Led Zeppelin released so many great albums in their day, but one stands head and shoulders above the others – “Led Zeppelin IV” remains a personal favourite, and few Rock albums have ever topped it.
I’ll be ranking all eight tracks thanks to the suggestion by commenter “Daniel” – make sure to get in contact if you have a specific ranking or post you want me to make!
Before we begin, you can check out some of my related blog posts below:
OK
8 – The Battle of Evermore
“Led Zeppelin IV” is the Zeppelin album I’ve listened to most, so I can confidently say that “The Battle of Evermore” is the worst track.
I can appreciate the Folk-y tone they’re going for, but it’s not for me.
Good
7 – Four Sticks
A classic riff executed well. “Four Sticks” doesn’t have the musical ingenuity of some of the other tracks, but it’s harmless.
6 – Misty Mountain Hop
In a similar vein to “Four Sticks”, “Misty Mountain Hop” is a simple riff played to perfection.
If I had to pick a favourite between the two, I’d pick “Misty Mountain Hop” for its joviality and bounciness.
Great
5 – Going to California
Led Zeppelin are known for their hard-hitting Rock bangers, so a song like “Going to California” is such a breath of fresh air.
The acoustic guitar performance is staggering, and the whole stripped-back production makes for a nice break on the album.
Amazing
4 – Rock and Roll
Four out of the eight songs made it to my “Amazing” tier – that’s exactly half, for any mathematicians out there. What an album!
“Rock and Roll” is the second song on the album, and it does a perfect job of sustaining the energy.
3 – Black Dog
One of the great Rock album openers.
The riff in “Black Dog” is to die for, and the breakdowns where the guitars and drums have two different time signatures was a stroke of genius.
2 – When the Levee Breaks
Whenever people talk about the greatest drum parts of all time, “When the Levee Breaks” is always at the forefront of the conversation.
The Bluesy guitar also adds an air of gravitas to one of the best Rock album closers I’ve heard.
All-Time Great
1 – Stairway to Heaven
Every time I reach “Stairway to Heaven” on the album, I always forget how it’s a real contender of being the greatest song of all time.
It’s an extraordinary accomplishment in songwriting and performance, with a climax that makes me overwhelmingly emotional every single time.
Aaaaand that’s my list! You can check out some of my latest blog posts below:
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