In the Light
| "In the Light" | |
|---|---|
| Song by Led Zeppelin | |
| from the album Physical Graffiti | |
| Released | 24 February 1975 |
| Recorded |
|
| Genre | Progressive rock |
| Length | 8:46 |
| Label | Swan Song |
| Songwriter(s) | |
| Producer(s) | Jimmy Page |
"In the Light" is a song by English rock band Led Zeppelin from their 1975 album Physical Graffiti. The song was composed primarily by bassist/keyboardist John Paul Jones on his synthesizer, though lead vocalist Robert Plant and guitarist Jimmy Page also received songwriting credits. It was based on an earlier song the band had written called "In The Morning".[1]
Musical structure
The unique sound of the intro to the song was created by Page using a violin bow on an acoustic guitar, as a backdrop to Jones' opening synthesizer solo.[2] This was one of three Led Zeppelin songs on which Page used bowed guitar, the others being "Dazed and Confused" and "How Many More Times" (although for both of these he used a bow to play an electric guitar). The song "In the Evening" utilized a guitar equipped with a device called the "Gizmotron" to mimic the bow sound.[3]
"Everybody Makes It Through"
Led Zeppelin also recorded the song with alternate lyrics and a slightly different structure, "Everybody Makes It Through" (In the Light) [Early Version/In Transit]". "Everybody Makes it Through" was released on 23 February 2015, as part of the remastering process of all nine albums.
Live performances
"In the Light" was never played live at Led Zeppelin concerts.[1] According to Jones, Plant was emphatic about wanting to play the song onstage, but because Jones could not reproduce the synthesizer sound properly outside of the studio, he vetoed the idea.
Reception
In a contemporary review of Physical Graffiti, Jim Miller of Rolling Stone gave "In the Light" a mixed review, saying that while the track was "one of the album's most ambitious efforts", the track "fizzles down the home stretch."[4] Miller continues "the problem here is not tedium but a fragmentary composition that never quite jells: When Page on the final release plays an ascending run intended to sound majestic, the effect is more stilted than stately."[4]
In a retrospective review of Physical Graffiti (Deluxe Edition), Jon Hadusek of Consequence of Sound called "In the Light" one of his favorite Zeppelin songs; Hadusek believed the song's arrangement "shouldn't work, but it does".[5] Describing the track, Hadusek said the track "erratically builds from solo organs and doom riffs to a cheerful chorus of major scales.[5]
In an interview he gave to rock journalist Cameron Crowe, Plant stated that this song was one of Led Zeppelin's "finest moments".[6] Similarly, Page has stated that this is his personal favourite track on Physical Graffiti.[1]
Legacy
Page performed this song on his tour with The Black Crowes in 1999. Although not included on their original album Live at the Greek, a version of "In the Light" can be found as a bonus track on the Japanese version of this album, released in 2000.
Personnel
- Robert Plant – vocals
- Jimmy Page – guitars
- John Paul Jones – bass guitar, clavinet, EMS VCS 3
- John Bonham – drums
Cover versions
Sources
- Lewis, Dave (2004) The Complete Guide to the Music of Led Zeppelin, ISBN 0-7119-3528-9
- Welch, Chris (1998) Led Zeppelin: Dazed and Confused: The Stories Behind Every Song, ISBN 1-56025-818-7
References
- 1 2 3 Dave Lewis (1994), The Complete Guide to the Music of Led Zeppelin, Omnibus Press, ISBN 0-7119-3528-9.
- ↑ Grow, Kory. "Jimmy Page on the 'Swagger' of Led Zeppelin's 'Physical Graffiti'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 17 June 2016.
- ↑ Brad Tolinski and Greg Di Bendetto, "Light and Shade", Guitar World, January 1998.
- 1 2 Miller, Jim (27 March 1975). "Physical Graffiti". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 28 July 2017.
- 1 2 Hadusek, Jon (19 February 2015). "Led Zeppelin – Physical Graffiti (Reissue)". Consequence of Sound. Retrieved 28 July 2017.
- ↑ Liner notes by Cameron Crowe for The Complete Studio Recordings.
