The plucking style of Jimmy Page rings through, especially during the introduction to ‘Ten Years Gone’. The track is serene and romantic, sweet-sounding yet imperceptibly a rock song. That Led Zeppelin energy the band had made so famous and that people all over the world pined for is present in every second. The song is a testament to the beauty of the band and all the good that comes from being in one. However, the lyrics represent the complete opposite.
Each member of Led Zeppelin was a genius in their own right. They had a mastery over their instrument that others in the music industry could only dream of, and their genius was one that they could merge to create something well and truly next level. The effort they put into getting to a level high enough to keep up with their fellow Led Zeppelin bandmates almost seems unattainable, but they each got there through hard work.
Of course, putting that much time and effort into your music means sacrificing some elements of your personal life. This was the case for each band member, but as the resident lyricist, it was up to Robert Plant to explain these struggles. He did this efficiently on the track ‘Ten Years Gone’, which, accompanied by the serene instrumentation of Jimmy Page, talks in-depth about the struggles of being in a band.
“Let me tell you a little story behind the song ‘Ten Years Gone’ on our new album,” said Plant, “I was working my ass off before joining Zeppelin. A lady I really dearly loved said, ‘Right, It’s me or your fans.’ Not that I had fans, but I said, ‘I can’t stop, I’ve got to keep going’.”
The two broke up, and while Plant went on to front one of the most successful rock bands in the world, his former lover had the peaceful life she craved but with somebody else. “She’s quite content these days, I imagine,” reflected Plant, “She’s got a washing machine that works by itself and a little sports car. We wouldn’t have anything to say anymore. I could probably relate to her, but she couldn’t relate to me. I’d be smiling too much. Ten years gone, I’m afraid. Anyway, there’s a gamble for you.”
There is a pain in Plant’s vocals in this song; he has an incredibly vibrant voice, and so in singing a song that is one-half celebrative (given how successful his music career was) but another part longing (as he imagines his life with his potential partner), he makes an effort to ensure these different elements come out in his performance. As he sings, “And though the course may change sometimes / Rivers always reach the sea,” we hear every aspect of his emotions.
Plant’s ability in this song is only one-quarter of Led Zeppelin. If there were ever a band to sacrifice a potential relationship with, it was this one, as each member had an unmatched talent.