Pink Floyd vs Led Zeppelin
Hello folks, welcome to another post that’s going to be put in the Music section. It’s been awhile since one of these has been done, almost 3 years ago. Today’s post will see two very acclaimed classic rock bands in a versus match together- Led Zeppelin vs Pink Floyd. This is an opinion piece and is very subjective. I will be taking 3 songs from each band that I have on my Spotify (I only have 3 songs from each band anyway). Without further ado, let’s get into it. Just so you know I am by NOOOOOO means a music expert. This is a biased opinion piece 100%.
LZ’s Immigrant Song vs PF’s Another Brick in the Wall
The iconic, adventurous, energetic, excitable guitar riff throughout the entirety of Immigrant Song and the very catchy, iconic AH-AH-AH! by Robert Plant are all this song needs to establish itself as a rock classic. Its added bonus are the lyrics of Norse mythology. The rhythm, the tune, and the beat to this song make you want to go out on your own crazy adventure. It’s only downside is its short length. Perhaps a tad too overused in movies and trailers. ABITW starts with such a wicked cold opening, a screeching note for about a second. While the lyrics may not be deep and the subject being about schoolchildren defying the authority figures, it’s the accompanying tune and the bass guitar of the song that make it far from a children’s song. No vulgarity whatsoever and the message still gets across. Leave us alone teacher, we don’t wanna listen to you anymore. You’re just another brick in the wall is saying how the kids are tired of listening to the educational societal norms that shape and oppress them. They are saying the teacher is just another brick on the metaphorical wall that is proving an obstacle for them and is isolating them from society. This is all according to what I found on the internet in what the lyrics signify for this song. The way that David Gilmour and Roger Waters sing it so smoothly is a point and the choir of kids singing also adds to it. Makes it feel more genuine from kids’ perspectives. The solo is alright. As one who enjoys a good deep meaning and metaphors, this one goes to PF. It’s just a better song in general as well. That bass really helped.
LZ’s Stairway to Heaven vs PF’s Time
Stairway to Heaven is an all-time classic. The slow build-up to the climax is its genius, though how long it takes to get there can be jarring and listening to Plant sing slowly for 4 whole minutes can kind of put me to sleep if I’m not in the mood. It begins picking up pace at the 4 minute mark and at 4:20 is when I can really start jamming out. The lyrics are metaphorical which I don’t really care for interpreting what they really mean if I’m to be honest, I just like the way the song sounds. The solo at 5:55 is the best part of the song for me as Plant proceeds to sing with distortion around 6:45 and makes the song the reason why I like it. And then it ends at 8:02. Time by PF is a relatively newer one to me as I first heard it in a movie a couple years ago. The band’s choice to include clock sounds is an interesting one, I am indifferent towards them. The first sounds of clock hands and gears moving is fine but I personally think the clocks ringing and chiming at 8 seconds is unnecessary. Doesn’t bother me but they do come out of nowhere and feel a bit unfitting for a song. Plus they’re loud. We then hear a countdown at 0:27 and the first guitar strum at 43 seconds in and drums following shortly after plus the organ making high-pitched chime-like sounds. It’s quite ponderous. The drumming on the rototoms give a primal, universal feel, as I begin to think existentially and the organ chimes make me think of the universe and the great vastness of space that is over our heads and planet. The combination of all these instruments bring introspective, very thoughtful, feelings and thoughts to me. The bass guitar is the best part, evoking thoughts of how great a miracle it is that human life has evolved to where it is now and what we’ve achieved and all the abstracts, concepts, and philosophies that have accompanied our evolution. The singing begins at 2:19 by David Gilmour. According to Rogers, the song is about the realization that life is not about being prepared for what may come next but controlling your own destiny. The solo begins at 3:18 and goes for almost a minute and a half: nothing super emotional but Gilmour shreds as if he’s playing the melancholic blues of the universe. This one goes out to the one I love…..er I mean……. to PF once again. (Sorry R.E.M.)
LZ’s Kashmir vs PF’s Comfortably Numb
Kashmir sounds cool. Come on, it does. It sounds like The Avengers theme but that isn’t why I like it haha. In fact, I didn’t even associate it with The Avengers theme when I first heard it. That’s something my wife picked up. For a repetitive tune, it doesn’t get annoying. And then the I I I I I-I, I I I I I-I-I, on the Mellotron is also a catchy little quick-tune. The strings part at 3:25 is also appreciated and of course the part they play throughout the whole song- the tune itself. It’s the strings who are the real winner of this song and the little quirky tune they begin providing at 1:19 is the 2nd best part. The rest of the song is the same. Now onto Comfortably Numb. It’s a good song, my personal favourite over Time and ABINW. Simple lyrics to understand. Nice, deep, brooding tune in minor key. All I picture is a man lying on a couch in session with a psychologist as he speaks the lyrics to him. The song is not hopeful. I would describe it as sad. The sorrowful tune certainly speaks to it. It’s the second solo at 4:31 which really brings home the sadness of whatever condition it is the patient has. Very blue-sy , the fact that he has to deal with it and there doesn’t seem to be a real solution to it but that he’s accepted it. Folks, this one goes to PF again. Three for three.
The verdict is in people. Pink Floyd is the preferred band in my tastes. Next time it’s Duran Duran vs Tears for Fears. Thank you, come again! (in Apu’s voice)