Trampled Under Foot

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Trampled Under Foot
Image:Tufsingle1975.jpg]]
1975 Italian single
Appears on Physical Graffiti
Published by Flames of Albion Music
Registration ASCAP 500236257
Release date 2 April 1975
Recorded January - February 1974
Genre Funk rock, hard rock
Language English
Length 5 minutes 35 seconds
Composer Jimmy Page]], Robert Plant]], John Paul Jones (musician)
Label Swan Song Records]]
Producer Jimmy Page
Engineer Ron Nevison and Keith Harwood]]

'Trampled Under Foot' (also sometimes written as 'Trampled Underfoot') is a song by English rock music|rock]] group Led Zeppelin]], featured on their 1975 album Physical Graffiti]]. 'Trampled Under Foot' is John Paul Jones (musician)|John Paul Jones]]' classic Clavinet track, and it was one of their best songs when played live.

Overview

The song was written by Robert Plant]], Jimmy Page]] and John Paul Jones (musician)|John Paul Jones]], and evolved out of a jam session in 1972.[1] The lyrics|lyrical theme]] were inspired by blues]] musician Robert Johnson's 1936 'Terraplane Blues.'[2] A Terraplane]] is a classic car, and the song uses motor car|car]] parts as metaphor]]s for temptation—'pump your petrol|gas]],' 'rev all night,' etc.[3]

Much rehearsal went into perfecting the relentless semi-funk]] riff that dominates this song.[4] John Paul Jones has alluded to Stevie Wonder]] with part of the inspiration for the beat, which he played on a Hohner Clavinet]] D6.[5][6] The song begins with the Clavinet part, and its heavy, driving 'stomp' rhythm]] pushes the song throughout. It is fairly simple, but leaves room for the fascinating guitar]] effects. The Clavinet solo is an energetic and busy chordal improvisation]]. As the solo plays, a second Clavinet track is added, a dark, muted sound that was created by running the Clavinet through a wah-wah pedal]] set back to a very low range. On the studio version, Jones played electric bass guitar]]; live, the steady bass part was replicated on his floor bass pedals]].

Backed with a solid backbeat from Bonham, the song would later be sampled in dance remixes and the BBC]] television programme the Old Grey Whistle Test]], synchronized the song with a black and white filmclip featuring dance hall girls. Guitarist Jimmy Page played wah-wah]] and, as producer, employed backwards echo]] on the recording.[7][8]

'Trampled Under Foot' was frequently played on the radio]] when it was first released, charting at #38 on Billboard's Hot 100 chart. Led Zeppelin did not release any singles in the United Kingdom until 1997, when 'Whole Lotta Love]]' was released 28 years after it was written. There were several pressings made of 'Trampled Under Foot' as a single in 1975 in time for the band's Earl's Court 1975|Earl's Court concerts]], but they were all shelved before being released, and are today highly sought-after collectors item]]s.[9]

Live versions

'Trampled Underfoot' became a standard part of Led Zeppelin concerts]] from 1975 onwards, being played on every tour until 1980.[10] It was also performed at Ahmet Ertegun Tribute Concert|Led Zeppelin's reunion show]] at the The O2 arena (London)|O2 Arena]], London]] on 10 December 2007. When the song was played live, the band would often extend it with lengthy guitar and keyboard solos, and sometimes segue]] it into the song 'Gallows Pole]]'. One of Plant's favourite Led Zeppelin songs, he sang it on his 1988 Now and Zen]] tour, and also at his daughter Carmen's 21st birthday party in November 1989, with Jason Bonham]] on Drum kit|drums]].

Along with 'No Quarter (song)|No Quarter]],' 'Trampled Under Foot' showcased Jones' skills as a keyboard player when performed on stage. A notable example is the version played at the Earls Court Exhibition Centre|Earls Court Arena]] in 1975, as featured on the Led Zeppelin (DVD)|Led Zeppelin]] DVD, which includes an extended solo by Jones on a Hohner]] Clavinet]] D6. It is also notable that Plant rarely sang all the different verses of the song live, and sang a verse (with small alterations sometimes) twice or even three times.

Accolades

Publication Country Accolade Year Rank
Melody Maker]] United Kingdom 'Best Song of the Year' 1975 2
Radio Caroline]] United Kingdom 'Top 500 Tracks'[11] 1999 398
DigitalDreamDoor United States 'The 100 Greatest Recordings From 1975'[12] 2007 115

Chart positions

Chart (1975) Peak position
US Billboard Hot 100 Singles Chart[13] 38
US Cash Box Top 100 Singles Chart[14] 28
US Record World 100 Top Pop Chart[15] 39
Canadian RPM Top 100 Chart[16] 41
Australian Kent Music Report]] Singles Chart 80

Credits

Personnel
  • Musicians:
    • Jimmy Page – electric guitar, producer, remastering, digital remastering
    • Robert Plant – vocals
    • John Paul Jones – Clavinet D6, bass pedals
    • John Bonham - drums, percussion
  • Production:
    • Peter Grant]] – executive producer
    • Ron Nevison - engineer
    • Keith Harwood – engineer, mixing
    • Joe Sidore - original CD mastering engineer (mid-1980s)
    • George Marino - remastered CD engineer (1990)

References

  1. Godwin, Robert (2003). Led Zeppelin: The Press Reports...., Fourth. Burlington, Ontario: Collectors Guide, 321. ISBN 978-1-896522-41-8. 
  2. Lewis, Dave (2012). Led Zeppelin: From a Whisper to a Scream. London: Omnibus Press, 69. ISBN 978-1-78038-547-1. 
  3. Godwin, Robert (24 August 1990). "Led Zeppelin: Alchemists of the '70s". Goldmine: 13. ISSN 1055-2685.
  4. Lewis, Dave (2012). Led Zeppelin: From a Whisper to a Scream. London: Omnibus Press, 69. ISBN 978-1-78038-547-1. 
  5. Snow, Mat (December 2007). "The Secret Life of a Superstar". Mojo: 82. ISSN 1351-0193.
  6. Lewis, Dave (2012). Led Zeppelin: From a Whisper to a Scream. London: Omnibus Press, 69. ISBN 978-1-78038-547-1. 
  7. Lewis, Dave (2012). Led Zeppelin: From a Whisper to a Scream. London: Omnibus Press, 69. ISBN 978-1-78038-547-1. 
  8. Rosen, Steven (July 1977). "Jimmy Page Interview". Guitar Player. ISSN 0017-5463. Retrieved on 4 May 2014.
  9. Lewis, Dave (2012). Led Zeppelin: From a Whisper to a Scream. London: Omnibus Press, 69. ISBN 978-1-78038-547-1. 
  10. Lewis, Dave (2012). Led Zeppelin: From a Whisper to a Scream. London: Omnibus Press, 69. ISBN 978-1-78038-547-1. 
  11. Top 500 Tracks - 1999. Radio Caroline. Retrieved on 4 August 2013.
  12. The 100 Greatest Recordings From 1975 - 2007. DigitalDreamDoor. Retrieved on 4 August 2013.
  13. Hot 100 Singles - 17 May 1975. Billboard. Retrieved on 4 August 2013.
  14. Top 100 Singles - 31 May 1975. Cash Box. Retrieved on 4 August 2013.
  15. Top 40 for 1975 - May 1975. Record World. Retrieved on 4 August 2013.
  16. RPM Singles Chart - 31 May 1975. RPM. Retrieved on 4 August 2013.