Led Zeppelin Stole a Lot of Songs

I heard these songs several years ago on The Ticket, but I just ran across them again.

I did have the song comparisons embedded, but I couldn’t stop it from autoplaying, so click here to hear the comparisons.

The following list does not include covers that were properly credited.

From: http://www.warr.org/zep.html

Now by popular demand! A list of some of the songs Zep stole from other artists:

  • “Babe I’m Gonna Leave You” – A folk song by Anne Bredon, this was originally credited as “traditional, arranged by Jimmy Page,” then “words and music by Jimmy Page,” and then, following legal action, “Bredon/Page/Plant.”
  • “Black Mountain Side” – uncredited version of a traditional folk tune previously recorded by Bert Jansch.
  • “Bring It On Home” – the first section is an uncredited cover of the Willie Dixon tune (as performed by the imposter Sonny Boy Williamson).
  • “Communication Breakdown” – apparently derived from Eddie Cochran’s “Nervous Breakdown.”
  • “Custard Pie” – uncredited cover of Bukka White’s “Shake ‘Em On Down,” with lyrics from Sleepy John Estes’s “Drop Down Daddy.”
  • “Dazed And Confused” – uncredited cover of the Jake Holmes song (see The Above Ground Sound Of Jake Holmes).
  • “Hats Off To (Roy) Harper” – uncredited version of Bukka White’s “Shake ‘Em On Down.”
  • “How Many More Times” – Part one is an uncredited cover of the Howlin’ Wolf song (available on numerous compilations). Part two is an uncredited cover of Albert King’s “The Hunter.”
  • “In My Time Of Dying” – uncredited cover of the traditional song (as heard on Bob Dylan‘s debut).
  • “The Lemon Song” – uncredited cover of Howlin’ Wolf’s “Killing Floor” – Wolf’s publisher sued Zeppelin in the early 70s and settled out of court.
  • “Moby Dick” – written and first recorded by Sleepy John Estes under the title “The Girl I Love,” and later covered by Bobby Parker.
  • “Nobody’s Fault But Mine” – uncredited cover of the Blind Willie Johnson blues.
  • “Since I’ve Been Lovin’ You” – lyrics are the same as Moby Grape‘s “Never,” though the music isn’t similar.
  • “Stairway To Heaven” – the main guitar line is apparently from “Taurus” by Spirit.
  • “White Summer” – uncredited cover of Davey Graham’s “She Moved Through The Fair.”
  • “Whole Lotta Love” – lyrics are from the Willie Dixon blues “You Need Love.”
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