As with a lot of Zeppelin songs…it’s the riff…that riff is a beautiful thing. It’s not a complex one like Black Dog but it works.
Houses Of The Holy is the name of Led Zeppelin’s fifth album, released in 1973. This song was going to be on it, but they decided to hold it back and use it on their next album, Physical Graffiti. I never understood that…Page has said that the song didn’t fit with the Houses of the Holy album’s other songs.
The song supposedly refers to the spiritual feel of their concerts.
In order to create the layered guitar introduction and fade-out, Page used a Delta T digital delay unit.
Despite being a fan favorite and about their shows, this was never performed live. For all you audiophiles out there…The squeak of John Bonham’s drum pedal can be heard about 3 minutes in.
The song was not released as a single… the album Physical Graffiti peaked at #1 in the Billboard Album Charts, Canada, and the UK in 1975. The song was written by Jimmy Page and Robert Plant.
Houses of the Holy
Let me take you to the movies
Can I take you to the show
Let me be yours ever truly
Can I make your garden grow
From the houses of the holy, we can watch the white doves go
From the door comes satan’s daughter, and it only goes to show, you know
There’s an angel on my shoulder, in my hand a sword of gold
Let me wander in your garden and the seeds of love I’ll sow you know
So the world is spinning faster are you dizzy when you’re stoned
Let the music be your master will you heed the master’s call
Oh Satan and man
Said there ain’t no use in crying ’cause it will only, only drive you mad
Does it hurt to hear them lying?
Was this the only world you had? oh oh
So let me take you, take you to the movie
Can I take you, baby, to the show
Why don’t you let me be yours ever truly
Can I make your garden grow, you know
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Classic Zep! Great riff. Those drums though!
This is such a cool song, I have to remember to use it in one of my posts one day.
It gets forgotten…I’m not sure why they thought it didn’t fit in
it is a really good riff, and one of their more under-rated songs I think.
It is a cool riff…still weird not to be on their House of the Holy album lol.
that does surprise me, I’d never noticed that!
This tune and The Rover are perhaps my two favs off of this album.
Gotta love big drums
I like those as well…I also like Night Flight.
Not one of my LZ faves but, it’s OK.
It has a cool time to it wish I knew the term. These guys mesh so well together.
Time signature? I’m not sure what time it’s in.
Aha! Thanks!
Great tune, Max, love it! And, BTW, I totally agree, oftentimes it’s the riffs that stand out to me in Zep songs. I feel coming up with great riffs was one of Jimmy Page’s key strengths. Sure, he also played cool solos, it’s mostly the riffs where he truly stood out.
That was his strength and Bonham’s drumming behind them…He did come up with a lot of great riffs. Him and Keith Richards.
Another great riff Max. My oldest guy and I were in the back yard last summer smoking cigars, playing Battleship and listening to this album.
I love those Zeppelin albums through this period. I like them all but when Jimmy incorporated the folk and rock…and built songs up.
Oh yeah. They were good but what the hell do I know.
With your taste…alot… I’m envious because you got to take some this music in real time.
My brother seen them on their first tour. He took some dumb girl instead of his snot nosed little brother.
Oh geez. That would have been something to remember.
I talk to this lady in the UK…she saw them early and Pink Floyd at the UFO club over there…and at the Round House…and the Who with Moon. She gets a kick out of me asking her questions about all of them.
That’s cool. My brother seen all those bands early on. He was a few years older than me. Seen the Doors. Morrison was pissed out of his head.
I like the Doors…Morrison would have been tough to have as a bandmate. Without him they are a great band with no frontman…but man their limits were tested by the guy.
I would have loved to seen the Who…with the man of course. I did get to see Entwistle which I am thankful. My bass guy.
I was lucky to see some really good ones. A lot of my faves. We talked about how messed up the substance abuse is. I think Roger knocked the shit out of both Pete and Keith on a regular basis.
Yea and they probably deserved it. He really goes easy on them in his book. What a pain that would have been.
Definitely. Any self respecting drunk will take a beating when he deserves it. That shit get old really quick. Amazing some people can function but most No.
My dad was an Elvis type guy…he had 70 kidney stones in his life…in the seventies, they started him on all kinds of goodies…he was functional…but it’s a wonder.
The human body can take a licking and keep going.
Off topic question CB…what is your favorite Noir movie? If that is the way you phrase it.
I’m off for the next few days so I’ll be coming by to visit you soon.
So many good ones Max. ‘Maltese’ is good for so many reasons. Double Indemnity, Edward G is just the best. There are a bunch of B Noir that I think Ive done a couple takes on. I love the stuff. ‘Night In The City’ is really good English with Richard Widmark.
Come over I’ll put on the popcorn
I’ve never seen the Maltese Falcon…ever. The one I’m most familiar with is Sunset Blvd but I need to check some of those out. Bailey is a huge fan and I’m starting to like them more.
Will do!
Sunset is a good one yeah. The whole premise is creepy good. Holden is a CB guy. ‘The Killing’ is agood one.
Seems like the 50s have a big share of noir… Night of the Hunter…Mitchum is chilling in that. The Killing…I’ve listed it.
Asphalt Jungle, Big Sleep, Key Largo …
Thank you….Asphalt Jungle is familiar… Cool. Thanks again CB…you are batting a thousand with recommendations.
Catch that Mystery Train (Watch trailer and read up first maybe. Dont take my word for it) for something out of the ordinary. Take care fella. Nice talking to ya.
You also CB…thanks for dropping by…always a pleasure…. and we will.
Just listening to my friend station. Check this out. Good night
Love the slight rasp in his voice…some pure music. Thanks man.