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When the album ''Presence'' was released, the lyrics of "Nobody's Fault but Mine" invited speculation as to what the song was actually about. Some thought it concerned Jimmy Page's blossoming [[heroin]] addiction. Others thought it was comparable to [[Robert Johnson (musician)| Robert Johnson]]'s "[[Hellhound On My Trail]]" in that it was Plant lamenting Led Zeppelin's supposed deal with the devil.
When the album ''Presence'' was released, the lyrics of "Nobody's Fault but Mine" invited speculation as to what the song was actually about. Some thought it concerned Jimmy Page's blossoming [[heroin]] addiction. Others thought it was comparable to [[Robert Johnson (musician)| Robert Johnson]]'s "[[Hellhound On My Trail]]" in that it was Plant lamenting Led Zeppelin's supposed deal with the devil.


From [[1977]] onwards, "Nobody's Fault but Mine" became a vital component of [[Led Zeppelin concerts]], and was played at virtually every show until the group's final tour of [[Europe]] in [[1980]]. During live performances, Plant often exclaimed, "Oh Jimmy!" right before Page went into his guitar solo.
From [[1977]] onwards, "Nobody's Fault but Mine" became a vital component of [[Led Zeppelin concerts]], and was played at virtually every show until the group's final tour of [[Europe]] in [[1980]]. One live version, from Led Zeppelin's performance at [[Concerts at Knebworth House|Knebworth]] in [[1979]], is featured on disc 2 of the ''[[Led Zeppelin DVD]]''. During live performances, Plant often exclaimed, "Oh Jimmy!" right before Page went into his guitar solo.


[[Page and Plant]] would also record a version in [[1994]], released on their album ''[[No Quarter: Jimmy Page and Robert Plant Unledded]]''. This version of the song is performed similarly to acoustic virtuoso [[John Renbourn]]'s version as heard on his 1967 release "Another Monday". Page and Plant played an acoustic version on their subsequent 1995 ''No Quarter'' tour, sometimes swapping it with "[[When the Levee Breaks]]".
[[Page and Plant]] would also record a version in [[1994]], released on their album ''[[No Quarter: Jimmy Page and Robert Plant Unledded]]''. This version of the song is performed similarly to acoustic virtuoso [[John Renbourn]]'s version as heard on his 1967 release "Another Monday". Page and Plant played an acoustic version on their subsequent 1995 ''No Quarter'' tour, sometimes swapping it with "[[When the Levee Breaks]]".

Revision as of 13:14, 16 April 2007

"Nobody's Fault but Mine"
Song

"Nobody's Fault but Mine" is a song by English rock band Led Zeppelin, released in 1976 on their album Presence. The track features a compelling, phase-treated, delta blues-based riff in E minor from Jimmy Page which is complimented by unison wails from vocalist Robert Plant. Jimmy Page triple-tracked his guitar intro; playing one guitar an octave higher than the others.

In an example of their tight rhythmic interplay, drummer John Bonham and bassist John Paul Jones maintain the driving rhythm of the song, adding some very complex and synchopated accents during repetitions of the introductory phrase. The song also features a fine harmonica solo by Plant.

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Led Zeppelin performing "Nobody's Fault but Mine" at Knebworth in 1979

The hook and many of the lyrics in the song were taken from American blues singer Blind Willie Johnson, who recorded it in 1927. Johnson never applied for a copyright for the song and so the band was free to apply their own. In contrast to Led Zeppelin, Johnson was given credit in passing by The 77s when they covered the song by adding the phrase "apologies to Blind Willie Johnson" [1].

When the album Presence was released, the lyrics of "Nobody's Fault but Mine" invited speculation as to what the song was actually about. Some thought it concerned Jimmy Page's blossoming heroin addiction. Others thought it was comparable to Robert Johnson's "Hellhound On My Trail" in that it was Plant lamenting Led Zeppelin's supposed deal with the devil.

From 1977 onwards, "Nobody's Fault but Mine" became a vital component of Led Zeppelin concerts, and was played at virtually every show until the group's final tour of Europe in 1980. One live version, from Led Zeppelin's performance at Knebworth in 1979, is featured on disc 2 of the Led Zeppelin DVD. During live performances, Plant often exclaimed, "Oh Jimmy!" right before Page went into his guitar solo.

Page and Plant would also record a version in 1994, released on their album No Quarter: Jimmy Page and Robert Plant Unledded. This version of the song is performed similarly to acoustic virtuoso John Renbourn's version as heard on his 1967 release "Another Monday". Page and Plant played an acoustic version on their subsequent 1995 No Quarter tour, sometimes swapping it with "When the Levee Breaks".

Jimmy Page performed this song on his tour with The Black Crowes in 1999. A version of "Nobodys Fault but Mine" performed by Page and The Black Crowes can be found on the album Live at the Greek.

Sources

  • Led Zeppelin: Dazed and Confused: The Stories Behind Every Song, by Chris Welch, ISBN 1-56025-818-7
  • The Complete Guide to the Music of Led Zeppelin, by Dave Lewis, ISBN 0-7119-3528-9
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"Nobody's Fault but Mine" was also played by the Grateful Dead about 20 times from July 17th 1966 until December 19th, 1994. Primarily used in the early 70's during the bands jazz era, often without the lyrics. 12/10/73 is a good example to listen to as well as 5/17/74, PNE coliseum Vancourver Canada.