The Lemon Song
| The Lemon Song | |
|---|---|
| Appears on | Led Zeppelin II |
| Published by | Sunflower Music |
| Registration | ASCAP 420153935 |
| Release date | 22 October 1969 |
| Recorded | May - August 1969 |
| Genre | Blues-rock |
| Language | English |
| Length | 6 min 18 sec |
| Composer | Jimmy Page, Robert Plant, John Paul Jones, John Bonham |
| Label | Atlantic Records |
| Producer | Jimmy Page |
| Engineer | Chris Huston |
"The Lemon Song" is a song by English rock band Led Zeppelin, featured on their 1969 album Led Zeppelin II. It was first recorded at Mirror Sound Studios, Hollywood in May 1969, and completed at Mystic Studios in August 1969, when the band was on their second concert tour of the United States.
Overview
"The Lemon Song" is laced with blues innuendos, and features some of Led Zeppelin's most structured jamming. 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.[1]
Another notable aspect of this song is John Paul Jones' complex bass performance, which is heavily funk influenced. During interviews afterwards, he said that he had improvised during the entire song.
"The Lemon Song" was performed live on Led Zeppelin's first three concert tours of the United States, 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.[2]
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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Cover versions
- 1993: DMZ (Feel the Power! [recorded live 1984])
- 2000: Jimmy Page & The Black Crowes (Live at the Greek)
- 2000: Dread Zeppelin (De-jah Voodoo)
- 2006: Zepparella (Girls Got Rhythm!)
- 2006: Bill Roberts (Raw Material)
- 2006: Studio 99 (Led Zeppelin: A Tribute)
Notes
- ↑ Dave Lewis (1994), The Complete Guide to the Music of Led Zeppelin, Omnibus Press, ISBN 0-7119-3528-9
- ↑ Dave Lewis (1994), The Complete Guide to the Music of Led Zeppelin, Omnibus Press, ISBN 0-7119-3528-9.