"Ten Years Gone" is a song by English rock band

Led Zeppelin Led Zeppelin were an English rock music, rock band formed in London in 1968. The band comprised vocalist Robert Plant, guitarist Jimmy Page, bassist-keyboardist John Paul Jones (musician), John Paul Jones and drummer John Bonham. With a he ...

from their 1975 album '' Physical Graffiti''. Record producer

Rick Rubin Frederick Jay Rubin (, ; born March 10, 1963) is an American record producer. He is a co-founder of Def Jam Recordings, founder of American Recordings, and former co-president of Columbia Records. Rubin helped popularize hip hop by produci ...

has described the song as, "A deep, reflective piece with hypnotic, interweaving riffs. Light and dark, shadow and glare. It sounds like nature coming through the speakers."

Recording and production

Jimmy Page James Patrick Page (born 9 January 1944) is an English musician and producer who achieved international success as the guitarist and founder of the Rock music, rock band Led Zeppelin. Page began his career as a studio session musician in Lo ...

had originally intended the song to be an instrumental piece; he recorded around 14 guitar tracks to

overdub Overdubbing (also known as layering) is a technique used in audio recording in which audio tracks that have been pre-recorded are then played back and monitored, while simultaneously recording new, doubled, or augmented tracks onto one or more a ...

the harmony section.Dave Lewis (1994), ''The Complete Guide to the Music of Led Zeppelin'', Omnibus Press, .

Robert Plant Robert Anthony Plant (born 20 August 1948) is an English singer and songwriter. He was the lead singer and lyricist of the rock band Led Zeppelin from its founding in 1968 until their breakup in 1980. Since then, he has had a successful solo ca ...

later added lyrics, which are dedicated to an old girlfriend who, ten years earlier, had made him choose either her or his music. Plant explained this in an interview in 1975:

Live performances

Live versions of this song were performed on Led Zeppelin's 1977 concert tour of the United States.

John Paul Jones John Paul Jones (born John Paul; July 6, 1747 – July 18, 1792) was a Scottish-born naval officer who served in the Continental Navy during the American Revolutionary War. Often referred to as the "Father of the American Navy", Jones is regard ...

originally played the melody on an

acoustic guitar An acoustic guitar is a musical instrument in the string family. When a string is plucked, its vibration is transmitted from the bridge, resonating throughout the top of the guitar. It is also transmitted to the side and back of the instrument, ...

before introducing a custom triple-necked instrument created by

Andy Manson Andrew Bruce Manson (23 March 1936 – 22 December 2009) is a former Australian politician and orator. Born in Scotland, he was on national service for three months before two years in the Reserves. A carpenter, he was active in the trade un ...

, that included six-string and twelve-string guitars, a mandolin, and bass pedals. Page also performed this song on his tour with the Black Crowes in 1999. In an interview he later gave to

National Public Radio National Public Radio (NPR) is an American public broadcasting organization headquartered in Washington, D.C., with its NPR West headquarters in Culver City, California. It serves as a national Radio syndication, syndicator to a network of more ...

, Page commented on this collaboration with the Black Crowes: One version is included on '' Live at the Greek'' (2000). It peaked at number 33 on '' Billboard's''

Mainstream Rock Mainstream rock (also known as heritage rock) is a radio format used by many commercial radio stations in the United States and Canada. Format background Mainstream rock stations represent a cross between classic rock, active rock and alternativ ...

chart.

Reception

In a contemporary review of ''Physical Graffiti'', Jim Miller of ''

Rolling Stone ''Rolling Stone'' is an American monthly magazine that focuses on music, politics, and popular culture. It was founded in San Francisco, California, in 1967 by Jann Wenner and the music critic Ralph J. Gleason. The magazine was first known fo ...

'' described "Ten Years Gone" as having a progression reminiscent of

the Beatles The Beatles were an English Rock music, rock band formed in Liverpool in 1960. The core lineup of the band comprised John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr. They are widely regarded as the Cultural impact of the Beatle ...

' " Dear Prudence" that "resolves in a beautifully waddling refrain." Miller also believed Plant sounded like

Rod Stewart Sir Roderick David Stewart (born 10 January 1945) is a British singer and songwriter. Known for his distinctive raspy singing voice, Stewart is among the List of best-selling music artists, best-selling music artists of all time, having sold ...

on the track, with Page "scooping broad and fuzzy chords" behind him. In a retrospective review of ''Physical Graffiti ( Deluxe Edition)'', Jon Hadusek of ''

Consequence of Sound ''Consequence'' (previously ''Consequence of Sound'') is an independently owned New York-based online magazine featuring news, editorials, and reviews of music, movies, and television. History ''Consequence of Sound'' was founded in Septem ...

'' called "Ten Years Gone" one of Page/Plant's "most sincere compositions". In another retrospective review of ''Physical Graffiti (Deluxe Edition)'', Brice Ezell of ''

PopMatters ''PopMatters'' is an international online magazine of cultural criticism that covers aspects of popular culture. ''PopMatters'' publishes reviews, interviews, and essays on cultural products and expressions in areas such as music, television, ...

'' gave "Ten Years Gone" an extremely positive review, stating the track was one of ''Physical Graffitis highlights along with having some of Page's "most enrapturing guitar work, particularly in the way he layers multiple riffs on top of each other." Ezell continued, calling the song's main riff "lovely and echoey" and "over the course of six and a half minutes he songebbs and flows, trading off sky-gazing moments of reflection with bursts of euphoria."

Footnotes

References

External links