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In 1977, I saw Led Zeppelin perform at New York’s Madison Square Garden. As a 16-year-old rock and roll fan, seeing Led Zeppelin live on stage was a religious experience. I’ve written about this many times on this site because this is a rock and roll history site, and there’s no band bigger than Led Zeppelin if you were a rock fan growing up as a teenager in the 1970s. Nobody was bigger.
Getting the opportunity to see this band live wasn’t easy because they didn’t tour often, and when they did, getting tickets was almost impossible. Nonetheless, I think I speak for any rock and roll fan who grew up in the 1970s and saw Led Zeppelin when I say that, if you were truly a rock fan—and I’m talking about people who love music, not snobs who nitpick every little thing—then Led Zeppelin had to be one of the most loved bands of your life. I can’t stand when I see people on social media sites arguing about how Led Zeppelin didn’t sound good or Jimmy Page was this or that. You’re missing the whole freaking point, man.
Rock and roll isn’t about perfection. Rock and roll is about feeling, about being in the moment, about escape, about hope, about sex, drugs, and all the other stuff that goes with it. And that’s a beautiful thing. Now, I know I’m sounding all poetic and all that jazz, but I’m talking about Led Zeppelin, my favorite band of all time. So if there ever was a group whose music I turn up to 11 every time I play it, it’s Led Zeppelin. And here in this list are the songs that I feel sound the best when you crank that stereo system all the way to the floor—or, I should say, the roof.
# 20- Good Times Bad Times – Led Zeppelin
We thought it would make sense and also be very respectful to open up this 20 Led Zeppelin songs list that you turn up to 11 with the band’s opening song on their debut album entitled Led Zeppelin, released in 1969.
# 19- Ramble On – Led Zeppelin II
Inspired by J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings, “Ramble On” was recorded at various U.S. and UK studios during 1969. Produced by Jimmy Page, it’s featured on Led Zeppelin II, which topped the Billboard 200 and UK Albums Chart.
# 18- Communication Breakdown – Led Zeppelin
“Communication Breakdown,” one of Led Zeppelin’s earliest recorded tracks, was produced by Jimmy Page at Olympic Studios in London in 1968. It became a cornerstone of their self-titled debut album, which peaked at number ten on the Billboard 200 and number six in the UK.
# 17- Immigrant Song – Led Zeppelin III
Led Zeppelin’s Icelandic tour inspired “Immigrant Song,” a thunderous opening track recorded at Headley Grange in 1970. Produced by Jimmy Page, it appears on Led Zeppelin III, which reached number one in the UK and number three on the Billboard 200.
# 16- Celebration Day – Led Zeppelin III
“Celebration Day” closes the first half of Led Zeppelin III (1970), capturing the band’s innovative studio techniques during the Headley Grange sessions. Produced by Jimmy Page, the album topped the UK Albums Chart and reached number three on the Billboard 200.
# 15- Achilles Last Stand – Presence
One of Led Zeppelin’s most ambitious tracks, “Achilles Last Stand” was recorded at Musicland Studios in Munich in 1975. Produced by Jimmy Page, it opens Presence (1976), which peaked at number one in the UK and number three on the Billboard 200.
# 14- Since I’ve Been Loving You – Led Zeppelin III
A powerful blues number, “Since I’ve Been Loving You” was recorded at Island Studios in London in 1970. Produced by Jimmy Page, it’s a centerpiece of Led Zeppelin III, which topped the UK Albums Chart and reached number three in the U.S.
# 13- Living Loving Maid (She’s Just A Woman) – Led Zeppelin II
“Living Loving Maid (She’s Just A Woman)” is a lighthearted track recorded during Led Zeppelin’s 1969 U.S. tour. Produced by Jimmy Page, it’s featured on Led Zeppelin II, which dominated both the Billboard 200 and UK Albums Chart.
# 12- Custard Pie – Physical Graffiti
Opening Physical Graffiti (1975), “Custard Pie” was recorded at Headley Grange in 1974 and produced by Jimmy Page. The album topped the Billboard 200 and UK Albums Chart, with this track setting the tone for its bold, experimental sound.
# 11- Rock And Roll – Led Zeppelin IV
Recorded at Headley Grange in 1971, “Rock and Roll” pays tribute to the genre’s roots. Produced by Jimmy Page, it’s a key track on Led Zeppelin IV, which reached number one in the UK and number two on the Billboard 200.
# 10- Dancing Days – Houses Of The Holy
“Dancing Days,” recorded at Stargroves in 1972, reflects Led Zeppelin’s evolving sound. Produced by Jimmy Page, it’s included on Houses of the Holy (1973), which peaked at number one on the UK Albums Chart and number two in the U.S.
# 9- Hey Hey What Can I Do – B-Side To The Immigrant Song
First released as the B-side to “Immigrant Song” in 1970, “Hey Hey What Can I Do” was recorded at Island Studios in London. Produced by Jimmy Page, the single charted at number 16 on the Billboard Hot 100 and has since become a fan favorite.
# 8- Heartbreaker – Led Zeppelin II
A showcase of Jimmy Page’s guitar mastery, “Heartbreaker” was recorded during the band’s 1969 U.S. tour. Produced by Jimmy Page, it’s featured on Led Zeppelin II, which reached number one on both the Billboard 200 and UK Albums Chart.
# 7- Black Dog – Led Zeppelin IV
“Black Dog,” recorded at Headley Grange in 1971, is an intricate track featuring alternating rhythms. Produced by Jimmy Page, it’s the opening track on Led Zeppelin IV, which peaked at number one in the UK and number two on the Billboard 200.
# 6- The Song Remains The Same – Houses Of The Holy
“The Song Remains The Same” opens Houses of the Holy (1973), recorded at Stargroves in 1972. Produced by Jimmy Page, the album reached number one on the UK Albums Chart and number two in the U.S.
# 5- The Rover – Physical Graffiti
“The Rover” evolved from sessions for Houses of the Holy before its final version was recorded at Headley Grange in 1974. Produced by Jimmy Page, it’s included on Physical Graffiti (1975), which topped charts in both the U.S. and UK.
# 4- The Ocean – Houses Of The Holy
Recorded at Stargroves in 1972, “The Ocean” is the closing track on Houses of the Holy (1973). Produced by Jimmy Page, the album peaked at number one in the UK and number two on the Billboard 200.
# 3- When The Levee Breaks – Led Zeppelin IV
Recorded at Headley Grange in 1971, “When The Levee Breaks” adapts a 1929 blues song by Kansas Joe McCoy and Memphis Minnie. Produced by Jimmy Page, it’s featured on Led Zeppelin IV, which reached number one in the UK and number two in the U.S.
# 2- Kashmir – Physical Graffiti
“Kashmir” was recorded at Headley Grange in 1974 and produced by Jimmy Page. Inspired by travels through Morocco, it’s a standout track on Physical Graffiti (1975), which topped the Billboard 200 and UK Albums Chart.
# 1- Whole Lotta Love – Led Zeppelin II
“Whole Lotta Love,” recorded in 1969 during the band’s U.S. tour, opens Led Zeppelin II. Produced by Jimmy Page, the album reached number one on the Billboard 200 and UK Albums Chart. The single peaked at number four on the Billboard Hot 100.