I meant to get this up sooner and decide on what day this blog will be updated, but I can't say anything for sure. As of right now this is where we are: updates will happen sporadically, but I will attempt to have at least a small update at least once a week. That's the best I can do for now, so please check in once or twice a week. Now for this week's update.
And as we wind on down the road...
I've recently been spending alot of time with a recording I feel gets neglected. The recording is Led Zeppelin's Stairway to Heaven and every cover version I've accumulated over the years (eleven, if you're curious). Now, I'm guessing your initial thoughts might be something along the lines of Stairway to Heaven? But everyone knows that song; how could he say with any confidence at all that it is somehow 'neglected'? Or maybe you were thinking LOL SATIRWAY TOO HAVEN?! THATS LIKE THE OLDEST SONG EVERRR!1!! WHY U TALKIN ABOUT THAT?! (Well, you could have been; I don't know you personally.) If you were thinking the former then yes, clever yet predictable blog reader, Stairway to Heaven is popular and seems to always find its way into Best Songs of XX compilations. Before you stop reading right here, let me ask you something: When was the last time you listened to Stairway to Heaven all the way through? How many times have you examined the song rather than just putting it on in the background or skipping to a shorter song?
(This is the part where you answer my rhetorical questions quietly to yourself.)
I'm guessing you don't listen to it all that often, and I can't say I do either. Except for this week. Now, I'm sure you have a good reason; probably because it's a long song. Clocking in at just barely over eight minutes, meandering at a leisurely pace for a good portion of it, it isn't exactly something you'd go running to or put on while you're working or whatever things you people do at home. But that's the thing; it isn't meant to be.
There was a time, when I first started listening to classic bands like Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, and Black Sabbath, that I thought a band wasn't good unless they had at least one song that lasted over ten minutes. I realize now that this isn't true, but it certainly helps enhance the listening experience. Certain great songs (Stairway, Shine On You Crazy Diamond I-V & VI-IX, and anything by Yes) are sometimes overlooked because they aren't radio friendly. Yes, most people know about them, but they don't necessarily take the time to really experience them. Do you own vinyl records? Do you have a turntable to play them on? If you're over 40, do you remember those little clips you had to use to play 45's? Doesn't matter, those questions were also rhetorical. If you want to know what I mean by experiencing a song, listen to it on vinyl. Part of experiencing a song is listening to it uninterrupted, with your full attention on the recording, and to a point, in context with the rest of the album. This is easier to do with vinyl. That's what I want you to do right now: find that Zeppelin record, brush the dust off, and fire up that turntable. If you don't have stairway on vinyl, that's fine, CD will work too. What? You don't have it on CD either? Ok, mp3 then. You don't have it at all? Have you ever even listened to it? What have you been doing with your life, Scott? (Now your name may or may not be Scott, but that's what I'll call you for now.) Ok, “Scott”, that's fine. If you don't have Stairway, one can be provided for you.* If you are listening to it on a computer, I suggest hooking up a good pair of speakers or headphones. Now, drop the needle, hit the play button, or click the link, respectively. Make sure you've got some time too; as I said, Stairway is a decently long song. Now sit back, close your eyes, and let the music and lyrics paint a picture for you. I'll see you in eight minutes.
*For any of you in need of a recording, you can also listen to it right on the page:
[http://www.4shared.com/audio/uUqpU93A/Led_Zeppelin_-_Stairway_To_Hea.htm]
So how was it? What did you hear? Did you notice the quiet intro? How about the first crescendo at around 2:14, the second at 4:19, and the third at 5:34? Did you remember the song peaked at almost the seven minute mark, or had you maybe never listened that far into it? But a song that gets louder is no big achievement, the important part is the resolution at 7:40 when it decrescendos. And then Robert plant sings And she's buying a stairway... to Heaven...
Now for the lyrics. I'm a sucker for songs that tell a story, and Stairway is no exception. However, the meaning of any song is completely dependent on the listener and to say that Stairway to Heaven is vague is an understatement. Personally, I think it's about death, but that's just me. What do you think? If you want to listen to it again with the lyrics in front of you and get back to me, I'd fully support that. I'd love to hear other people's interpretations; even yours, Scott.
If you're looking for more Stairway, try this recording by Lissie and some guy with a beard. By far my favorite cover:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BMS2O4rZyWY
