“Stairway to Heaven” is a song by the British rock band Led Zeppelin.
It was written by guitarist Jimmy Page and vocalist Robert Plant and released on the band’s fourth studio album in 1971.
The song has since become one of the most popular and enduring rock songs of all time.
- Official Video to Play/Sing Along!
- Song History
- Chords in Baritone Ukulele Tuning (DGBE)
- D-Tuning Version (ADF#B)
- Led Zeppelin Band History
- Left-Handed GCEA Tuning Chords
- 10 “Stairway to Heaven” Song Facts
- Stairway to Heaven Fingerstyle Ukulele Video
- Did Led Zeppelin ever use ukulele in their recordings/performances?
Official Video to Play/Sing Along!
Song History
“Stairway to Heaven” is a song that was written by guitarist Jimmy Page and vocalist Robert Plant for the British rock band Led Zeppelin.
It first appeared on the band’s fourth studio album in 1971 and has since become one of the most beloved and timeless rock songs in history.
The song’s genesis can be traced back to a riff that Page had been playing since the mid-1960s, which he had initially worked on with the Yardbirds, a band he played in before forming Led Zeppelin.
Plant came up with the lyrics during a retreat to a remote Welsh cottage in 1970, and the two began working on the song together.
The song features a slow, melodic opening that gradually builds in intensity before exploding into a hard-rocking finale.
The lyrics are often interpreted as a metaphor for the journey of life and the search for spiritual enlightenment.
When the song was first released, it received mixed reviews from critics, but it quickly became a fan favorite and remains one of the most requested songs on classic rock radio stations.
It has also been covered by many other artists and used in numerous movies, TV shows, and commercials.
Despite its popularity, “Stairway to Heaven” has also been the subject of controversy. In the 1980s, accusations of backward masking, or hiding hidden messages in the song when played backwards, led to claims that the song contained satanic messages.
However, these claims have been debunked by both the band and music experts.
Overall, “Stairway to Heaven” remains one of the most iconic and influential rock songs ever recorded, and its legacy continues to inspire and captivate generations of music fans.
Chords in Baritone Ukulele Tuning (DGBE)
The baritone ukulele is the largest of the four main ukulele sizes, with a scale length of around 19-21 inches and a total length of around 30 inches.
It is typically tuned lower than the other three sizes, with a standard tuning of D-G-B-E, which is the same as the highest four strings of a guitar.
D-Tuning Version (ADF#B)
Led Zeppelin Band History
Led Zeppelin was an English rock band formed in London in 1968. The group consisted of guitarist Jimmy Page, vocalist Robert Plant, bassist and keyboardist John Paul Jones, and drummer John Bonham.
The band was originally called the New Yardbirds, but they changed their name to Led Zeppelin after a comment from fellow musician Keith Moon, who said they would “go over like a lead balloon.”
Led Zeppelin quickly established themselves as one of the most innovative and influential bands of the 1970s, blending elements of blues, rock, and folk into a powerful and unique sound.
They released their self-titled debut album in 1969, which included the hit single “Communication Breakdown.”
Over the next decade, Led Zeppelin released a series of highly successful albums, including “Led Zeppelin II,” “Led Zeppelin III,” “Led Zeppelin IV,” and “Houses of the Holy.”
They became known for their epic live performances, which often featured lengthy improvisations and extended jams.
However, Led Zeppelin’s career was not without controversy. The band was accused of plagiarizing several songs, including “Dazed and Confused,” “Whole Lotta Love,” and “Stairway to Heaven,” though they successfully defended themselves against most of these claims.
Tragically, Led Zeppelin’s career was cut short in 1980 when John Bonham died from alcohol-related asphyxiation.
The band announced their breakup shortly after and have only reunited for a handful of performances since then.
Despite their relatively short career, Led Zeppelin remains one of the most popular and influential rock bands of all time, with a massive and devoted fanbase that continues to grow to this day.
Left-Handed GCEA Tuning Chords
[Intro]
Am Ammaj9 Am7 D/F# Fmaj7 G Am
Am Ammaj9 Am7 D/F# Fmaj7 G Am
C D Fmaj7 Am C G D
C D Fmaj7 Am
C D
Fmaj7
[Verse 1]
There's
Am Ammaj9
a lady who's sure
Am7 D/F#
All that glitters is gold
Fmaj7 G Am
And she's buying a stairway to heaven.
Am Ammaj9
When she gets there she knows
Am7 D/F#
If the stores are all closed
Fmaj7 G Am
With a word she can get what she came for.
C D/F# Fmaj7 Am C G D
Oh o______h and she's buying a stairway to heaven.
C D Fmaj7 Am
There's a sign on the wall But she wants to be sure
C D Fmaj7
'Cause you know sometimes words have two meanings.
Am Ammaj9
In a tree by the brook
Am7 D/F#
There's a songbird who sings,
Fmaj7 G Am
Sometimes all of our thoughts are misgiven.
Am Ammaj9 Am7 D/F# Fmaj7 G Am G
[Bridge 1]
Am7
D Am7
Oh, it makes me wonder
Em/D D C/D D Am7 D
Oh, it makes me wonder.
Am7 Em/D D C/D D
[Verse 2]
There's a
C G
feeling I get
Am
When I look to the west,
C G Fmaj7 Am
And my spirit is crying for lea__ving.
C G
In my thoughts I have seen
Am
Rings of smoke through the trees,
C G Fmaj7 Am C G
And the voices of those who stand loo__king.
[Bridge 2]
Am7 D Am7
Ooh, it makes me wonder
Em/D D C/D D Am7 D
Oh, it really makes me wonder.
Am7 Em/D D C/D D
[Verse 3]
And it's
C G Am
whispered that soon, If we all call the tune
C G Fmaj7 Am
Then the piper will lead us to rea__son.
C G
And a new day will dawn
Am
For those who stand long
C G Fmaj7 Am C G
And the forests will echo with laughter.
[Bridge 3]
Am7 D Am7 Em/D D C/D D
Am7 D Am7 Em/D D C/D D
[Verse 4]
C G Am
If there's a bustle in your hedgerow,
Don't be alarmed now,
C G Fmaj7 Am
It's just a spring clean for the May queen.
C G Am
Yes, there are two paths you can go by
But in the long run
C G Fmaj7 Am C G
There's still time to change the road you're on.
[Bridge 4]
Am7 D Am7 Em/D
And it makes me wonder.
D C/D D Am7 D Am7 Em/D
D C/D D
[Verse 5]
C G Am
Your head is humming and it won't go
In case you don't know,
C G Fmaj7 Am
The piper's calling you to join him,
C G Am
Dear lady, can you hear the wind blow,
And did you know
C G Fmaj7 Am C G D
Your stairway lies on the whis_pering wind.
[Bridge 5]
Dsus4 D C Dsus4 D
C C/B
[Solo]
Am C/G Fmaj7 Am C/G Fmaj7
Am C/G Fmaj7 Am C/G Fmaj7
Am C/G Fmaj7 Am C/G Fmaj7
Am C/G Fmaj7 Am C/G Fmaj7
Am C/G Fmaj7 Am C/G Fmaj7
[Verse 6]
Am G F
And as we wind on down the road
Am G F
Our shadows taller than our soul.
Am G F
There walks a lady we all know
Am G F
Who shines white light and wants to show
Am G F
How ev'rything still turns to gold.
Am G F
And if you listen very hard
Am G F
The tune will come to you at last.
Am G F
When all are one and one is all
Am G F
To be a rock and not to roll.
[Outro]
Am C/G Fmaj7 Am C/G Fmaj7
Am C/G Am C/G Am C/G
Fmaj7
And she's buying a stairway to heaven.10 “Stairway to Heaven” Song Facts
Here are ten interesting facts about Led Zeppelin’s iconic song, “Stairway to Heaven”:
- “Stairway to Heaven” was released in 1971 as part of Led Zeppelin’s fourth studio album, “Led Zeppelin IV.”
- The song is often considered one of the greatest rock songs of all time, and it has been covered by countless artists in a wide range of musical styles.
- Despite its popularity, the song was never officially released as a single.
- The song features a number of different musical styles and moods, including folk, rock, and blues, and it is known for its dynamic changes in tempo and intensity.
- The song’s lyrics were written by vocalist Robert Plant and were inspired by a wide range of sources, including J.R.R. Tolkien’s “The Lord of the Rings” and the tarot card deck.
- The song’s famous guitar riff was written by guitarist Jimmy Page and had been in his repertoire since the mid-1960s, when he played with the Yardbirds.
- The song’s recording process was reportedly difficult and took over a year to complete, with the band experimenting with a variety of different instruments and recording techniques.
- Despite its length (the song is over eight minutes long), “Stairway to Heaven” remains a staple of classic rock radio and is often played in its entirety.
- The song has been the subject of numerous controversies over the years, including claims of backward masking and allegations of plagiarism.
- In 2016, Led Zeppelin was sued by the estate of Randy California, the late guitarist of the band Spirit, who claimed that “Stairway to Heaven” was plagiarized from Spirit’s song “Taurus.” The case was ultimately dismissed by a federal judge.
Stairway to Heaven Fingerstyle Ukulele Video
Did Led Zeppelin ever use ukulele in their recordings/performances?
While Led Zeppelin is known for its use of various musical instruments, including acoustic guitars, mandolins, and even a recorder, there is no evidence that the band ever used a ukulele in any of its recordings or live performances.
The band’s sound was primarily rooted in electric guitar-based rock, blues, and hard rock, and they rarely ventured into the realm of acoustic music.
That being said, individual members of Led Zeppelin have been known to experiment with different instruments and styles in their solo work, so it’s possible that a member of the band may have used a ukulele at some point outside of the Led Zeppelin context.
