8 Led Zeppelin songs that rip off other songs

Some of Led Zeppeln’s best songs were rip offs from other song writers.
Had no idea.

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nowadays we call these “covers”

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lol…. They were actually forced to credited Willie Dixon on zep 1 after he sued them. And just a few years ago Spirit sued Jimmy Page for plagiarism and Pages defense was if he did hear it he was probably high when he heard it and didn’t remember.

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another bubble busted

I’ve often wondered if there is any space left for originality aside from “reinterpretations”.
This phenomena occurs in all genres of music, art, food, and design.

In 1969, I thought most Zep tracks were covers. Even Dylan was criticized for plagiarism.
Like Page I was high and enjoying the music. Its a shame that the original writers weren’t compensated. I recall Little Richard’s complains to congress in his testimony. Its never to late to “write a wrong”.

At least with music, infinite posibilities exist.

Wonderful new music is created every day.

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Well said. One just needs to seek it out.

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Just to set the record straight, the Spirit vs Led Zeppelin case went to court (and appeals) and was decided in favor of Led Zep. The arguments by Randy California’s estate were quite a stretch if you’ve compared the actual music in the Spirit instrumental track Taurus to the early part of Stairway to Heaven. To my ear, they have a similar vibe in one brief section, but they are definitely not identical.

Rick Beato has an interesting video on YT where he points out that a lot of musical compositions use similar chord progressions or what he calls “line cliches,” but that doesn’t automatically make them acts of plagiarism. Maybe Mozart’s estate should be suing Randy California’s estate for using some of the same notes in his compositions.

It’s a different story with how much Page and Plant “borrowed” from early blues musicians, many uncredited. When pressed by lawsuits and bad publicity, Led Zep often paid out-of-court settlements and added composer credits to some of their most popular hits.

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Not to diminish or excuse failing to credit or compensate the originator, this seems generally hard to prove intent.
One hears a tune or lyric and it becomes a part of one’s unconscious, years or decades later bubbling up to consciousness. And a “new to artist B” song pops out.
The brain is a funny thing.

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No need to prove intent to establish copyright infringement. But your point is well taken.

I am amused by how many pop/rock songs directly copy classical works.

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I can’t say any of these issues enter my consciousness when I am rocking out to Zep.

Going to California with an aching…… in my heart.

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I caught the “references” to the blues songs and players right away because I came to Zeppelin at the same time as studying Chicago and Delta blues. Didn’t bother me. Was a prevalent practice.

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Yours is the correct answer.

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My formative years in the Chicago area, presented with an abundance of fine blues in live clubs, Led Zeppelin was not even a consideration.