Trampled Under Foot

Infobox Single
Name = Trampled Under Foot


Artist = Led Zeppelin
from Album = Physical Graffiti
Released = 24 February 1975
B-side = "Black Country Woman"
track_no = 5
Recorded = 1974
Genre = Hard rock
Length = 5:35
Label = Swan Song Records
Writer = Page/Plant/Jones
Producer = Jimmy Page
Misc =
Last single = "D'yer Mak'er" / "The Crunge"
(1973)
This single = "Trampled Under Foot" / "Black Country Woman"
(1974)
Next single = "Candy Store Rock" / "Royal Orleans"
(1976)
Misc = Extra tracklisting
Album = Physical Graffiti
Type = studio
prev_track = "Houses of the Holy"
prev_no = 4
this_track = "Trampled Under Foot"
track_no = 5
next_track = "Kashmir"
next_no = 6

"Trampled Under Foot" (also sometimes seen as "Trampled Underfoot") is a song by English rock group Led Zeppelin, featured on their 1975 album "Physical Graffiti".

The song was written by Robert Plant, Jimmy Page and John Paul Jones, and evolved out of a jam session in 1972. [Godwin, Robert (2003), "Led Zeppelin: The Press Reports", Collector's Guide Publishing, ISBN 1-896522-41-6 p. 321] The lyrics were inspired by blues musician Robert Johnson's 1936 "Terraplane Blues."Dave Lewis (1994), "The Complete Guide to the Music of Led Zeppelin", Omnibus Press, ISBN 0-7119-3528-9.] A Terraplane is a classic car, and the song uses car parts as metaphors for sex—"pump your gas," "rev all night," etc. [http://www.songfacts.com/detail.php?id=352 Trampled Underfoot by Led Zeppelin Songfacts] ] The themes of these songs however differ; "Terraplane Blues" is about infidelity, while "Trampled Under Foot" is about giving in to sexual temptation. [Godwin, Robert. "Led Zeppelin: Alchemists of the '70s", "Goldmine", 24 August 1990, p. 13.]

Much rehearsal went into perfecting the relentless semi-funk riff that dominates this song.Dave Lewis (1994), "The Complete Guide to the Music of Led Zeppelin", Omnibus Press, ISBN 0-7119-3528-9.] John Paul Jones has credited Stevie Wonder with the inspiration for the beat, which he played on a clavinet.Snow, Mat, “The Secret Life of a Superstar”, "Mojo magazine", December 2007.] Dave Lewis (1994), "The Complete Guide to the Music of Led Zeppelin", Omnibus Press, ISBN 0-7119-3528-9.] While both riffs are funky with a vaguely similar pattern, they are readily distinguishable. [Kehew, Brian. [http://www.geocities.com/jpjkeys/clavinet.html "The Keyboards of Led Zeppelin and John Paul Jones"] ] Backed with a solid backbeat from Bonham, the song would later be sampled in dance remixes and the BBC television programme the "Old Grey Whistle Test", synchronised the song with a black and white filmclip featuring dance hall girls. Guitarist Jimmy Page played wah-wah and employed backwards echo on the recording.Dave Lewis (1994), "The Complete Guide to the Music of Led Zeppelin", Omnibus Press, ISBN 0-7119-3528-9.] Steven Rosen, [http://www.modernguitars.com/archives/003340.html 1977 Jimmy Page Interview] , "Modern Guitars", 25 May 2007 (originally published in the July 1977, issue of "Guitar Player" magazine).]

"Trampled Under Foot" became a standard part of Led Zeppelin concerts from 1975 onwards, being played on every tour until 1980.Dave Lewis (1994), "The Complete Guide to the Music of Led Zeppelin", Omnibus Press, ISBN 0-7119-3528-9.] It was also performed at Led Zeppelin's reunion show at the O2 Arena, London on 10 December 2007. When the song was played live, the band would often extend it with lengthy guitar and keyboard solos, and sometimes segue it into the song "Gallows Pole." Along with "No Quarter," "Trampled Under Foot" showcased Jones' skills as a keyboard player when performed on stage. A notable example is the version played at the Earls Court Arena in 1975, as featured on the "Led Zeppelin DVD", which includes an extended solo by Jones on a Hohner Clavinet D6.

It is also notable that Plant rarely sang all the different verses of the song live, and sang a verse (with small alterations sometimes) twice or even three times.

"Trampled Under Foot" was frequently played on the radio when it was first released, charting at #38 on Billboard's Hot 100 chart. One of Plant's favorite Led Zeppelin songs, he sang it on his 1988 "Now and Zen" tour, and also at his daughter Carmen's 21st birthday party in November 1989, with Jason Bonham on drums.

Led Zeppelin did not release any singles in the United Kingdom until 1997, when "Whole Lotta Love" was released 28 years after it was written. There were several pressings made of "Trampled Under Foot" as a single in 1975 in time for the band's Earl's Court concerts, but they were all shelved before being released, and are today highly sought-after collectors items.Dave Lewis (1994), "The Complete Guide to the Music of Led Zeppelin", Omnibus Press, ISBN 0-7119-3528-9.]

References

ources

*"Led Zeppelin: Dazed and Confused: The Stories Behind Every Song", by Chris Welch, ISBN 1-56025-818-7
*"The Complete Guide to the Music of Led Zeppelin", by Dave Lewis, ISBN 0-7119-3528-9

External links

* Review: [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=33:ooj20r5ac40v All Music Guide]