Ten Years Gone epitomizes Led Zeppelin's brilliance

Posted Dec. 18, 2022

By Tyler Lamar

Cub Reporter

In their 12 years together, Led Zeppelin released countless hits, and had back-to-back success with each of their albums, making them arguably one of the most iconic rock bands of all time. Physical Graffiti’s tenth track, Ten Years Gone truly epitomizes the band, and flaunts every aspect that makes them so outstanding. 

Throughout each of their albums, it’s quite obvious that Led Zeppelin’s lyrics are consistently exceptional. Ornamented with metaphors and varied references, their songwriting especially flourishes within tracks that exhibit emotion and passion. Although originally written as an instrumental piece by lead guitarist Jimmy Page, the lyrics of Ten Years Gone derive from singer Robert Plant recalling his own life experiences and past heartache. In an interview with Rolling Stone magazine in March of 1975, Plant claimed that the lyrics are in particular reference to a woman he was in a relationship with at the beginning of his music career. He explains that she had given him an ultimatum: her or the music. Considering Plant’s success and fame, it’s easy to guess what choice he made… thankfully so for Zeppelin fans.

The lyrics in the start of the song touch on the notion that everything happens for a reason. Plant, and especially in this song, intricately chooses words to give the narrative a more poetic feel. Although the lyrics come from Plant’s personal experiences and feelings, he does a noteworthy job of generalizing the lines to allow listeners to relate their own lives. The rest of the lyrics within the song virtually suggest the feeling of reflecting on life, and acknowledging any attachments to parts of the past. Plant continues to express these emotions with words that convey great passion. In regards to lyrics, Ten Years Gone is certainly one of Zeppelin’s most beautiful and profound songs.

The intensity of the song could not be achieved if it weren’t for Robert Plant’s astonishing vocals. Plant has the ability to vary and adjust his voice to match the feel of the words he’s singing. In Ten Years Gone, he demonstrates his more solemn and tender voice, as well as his more shrill and powerful voice at different points in the song. Plant’s voice truly is unique and distinct, and his vocals contribute so much to the raw beauty of the song.  

Although he provides much of what makes the song so remarkable, Plant couldn’t do this all on his own. The musical contributions the rest of the band offers really refines the song’s charm. With Jimmy Page on guitar, John Bonham on drums, and John Paul Jones on bass guitar, the power and brilliance is undeniable. 

Page is established as a wildly expressive guitarist, and much like Plant, is fantastic at really giving the words true meaning with the touch of musicality. Page’s playing really is the true narration of the song. Throughout his career, he evidently mastered the ability to play his guitar in such a way that really tells a story and speaks to the listener. At the start of the song, he leads the way with sweet, loose riffs that follow no true tempo. His grainy tone and pedal work after the second verse bring in a new embodiment of intensity to the song. The sound of Page’s guitar is an elegant cry of heartache.

Underneath all of Plant and Page’s articulacy and chemistry, is John Bonham and John Paul Jones. The two very successfully support the band, and are undoubtedly the backbone of Zeppelin. 

John Paul Jones consistently drives the band with his complex and colorful basslines. With his work, he articulates what the guitar and vocals are emitting and gives it much more depth. In the beginning of the song, Jones closely follows what Page is doing on guitar to give the melody more of a heavy feel. The bassline then blossoms throughout the song, and goes off to paint its own picture.

  Alongside Jones, is John Bonham on drums. Bonham is named as one of, if not the greatest rock drummer of all time. In both technical terms, and in ways that are apparent to any average listener, Bonham’s work is very impressive. He lays a foundation down for the rest of the group with intricate beats, all while letting Page and Plant stay in the spotlight. 

Ten Years Gone is outstanding in just about every way a song can be. Its glory is enough to make a grown man cry, and is hands down some of Led Zeppelin’s best work. The song is essentially all of the members’ emotions represented as wistful words, as well distraught and painstaking riffs. All of this together conceives true magic.