The Song Remains the Same

"The Song Remains the Same" is a song by the English rock group Led Zeppelin. It is the opening track from their 1973 album, Houses of the Holy. Composition The song was originally an instrumental with the working title "The Overture". After singer Robert Plant added lyrics, it was temporarily known as "The Campaign" before becoming "The Song Remains the Same". In an interview he gave to Guitar World magazine in 1993, guitarist Jimmy Page discussed the song's construction: Plant's vocal track was slightly sped up for the album release. Page played overdubs with a Telecaster on this recording, and also a Fender 12-string guitar. Performance and releases The band first performed this song live on their 1972 Japanese Tour. Bootlegs from this tour reveal that the song was still without a settled title, with Plant introducing it as "Zep" from the stage at Tokyo. At Led Zeppelin concerts from late 1972 through 1975, "The Song Remains the Same" was followed (just as on the original album) by direct segue into "The Rain Song". For this live arrangement, Page employed his trademark Gibson EDS-1275 double-necked guitar. "The Song Remains the Same" was the opening song for the 1977 US tour and 1979 concerts, before being dropped from the set list for the 1980 European tour. The song was also performed at Led Zeppelin's reunion show at the O2 Arena, London on 10 December 2007.