Led Zeppelin "Ramble On"

"Ramble On" has all the best that Led Zeppelin has to offer. Starting with an acoustic melody and mystical lyrics of adventure, romance and epic travels "Ramble On" sounds very much like an English folk tune. Until the electric guitar kicks in and we're rocking out to Jimmy Page power chords and John Bonham's powerful drumming. This is the classic early Zeppelin tune - the "Babe I'm Gonna Leave You" of Led Zeppelin II.

This song contains everything that's great about Led Zeppelin: acoustic melodies, a powerful electric guitar riff, a solo that you can sing, strong bass and drums, great lyrics. This is four excellent musicians creating a fifth element: that sound. That Led Zeppelin sound. It's all here, one of their classic numbers on arguably their best album. "Ramble On" fits perfectly onto Led Zeppelin II. Just when you think the album has slowed for a folksy number filled with images of magic and Lord of the Rings, Bonham's snare drum kicks this song to life and you, in your car, singing along with the CD player shout out "Ramble on!"

"Baby baby baby baby baby baby baby baby baby...I've got to keep a-searching for my baby...."

Is there a better Led Zeppelin song to sing along with than this one?

Aside from the energy of this song, this is an early example of Jimmy Page's use of extensive overdubbing, not only with his guitar licks but Robert Plant's vocals. By the end of this song, there must be about four tracks where Plan adlibs on top of himself while we slowly fade out. It's a great showcase of orchestration, one of Zeppelin's best studio tricks, where you get that thick, layered sound without ever losing the crisp, raw power of the four musicians.

One of the best versions of this song has to be from the 2007 reunion concert at the O2 in London. I have a bootleg recording from the crowd, which is great for many reasons (the chatter among fans, loveable Zeppheads singing off key or singing the wrong lyrics, and the overall exuberance of the excited crowd). The best part is when Zep gets to the chorus and 20,000 fans shout out "Ramble on!"

I can only imagine what it would have been like to be in that crowd, watching the world's greatest rock and roll band celebrate their best music. "Ramble On" is an example of the band at its best. "Ramble On" is not just a great Led Zeppelin song - it's a great song!