where does this song rank in the greatest songs EVER?

Question

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_mNjd-hnxbs

# 1

Answer 1

At The Very Top

(Led Zeppelin IV) "Stairway to Heaven" it is the most requested and most played song on FM radio stations in the United States, despite never being released as a single there.

"Stairway to Heaven" continues to top radio lists of the greatest rock songs, as well as topping a recent Guitar World poll. As at 2000, the song had been broadcast on radio over three million times. It is also the biggest-selling single piece of sheet music clocking up an average of 15,000 copies yearly. In total, over one million copies have been sold.

The song's length precluded its release in full form as a single. Despite pressure from Atlantic Records the band would not authorize the editing of the song for single release, making "Stairway to Heaven" one of the most well-known and popular rock songs never to have been released as a single. It did, however, appear as a promotional disc in the United States, on an Australian acoustic EP, and in the 1990s as a 20th anniversary promo book.

Answer 2

I think that the solo's didn't exactly make those songs, it's just merely coincidence they happened to have good solos. Bohemian Rhapsody for instance didn't become infamous because of it's solo. Actually, the solo long at all, or even much of a solo. It is a great song because Queen created a song in a style that nobody had seen since the classical era. Bohemian Rhapsody is made of different movements, making it even more musically pleasing, and giving it diversity. It is a one of a kind song, nothing has really been made like it for a century before, and probably wont be for centuries to come. The other songs are great for other reasons as well, because when they start playing you immeadiately know who it is, and because of the way they make you feel. They sound different from other songs in a good way, not like music today, where you hear a song by a band, and you pretty much have heard all of there songs.

Answer 3

It's got to be in the top 10. Never mind the possible 'influences'; no-one except Zeppelin could have made this what it is. For someone to suggest they had no influence on musical culture is staggering. Music was never the same after Led Zeppelin exploded onto the scene. Just think of all those that tried (largely very unsuccessfully) to imitate them.

Stairway may be overplayed but it is still a masterpiece. The way the tension and intensity grow is perfect. And Bonham's drums could only have come in when they did (and when they do, it's so inevitable one almost doesn't notice it's happened).

I'm drooling at the thought of the O2 reunion in London next month. No, I won't be going (there have been 28,000,000 advance ticket applications!!) but I bet there'll be an awesome DVD. Can't wait!

Answer 4

For me, somewhere around the Top 50 or so. Used to like the song a lot, but I like better Led Zeppelin songs now. It's still a great song though. You should try other Zeppelin songs though.

And yeah, Led Zeppelin does have a history of stealing, but that apparently has had no effect on their reputation. Their first album was approximately half a "cover" album, but that still doesn't mean it wasn't good. Even though they stole, those songs were still pretty good.

Answer 5

Borrowing from both Spirit's "Taurus" and The Chocolate Watchband's "And She's Lonely," it stands as the single most famous rip-off in history.

Be angry if you want, but Zeppelin has a very long history of "borrowing" riffs, lyrics, and in some cases entire songs without remembering to credit the original artists, thus denying them royalties.

I fully expect many thumbs-down from the willfully ignorant, but know that I still listen to them despite their thievery.

EDIT: You claim they've had "zero impact"? Well I think directly inspiring such a now-famous song counts as impact. Jimmy Page certainly thought they were something worth imitating (Zeppelin opened for Spirit on a few occasions back when they played Taurus, and has admitted the influence).

Don't blame me for your own ignorance. I don't care if the average man on the street could name those bands any more than I care if they could tell me who the Silver Apples are (and I'd be surprised if you could either). Nevertheless, musical influence is not measured in the number of fans you have. A common story is that the Velvet Underground's first album sold roughly 1000 or so copies altogether, but everyone who bought it went out and started a band. That is influence.

Answer 6

To rank it at all is merely giving in to the greatest rock and roll cliche of all time. Totally overrated song and a poor choice to judge Led Zeppelin.

Answer 7

Familiarity Breeds Contempt:
People who love Zeppelin are quick to get defensive over this song because they have plenty of other songs in their catalog that are just as good (if not better) that don't get the same recognition. I think that maybe it's not that the song is overrated, but that it's overplayed. It is a really good song, but it's been hyped as being one of the best for so long that we tend to want to debate that because of the mainstream. That being said, yes, it is one of the 10 best, but so are plenty of their other songs!

Answer 8

In the Top 3.

If it's the live 1972 version, then for me that's No.1

Answer 9

It's in the top 10!

Answer 10

yeah, definitley in the top 10!

most likely somewhere around the top 5, but that depends on my mood.

great song, only jimmy page can make both the acoustic and electric guitars come together into brilliance