (1971). The band decided not including a title, band name of any other indication would make people judge the record on its on terms. The title of "Black Dog", "The Battle Of Evermore" and "Four Sticks" don't appear in the lyrics either.

Music/LedZeppelin's fourth studio album, released in 1971, [[NoTitle officially doesn't have a title]], so it's best known as ''Led Zeppelin IV''. This decision represented a clean slate for the band, who wanted to write an album [[NewSoundAlbum completely different from the rest of their material]]. It also served as [[TakeThatCritics a retaliation against critics]] who believed the band had no substance after the mostly negative reactions to ''Music/LedZeppelinIII'' the previous year. Recorded in isolation in the English countryside with support from contemporaries Music/TheRollingStones and Music/FleetwoodMac, the album usually ranks at the pinnacle of Led Zeppelin's songwriting abilities, due to its impressive GenreRoulette and accessibility.

* FilkSong[=/=]HeavyMithril: "The Battle Of Evermore", inspired by ''Literature/TheHobbit'', talks about an epic Tolkien-esque battle between good and evil, and references the Ringwraiths by name.

* SubliminalSeduction: Conspiracy theorists often allege that "Stairway to Heaven" has a Satanic message hidden in the "''Bustle in your hedgerow''" section. Plant and the rest of the band have vigorously denied any such intent.

Music/LedZeppelin's fourth studio album, released in 1971, [[NoTitle officially doesn't have a title]], so it's best known as ''Led Zeppelin IV''. This decision represented a clean slate for the band, who wanted to write an album [[SomethingCompletelyDifferent completely different from the rest of their material]]. It also served as [[TakeThatCritics a retaliation against critics]] who believed the band had no substance after the mostly negative reactions to ''Music/LedZeppelinIII'' the previous year. Recorded in isolation in the English countryside with support from contemporaries Music/TheRollingStones and Music/FleetwoodMac, the album usually ranks at the pinnacle of Led Zeppelin's songwriting abilities, due to its impressive GenreRoulette and accessibility.

* ShoutOut:
** Numerous Creator/JRRTolkien references. "Battle of Evermore" refers to things and places that are not found in ''Literature/TheLordOfTheRings'', but it also references Ringwraiths and seems to hearken back to the siege of Minas Tirith in "Return of the King." "Misty Mountain Hop" also seems to reference a location from ''Literature/TheHobbit'' in its title and lyrics.
** "Going To California" was featured in the series' finale of ''Series/{{Entourage}}'', playing over the end credits.
** ''Film/WaynesWorld'' has a joke where a guitar store owner has a sign forbidding customers to try out a guitar by playing "Stairway To Heaven" on it.[[note]]This was edited out in TV editions to be replaced with a SuspiciouslySimilarSubstitute--it probably makes the joke funnier because of that.[[/note]]
** "Stairway To Heaven" has been covered by artists as varied as Music/{{Heart}}, Music/FrankZappa (on ''Music/TheBestBandYouNeverHeardInYourLife'' (1991), [[InTheStyleOf in a]] ''{{reggae}}'' [[InTheStyleOf style]]), Music/MaryJBlige and even Music/DollyParton, whose version received praise from Robert Plant.
** "Stairway To Heaven" has also lead to subversions, including "Hairway To Steven" by Music/ButtholeSurfers and "Highway To Hell" by Music/{{ACDC}} from ''Music/HighwayToHell'' (1979).
** "When The Levee Breaks" has been sampled in "Rhymin' And Stealin'" from ''Music/LicensedToIll'' by The Music/BeastieBoys and "B-Boy Bouillabaisse" from their second album ''Music/PaulsBoutique''. Music/MassiveAttack sampled the same song for their track "Man Next Door" on ''Music/{{Mezzanine}}''.
** Music/ArjenAnthonyLucassen covered "The Battle Of Evermore" on his solo album ''Music/LostInTheNewReal (2012)''.

This album was a critical and commercial success from the start. It has sold 30 million copies to date, which is no small feat to begin with. It ranked at #69 in ''Magazine/RollingStone''[='=] [[Music/RollingStone500GreatestAlbumsOfAllTime 500 Greatest Albums Of All Time]], #106 on ''Magazine/{{NME}}''[='=] [[UsefulNotes/NME500GreatestAlbumsOfAllTime list of the same name]], and even ended up in ''Magazine/{{Time|Magazine}}''[='=]s [[TimeAllTime100Albums 2006 list of their 100 essential albums]]. With all this critical acclaim, it is currently the 29th-most acclaimed album ever on Website/AcclaimedMusic's [[UsefulNotes/AcclaimedMusicAllTimeTopAlbums compilation of critics' lists]].

It also serves as one of the first [[TakeThatCritics Take That, Critics!]] albums, later to be joined by Music/Blink182's untitled album, Music/GreenDay's ''Music/{{Nimrod}}'', Music/MyChemicalRomance's ''Music/TheBlackParade'', etc., etc.

[[AC: Side One]]

[[AC: Side Two]]

The record is best known for the fan favorites "Black Dog", "Rock And Roll", "Going To California", "Misty Mountain Hop"... and their SignatureSong "Stairway To Heaven". The latter has become somewhat of a BlackSheepHit to the band, as it's not really indicative of their usual style and has been played, covered and referenced so often that [[CreatorBacklash even Robert Plant is sick of it]]. The songs have been cited to [[TropeCodifier codify]] the {{Metal}} and HardRock genres as they exist today, using [[ThreeChordsAndTheTruth spare instrumentation]] and complex song structures.

** While "California" opens up with the singer breaking off a bad relationship, the song itself is about heading out that way to find a woman he's heard about "with love in her eyes and flowers in her hair" so that he could begin anew in a better one.

----

[[caption-width-right:300:The untitled album commonly known as ''Led Zeppelin IV''.]]

# "StairwayToHeaven" (8:01)

!! ''When The Levee Tropes'':

The fourth studio album by Music/LedZeppelin, released in 1971, [[NoTitle officially doesn't have a title]], so it's best known as ''Led Zeppelin IV''. This decision represented a clean slate for the band, who wanted to write an album [[SomethingCompletelyDifferent completely different from the rest of their material]]. It also served as [[TakeThatCritics a retaliation against critics]] who believed the band had no substance after the mostly negative reactions to ''Music/LedZeppelinIII'' the previous year. Recorded in isolation in the English countryside with support from contemporaries Music/TheRollingStones and Music/FleetwoodMac, the album usually ranks at the pinnacle of Led Zeppelin's songwriting abilities, due to its impressive GenreRoulette and accessibility.

The record is best known for the fan favorites "Black Dog", "Rock And Roll", "Going To California", "Misty Mountain Hop"… and their SignatureSong "Stairway To Heaven". The latter has become somewhat of a BlackSheepHit to the band, as it's not really indicative of their usual style and has been played, covered and referenced so often that [[CreatorBacklash even Robert Plant is sick of it]]. The songs have been cited to [[TropeCodifier codify]] the {{Metal}} and HardRock genres as they exist today, using [[ThreeChordsAndTheTruth spare instrumentation]] and complex song structures.

This album was a critical and commercial success from the start. It ranked at #69 in ''Magazine/RollingStone's'' [[Music/RollingStone500GreatestAlbumsOfAllTime 500 Greatest Albums Of All Time]], #106 on ''Magazine/{{NME}}'s'' [[UsefulNotes/NME500GreatestAlbumsOfAllTime list of the same name]], and even ended up in ''Magazine/{{Time|Magazine}}''[='=]s [[TimeAllTime100Albums list of 100 essential albums]].

It also serves as one of the first [[TakeThatCritics Take That, Critics!]] albums, later to be joined by Music/Blink182's untitled album, Music/{{Nimrod}}, Music/TheBlackParade, etc., etc.

** ''Film/WaynesWorld'' has a joke where a guitar store owner has a sign forbidding customers to try out a guitar by playing "Stairway To Heaven" on it.