Sick Again
Encyclopedia
"Sick Again" is a song by English
rock band Led Zeppelin
, from their 1975 album Physical Graffiti
.
This song was written by Robert Plant
about teenage groupies, or as he called them, the "L.A. Queens", with whom the band were acquainted on their 1973 US Tour
. He took pity upon these girls who would flock to the hotel rooms of the band to offer them favours. In an interview he gave in 1975, he provided an explanation of the lyrics:
Plant's vocals are however somewhat hard to hear because they are not prominent in the mix.
The song's musical structure alternates between a bluesy E minor
motif in the verse section as the vocals are called, followed by a thunderous E minor pentatonic chord sequence in response. A riff
in A major
is introduced in the chorus, resolved by a bluesy B7 "goodbye chord" arpeggio
as an interlude to the verse and bridge. Of particular note is the relentless pounding of John Bonham
's bass drum and triplet fills during the open chords of the song's interludes, almost as if to punctuate that this is the heavy
section.
The very last sound of the very last song on Physical Graffiti is that of Jimmy Page
's backward echo-processed slide guitar, followed by a pick scrape to close out the song, although shortly afterwards a cough from Bonham can be heard very faintly.
"Sick Again" was frequently performed live at Led Zeppelin concerts
, being the second number performed on all the 1975 and 1977 tour dates. When Led Zeppelin performed this live on their 1977 U.S. tour
, they started it with the first verse instrumental of "The Rover
", and Page here used his Gibson EDS-1275 Double Neck Guitar as the song was played directly after "The Song Remains the Same
". It was also played in 1979 (a filmed version from Knebworth
is featured on the Led Zeppelin DVD), but was dropped for the band's final tour "Over Europe"
in 1980.
Jimmy Page performed this song on his tour with The Black Crowes
in 1999. A version of "Sick Again" performed by Jimmy Page & The Black Crowes can be found on the album Live at the Greek
.
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 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 1975 album Physical Graffiti
Physical Graffiti
Physical Graffiti is the sixth studio album by the English rock band Led Zeppelin, released on 24 February 1975 as a double album. Recording sessions for the album were initially disrupted when bassist/keyboardist John Paul Jones considered leaving the band...
.
This song was written by 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...
about teenage groupies, or as he called them, the "L.A. Queens", with whom the band were acquainted on their 1973 US Tour
Led Zeppelin North American Tour 1973
Led Zeppelin's 1973 North American Tour was the ninth concert tour of North America by the English rock band. The tour was divided into two legs, with performances commencing on May 4 and concluding on July 29, 1973...
. He took pity upon these girls who would flock to the hotel rooms of the band to offer them favours. In an interview he gave in 1975, he provided an explanation of the lyrics:
Plant's vocals are however somewhat hard to hear because they are not prominent in the mix.
The song's musical structure alternates between a bluesy E minor
E minor
E minor is a minor scale based on the note E. The E natural minor scale consists of the pitches E, F, G, A, B, C, and D. The E harmonic minor scale contains the natural 7, D, rather than the flatted 7, D – to align with the major dominant chord, B7 .Its key signature has one sharp, F .Its...
motif in the verse section as the vocals are called, followed by a thunderous E minor pentatonic chord sequence in response. A riff
RIFF
The Resource Interchange File Format is a generic file container format for storing data in tagged chunks. It is primarily used to store multimedia such as sound and video, though it may also be used to store any arbitrary data....
in A major
A major
A major is a major scale based on A, with the pitches A, B, C, D, E, F, and G. Its key signature has three sharps.Its relative minor is F-sharp minor and its parallel minor is A minor...
is introduced in the chorus, resolved by a bluesy B7 "goodbye chord" arpeggio
Arpeggio
An arpeggio is a musical technique where notes in a chord are played or sung in sequence, one after the other, rather than ringing out simultaneously...
as an interlude to the verse and bridge. Of particular note is the relentless pounding of John Bonham
John Bonham
John 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...
's bass drum and triplet fills during the open chords of the song's interludes, almost as if to punctuate that this is the heavy
Heavy
-Music:* "Heavy" , a song by Collective Soul from the album Dosage* Heavy , the first album by the band Iron Butterfly* Heavy , 1999...
section.
The very last sound of the very last song on Physical Graffiti is that of 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 backward echo-processed slide guitar, followed by a pick scrape to close out the song, although shortly afterwards a cough from Bonham can be heard very faintly.
"Sick Again" was frequently performed live 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:...
, being the second number performed on all the 1975 and 1977 tour dates. When Led Zeppelin performed this live on their 1977 U.S. tour
Led Zeppelin North American Tour 1977
Led Zeppelin's 1977 North American Tour was the eleventh and final concert tour of North America by the English rock band. The tour was divided into three legs, with performances commencing on 1 April and concluding on 24 July 1977...
, they started it with the first verse instrumental of "The Rover
The Rover (song)
"The Rover" is a song by English rock band Led Zeppelin from their 1975 album Physical Graffiti.The song was originally meant to be an acoustic piece, being written at Bron-Yr-Aur in 1970 and then recorded at Stargroves during the Houses of the Holy sessions in 1972...
", and Page here used his Gibson EDS-1275 Double Neck Guitar as the song was played directly after "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:...
". It was also played in 1979 (a filmed version from Knebworth
Knebworth Festival 1979
The Knebworth Festival 1979 consisted of two concerts performed by the English rock band Led Zeppelin and other artists at Knebworth House, Hertfordshire, England, in August 1979.-History:...
is featured on the Led Zeppelin DVD), but was dropped for the band's final tour "Over Europe"
Tour Over Europe 1980
Tour Over Europe 1980 was the last concert tour by the English rock band Led Zeppelin. The tour commenced on June 17 and concluded on July 7, 1980...
in 1980.
Jimmy Page performed this song on his tour with The Black Crowes
The Black Crowes
The Black Crowes are an American rock band formed in 1989. Their discography includes nine studio albums, four live albums and several charting singles. The band was signed to Def American Recordings in 1989 by producer George Drakoulias and released their debut album, Shake Your Money Maker, the...
in 1999. A version of "Sick Again" performed by Jimmy Page & The Black Crowes can be found on the album Live at the Greek
Live at the Greek
Live at the Greek: Excess All Areas is a double live album by Jimmy Page and The Black Crowes, released by musicmaker.com on 29 February 2000 and later by TVT Records on 4 July 2000. In October 1999, Page teamed up with The Black Crowes for a two-night performance of material from the Led Zeppelin...
.
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 - 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
- 2000: Jimmy Page & The Black CrowesThe Black CrowesThe Black Crowes are an American rock band formed in 1989. Their discography includes nine studio albums, four live albums and several charting singles. The band was signed to Def American Recordings in 1989 by producer George Drakoulias and released their debut album, Shake Your Money Maker, the...
(Live at the GreekLive at the GreekLive at the Greek: Excess All Areas is a double live album by Jimmy Page and The Black Crowes, released by musicmaker.com on 29 February 2000 and later by TVT Records on 4 July 2000. In October 1999, Page teamed up with The Black Crowes for a two-night performance of material from the Led Zeppelin...
) - 2007: Zepparella (Pleasing Pounding)
Sources
- Lewis, Dave (2004) The Complete Guide to the Music of Led Zeppelin, ISBN 0-7119-3528-9
- Welch, Chris (1998) Led Zeppelin: Dazed and Confused: The Stories Behind Every Song, ISBN 1-56025-818-7