Thank You (Led Zeppelin)

There are so many lovesongs out there that it is sometimes hard to find the right one. However, this little song by Led Zeppelin, found on their momentous second album, Led Zeppelin II, has just about everything I could ask for in its lyrics. Yes, it is sappy, but it is sappy in such a good way - just listen to those words:

If the sun refused to shine

I would still be loving you

When mountains crumble to the sea

There will still be you and me

I have to confess that I don't remember the rest of the words, but after looking them up, I decided against citing them here. It did turn a little sappier than I expected - but the four lines above have always moved me deeply. Add to it a cute melody and a spine-chilling guitar workout by master Page, and you have a true masterful love song. And Plant's vocals are outstanding - I have always liked the Unledded version where he goes "bam ba-bam ba-bam ba-bam - I wanna thank you" over the organ punctuated by the guitar/rest of the band. 

However, the Unledded version does lack the rhythm section that really made Led Zeppelin great. John Bonham is unfortunately no longer with us, but John Paul Jones, to me the true unsung hero of Led Zeppelin is still around - and the footage from London's O2 Stadium from last year with Jason Bonham on drums was spectacular. My plea is simple: Robert Plant, please join Jimmy Page and John Paul Jones on an upcoming tour with Jason Bonham on drums. It won't work with anybody else - it's like Queen without Freddie Mercury. If you do, I'll celebrate Thanksgiving every day for a year! 

At that point, my lunch break appears to be over, and I'd better get back to work again. I leave you with the Unledded version of Thank You - please sit back and enjoy!