As Steve Harris from Iron maiden said this song John Bonham takes you into battle with John Paul Jones with that galloping and Bonzo's machine gun drumming! Harris said this song was a big inspiration to him and galloping became a Iron Maiden signature sound! And Achilles last is proto power metal!
Life Long Zep fan..so many great songs..Achilles has become my fav over the years, for the reasons you noted…each are at their stylistically best in this one.
The whole album is amazing, check the whole thing out, you won't regret it. It's one of the best produced Zep albums in their discography and they are all in their prime here.
The Song was about getting tour dates. It was called Achilles last stand because Robert Plant sang this song from a wheelchair after hurting his leg in an accident in Greece
I think this is basically about the feelings of being on tour with the band but it's called Achilles last stand because it was recorded while Robert Plant was in a wheelchair recovering from a car accident that so badly damaged his ankle it wasn't clear whether or when he would be able to walk again. In mythology Achilles weakness was his heel.
I think it's one of the great puns in rock. Achilles the Warrior's last stand, as well as Robert's bad ankle/Achilles tendon causing him to be unable to stand, lol.
The lyrics refer to Zeppelin on tour in the USA more than anything else. ln particular the 1975 tour,,which was almost his "Last Stand" as he had the car crash on a tour break and the rest of the tour was cancelled,
This song has a combination of influences. It basically tells the story of trips Jimmy and Robert took to Morocco. The tongue-in-cheek title is a reference to Robert's car crash injuries being compared to Achilles' weak heel, where if Achilles got hit there, he would die. There's a bit of William Blake's poetry when he mentions Albion. "Albion" used to be a poetic way to describe Britain. The "mighty arms of Atlas" refer both to the mythology of Atlas holding the world on his shoulders, as well as the Atlas Mountains in Morocco. This song is intense. I consider it the last of their "Epics" along with Stairway and Kashmir. Jimmy had 6 guitar tracks and managed to assemble and complete the entire song in one night. The album as a whole was completed in three weeks; the fastest they'd worked since their debut album. The staccato drumming sounds like a machine gun and Jonesy's galloping bass line imply swift, anxious movement. Ann and Nancy Wilson from Heart readily admit they stole the bass line for their song Barracuda. Robert tells a story about a time he had a friend over to visit and while they chatted, he had music playing. At one point, he stepped out of the room and shortly thereafter, his guest came looking for him and told him they didn't want to be in the room alone anymore because the music playing was too intense. Intrigued, Robert came back to the room and the song playing was Achilles. This entire album is massively underrated; it is full of intensity, anxiety, anger, pain, - a lot of difficult emotions.
Great reaction to a great song. Thanks! I wouldn't mind hearing your reaction to even the Led Zeppelin songs you are familiar with because you pick up on things most other reactors don't. It would be interesting to hear what you think of those as well. ;)
Just discovered your channel. Very good reactions from musicians are special. Watching you take in everything that was going on was GREAT. My favorite track, since you asked 😁 - is from LZ III - Since I've Been Loving You - Led Zepp blues at its best IMO - and the live performance at Madison Square Garden is unbelievably good - really. And Page's guitar work is visceral - like all their stuff - but this song and this performance particularly so. Subscribed. ☮
The lyrics refer to Zeppelin on tour in the USA more than anything else. ln particular the 1975 tour,,which was almost his "Last Stand" as he had the car crash on a tour break and the rest of the tour was cancelled,
PRESENCE is an interesting album as it was the Album after the tremendous Physical Graffiti and was overshadowed by the release of the film The Song Remains the Same with the accompanying film Soundtrack Album as well. The entire album is definitely worth a listen. (like most if not All Led Zeppelin albums, try to find a bad tune is not possible on this album imo) ~greetings from Gotham ✨ aka NYC
Hi John, I'm Brazilian, I'm 64 years old, 48 years old, just into rock and roll...I can give you some American and European bands!!!...How about that!?
It is about Plant reliving over nd overdriving a cr off a moutain in Rhodes, quite close to Teoy . While recoeding on crutches he haad a fa ll and in a lot of pain l completed the song in a wheell chair Someone joked that Plnt wa just lije Achillies, a Demi~God with poor ankle.
Nobody is better than Zeppelin!! Presence album. Gotta see this live 1979 at Knebworth...killer!
As Steve Harris from Iron maiden said this song John Bonham takes you into battle with John Paul Jones with that galloping and Bonzo's machine gun drumming! Harris said this song was a big inspiration to him and galloping became a Iron Maiden signature sound! And Achilles last is proto power metal!
It’s so obvious/smart move Steve!
Life Long Zep fan..so many great songs..Achilles has become my fav over the years, for the reasons you noted…each are at their stylistically best in this one.
Definitely their most proggy song. This is John Paul Jones' masterpiece.
"No quarter" I would say is their proggiest piece
@@of6594the rain song?
Presence is my Favorite Zep album, lack of airplay makes it listenable every time
The whole album is amazing, check the whole thing out, you won't regret it. It's one of the best produced Zep albums in their discography and they are all in their prime here.
The Song was about getting tour dates. It was called Achilles last stand because Robert Plant sang this song from a wheelchair after hurting his leg in an accident in Greece
JPJ is a BEAST. He's the driving force of the band!
The greatest Glue Guy in the history of music.
The GOATS! 😎🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
I think this is basically about the feelings of being on tour with the band but it's called Achilles last stand because it was recorded while Robert Plant was in a wheelchair recovering from a car accident that so badly damaged his ankle it wasn't clear whether or when he would be able to walk again. In mythology Achilles weakness was his heel.
I have heard that the opening lines are a reference to Robert and Jimmy being on a tax "exile" in US when this album was written.
I think it's one of the great puns in rock. Achilles the Warrior's last stand, as well as Robert's bad ankle/Achilles tendon causing him to be unable to stand, lol.
After one thousand times listening..still bad ass as ever ❤😊
Same album: Nobody's Fault But Mine
JpJ is playing an 8 string bass on this track
The lyrics refer to Zeppelin on tour in the USA more than anything else. ln particular the 1975 tour,,which was almost his "Last Stand" as he had the car crash on a tour break and the rest of the tour was cancelled,
This song has a combination of influences. It basically tells the story of trips Jimmy and Robert took to Morocco. The tongue-in-cheek title is a reference to Robert's car crash injuries being compared to Achilles' weak heel, where if Achilles got hit there, he would die. There's a bit of William Blake's poetry when he mentions Albion. "Albion" used to be a poetic way to describe Britain. The "mighty arms of Atlas" refer both to the mythology of Atlas holding the world on his shoulders, as well as the Atlas Mountains in Morocco. This song is intense. I consider it the last of their "Epics" along with Stairway and Kashmir. Jimmy had 6 guitar tracks and managed to assemble and complete the entire song in one night. The album as a whole was completed in three weeks; the fastest they'd worked since their debut album. The staccato drumming sounds like a machine gun and Jonesy's galloping bass line imply swift, anxious movement. Ann and Nancy Wilson from Heart readily admit they stole the bass line for their song Barracuda. Robert tells a story about a time he had a friend over to visit and while they chatted, he had music playing. At one point, he stepped out of the room and shortly thereafter, his guest came looking for him and told him they didn't want to be in the room alone anymore because the music playing was too intense. Intrigued, Robert came back to the room and the song playing was Achilles. This entire album is massively underrated; it is full of intensity, anxiety, anger, pain, - a lot of difficult emotions.
Zeppelin is the greatest of all time ! You should check out the live performance from Knebworth !
this song is such a workout on drums ... yet so satisfying.
What is your favorite Led Zeppelin song and why?? This was intense!
My favourites are Kashmir, No Quarter and The Rain Song. ;)
Nobody's Fault but Mine!!
This one and Kashmir
I could never choose!!
Watch their live performances!!
Great reaction to a great song. Thanks! I wouldn't mind hearing your reaction to even the Led Zeppelin songs you are familiar with because you pick up on things most other reactors don't. It would be interesting to hear what you think of those as well. ;)
John have you listened to FLOYD's album ANIMALS? It's mind blowing. It's only 5 TRACKS long. 🤞✌
Look for the live version!!
1979 at Knebworth!
Live version of this 1979 is amazing.
You should check out "Nobody’s Fault But Mine" off this same album. Masterpiece!
THANK YOU.. I agree 💯
Just discovered your channel. Very good reactions from musicians are special. Watching you take in everything that was going on was GREAT. My favorite track, since you asked 😁 - is from LZ III - Since I've Been Loving You - Led Zepp blues at its best IMO - and the live performance at Madison Square Garden is unbelievably good - really. And Page's guitar work is visceral - like all their stuff - but this song and this performance particularly so. Subscribed. ☮
It's always fun to see musicians react to Zeppelin. You should see the live version of this one from 1979.
Most of their songs, are their best song. But this actually is their best song.
Nostradamous
You are missing out if you haven't heard Zepp's entire DISCOGRAPHY.
It was written about Plant's experiences while touring threw Spain, Greece and Morrocco.
The lyrics refer to Zeppelin on tour in the USA more than anything else. ln particular the 1975 tour,,which was almost his "Last Stand" as he had the car crash on a tour break and the rest of the tour was cancelled,
PRESENCE is an interesting album
as it was the Album after the tremendous
Physical Graffiti and was overshadowed by the release of the film The Song Remains the Same with the accompanying film Soundtrack Album as well.
The entire album is definitely worth a listen.
(like most if not All Led Zeppelin albums,
try to find a bad tune is not possible on this album imo)
~greetings from Gotham ✨ aka NYC
John. You're really missing out by not checking out the Madison Square Garden material.
Misty Mountain Hop for the beat and "Why don't you take a look at yourself and describe what you see? Doooo you like it?"
Hi John, I'm Brazilian, I'm 64 years old, 48 years old, just into rock and roll...I can give you some American and European bands!!!...How about that!?
If there was any question where Heart drew inspiration...
More please!!!❤️❤️🔥
🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
That says it all
Robert Plant recorded this album sitting in a wheelchair after being in a serious car wreck........
I don't rank Zep albums, but I've probably listened to "Presence" more than any of their other albums except possibly side 3 of "Physical Graffiti"
My understanding this was the most difficult song Bonham played, I heard that in an interview.
It is about Plant reliving over nd overdriving a cr off a moutain in Rhodes, quite close to Teoy . While recoeding on crutches he haad a fa ll and in a lot of pain l completed the song in a wheell chair Someone joked that Plnt wa just lije Achillies, a Demi~God with poor ankle.
Reflection by Tool has a similar fadeout
They had a bad car accident on the island of Rhodes Greece they needed a helicopter and a pilot that could fly over open sea.
Gotta find a way to review live Zeppelin without the copyright Gods getting you.
Their last great epic…
To me, this song kinda
Edges out Kashmir.
Fan Friggin Tastic!!
You should check out in my time of dying, live from the mothership dvd here on youtube.