Godwin ObajeLed Zeppelin’s legacy as pioneers of hard rock and proto-metal is undisputed, but narrowing down the band’s greatest album opener is no small task. Across their discography, the British rock legends delivered a string of unforgettable tracks that set the tone for the albums they led. In a recent ranking by Ultimate Classic Rock, journalist Nick DeRiso declared one track above all others: 1970’s thunderous “Immigrant Song.”
“The band’s album opening songs are as varied and interesting as the LPs that followed,” DeRiso writes. “Together, they provide a road map as the band quickly transcended their foundational influences to redraw the rules for what hard rock could be.” At the top of his list, he places “Immigrant Song” from Led Zeppelin III — and it’s hard to argue with that choice.
Kicking off with Robert Plant’s primal wail and underpinned by John Bonham’s relentless, galloping drums, “Immigrant Song” wastes no time in asserting itself. The track bursts forth with an energy that is both ferocious and focused — a jolt of raw power that opened a record otherwise known for its quieter, more acoustic tones.
As DeRiso notes: “Plant unleashes an unforgettable wail before this galloping song gets underway, giving little hint of the more acoustic turn that III soon takes. Page, Jones and Bonham honed the relentless basic track at Olympic Studios, with the rest completed at Headley Grange.”
The song’s origins add to its mythos. Inspired by a tour of Iceland, Plant found himself restless under the constant daylight of the northern summer. “His thoughts inevitably turned to ‘Vikings,’” DeRiso explains, “and ‘big ships.’ Countless future heavy metal acts followed him there.”
Indeed, “Immigrant Song” not only set the tone for Led Zeppelin III, but also planted a musical seed that countless bands would later follow. Despite Led Zeppelin’s general resistance to releasing singles, the overwhelming force of “Immigrant Song” was impossible to ignore. As Far Out magazine notes: “Led Zeppelin were reticent to release singles during their run, but the power of ‘Immigrant Song’ just couldn’t be ignored.”
In a separate feature for Audio Ink Radio, writer Charles Ken highlights Bonham’s rhythmic innovation on the track. “Rhythmically, Led Zeppelin wanted to switch it up to fit this heavy song. So, John Bonham created the galloping drum pattern that propels the song and helped cement Bonham’s status as a legendary drummer. His right foot, known for its ferocious bass drum stomp, is particularly noteworthy on ‘Immigrant Song.’”
Ken adds: “Led Zeppelin always stayed true to their heavy music roots, even though they were hesitant to be labeled as ‘heavy metal.’”
While debates over Zeppelin’s best track or album will rage on, “Immigrant Song” remains a towering force in their catalogue — a sonic battle cry that helped define a genre.
Godwin Obaje
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