Is the song Stairway to Heaven about drugs?

THE first three lines of Led Zeppelin's 1971 rock classic "Stairway to Heaven" speak of a lady who's sure "all that glitters is gold" and who is "buying a stairway to heaven." This, according to social scientists, is a clear reference to drug use. Acapulco gold. Buying a means to get high in the sky.

What's the story behind Stairway to Heaven?

The lyrics take some pretty wild turns, but the beginning of the song is about a woman who accumulates money, only to find out the hard way her life had no meaning and will not get her into heaven.

Is Stairway to Heaven about death?

But, more often than not, lyrics say more with how they feel than what they really mean, and while “Stairway” is seemingly a song about the inevitability of death that's really a song about fear but actually a song about greed… or something…

Why is Stairway to Heaven so controversial?

In 1982, a California State Assembly consumer-protection committee heard testimony from so-called experts that claimed that when you played Stairway to Heaven backwards, it would play satanic messages. The backwards lyrics apparently included 'I sing because I live with Satan.

Why is Stairway to Heaven The Forbidden riff?

In the case of Stairway, religious undertones, overplaying, and controversy have led to the song's opening notes to be nicknamed “the Forbidden Riff“.

Is Stairway to Heaven about drugs?

What is the Forbidden riffs?

The forbidden riff is essentially any overplayed song that has been (jokingly) banned from being played in guitar stores. The list is comprised of many well-known, but easy-to-learn riffs and licks that guitar store employees are subjected to hearing butchered on a daily basis.

Is Stairway to Heaven overplayed?

The iconic song 'Stairway to Heaven' by Led Zeppelin became so overplayed and badly attempted by beginner guitar players that guitar stores started referring to it as the FORBIDDEN RIFF! Guitar store employees also jokingly threaten to ban people from their stores if they play the riff.

What does the song Stairway to Heaven say backwards?

The alleged message, which occurs during the middle section of the song ("If there's a bustle in your hedgerow, don't be alarmed now...") when played backward, was purported to contain the Satanic references: "Here's to my sweet Satan / The one whose little path would make me sad whose power is Satan, / He'll give you, ...

What kind of song is Stairway to Heaven?

It seems only fitting that the most epic and dramatic of rock songs has resulted in one of the music industry's most epic copyright fights. “Stairway to Heaven,” Led Zeppelin's 1971 megahit, defined rock radio for decades and helped make its credited writers, Jimmy Page and Robert Plant, extremely rich.

What does if there's a bustle in your hedgerow?

Just to take a quick look at the well-known line from Stairway to Heaven by Led Zeppelin… If there's a bustle in your hedgerow, Don't be alarmed now, It's just a spring clean for the May Queen.

Why did Led Zeppelin break up?

No other hard-rock group was as consistently popular, as influential or as explosive. Led Zeppelin split up in 1980, when the heartbeat of the group, drummer John Bonham suddenly died. When Plant kicked off his solo career that night in 1982, he had to face up to his own legacy.

What did Jimmy Page think of Hendrix?

In his view, Hendrix is the greatest to have ever played the instrument, once saying, “We've lost the best guitarist any of us ever had, and that was Hendrix.” After being taken out of the rock 'n' roll cauldron, Page could finally admire artists from his generation without going green with envy.

Who robbed Led Zeppelin?

Starting on May 4, Led Zeppelin began tearing their way across the U.S. on their most ambitious tour ever. By the end of the run, more than 30 cities in 20-plus states (plus Vancouver) were systematically conquered by Zep's high-decibel onslaught.

What happens when you play a record backwards?

Backmasked words are unintelligible when played forward, but when played backwards are clear speech. Listening to backmasked audio with most turntables requires disengaging the drive and rotating the album by hand in reverse (though some can play records backwards).

What do the Led Zeppelin logos mean?

The symbol that Led Zeppelin singer Robert Plant chose for Led Zeppelin IV is much more straightforward in origin. Depicting a circle around a feather, the symbol represents the feather of Ma'at, the ancient Egyptian goddess of truth, justice, harmony, and balance.

Is Led Zeppelin alive?

Led Zeppelin was an English rock band. The group was started in 1968 and broke up in 1980. The members were Robert Plant (vocals), Jimmy Page (lead guitar), John Paul Jones (bass), and John Bonham (drums). Led Zeppelin ended in 1980 after the accidental death of John Bonham.

Is Stairway to Heaven a beginner song?

While it may be a riff that many beginners learn, it is definitely not because it is an easy song to play. In fact, we can think of dozens of riffs that are easier. The opening few bars of Stairway to Heaven includes several barre chords and fingerpicking, neither of which are true beginner skills.

Why can't you play Stairway to Heaven in a music store?

The main reason why Stairway to Heaven is 'banned' in many guitar stores is because of a movie released years ago. The reality is that the song isn't forbidden to play, it's just very overplayed by people trying out guitars. You're not going to get kicked out of any guitar stores if you begin playing this iconic song.

What song can you not play in a guitar store?

Forbidden Riff – Why Stairway To Heaven Is Banned At Guitar Stores – Final Thoughts. “Stairway To Heaven” may be banned in guitar stores, but it's not against the law to play it. That said, it is seen as a forbidden riff by many, and not often well received.

What is the most difficult song to play on guitar?

Who is the most skilled guitarist?

1) Jimi Hendrix:

Jimi Hendrix is the most skilled and innovative guitar player of all time, and it's not particularly close.

What did John Lennon think of Led Zeppelin?

“I like heavy music — I call it rock. I like Led Zeppelin.” Later adding: “I don't really know much of what they're about.