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{{ | ''''Kashmir'''' is a song by the England|English Rock music|rock band Led Zeppelin from their sixth album ''Physical Graffiti'', released in 1975. It was written by Jimmy Page and Robert Plant (with contributions from John Bonham) over a period of three years, with the lyrics dating back to 1973. | ||
''''Kashmir'''' is a song by the | |||
==Overview== | ==Overview== | ||
'Kashmir' is widely considered to be one of Led Zeppelin's most successful songs; all four band members have agreed that it is to date one of their best musical achievements.<ref>{{cite book|last=Yorke|first=Ritchie|date=2002|chapter=On the Wings of a Swan Song|title=Led Zeppelin: The Definitive Biography; From Early Days to Page and Plant|location=London|publisher=Virgin Books|pages=195|isbn=978-0-86369-744-9}}</ref> | 'Kashmir' is widely considered to be one of Led Zeppelin's most successful songs; all four band members have agreed that it is to date one of their best musical achievements.<ref>{{cite book|last=Yorke|first=Ritchie|date=2002|chapter=On the Wings of a Swan Song|title=Led Zeppelin: The Definitive Biography; From Early Days to Page and Plant|location=London|publisher=Virgin Books|pages=195|isbn=978-0-86369-744-9}}</ref> John Paul Jones (musician)|John Paul Jones suggested that it showcases all of the elements that made up the Led Zeppelin sound.<ref>Liner notes by Cameron Crowe for ''The Complete Studio Recordings (Led Zeppelin box set)|The Complete Studio Recordings''.</ref> Plant has stated that the song 'was one of my favourite [Led] Zeppelin tracks because it possessed all the latent energy and power that wasn't heavy metal. It was something else. It was the pride of Led Zeppelin.'<ref>{{cite book|last=Welch|first=Chris|year=1996|chapter=Into the Shadows|title=Led Zeppelin|location=London|publisher=Carlton Books|pages=76|isbn=978-1-85868-271-6}}</ref> During a television interview in January 2008, he also named 'Kashmir' as his first choice of all Led Zeppelin songs that he would perform, commenting 'I'm most proud of that one'.<ref>{{cite web|last=Lewis|first=Dave|date=4 February 2008|title=Robert Plant at Madison Square Garden|url=http://www.tightbutloose.co.uk/?p=489|work=TBL News|publisher=Tight But Loose|accessdate=5 May 2014}}</ref> Page has indicated he thinks that the song is one of the band's best compositions.<ref>{{cite journal|last=Schulps|first=Dave|date=October 1977|title=Jimmy Page: The Trouser Press Interview|url=http://www.teachrock.org/resources/article/jimmy-page-the-trouser-press-interview/|journal=Trouser Press|publisher=Trans-Oceanic Trouser Press|volume=4|issue=22|issn=0164-1883}}</ref> | ||
The song centres around a signature chord progression | The song centres around a signature chord progression guitar riff, which first appeared on Page's home-studio work tapes.<ref>{{cite book|last=Lewis|first=Dave|year=2012|title=Led Zeppelin: From a Whisper to a Scream|location=London|publisher=Omnibus Press|pages=70|isbn=978-1-78038-547-1}}</ref> It was initially a tuning, an extension of a guitar-cycle that Page had been working on for years. This was the same cycle that produced 'Black Mountain Side,' 'White Summer' and the unreleased track, 'Swan Song.'<ref>{{cite book|last=Welch|first=Chris|title=Led Zeppelin: The Stories Behind Every Led Zeppelin Song| edition=Revised|location=London|publisher=Carlton Books|year=2009|pages=106|isbn=978-1-84732-286-9}}</ref> As bass player and keyboardist John Paul Jones (musician)|John Paul Jones had been late for the recording sessions, Page used the time to work on the riff with drummer John Bonham. The two demo (music)|demoed it late in 1973.<ref>{{cite book|last=Lewis|first=Dave|year=2012|title=Led Zeppelin: From a Whisper to a Scream|location=London|publisher=Omnibus Press|pages=70|isbn=978-1-78038-547-1}}</ref> Plant later added the middle section and in early 1974 Jones added all the string parts.<ref>{{cite book|last=Lewis|first=Dave|year=2012|title=Led Zeppelin: From a Whisper to a Scream|location=London|publisher=Omnibus Press|pages=70|isbn=978-1-78038-547-1}}</ref> | ||
The guitar was played in an | The guitar was played in an guitar tuning|alternative guitar tuning: the strings are tuned to 'Open Dsus4' or DADGAD. Bonham's drums feature a phasing effect courtesy of an early Eventide phaser supplied by engineer Ron Nevison.<ref>{{cite journal|last=Tolinski|first=Brad|date=May 2005|title=Jimmy Page on Physical Graffiti|journal=Guitar World|volume=26|issue=5|pages=26|issn=1045-6295}}</ref> Plant has stated that Bonham's drumming is the key to the song: 'It was what he didn't do that made it work'.<ref>{{cite book|last=Welch|first=Chris|title=Led Zeppelin: The Stories Behind Every Led Zeppelin Song|edition=Revised|location=London|publisher=Carlton Books|year=2009|pages=106|isbn=978-1-84732-286-9}}</ref> | ||
The song also includes many distinctive musical patterns of classical Moroccan, Indian and Middle Eastern music. Page explained that 'I had a sitar for some time and I was interested in modal tunings and Arabic stuff. It started off with a riff and then employed Eastern lines underneath.'<ref>{{cite book|last=Welch|first=Chris|year=1996|chapter=Into the Shadows|title=Led Zeppelin|location=London|publisher=Carlton Books|pages=76|isbn=978-1-85868-271-6}}</ref> | The song also includes many distinctive musical patterns of classical Moroccan, Indian and Middle Eastern music. Page explained that 'I had a sitar for some time and I was interested in modal tunings and Arabic stuff. It started off with a riff and then employed Eastern lines underneath.'<ref>{{cite book|last=Welch|first=Chris|year=1996|chapter=Into the Shadows|title=Led Zeppelin|location=London|publisher=Carlton Books|pages=76|isbn=978-1-85868-271-6}}</ref> | ||
Orchestral brass and strings with electric guitar and | Orchestral brass and strings with electric guitar and Mellotron Mk.II. strings are also used in the song. This is one of the few Led Zeppelin songs to use outside musicians. Session players were brought in for the string and horn sections.<ref>{{cite book|last=Lewis|first=Dave|year=2012|title=Led Zeppelin: From a Whisper to a Scream|location=London|publisher=Omnibus Press|pages=70|isbn=978-1-78038-547-1}}</ref> It is difficult for many to hear the difference between the 'real' and simulated strings, which is a tribute to Jones' clever performance and arrangement. The Mellotron strings are most easily heard on the bridge, during the Gm and A chords. | ||
Originally called 'Driving to Kashmir', the lyrics to the song were written by Plant in 1973 immediately after Led Zeppelin's | Originally called 'Driving to Kashmir', the lyrics to the song were written by Plant in 1973 immediately after Led Zeppelin's Led Zeppelin North American Tour 1973|1973 US Tour, in an area he called 'the waste lands'<ref>{{cite book|last=Welch|first=Chris|year=1996|chapter=Into the Shadows|title=Led Zeppelin|location=London|publisher=Carlton Books|pages=76|isbn=978-1-85868-271-6}}</ref> of Southern Morocco, while driving from Goulimine to Tantan in the Sahara Desert.<ref>{{cite book|last=Lewis|first=Dave|year=2012|title=Led Zeppelin: From a Whisper to a Scream|location=London|publisher=Omnibus Press|pages=70|isbn=978-1-78038-547-1}}</ref> This was despite the fact that the song is named for Kashmir, a region in the northernmost part of the Indian subcontinent.<ref>{{cite journal|last=Gilmore |first=Mikal|date=10 August 2006|title=The Long Shadow of Led Zeppelin|url=http://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/11027261/the_long_shadow_of_led_zeppelin/print|journal=Rolling Stone|publisher=Jann Wenner|issue=1006|issn=0035-791X|accessdate=5 May 2014}}</ref> As Plant explained to rock journalist Cameron Crowe: {{Quote|The whole inspiration came from the fact that the road went on and on and on. It was a single-track road which neatly cut through the desert. Two miles to the East and West were ridges of sandrock. It basically looked like you were driving down a channel, this dilapidated road, and there was seemingly no end to it. 'Oh, let the sun beat down upon my face, stars to fill my dreams...' It's one of my favourites...that, 'All My Love' and 'In the Light' and two or three others really were the finest moments. But 'Kashmir' in particular. It was so positive, lyrically.<ref>{{cite book|last=Welch|first=Chris|title=Led Zeppelin: The Stories Behind Every Led Zeppelin Song|edition=Revised|location=London|publisher=Carlton Books|year=2009|pages=106|isbn=978-1-84732-286-9}}</ref>}} | ||
In an interview he gave to | In an interview he gave to William S. Burroughs in 1975, Page mentioned that at the time the song was composed, none of the band members had even been to Kashmir.<ref>{{cite journal|last=Burroughs|first=William S.|date=June 1975|title=Rock Magic: Jimmy Page, Led Zeppelin, and a Search for the Elusive Stairway to Heaven|url=http://arthurmag.com/2007/12/05/willima-burroughs-onled-zeppelin/|journal=Crawdaddy!|issn=0011-0833|accessdate=5 May 2014}}</ref> | ||
The song runs for 8 minutes 28 seconds, a length that radio stations usually consider too long to play. However, upon its release radio stations had no problem playing 'Kashmir,' especially after seeing ' | The song runs for 8 minutes 28 seconds, a length that radio stations usually consider too long to play. However, upon its release radio stations had no problem playing 'Kashmir,' especially after seeing 'Stairway to Heaven', which was almost as long, do so well (Original LP releases of ''Physical Graffiti'' incorrectly list the song's length as 9 minutes 41 seconds.). | ||
==Live versions== | ==Live versions== | ||
'Kashmir' was played live at almost every | 'Kashmir' was played live at almost every Led Zeppelin concerts|Led Zeppelin concert from its debut in 1975. Jones used a Mellotron Mk400 until 1977, when replaced by the Mellotron Mk.V., and a synthesizer for 1979 onwards. One live version, from Led Zeppelin's performance at Knebworth Festival 1979|Knebworth in 1979, is featured on disc two of the ''Led Zeppelin (DVD)|Led Zeppelin'' DVD. This performance came from the band's first show at the venue, on 4 August. The surviving members of Led Zeppelin also performed 'Kashmir' at the Atlantic Records 40th Anniversary concert in 1988. It was again performed at Ahmet Ertegun Tribute Concert|Led Zeppelin's reunion show at the The O2 arena (London)|The O<sub>2</sub>, London on 10 December 2007. | ||
When the band performed the song live, Robert Plant would switch the last verse with the second verse after singing the first verse normally. The third verse would also be sung normally in its original spot. When Led Zeppelin came together for Atlantic records' 40th Anniversary in 1988, Robert accidentally sang the second verse twice. He admitted to doing this by singing 'Oh father of the four winds fill my sails (again) across the sea of years' during the fourth verse. He never ended up singing the third verse ('Oh pilot of the storm...') before the mistake. However, he did sing 'With talk and song from tongues...' during the third verse while trying to correct it by singing 'I will return again...' halfway through. Also Plant, known for his improvisation while performing, would ad lib a lot during 'Kashmir'. He would add in 'sweet mama', 'slowly dyin'', 'now just a minute', 'sweet darlin'', and he would stutter the words 'baby' and 'mama'. He would also end that section with 'there's no denyin' while I'm talkin' to ya.' | When the band performed the song live, Robert Plant would switch the last verse with the second verse after singing the first verse normally. The third verse would also be sung normally in its original spot. When Led Zeppelin came together for Atlantic records' 40th Anniversary in 1988, Robert accidentally sang the second verse twice. He admitted to doing this by singing 'Oh father of the four winds fill my sails (again) across the sea of years' during the fourth verse. He never ended up singing the third verse ('Oh pilot of the storm...') before the mistake. However, he did sing 'With talk and song from tongues...' during the third verse while trying to correct it by singing 'I will return again...' halfway through. Also Plant, known for his improvisation while performing, would ad lib a lot during 'Kashmir'. He would add in 'sweet mama', 'slowly dyin'', 'now just a minute', 'sweet darlin'', and he would stutter the words 'baby' and 'mama'. He would also end that section with 'there's no denyin' while I'm talkin' to ya.' | ||
Jimmy Page and Robert Plant recorded another version in 1994, released on their album ''No Quarter: Jimmy Page and Robert Plant Unledded''. For this arrangement, they added an orchestra and Moroccan musicians. | |||
Led Zeppelin expert Dave Lewis describes 'Kashmir' as: {{Quote|Unquestionably the most startling and impressive track on ''Physical Graffiti'', and arguably the most progressive and original track that Led Zeppelin ever recorded. 'Kashmir' went a long way towards establishing their credibility with otherwise sceptical rock critics. Many would regard this track as the finest example of the sheer majesty of Zeppelin's special chemistry.<ref>{{cite book|last=Lewis|first=Dave|year=2012|title=Led Zeppelin: From a Whisper to a Scream|location=London|publisher=Omnibus Press|pages=70|isbn=978-1-78038-547-1}}</ref>}} | Led Zeppelin expert Dave Lewis describes 'Kashmir' as: {{Quote|Unquestionably the most startling and impressive track on ''Physical Graffiti'', and arguably the most progressive and original track that Led Zeppelin ever recorded. 'Kashmir' went a long way towards establishing their credibility with otherwise sceptical rock critics. Many would regard this track as the finest example of the sheer majesty of Zeppelin's special chemistry.<ref>{{cite book|last=Lewis|first=Dave|year=2012|title=Led Zeppelin: From a Whisper to a Scream|location=London|publisher=Omnibus Press|pages=70|isbn=978-1-78038-547-1}}</ref>}} | ||
==Influence== | ==Influence== | ||
The tune was | The tune was sampling (music)|sampled by Sean Combs|Sean 'Puffy' Combs (now known as Diddy) in his song 'Come with Me' from the soundtrack to the movie ''Godzilla (1998 film)|Godzilla'' (1998), which featured Jimmy Page, who endorsed Combs' adaptation, appears in the video and also played it with him on ''Saturday Night Live''. Snippets of the song were used in ''The X Factor'' series 3 and in the German TV show ''TV Total''. Since mid-2006, the wrestling company ''Total Nonstop Action Wrestling'' has used an instrumental remix of 'Kashmir' for one of the top superstars of that company, Kevin Nash. The song was employed on the soundtrack to the French 1977 action-adventure film ''Le Crabe-Tambour'' (''The Drummer Crab'').<ref>{{cite web|title=''Le Crabe-Tambour'' (1977)|url=http://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title/481088/Crabe-Tambour-Le/music.html|work=Turner Classic Movies|publisher=Turner Entertainment|accessdate=18 October 2013}}</ref> | ||
In the motion picture '' | In the motion picture ''Ocean's Twelve|Ocean's 12'', Linus (Matt Damon) requests to play a more central role in the heist and convinces Danny (George Clooney) and Rusty (Brad Pitt) to let him join them in the meeting with a contact named Matsui. In the meeting, Matsui, Danny and Rusty speak in a strange, metaphorical code-language. When it comes to Linus's turn to say something, who is already baffled as he cannot understand what the other are saying, he can't think of anything so he recites the first two lines of the song. However, Matsui takes this as an insult and Linus is forced to wait outside for the remainder of the interview. When Danny and Rusty come outside afterwards, Rusty asks him 'Kashmir?'<ref>{{cite web|title=''Ocean's Twelve'' (2004)|url=http://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title/546446/Ocean-s-Twelve/music.html|work=Turner Classic Movies|publisher=Turner Entertainment|accessdate=18 October 2013}}</ref> In the movie ''Fast Times at Ridgemont High'', 'Kashmir' can be heard playing in the car of Mark Ratner (Brian Backer) while he is on a date.<ref>{{cite web|title=''Fast Times at Ridgemont High'' (1982)|url=http://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title/19313/Fast-Times-At-Ridgemont-High/music.html|work=Turner Classic Movies|publisher=Turner Entertainment|accessdate=18 October 2013}}</ref> In the documentary ''Religulous'', when Bill Maher was interviewing Mohammed Junas Gaffar (from the Te Ban Mosque in Amsterdam), Gaffar's cell phone went off, and it played 'Kashmir', to which Bill Maher sang along to make fun of that moment. | ||
The song was ranked 140th in '' | The song was ranked 140th in ''Rolling Stone'''s list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time in 2004.<ref>[http://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/6595985/kashmir 'Kashmir'], ''Rolling Stone'', 9 December, 2004.</ref> French Charly 1300 TMP chart rated it as number 1<ref name='French charly chart'>{{cite web | url = http://charly1300.pagesperso-orange.fr/1975.htm#mai | title = Charly 1300 Top 10 Songs: 11 May 1975 | publisher = Charly 1300 | accessdate = 2009-01-19}}</ref> In 2009 it was named the 21st VH1's 100 Greatest Hard Rock Songs|greatest hard rock song of all time by VH1.<ref>{{cite web|title=spreadit.org music|url=http://music.spreadit.org/vh1-top-100-hard-rock-songs/|accessdate=7 February 2009}}</ref> | ||
===Accolades=== | ===Accolades=== | ||
| Line 67: | Line 50: | ||
| 20 | | 20 | ||
|- | |- | ||
| '' | | ''Classic Rock (magazine)|Classic Rock'' | ||
| United Kingdom | | United Kingdom | ||
| 'Ten of the Best Songs Ever!.. (Bubbling under)'<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.rocklistmusic.co.uk/50.html#ten|title=Ten of the Best Songs Ever!.. (Bubbling under) - September 1999|accessdate=2009-02-10|publisher=''Classic Rock''}}</ref> | | 'Ten of the Best Songs Ever!.. (Bubbling under)'<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.rocklistmusic.co.uk/50.html#ten|title=Ten of the Best Songs Ever!.. (Bubbling under) - September 1999|accessdate=2009-02-10|publisher=''Classic Rock''}}</ref> | ||
| Line 73: | Line 56: | ||
| 23 | | 23 | ||
|- | |- | ||
| | | VH1 | ||
| United States | | United States | ||
| 'The 100 Greatest Rock Songs of All Time'<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.vh1.com/news/articles/1436393/20000107/story.jhtml|title=The 100 Greatest Rock Songs of All Time - July 2000|accessdate=2009-02-10|publisher=VH1}}</ref> | | 'The 100 Greatest Rock Songs of All Time'<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.vh1.com/news/articles/1436393/20000107/story.jhtml|title=The 100 Greatest Rock Songs of All Time - July 2000|accessdate=2009-02-10|publisher=VH1}}</ref> | ||
| Line 79: | Line 62: | ||
| 62 | | 62 | ||
|- | |- | ||
| '' | | ''Rolling Stone'' | ||
| United States | | United States | ||
| ' | | 'The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time'<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/_/id/6596661/500songs|title=The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time - November 2003|accessdate=2009-02-10 |publisher=''Rolling Stone''}}</ref> | ||
| 2003 | | 2003 | ||
| 140 | | 140 | ||
|- | |- | ||
| '' | | ''Blender (magazine)|Blender'' | ||
| United States | | United States | ||
| 'Standout Tracks from the 500 CDs You Must Own'<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.acclaimedmusic.net/Current/S2588.htm | title=Standout Tracks from the 500 CDs You Must Own - 2003| accessdate=2009-02-10 | publisher=''Blender''}}</ref> | | 'Standout Tracks from the 500 CDs You Must Own'<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.acclaimedmusic.net/Current/S2588.htm | title=Standout Tracks from the 500 CDs You Must Own - 2003| accessdate=2009-02-10 | publisher=''Blender''}}</ref> | ||
| Line 91: | Line 74: | ||
| * | | * | ||
|- | |- | ||
| '' | | ''Q (magazine)|Q'' | ||
| United Kingdom | | United Kingdom | ||
| '1010 Songs You Must Own!'<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.rocklistmusic.co.uk/q1010songs.htm|title=1010 Songs You Must Own! Q50 – #2: Air Guitar - September 2004|accessdate=2009-02-10 |publisher=''Q''}}</ref> | | '1010 Songs You Must Own!'<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.rocklistmusic.co.uk/q1010songs.htm|title=1010 Songs You Must Own! Q50 – #2: Air Guitar - September 2004|accessdate=2009-02-10 |publisher=''Q''}}</ref> | ||
| Line 109: | Line 92: | ||
| 74 | | 74 | ||
|- | |- | ||
| | | VH1 | ||
| United States | | United States | ||
| ' | | 'VH1's 100 Greatest Hard Rock Songs'<ref>{{cite web | url=http://music.spreadit.org/vh1-top-100-hard-rock-songs|title=VH1 Greatest Hard Rock Songs - January 2009|accessdate=2009-02-10|publisher=VH1}}</ref> | ||
| 2009 | | 2009 | ||
| 21 | | 21 | ||
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|} | |} | ||
<small>Note: The official | <small>Note: The official UK Singles Chart incorporated legal downloads as of 17 April 2005.</small> | ||
==Credits== | ==Credits== | ||
| Line 165: | Line 148: | ||
**John Bonham - drums, percussion | **John Bonham - drums, percussion | ||
*Production: | *Production: | ||
** | **Peter Grant – executive producer | ||
**Keith Harwood - engineer, mixing | **Keith Harwood - engineer, mixing | ||
**Ron Nevison - engineer | **Ron Nevison - engineer | ||
Revision as of 10:09, 19 March 2024
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 'Kashmir' is a song by the England|English Rock music|rock band Led Zeppelin from their sixth album Physical Graffiti, released in 1975. It was written by Jimmy Page and Robert Plant (with contributions from John Bonham) over a period of three years, with the lyrics dating back to 1973. Overview'Kashmir' is widely considered to be one of Led Zeppelin's most successful songs; all four band members have agreed that it is to date one of their best musical achievements.[1] John Paul Jones (musician)|John Paul Jones suggested that it showcases all of the elements that made up the Led Zeppelin sound.[2] Plant has stated that the song 'was one of my favourite [Led] Zeppelin tracks because it possessed all the latent energy and power that wasn't heavy metal. It was something else. It was the pride of Led Zeppelin.'[3] During a television interview in January 2008, he also named 'Kashmir' as his first choice of all Led Zeppelin songs that he would perform, commenting 'I'm most proud of that one'.[4] Page has indicated he thinks that the song is one of the band's best compositions.[5] The song centres around a signature chord progression guitar riff, which first appeared on Page's home-studio work tapes.[6] It was initially a tuning, an extension of a guitar-cycle that Page had been working on for years. This was the same cycle that produced 'Black Mountain Side,' 'White Summer' and the unreleased track, 'Swan Song.'[7] As bass player and keyboardist John Paul Jones (musician)|John Paul Jones had been late for the recording sessions, Page used the time to work on the riff with drummer John Bonham. The two demo (music)|demoed it late in 1973.[8] Plant later added the middle section and in early 1974 Jones added all the string parts.[9] The guitar was played in an guitar tuning|alternative guitar tuning: the strings are tuned to 'Open Dsus4' or DADGAD. Bonham's drums feature a phasing effect courtesy of an early Eventide phaser supplied by engineer Ron Nevison.[10] Plant has stated that Bonham's drumming is the key to the song: 'It was what he didn't do that made it work'.[11] The song also includes many distinctive musical patterns of classical Moroccan, Indian and Middle Eastern music. Page explained that 'I had a sitar for some time and I was interested in modal tunings and Arabic stuff. It started off with a riff and then employed Eastern lines underneath.'[12] Orchestral brass and strings with electric guitar and Mellotron Mk.II. strings are also used in the song. This is one of the few Led Zeppelin songs to use outside musicians. Session players were brought in for the string and horn sections.[13] It is difficult for many to hear the difference between the 'real' and simulated strings, which is a tribute to Jones' clever performance and arrangement. The Mellotron strings are most easily heard on the bridge, during the Gm and A chords. Originally called 'Driving to Kashmir', the lyrics to the song were written by Plant in 1973 immediately after Led Zeppelin's Led Zeppelin North American Tour 1973|1973 US Tour, in an area he called 'the waste lands'[14] of Southern Morocco, while driving from Goulimine to Tantan in the Sahara Desert.[15] This was despite the fact that the song is named for Kashmir, a region in the northernmost part of the Indian subcontinent.[16] As Plant explained to rock journalist Cameron Crowe:
In an interview he gave to William S. Burroughs in 1975, Page mentioned that at the time the song was composed, none of the band members had even been to Kashmir.[18] The song runs for 8 minutes 28 seconds, a length that radio stations usually consider too long to play. However, upon its release radio stations had no problem playing 'Kashmir,' especially after seeing 'Stairway to Heaven', which was almost as long, do so well (Original LP releases of Physical Graffiti incorrectly list the song's length as 9 minutes 41 seconds.). Live versions'Kashmir' was played live at almost every Led Zeppelin concerts|Led Zeppelin concert from its debut in 1975. Jones used a Mellotron Mk400 until 1977, when replaced by the Mellotron Mk.V., and a synthesizer for 1979 onwards. One live version, from Led Zeppelin's performance at Knebworth Festival 1979|Knebworth in 1979, is featured on disc two of the Led Zeppelin (DVD)|Led Zeppelin DVD. This performance came from the band's first show at the venue, on 4 August. The surviving members of Led Zeppelin also performed 'Kashmir' at the Atlantic Records 40th Anniversary concert in 1988. It was again performed at Ahmet Ertegun Tribute Concert|Led Zeppelin's reunion show at the The O2 arena (London)|The O2, London on 10 December 2007. When the band performed the song live, Robert Plant would switch the last verse with the second verse after singing the first verse normally. The third verse would also be sung normally in its original spot. When Led Zeppelin came together for Atlantic records' 40th Anniversary in 1988, Robert accidentally sang the second verse twice. He admitted to doing this by singing 'Oh father of the four winds fill my sails (again) across the sea of years' during the fourth verse. He never ended up singing the third verse ('Oh pilot of the storm...') before the mistake. However, he did sing 'With talk and song from tongues...' during the third verse while trying to correct it by singing 'I will return again...' halfway through. Also Plant, known for his improvisation while performing, would ad lib a lot during 'Kashmir'. He would add in 'sweet mama', 'slowly dyin, 'now just a minute', 'sweet darlin, and he would stutter the words 'baby' and 'mama'. He would also end that section with 'there's no denyin' while I'm talkin' to ya.' Jimmy Page and Robert Plant recorded another version in 1994, released on their album No Quarter: Jimmy Page and Robert Plant Unledded. For this arrangement, they added an orchestra and Moroccan musicians. Led Zeppelin expert Dave Lewis describes 'Kashmir' as:
InfluenceThe tune was sampling (music)|sampled by Sean Combs|Sean 'Puffy' Combs (now known as Diddy) in his song 'Come with Me' from the soundtrack to the movie Godzilla (1998 film)|Godzilla (1998), which featured Jimmy Page, who endorsed Combs' adaptation, appears in the video and also played it with him on Saturday Night Live. Snippets of the song were used in The X Factor series 3 and in the German TV show TV Total. Since mid-2006, the wrestling company Total Nonstop Action Wrestling has used an instrumental remix of 'Kashmir' for one of the top superstars of that company, Kevin Nash. The song was employed on the soundtrack to the French 1977 action-adventure film Le Crabe-Tambour (The Drummer Crab).[20] In the motion picture Ocean's Twelve|Ocean's 12, Linus (Matt Damon) requests to play a more central role in the heist and convinces Danny (George Clooney) and Rusty (Brad Pitt) to let him join them in the meeting with a contact named Matsui. In the meeting, Matsui, Danny and Rusty speak in a strange, metaphorical code-language. When it comes to Linus's turn to say something, who is already baffled as he cannot understand what the other are saying, he can't think of anything so he recites the first two lines of the song. However, Matsui takes this as an insult and Linus is forced to wait outside for the remainder of the interview. When Danny and Rusty come outside afterwards, Rusty asks him 'Kashmir?'[21] In the movie Fast Times at Ridgemont High, 'Kashmir' can be heard playing in the car of Mark Ratner (Brian Backer) while he is on a date.[22] In the documentary Religulous, when Bill Maher was interviewing Mohammed Junas Gaffar (from the Te Ban Mosque in Amsterdam), Gaffar's cell phone went off, and it played 'Kashmir', to which Bill Maher sang along to make fun of that moment. The song was ranked 140th in Rolling Stone's list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time in 2004.[23] French Charly 1300 TMP chart rated it as number 1[24] In 2009 it was named the 21st VH1's 100 Greatest Hard Rock Songs|greatest hard rock song of all time by VH1.[25] Accolades
(*) designates unordered lists. Chart positionsSingle (Airplay)
Single (Digital download)
Note: The official UK Singles Chart incorporated legal downloads as of 17 April 2005. Credits
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