When Led Zeppelin’s self-titled record came out in 1969, the world of rock and roll was forever changed. The band had all the elements for success: a mysterious guitar player who could shred, a vocalist who could hit all the high notes, a bass player who could hold down a groove, and a drummer who’s often regarded as the best. Led Zeppelin is often considered to be the greatest rock and roll band of all time and their music has influenced countless around the world. However despite seeing some amazing levels of success, the band has often been criticized for stealing, ripping off, and plagiarizing songs from others. This is always a serious matter, but with Led Zeppelin they were accused of doing such things more than once. We are going to take a look at a list of seven songs that Led Zeppelin were accused of ripping off.
7. “In My Time of Dying ” – Physical Graffiti
Released in 1975, Physical Graffiti was the sixth album that Led Zeppelin put out. The album was extremely well received and had many positive views, however some people noticed a discrepancy with the song “In My Time of Dying”. By discrepancy I mean that people felt Zeppelin stole the song from a well known gospel song performed by many including Bob Dylan. While no legal discourse came about over the song, people felt that it was stolen because the lyrics are strikingly similar, and you know, they have the same name.
Led Zeppelin – “In My Time of Dying”
Blind Willie Johnson – “In My Time of Dying”
6. “Since I’ve Been Loving You” – Led Zeppelin III
Next up on our list we’ve got the song “Since I’ve Been Loving You”. Led Zeppelin III surprised many fans as it was more folk inspired album and it featured extensive use of acoustic guitars, a stark difference from their previous two albums. The song in question is slow and mellow and Jimmy Page, John Paul Jones, and Robert Plant are all credited as song writers. While it is a great song, there are some problems. People have argued that the band ripped of the song “Never” by Moby Grape because the two song very similar, and “Since I’ve Been Loving You” even has some of the same lyrics as “Never”. You be the judge:
Led Zeppelin – “Since I’ve Been Loving You”
5. “Whole Lotta Love” – Led Zeppelin
Off of their first album Led Zeppelin, “Whole Lotta Love” is one of the standout tracks and a favorite by many. The song drew a lot of influences from the blues, but it looks like it drew to many. The song was criticized to rip-off the song “You Need Love” which was performed by Muddy Waters and written by Willie Dixon. Apparently that song was popular to rip-off as the band The Small Faces also had a song that sounded very similar. Led Zeppelin would eventually be sued over this song. You’ve got to admit that the songs are extremely similar when you read the lyrics and listen to the vocal melodies.
Led Zeppelin – “Whole Lotta Love”
Muddy Waters – “You Need Love”
4. “Bring it On Home” – Led Zeppelin II
“Bring it On Home” was the last track on Zeppelin’s second record and it is split up into two distinct sections. The intro in particular is quite long and apparently was “a tribute to ‘Bring it On Home'”, a song performed by Sonny Boy Williamson and written by Willie Dixon. There’s no mistake that the songs are extremely similar, however on the record only Page and Plant are credited as song writers. In 1972 this was changed to also include Willie Dixon. It seems like the boys really liked Dixon’s work, perhaps a little too much.
Led Zeppelin – “Bring it On Home”
Sonny Boy Williamson – “Bring it On Home”
3. “Stairway to Heaven” – Led Zeppelin IV
“Stairway to Heaven” is easily the most famous and well known track from Led Zeppelin, but unfortunately it may seems like they stole some of it. While not the entire song is a rip-off, the intro of the song is extremely similar to the song “Taurus” by the band Spirit. There is currently an ongoing legal debate to decide if Zeppelin stole the material.
Led Zeppelin – “Stairway to Heaven”
2. “The Lemon Song” – Led Zeppelin II
Another song that Zeppelin was accused of ripping off was “The Lemon Song”. Everyone knows Zeppelin was strongly influenced by the blues, but sometimes it seems they got carried away. The song “Killing Floor” by Howlin’ Wolf sounds similar and the guitar riffs and lyrics are also very similar. It’s just weird because all the blues musicians they allegedly ripped off are some of the most prominent and well known figures in the blues.
Led Zeppelin – “The Lemon Song”
Howlin’ Wolf – “Killing Floor”
1. “Dazed and Confused” – Led Zeppelin
“Dazed and Confused” is one of my favorite songs from Zeppelin, however it seems that its another song the band ripped off. Before Zeppelin was a band, Jimmy Page was in the band The Yardbirds and they played with the folk singer Jake Holmes. Holmes wrote a song called “Dazed and Confused” long before Zeppelin, and Jimmy Page adapted and altered the song to be used by Zeppelin. Holmes would go on to eventually sue Led Zeppelin over the matter. You’ve got to admit that the songs are extremely alike.
Led Zeppelin – “Dazed and Confused”
Jake Holmes – “Dazed and Confused”
Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images
