Houses of the Holy was the fifth studio album by Led Zeppelin, released on March 28, 1973 by Atlantic Records. It is their first album composed of entirely original material and it represents a turning point in musical direction for the band, who had begun to record songs with more layering and production techniques.
Track listing
1. “The Song Remains the Same”
2. “The Rain Song”
3. “Over the Hills and Far Away”
4. “The Crunge”
5. “Dancing Days”
6. “D’yer Mak’er”
7. “No Quarter”
8. “The Ocean”
Flip through the gallery to learn more about Houses of the Holy by Led Zeppelin
The cover art for Houses of the Holy was inspired by the ending of Arthur C. Clarke's novel, Childhood's End. The cover is a collage of several photographs which were taken at the Giant's Causeway in Northern Ireland by Aubrey Powell of Hipgnosis
Physical Graffiti Photo By: Chris Walter/WireImage/Getty Images
The title track, "Houses of the Holy," was originally recorded for the album, but was delayed until the release of the band's next album, Physical Graffiti in 1975
Slush Photo By: Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images
George Harrison was reportedly the inspiration for "The Rain Song" when he made a comment to Led Zeppelin drummer John Bonham, about the fact that the group never wrote any ballads. The song originally had the working title of "Slush
The Crunge Photo By: Chris Walter/WireImage/Getty Images
Most of James Brown's early recordings were done live, so he often gave directions to the band in-song, e.g., "take it to the bridge.” Robert Plant pays tribute to this at the end by asking, "Where's that confounded bridge?,” spoken as the song finishes abruptly since it doesn't contain a bridge
D’yer Mak’er Photo By: David Redfern/Redferns/Getty Images
Upon the album's release, Robert Plant was keen to issue D’yer Mak’er as a single in the U.K. When the song was released in the U.S. in December 1973, the single peaked at No. 20. Due to this, it was never released in the U.K.
No Quarter Photo By: Chris Walter/WireImage/Getty Images
No Quarter" was recorded in 1972 at Island Studios in London. The song was written by John Paul Jones, Jimmy Page and Robert Plant and became a centerpiece at all Led Zeppelin concerts thereafter until their final tour
Sea of Heads Photo By: Chris Walter/WireImage/Getty Images
The Ocean" is a metaphor for the "sea of heads" faced by lead singer Robert Plant "in the auditoriums,” according to the group's biographer Dave News
