The Lemon Song: Difference between revisions
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Another notable aspect of this song is [[John Paul Jones (musician)|John Paul Jones]]' complex bass performance, which is heavily funk influenced. During interviews, it has been said by John Paul Jones himself that he had improvised during the entire song. Regardless of whether or not this is a fact, it is still considered by many to be his best bass performance to date. |
Another notable aspect of this song is [[John Paul Jones (musician)|John Paul Jones]]' complex bass performance, which is heavily funk influenced. During interviews, it has been said by John Paul Jones himself that he had improvised during the entire song. Regardless of whether or not this is a fact, it is still considered by many to be his best bass performance to date. |
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The song borrows significantly from [[Howlin' Wolf]]'s "[[Killing Floor (song)|Killing Floor]]", which was a song Led Zeppelin often incorporated into their live setlist during their first concert tour of the United States. For the [[Led Zeppelin North American Tour 1968/1969|second]] and [[Led Zeppelin North American Tour Spring 1969|third]] North American tours the song evolved into "The Lemon Song", with Plant often [[improvisation|improvising]] lyrics onstage. However, despite Howlin' Wolf's influence on the arrangement, the album sleeve of ''Led Zeppelin II'' initially credited only the four members of Led Zeppelin. The band was later sued for [[copyright infringement]], and Howlin' Wolf's name was added to the credits. |
The song borrows significantly from [[Howlin' Wolf]]'s "[[Killing Floor (song)|Killing Floor]]", which was a song Led Zeppelin often incorporated into their live setlist during their first concert tour of the United States. For the [[Led Zeppelin North American Tour 1968/1969|second]] and [[Led Zeppelin North American Tour Spring 1969|third]] North American tours the song evolved into "The Lemon Song", with Plant often [[improvisation|improvising]] lyrics onstage. However, despite Howlin' Wolf's influence on the arrangement, the album sleeve of ''Led Zeppelin II'' initially credited only the four members of Led Zeppelin. The band was later sued for [[copyright infringement]], and Howlin' Wolf's name was added to the credits.<ref name=Complete>Dave Lewis (1994), ''The Complete Guide to the Music of Led Zeppelin'', Omnibus Press, ISBN 0-7119-3528-9.</ref> |
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Other lyrics, notably "squeeze (my [[lemon]]) 'til the juice runs down my leg," can be traced to [[Robert Johnson (musician)|Robert Johnson]]'s "[[Traveling Riverside Blues]]". It is most likely that Johnson borrowed this himself, from a song recorded in the same year (1937) called "She Squeezed My Lemon" (by Arthur McKay).<ref name=tripleJ>[http://www.abc.net.au/triplej/music_specials/s1402502.htm Australian Broadcasting Corporation] - Triple J Music Specials - Led Zeppelin (first broadcast [[2000-07-12]])</ref> Robert Johnson's name has never been added to the credits for "The Lemon Song". |
Other lyrics, notably "squeeze (my [[lemon]]) 'til the juice runs down my leg," can be traced to [[Robert Johnson (musician)|Robert Johnson]]'s "[[Traveling Riverside Blues]]". It is most likely that Johnson borrowed this himself, from a song recorded in the same year (1937) called "She Squeezed My Lemon" (by Arthur McKay).<ref name=tripleJ>[http://www.abc.net.au/triplej/music_specials/s1402502.htm Australian Broadcasting Corporation] - Triple J Music Specials - Led Zeppelin (first broadcast [[2000-07-12]])</ref> Robert Johnson's name has never been added to the credits for "The Lemon Song". The song also borrowed from [[Albert King]]'s "Cross-Cut Saw".<ref name=Complete>Dave Lewis (1994), ''The Complete Guide to the Music of Led Zeppelin'', Omnibus Press, ISBN 0-7119-3528-9.</ref> |
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"The Lemon Song" was performed live on Led Zeppelin's first three [[concert tour]]s of the [[United States]] (on the first tour as "Killing Floor"), before being dropped from their live set in late [[1969]]. However, the 'squeeze my lemon' sequence continued to be inserted into the "[[Whole Lotta Love]]" medley and ad-libbed elsewhere.<ref name=Complete>Dave Lewis (1994), ''The Complete Guide to the Music of Led Zeppelin'', Omnibus Press, ISBN 0-7119-3528-9.</ref> |
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[[Jimmy Page]] performed this song on his tour with [[The Black Crowes]] in 1999. A version of "The Lemon Song" performed by Page and The Black Crowes can be found on the album ''[[Live at the Greek]]''. |
[[Jimmy Page]] performed this song on his tour with [[The Black Crowes]] in 1999. A version of "The Lemon Song" performed by Page and The Black Crowes can be found on the album ''[[Live at the Greek]]''. |
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Revision as of 12:05, 25 March 2008
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"The Lemon Song" is a song by English rock band Led Zeppelin, featured on their 1969 album Led Zeppelin II. It was recorded at Mystic Studios in Hollywood when the band was on their second concert tour of the United States.
"The Lemon Song" is laced with sexual innuendo, and features some of Led Zeppelin's most blues-influenced playing. It was recorded virtually live in the studio, and no electronic devices were used to create the echo on Robert Plant's vocal. It was made solely by Plant's voice and the acoustics in Mystic Studios, which was a 16 x 16 foot room with wooden walls.
Another notable aspect of this song is John Paul Jones' complex bass performance, which is heavily funk influenced. During interviews, it has been said by John Paul Jones himself that he had improvised during the entire song. Regardless of whether or not this is a fact, it is still considered by many to be his best bass performance to date.
The song borrows significantly from Howlin' Wolf's "Killing Floor", which was a song Led Zeppelin often incorporated into their live setlist during their first concert tour of the United States. For the second and third North American tours the song evolved into "The Lemon Song", with Plant often improvising lyrics onstage. However, despite Howlin' Wolf's influence on the arrangement, the album sleeve of Led Zeppelin II initially credited only the four members of Led Zeppelin. The band was later sued for copyright infringement, and Howlin' Wolf's name was added to the credits.[1]
Other lyrics, notably "squeeze (my lemon) 'til the juice runs down my leg," can be traced to Robert Johnson's "Traveling Riverside Blues". It is most likely that Johnson borrowed this himself, from a song recorded in the same year (1937) called "She Squeezed My Lemon" (by Arthur McKay).[2] Robert Johnson's name has never been added to the credits for "The Lemon Song". The song also borrowed from Albert King's "Cross-Cut Saw".[1]
"The Lemon Song" was performed live on Led Zeppelin's first three concert tours of the United States (on the first tour as "Killing Floor"), before being dropped from their live set in late 1969. However, the 'squeeze my lemon' sequence continued to be inserted into the "Whole Lotta Love" medley and ad-libbed elsewhere.[1]
Jimmy Page performed this song on his tour with The Black Crowes in 1999. A version of "The Lemon Song" performed by Page and The Black Crowes can be found on the album Live at the Greek.
References
- ^ a b c Dave Lewis (1994), The Complete Guide to the Music of Led Zeppelin, Omnibus Press, ISBN 0-7119-3528-9.
- ^ Australian Broadcasting Corporation - Triple J Music Specials - Led Zeppelin (first broadcast 2000-07-12)
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
