Zep's Stairway and Tolkien

[Bombadil]

I checked the archives, and noticed a small discussion on Led Zeppelin lyrics and how they relate to Tolkien's works. But there was no in depth discussion on stairway to Heaven, which Robert Plant (Zeppelin's lead singer) says has nothign to do with Tolkien. I think he's holfding out on us though... I was thinking it may be about the tale of Aragorn and Arwen. For instance the opening line:

There's a lady who's sure, all that glitters is gold, and she's buying a stairway to heaven"

This opening line brings to thought the first line of Aragorn's poem (All that is gold does not glitter...) Not to mention the "buying the stairway to heaven" part. Perhaps representing Arwen givning up her immortal life for Aragorn.

Perhaps Arwen's longing for going west with her people, and her conflicitng emotions are represented in the line:

There's a feeling I get, when I look to the West, and my spirit is crying for leaving

But anyways, I'll leave the lyrics to the full song, and open this up for interpretation and discussion. Hopefully we can branch out to other Zep songs too, because there aare so many!!

There's a lady who's sure all that glitters is gold
And she's buying a stairway to heaven.
When she gets there she knows, if the stores are all closed
With a word she can get what she came for.
Ooh, ooh, and she's buying a stairway to heaven.

There's a sign on the wall but she wants to be sure
'Cause you know sometimes words have two meanings.
In a tree by the brook, there's a songbird who sings,
Sometimes all of our thoughts are misgiven.
Ooh, it makes me wonder,
Ooh, it makes me wonder.

There's a feeling I get when I look to the west,
And my spirit is crying for leaving.
In my thoughts I have seen rings of smoke through the trees,
And the voices of those who stand looking.
Ooh, it makes me wonder,
Ooh, it really makes me wonder.

And it's whispered that soon if we all call the tune
Then the piper will lead us to reason.
And a new day will dawn for those who stand long
And the forests will echo with laughter.

If there's a bustle in your hedgerow, don't be alarmed now,
It's just a spring clean for the May queen.
Yes, there are two paths you can go by, but in the long run
There's still time to change the road you're on.
And it makes me wonder.

Your head is humming and it won't go, in case you don't know,
The piper's calling you to join him,
Dear lady, can you hear the wind blow, and did you know
Your stairway lies on the whispering wind.

And as we wind on down the road
Our shadows taller than our soul.
There walks a lady we all know
Who shines white light and wants to show
How everything still turns to gold.
And if you listen very hard
The tune will come to you at last.
When all are one and one is all
To be a rock and not to roll.

And she's buying a stairway to heaven

[Eomer of the Rohirrim]

I think he just 'namechecked' a few of Tolkien's famous lines. If Rob says its not about the Rings then why not take his word for it?

[ArathorofBarahir]

Go listen to the Battle of Evermore by Led Zeppelin, it mentions Ringwraiths, Aragorn and Arwen. Also Misty Mountain Hop and Ramble On are good songs too.

[Bombadil]

If peopel here haven't heard of Blind Guardian...you have to listen to them, they sing about tons of Tolkien's stories! But not subtle like Zeppelin.

[ArathorofBarahir]

Blind Guardian's songs are not subtle at all. The come out and say things about Men, Hobbits and Dwarves. If you like metal and LOTR go and download some of Blind Guardian's songs.

[Morgul Queen]

I am very much in love with the Curse of Feanor!

*sings along*

What?