Led Zeppelin

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Thank You album cover

Thank You

Led Zeppelin

Lyrics

[Chorus]
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

[Bridge]
Kind woman, I give you my all
Kind woman, nothing more

[Verse 1]
Little drops of rain whisper of the pain
Tears of loves lost in the days gone by
My love is strong
With you there is no wrong
Together we shall go until we die, my, my, my
An inspiration is what you are to me
Inspiration - look, see

[Acoustic Guitar Solo]

[Verse 2]
And so today, my world, it smiles
Your hand in mine, we walk the miles
And thanks to you it will be done
For you to me are the only one
All right, yeah
Happiness, no more be sad
Happiness - I'm glad
[Chorus]
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

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Thank You is a heartfelt ballad that can provoke listeners to reminisce about past love stories. The song is a tribute to Robert Plant's then-wife Maureen. It was released in 1969, appearing on Led Zeppelin's second album, Led Zeppelin II. This track was often overlooked by fans since it was overshadowed by the commercial success of Stairway to Heaven on the same album.

About Thank You

As previously mentioned, Thank You was featured on Led Zeppelin II, their second album. The song itself focuses on the tender affections Plant felt for his wife, Maureen. He wrote the lyrics by himself, which was uncommon for the band at the time since their songs are usually a collaborative effort among band members. The song is particularly captivating because of the sublime melody and brilliance in its arrangement, including John Paul Jones' mesmerizing organ performance. The recording features a mix of acoustic and electric guitar sounds with a rolling drumbeat thrown in for good measure.

The song's structure is in stark contrast to the rest of the album, with its delicate melodies and Pop-like arrangements. For instance, the song begins with a common guitar riff that is easy to remember and hum along to. The lyrics of the song are not confined to the usual subjects of most sixties rock songs. Plant takes the time instead to thank his wife and pledge his devotion to her. The verse leads to the chorus where the mood shifts to a more upbeat tempo, almost as if to portray the celebration of the love they share.

Starting from the first verse, Plant sings longingly, "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." These lyrics and the sentiment behind them show the depth of emotion that Plant had for his wife. The chorus comprises the line, "And so today, my world it smiles, your hand in mine, we walk the miles," making it clear that Plant considers himself lucky to have found the love of his life.

Although the song never received as much popularity as other songs within the same album, Thank You has since become a standout favorite among Led Zeppelin fans. The way the song is arranged, with Plant's voice, guitar riffs, and John Paul Jones' organ-combination, is a testament to the band's incredible ability when it comes to songwriting and arrangement.

Moreover, even musicians such as Chris Cornell praised the song on The Howard Stern Show, deeming it uncharacteristic, yet an essential song on the album. The song's lyrics, coupled with the melody and Plant's vocals, make it stand out as one of the band's most endearing love songs.

In summary, Thank You is a testament to the band's lyrical depth, melodic brilliance, and musical creativity. It is an often-overlooked gem of a song that depicts the raw and unbridled emotions of love. The timeless nature of the song, even after many years, allows Led Zeppelin's legacy to continue to persist through generations of music lovers that will undoubtedly continue to enjoy and appreciate the song for years to come.