Living Loving Maid (She's Just a Woman)
Encyclopedia
"Living Loving Maid" is a song by the English
rock
band Led Zeppelin
from their album Led Zeppelin II
, released in 1969. It was also released as the b-side of the single
"Whole Lotta Love
". The song is about a groupie
who annoyed the band early in their career. In the original UK pressings of Led Zeppelin II it was titled "Living Loving Wreck (She's a Woman)", with the "Wreck" replaced by "Maid" on US and later releases.
It is often noted that this is guitar
ist Jimmy Page
's least favourite Led Zeppelin song, and was thus never performed in concert., partially because it was written as album filler and partially because Jimmy Page
's then-girlfriend Charlotte Martin was offended by it. Even though the song was never performed, there was a single show in Düsseldorf during which a short segment of the song was played right after the band's song "Heartbreaker
" on 12 March 1970. It was also one of the few Led Zeppelin songs on which Page sang backing vocals. Conversely, singer Robert Plant
took a liking to the song, and played it on his 1990 solo tour.
For the recording of this track, Page played on a Vox 12-string guitar.
When heard on the radio it was typically played immediately after their song "Heartbreaker
", as it flows seamlessly from the abrupt ending of that song on the original album. Yet the band never played these songs together on stage at Led Zeppelin concerts
(something they consistently did, for example from late 1972 to 1975 with "The Song Remains the Same
" and "The Rain Song
" — the first two tracks from their 1973 album Houses of the Holy
). Robert Plant brought the song into his Manic Nirvana
US solo tour set in 1990.
1969 7" single (Argentina: Atlantic 2164 002)
1969 7" single (Peru: Atlantic AT 7050)
1969 7" single (US: Atlantic 45-2690)
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
rock
Rock music
Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
band Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin were an English rock band, active in the late 1960s and throughout the 1970s. Formed in 1968, they consisted of guitarist Jimmy Page, singer Robert Plant, bassist/keyboardist John Paul Jones, and drummer John Bonham...
from their album Led Zeppelin II
Led Zeppelin II
The finished tracks reflect the raw, evolving sound of the band and their ability as live performers. The album has been noted for featuring a further development of the lyrical themes established by Robert Plant on Led Zeppelin's debut album, creating a work which would become more widely...
, released in 1969. It was also released as the b-side of the single
Single (music)
In music, a single or record single is a type of release, typically a recording of fewer tracks than an LP or a CD. This can be released for sale to the public in a variety of different formats. In most cases, the single is a song that is released separately from an album, but it can still appear...
"Whole Lotta Love
Whole Lotta Love
"Whole Lotta Love" is a song by English rock band Led Zeppelin. It is featured as the opening track on the band's second album, Led Zeppelin II, and was released in the United States and Japan as a single. The US release became their first hit single, it was certified Gold on 13 April 1970, when it...
". The song is about a groupie
Groupie
A groupie is a person who seeks emotional and sexual intimacy with a musician or other celebrity. "Groupie" is derived from group in reference to a musical group, but the word is also used in a more general sense, especially in casual conversation....
who annoyed the band early in their career. In the original UK pressings of Led Zeppelin II it was titled "Living Loving Wreck (She's a Woman)", with the "Wreck" replaced by "Maid" on US and later releases.
It is often noted that this is guitar
Guitar
The guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
ist Jimmy Page
Jimmy Page
James Patrick "Jimmy" Page, OBE is an English multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, and record producer. He began his career as a studio session guitarist in London and was subsequently a member of The Yardbirds from 1966 to 1968, after which he founded the English rock band Led Zeppelin.Jimmy Page...
's least favourite Led Zeppelin song, and was thus never performed in concert., partially because it was written as album filler and partially because Jimmy Page
Jimmy Page
James Patrick "Jimmy" Page, OBE is an English multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, and record producer. He began his career as a studio session guitarist in London and was subsequently a member of The Yardbirds from 1966 to 1968, after which he founded the English rock band Led Zeppelin.Jimmy Page...
's then-girlfriend Charlotte Martin was offended by it. Even though the song was never performed, there was a single show in Düsseldorf during which a short segment of the song was played right after the band's song "Heartbreaker
Heartbreaker (Led Zeppelin song)
"Heartbreaker" is a song from English rock band Led Zeppelin's 1969 album, Led Zeppelin II. It was credited to all four members of the band, having been recorded at A&R Studios, New York, during the band's second concert tour of the United States, and was engineered by Eddie Kramer."Heartbreaker"...
" on 12 March 1970. It was also one of the few Led Zeppelin songs on which Page sang backing vocals. Conversely, singer Robert Plant
Robert Plant
Robert Anthony Plant, CBE is an English singer and songwriter best known as the vocalist and lyricist of the iconic rock band Led Zeppelin. He has also had a successful solo career...
took a liking to the song, and played it on his 1990 solo tour.
For the recording of this track, Page played on a Vox 12-string guitar.
When heard on the radio it was typically played immediately after their song "Heartbreaker
Heartbreaker (Led Zeppelin song)
"Heartbreaker" is a song from English rock band Led Zeppelin's 1969 album, Led Zeppelin II. It was credited to all four members of the band, having been recorded at A&R Studios, New York, during the band's second concert tour of the United States, and was engineered by Eddie Kramer."Heartbreaker"...
", as it flows seamlessly from the abrupt ending of that song on the original album. Yet the band never played these songs together on stage at Led Zeppelin concerts
Led Zeppelin concerts
From September 1968 through the summer of 1980, English rock group Led Zeppelin were one of the world's most popular live music attractions, performing hundreds of sold-out concerts around the world.-History:...
(something they consistently did, for example from late 1972 to 1975 with "The Song Remains the Same
The Song Remains the Same (song)
"The Song Remains the Same" is a song by the English rock group Led Zeppelin. It is the opening track from their 1973 album, Houses of the Holy.-Overview:...
" and "The Rain Song
The Rain Song
"The Rain Song" is a ballad song from English rock band Led Zeppelin's fifth album Houses of the Holy, released in 1973.-Recording:"The Rain Song" is a love ballad of over 7 minutes in length. Guitarist Jimmy Page originally constructed the melody of this song at his home in Plumpton, England,...
" — the first two tracks from their 1973 album Houses of the Holy
Houses of the Holy
Houses of the Holy is the fifth studio album by the English rock band Led Zeppelin, released by Atlantic Records on 28 March 1973. The album title is a dedication by the band to their fans who appeared at venues they dubbed "Houses of the Holy". It was the second Led Zeppelin album to not...
). Robert Plant brought the song into his Manic Nirvana
Manic Nirvana
Manic Nirvana is the fifth solo album by former Led Zeppelin singer Robert Plant, released in 1990. Although the lead single "Big Love" was only a modest success, its follow-up single "Hurting Kind" turned out to be a major hit, reaching #1 on the Mainstream Rock Tracks chart for six consecutive...
US solo tour set in 1990.
Formats and tracklistings
1969 7" single (Japan: Nihon Gramophone DT-1146, Turkey: Atlantic 70504)- A. "Living Loving Maid (She's Just a Woman)" (Page, Plant) 2:39
- B. "Bring It On Home" (Page, Plant, Dixon) 4:21
1969 7" single (Argentina: Atlantic 2164 002)
- A. "Living Loving Maid (She's Just a Woman)" (Page, Plant) 2:39
- B. "Whole Lotta Love" (Bonham, Jones, Page, Plant, Dixon) 3:12
1969 7" single (Peru: Atlantic AT 7050)
- A. "Living Loving Maid (She's Just a Woman)" (Page, Plant) 2:39
- B. "Ramble On" (Page, Plant) 4:23
1969 7" single (US: Atlantic 45-2690)
- A. "Whole Lotta Love" (Bonham, Jones, Page, Plant, Dixon) 5:33
- B. "Living Loving Maid (She's Just a Woman)" (Page, Plant) 2:39
Single
| Chart (1970) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Japanese Singles Chart | 93 |
| US Billboard Hot 100 Billboard Hot 100 The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday... |
65 |
Personnel
- Robert PlantRobert PlantRobert Anthony Plant, CBE is an English singer and songwriter best known as the vocalist and lyricist of the iconic rock band Led Zeppelin. He has also had a successful solo career...
- vocalsSingingSinging is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, and augments regular speech by the use of both tonality and rhythm. One who sings is called a singer or vocalist. Singers perform music known as songs that can be sung either with or without accompaniment by musical instruments... - Jimmy PageJimmy PageJames Patrick "Jimmy" Page, OBE is an English multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, and record producer. He began his career as a studio session guitarist in London and was subsequently a member of The Yardbirds from 1966 to 1968, after which he founded the English rock band Led Zeppelin.Jimmy Page...
- guitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
s, backing vocals - John Paul JonesJohn Paul Jones (musician)John Paul Jones is an English multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, composer, arranger and record producer. Best known as the bassist, mandolinist, and keyboardist for English rock band Led Zeppelin, Jones has since developed a solo career and has gained even more respect as both a musician and a...
- bass guitarBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick.... - John BonhamJohn BonhamJohn Henry Bonham was an English musician and songwriter, best known as the drummer of Led Zeppelin. Bonham was esteemed for his speed, power, fast right foot, distinctive sound, and "feel" for the groove...
- drumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
Cover versions
- 1970: The ChurchillsThe ChurchillsThe Churchills was an Israeli band founded in 1965, active until the mid-1970s. It was a part of the rhythm bands scene that were active in Israel in the 1970s, especially in Ramla. The band played rock music in English, from psychedelic rock to hard rock...
(single, b/w Sunshine Man) - 1988: Gang GreenGang GreenGang Green is a band originally from Braintree, Massachusetts. Chris Doherty , Bill Manley and Mike Dean started the band in 1980 and broke up in 1984...
(single b/w "Born To Rock") - 1989: Robert Hardesty & the Del Reys (The Song Retains the Name)
- 1990: Dread ZeppelinDread ZeppelinDread Zeppelin is an American band best known for performing the songs of Led Zeppelin in a reggae style as sung by a 300 pound Vegas Elvis impersonator. Over the years they would also perform songs originally by Elvis Presley, Bob Marley and The Yardbirds. The group toured extensively around the...
(Un-Led-EdUn-Led-EdUn-Led-Ed is the debut album by Dread Zeppelin. Released in 1990 to a skeptical public, the album became a sensation on the strength of glowing reviews and a public endorsement by Led Zeppelin vocalist, Robert Plant, who claimed he preferred Dread Zep's version of "Your Time Is Gonna Come" to Led...
) - 1999: Great WhiteGreat WhiteGreat White is an American hard rock band, formed in Los Angeles in 1978. The band gained popularity during the 1980s and early 1990s. The band released several albums in the late 1980s and gained airplay on MTV with music videos for songs like "Once Bitten, Twice Shy"...
(Great Zeppelin: A Tribute to Led ZeppelinGreat Zeppelin: A Tribute to Led ZeppelinGreat Zeppelin: A Tribute to Led Zeppelin is a cover album released by the American hard rock band Great White in 1998, dedicated to songs of Led Zeppelin. It was recorded live in a concert that took place at The Galaxy Theatre of Santa Ana, California, USA, in December 1996 and released by the...
) - 2000: Doxomedon (Dead Zeppelin: A Metal Tribute to Led Zeppelin)
- 2002: The Section (The String Quartet Tribute to Led Zeppelin, Vol. 2)
- 2006: The Rockies (The Music of Led Zeppelin)
- 2006: Studio 99 (Led Zeppelin: A Tribute)
Sources
- Welch, Chris (1998) Led Zeppelin: Dazed and Confused: The Stories Behind Every Song, ISBN 1-56025-818-7