Led Zeppelin - Dazed and Confused

Led Zeppelin - Dazed and Confused

Copyright - 1969 Atlantic Records

Led Zeppelin recorded their version in October 1968 at Olympic Studios, London, and the song was included on their 1969 debut album Led Zeppelin. It begins with a slow-tempo bluesy rhythm, propelled by John Paul Jones' descending bass line. It then changes to a faster tempo during the darkest part of the song, again featuring bowed guitar by Page, followed by a furious guitar solo (similar to Page's solo from the Yardbirds' "Think About It"), before finally returning to the initial rhythm. John Bonham's sporadic, explosive drumming throughout helped define the song's power and intensity.

This was one of three Led Zeppelin songs on which Page used bowed guitar, the other being "How Many More Times", and "In the Light". The song "In the Evening" utilized several tremolo bar drops to mimic the bow sound.

ASCAP , which assigns serial codes on the basis of published songs, did not give the same ASCAP code to both versions of "Dazed and Confused"; normally, cover versions are assigned the same number. ASCAP assigns a new number if, in its opinion, the song structure differs markedly to warrant a separate entry. Jake Holmes' "Dazed and Confused" was given the code 340119544, while Led Zeppelin's "Dazed and Confused" was given the code 340128276. Holmes never sued Page for the Led Zeppelin song, however, so it is unclear whether a court would have awarded a credit to Holmes pursuant to U.S. copyright law. Holmes did write a letter to Led Zeppelin seeking credit, which was never responded to.

Led Zeppelin live performances
"Dazed and Confused" was widely popularized by, and is still heavily identified with, Led Zeppelin's version. It became the centerpiece for the group at Led Zeppelin concerts, at least through the release of "Whole Lotta Love" from their second album. When performed live, it was (except for the fast middle section) played at a slower overall tempo, and gradually extended in duration (up to 45 minutes by 1975) as a multi-section improvised jam. Although initially performed in a manner similar to the studio version, some noticeable differences were gradually developed in live performances. By June 1969, in the section where Page plays guitar with a violin bow, the rest of the band dropped out completely, allowing him to perform a lengthier free-form improvisation, though by January 1970, the main structure of the section was already formed. By 1972, another improvised section had been added between the verses and this. The fast section was extended to allow changes in dynamics and volume, as well as changing the beat, sometimes seguing in and out of another song altogether. There was a short jam at the end of the song after the final verse.

Over time, the improvisational suite incorporated more and more material. In 1972, including on the live How the West Was Won, the song incorporated riffs from the Led Zeppelin songs "The Crunge", and "Walter's Walk". By 1973, the song featured an extended transition before the violin bow solo, which incorporated a melody that would later be used in 1976's "Achilles Last Stand". Plant sang lyrics from either Scott McKenzie's "San Francisco" or Joni Mitchell's "Woodstock" during this transition. Also during this time, the violin solo would incorporate "Mars" from Gustav Holst's suite The Planets, accompanied by Plant's vocalizations.

A live version of "Dazed and Confused" was featured on Led Zeppelin's 1973 concert film, The Song Remains the Same (and accompanying soundtrack), as part of Page's fantasy sequence. Other live recordings are also found on the official releases Led Zeppelin BBC Sessions (featuring two different versions), How the West Was Won, and the Led Zeppelin DVD.

"Dazed and Confused" was performed on every Led Zeppelin concert tour up to and including their 1975 shows at Earl's Court. It was then removed from their live set list until it was performed once again at Led Zeppelin's reunion show at the O2 Arena, London on December 10, 2007.

Lyrics:
Been Dazed and Confused for so long it's not true.
Wanted a woman, never bargained for you.
Lots of people talk and few of them know,
soul of a woman was created below.

You hurt and abuse tellin' all of your lies.
Run around sweet baby, Lord how they hypnotize.
Sweet little baby, I don't know where you've been.
Gonna love you baby, here I come again.

Every day I work so hard, bringin' home my hard earned pay
Try to love you baby, but you push me away.
Don't know where you're goin', only know just where you've been,
Sweet little baby, I want you again.

Been dazed and confused for so long, it's not true.
Wanted a woman, never bargained for you.
Take it easy baby, let them say what they will.
Will your tongue wag so much when I send you the bill?

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Led
• Zeppelin
• 1968
• 1969
• John
• Bonzo
• Bonham
• Robert
• Plant
• Paul
• Jones
• Jimmy
• Page
• Atlantic
• Records

[blestemp]

This one really sounds similar to a Black Sabbath track in the early seventies, but instead of Ozzy's mumbling and lazy vocal, it's accompanied by Plant's screaming and aggresive energy

[sabrescarygood]

They dont get much better than led zeppelin.....

[cosmogirl007]

My fav song from LZ. Love these guys! They are Gods in music

[skeege2676]

@alinamugur ya got THAT right!

[MrMetalBooster]

The MOST Psychedelic solo EVER!



[TravellerFellow]

3:35 my brain just came

[broadstem]

@guitardrumskate or v v moron

[guitardrumskate]

This sounds exactly like black sabbath

[vocaltalent1]

This load sounds great. Thanks for putting it up.

Zeppelin are the greatest artists in popular music history!

Theres no need to spin and twist explanations:JUST LISTEN, and its that simple. These guys are/were TOO talented.

[TheWatp1690]

Listen to every guitar sound, every vocal, every drum beat - just everything about this is unbelievably fantastic. Zeppelin at their very best.

[alinamugur]

and people now say that every girls/boy band who has a known song is "good" music !! did they ever listen to LZ or Hendrix and many others. i'm not saying that there are not beautiful songs or goog singers today, but you can't compare

[xzyqtr]

i love this band.

and i wasnt even born yet when they were toghether.

[danthebard]

why can't a blues song have a solo without someone calling metal