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"Houses of the Holy" is a song by English rock band Led Zeppelin from their 1975 sixth album Physical Graffiti. The name of the song was used as the title of the band's fifth album, although it was not included on that album; they decided the song did not fit well with the other album material, so it was moved to the subsequent release.

Composition and recording

In order to create the layered guitar introduction and fade-out, Page used a Delta T digital delay unit. The squeak of John Bonham's drum pedal can be heard throughout the song.

Record producer Rick Rubin has remarked, "This is a funk jam with really interesting, jazzy chords. It's one of their more compact feeling songs. And it's the only Zep song to use what sounds like a cowbell."

Live performances

The song was never played live by Led Zeppelin, though Robert Plant performed it with the Band of Joy during his 2010 solo tour. Additionally, Jimmy Page and the Black Crowes tested out the song in rehearsals for their 2000 tour, but dropped it before touring began.

Reception

In a contemporary review of Physical Graffiti, Jim Miller of Rolling Stone gave "Houses of the Holy" a positive review, saying "Plant's lyrics mesh perfectly with Page's stuttering licks." Miller continues "Here again, the details are half the fun: Bonham kicks the cut along with a cowbell while the two final verses add what sounds like a squeaky chorus of "doit"s behind the vocal; Plant meanwhile is almost inaudibly overdubbed on the song's central chorus, underlining the phrase "let the music be your master.""

Personnel

According to Jean-Michel Guesdon and Philippe Margotin:

• Robert Plant – vocals, tambourine (?)
• Jimmy Page – electric guitars, backing vocals (?)
• John Paul Jones – bass, backing vocals (?)
• John Bonham – drums, cowbell, backing vocals (?)

See also

• List of cover versions of Led Zeppelin songs – "Houses of the Holy" entries

References

1. Miller, Jim (27 March 1975). "Led Zeppelin – Physical Graffiti". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 13 March 2014.
2. ^ Lewis, Dave (1994). The Complete Guide to the Music of Led Zeppelin. Omnibus Press. ISBN 0-7119-3528-9.
3. "Fifty Artists Pick Their Personal Top 10s – Rick Rubin: Led Zeppelin". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on 11 December 2010.
4. Derrough, Leslie Michele (13 August 2010). "Robert Plant: Saenger Theatre, Mobile, AL 7/28/10". Glide Magazine. Archived from the original on 16 August 2010.
5. Basham, David (9 March 2000). "Jimmy Page, Crowes Discuss Possible Set Lists". MTV News. Archived from the original on 1 June 2016. Retrieved 31 August 2015.
6. ^ Miller, Jim (27 March 1975). "Physical Graffiti". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 28 July 2017.
7. Guesdon & Margotin 2018, p. 386.

Bibliography

• Guesdon, Jean-Michel; Margotin, Philippe (2018). Led Zeppelin All the Songs: The Story Behind Every Track. Running Press. ISBN 978-0-316-448-67-3.

• 1975 songs
• Led Zeppelin songs
• Songs written by Jimmy Page
• Songs written by Robert Plant
• Song recordings produced by Jimmy Page
• Swan Song Records singles