| "Kashmir" | |
|---|---|
| Song byLed Zeppelin | |
| from the albumPhysical Graffiti | |
| Released | 24 February 1975 (1975-02-24) |
| Recorded | October 1973, February 1974; April–May 1974 (?), November 1974[1] |
| Studio | Ronnie Lane's Mobile Studio,Headley Grange, Hampshire;Olympic, London[1] |
| Genre | |
| Length | 8:37 |
| Label | Swan Song |
| Songwriters | |
| Producer | Jimmy Page |
"Kashmir" is a song by the Englishrock bandLed Zeppelin. Featured on their sixth studio albumPhysical Graffiti (1975), it was written byJimmy Page andRobert Plant with contributions fromJohn Bonham over a period of three years with lyrics dating to 1973.John Paul Jones was late arriving to the studio for the recording sessions, so did not receive a writer's credit.
The song became a concert staple, performed by the band at almost every concert after its release. It has been described as one of Led Zeppelin's two most overtlyprogressive epics (the other being "Stairway to Heaven").[2]
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Page uses aguitar tuning ofD–A–D–G–A–D, which he had used for the instrumentals "White Summer" and "Black Mountain Side".[5][6] The songcombines different rhythmic meters: the guitar riff is intriple meter, while the vocal is inquadruple meter.[7] Plant felt that the drumming was an important component of the song and that Bonham did not overplay his part.[8] "Kashmir" is one of a few Led Zeppelin songs where Page used aDanelectro guitar, rather than his usualGibson Les Paul orFender Stratocaster models.[9]
Page recorded ademo version with drummer Bonham late in 1973, whenJohn Paul Jones was late for the recording sessions. Plant later added lyrics and a middle section; in early 1974, Jones added orchestration.[8][6] Session players were brought in for the string and horn sections[6] and Jones added aMellotron part.[10]
The lyrics were written by Plant in 1973 immediately after Led Zeppelin's1973 US tour.[6] None of the group members had visitedKashmir.[11] Instead, Plant was inspired during a drive through a desolate desert area of southernMorocco.[8][6]
"Kashmir" was played live at almost everyLed Zeppelin concert after its debut in 1975.[12] A version fromKnebworth in 1979 appears on theLed Zeppelin DVD (2003).[13] The surviving members performed the song at theAtlantic Records 40th Anniversary concert in 1988.[14]
Page and Plant recorded a longer, live version, with an Egyptian/Moroccan orchestra forNo Quarter: Jimmy Page and Robert Plant Unledded (1994)[15] and performed the song with an orchestra on their 1995 tour.
Led Zeppelin, with John Bonham's sonJason on drums, performed "Kashmir" atLed Zeppelin's reunion show atThe O2, London on 10 December 2007.[16] That rendition – released onCelebration Day in 2012[17] – was nominated in 2014 for theGrammy Award for Best Rock Performance at the56th Grammys.[18]"'Kashmir' actually isn't that difficult", Page remarked during rehearsals for the show. "But it helps to have a drummer who understands the part and a bass player who canplay bass with his feet. Sometimes it sounds like John's got three feet. It's intense."[19]
All four members of Led Zeppelin have agreed that "Kashmir" is one of their best musical achievements.[10] John Paul Jones suggested that it showcases all of the elements that made up the Led Zeppelin sound.[8] Led Zeppelin archivist Dave Lewis comments:
Unquestionably the most startling and impressive track onPhysical Graffiti, and arguably the most progressive and original track that Led Zeppelin ever recorded. "Kashmir" went a long way towards establishing their credibility with otherwise skeptical rock critics. Many would regard this track as the finest example of the sheer majesty of Zeppelin's special chemistry.[6]
In a retrospective review ofPhysical Graffiti (Deluxe Edition), Brice Ezell ofPopMatters described "Kashmir" asPhysical Graffiti's "quintessential track".[20] Ezell called "Kashmir"'s "doomyostinato riff and rapturous post-chorus brass/mellotron section" as "inimitable moments in the legacy ofclassic rock".[20]
The song is listed highly in a number of professional music rankings:
| Publication | Country | Accolade | Year | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Classic Rock | US | "The Top Fifty Classic Rock Songs of All Time"[21] | 1995 | 20 |
| Classic Rock | UK | "Ten of the Best Songs Ever!!.. (Bubbling under)"[22] | 1999 | 23 |
| VH1 | US | "The 100 Greatest Rock Songs of All Time"[23] | 2000 | 62 |
| Rolling Stone | US | "The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time"[24] | 2010 | 141 |
| Rolling Stone | US | "The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time"[25] | 2021 | 148 |
| Blender | US | "Standout Tracks from the 500 CDs You Must Own"[26] | 2003 | * |
| Q | UK | "1010 Songs You Must Own!"[27] | 2004 | * |
| Q | UK | "Ultimate Music Collection - Rock"[28] | 2005 | * |
| Q | UK | "100 Greatest Songs of All Time"[29] | 2006 | 74 |
| VH1 | US | "VH1 Greatest Hard Rock Songs"[3] | 2009 | 21 |
(*) designates unordered lists
| Chart (2007) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| UK Singles Chart[a] | 80 |
| Swiss Singles Chart[30] | 64 |
| USBillboard Hot Digital Songs Chart[31] | 42 |
| USBillboard Hot Digital Tracks Chart[32] | 49 |
| CanadianBillboard Hot Digital Singles Chart[33] | 33 |
Certifications
| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| Italy (FIMI)[34] | Gold | 15,000* |
| United Kingdom (BPI)[35] | Silver | 200,000‡ |
* Sales figures based on certification alone. | ||
The 1988Schoolly D song "Signifying Rapper", which samples "Kashmir", was the target of lawsuits following its use in the 1992 filmBad Lieutenant.[36] In 1994, Page and Plant successfully suedHome Box Office to have the song removed from televised showings of the film[37] and Live Home Video and distributor Aries Film Releasing were ordered to destroy any unsold copies ofBad Lieutenant as part of acopyright infringement ruling.[38]
According to Jean-Michel Guesdon and Philippe Margotin:[1]
Footnotes
Citations
The tracklist is like the Ten Commandments of hard rock, wielding "Custard Pie," "The Wanton Song," "Trampled Under Foot," "Ten Years Gone," and "Kashmir."
References
