Nobody's Fault but Mine: Difference between revisions
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The track features a phase-treated, [[delta blues]]-based riff in E minor (and later E major) from [[Jimmy Page]] which is complemented by vocalist [[Robert Plant]]. Jimmy Page triple-tracked his guitar intro; playing one guitar an octave higher than the others. |
The track features a phase-treated, [[delta blues]]-based riff in E minor (and later E major) from [[Jimmy Page]] which is complemented by vocalist [[Robert Plant]]. Jimmy Page triple-tracked his guitar intro; playing one guitar an octave higher than the others. |
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[[Drummer]] [[John Bonham]] and [[bass guitar|bassist]] [[John Paul Jones (musician)|John Paul Jones]] maintain the rhythm of the song, adding some [[Syncopation|syncopated]] accents during repetitions of the introductory phrase. The |
[[Drummer]] [[John Bonham]] and [[bass guitar|bassist]] [[John Paul Jones (musician)|John Paul Jones]] maintain the rhythm of the song, adding some [[Syncopation|syncopated]] accents during repetitions of the introductory phrase. The first half of the song also features a [[harmonica]] accompaniment by Plant.<ref name=Complete>Dave Lewis (1994), ''The Complete Guide to the Music of Led Zeppelin'', Omnibus Press, ISBN 0-7119-3528-9.</ref> |
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Many of the lyrics in the song such as "Devil he told me to roll" are traditional although [[Delta blues|delta blues]] singer [[Blind Willie Johnson]], recorded a similar song in 1927 called "[[It's Nobody's Fault But Mine]]". The 1927 version was about Johnson worrying about not physically being able to read his Bible, suffering from blindness, and incurring the wrath of [[God of the Bible|God]]. |
Many of the lyrics in the song such as "Devil he told me to roll" are traditional although [[Delta blues|delta blues]] singer [[Blind Willie Johnson]], recorded a similar song in 1927 called "[[It's Nobody's Fault But Mine]]". The 1927 version was about Johnson worrying about not physically being able to read his Bible, suffering from blindness, and incurring the wrath of [[God of the Bible|God]]. |
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Revision as of 09:06, 10 February 2009
| "Nobody's Fault but Mine" | |
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"Nobody's Fault but Mine" is a song by English rock band Led Zeppelin, released in 1976 on their album Presence.
Overview
The track features a phase-treated, delta blues-based riff in E minor (and later E major) from Jimmy Page which is complemented by vocalist Robert Plant. Jimmy Page triple-tracked his guitar intro; playing one guitar an octave higher than the others.
Drummer John Bonham and bassist John Paul Jones maintain the rhythm of the song, adding some syncopated accents during repetitions of the introductory phrase. The first half of the song also features a harmonica accompaniment by Plant.[1]
Many of the lyrics in the song such as "Devil he told me to roll" are traditional although delta blues singer Blind Willie Johnson, recorded a similar song in 1927 called "It's Nobody's Fault But Mine". The 1927 version was about Johnson worrying about not physically being able to read his Bible, suffering from blindness, and incurring the wrath of God.
When the album Presence was released, the lyrics of "Nobody's Fault but Mine" invited speculation as to what the song was actually about.[citation needed]
Live history
From 1977 onwards, "Nobody's Fault but Mine" became a vital component of Led Zeppelin concerts, and was played at virtually every show until the group's final tour of Europe in 1980.[1] One live version, from Led Zeppelin's performance at Knebworth in 1979, is featured on disc 2 of the Led Zeppelin DVD. During live performances, Plant often exclaimed, "Oh Jimmy!" right before Page went into his guitar solo.
"Nobody's Fault but Mine" was performed at Led Zeppelin's reunion show at the O2 Arena, London on December 10, 2007.
Other versions
Robert Plant performed a version of the song during his solo tours in 1988 and 1990.
Jimmy Page performed this song on his tour with The Black Crowes in 1999. A version of "Nobody's Fault but Mine" performed by Page and The Black Crowes can be found on the album Live at the Greek.
Page and Plant would also record a version in 1994, released on their album No Quarter: Jimmy Page and Robert Plant Unledded. Page and Plant played an acoustic version on their subsequent 1995 No Quarter tour, sometimes swapping it with "When the Levee Breaks".
A version of the song, with restored lyrics, was recorded by the rock band The 77s on their album Drowning With Land In Sight. Their credits indicate "with apologies to Blind Willie Johnson". [2] [3]
Led Zeppelin parody cover band Dread Zeppelin also recorded a version of this song on their album 5,000,000. A version of this song was played intermittently by Jerry Garcia with the Grateful Dead throughout their career, sometimes with lyrics, sometimes without.[citation needed]
References
Sources
- 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
