The Lemon Song

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The Lemon Song
Appears on Led Zeppelin II
Published by Sunflower Music
Registration ASCAP 420153935
Release date 22 October 1969
Recorded May - August 1969
Genre Blues-rock
Language English
Length 6 minutes 18 seconds
Composer Jimmy Page, Robert Plant, John Paul Jones, and John Bonham
Label Atlantic Records
Producer Jimmy Page
Engineer Chris Huston

'The Lemon Song' is a song by English rock band Led Zeppelin, featured on their 1969 album Led Zeppelin II. It was first recorded at Mirror Sound Studios, Hollywood in May 1969, and completed at Mystic Studios in August 1969, when the band was on their second concert tour of the United States.

Overview

'The Lemon Song' is laced with blues innuendos, and features some of Led Zeppelin's most structured jamming. It was recorded virtually live in the studio, and no electronic devices were used to create the echo on Robert Plant's vocal. It was made solely by Plant's voice and the acoustics in Mystic Studios, which was a 16 × 16 foot room with wooden walls.[1]

Another notable aspect of this song is John Paul Jones' complex bass performance, which is heavily funk influenced. During interviews afterwards, he said that he had improvised during the entire song.

'The Lemon Song' was performed live on Led Zeppelin's first three concert tours of the United States, before being dropped from their live set in late 1969. However, the 'squeeze my lemon' sequence continued to be inserted into the 'Whole Lotta Love' medley and ad-libbed elsewhere.[2]

Jimmy Page performed this song on his tour with the Black Crowes in 1999. A version of 'The Lemon Song' performed by Page and the Black Crowes can be found on the album Live at the Greek.

Credits

Personnel
  • Musicians:
    • Jimmy Page – electric guitar, producer, remastering, digital remastering
    • Robert Plant – vocals
    • John Paul Jones – bass guitar
    • John Bonham - drums, percussion
  • Production:
    • Peter Grant – executive producer
    • Chris Huston - engineer, mixing
    • Joe Sidore - original CD mastering engineer (mid-1980s)
    • George Marino - remastered CD engineer (1990)

References

  1. Lewis, Dave (2012). Led Zeppelin: From a Whisper to a Scream. London: Omnibus Press, 33. ISBN 978-1-78038-547-1. 
  2. Lewis, Dave (2012). Led Zeppelin: From a Whisper to a Scream. London: Omnibus Press, 33. ISBN 978-1-78038-547-1.