American Reacts to Led Zeppelin - Stairway To Heaven 

Absolutely loved your reaction. It's bloody fantastic to see someone so young react so positively to music they've never experienced. You young man have opened the floodgates.

This is not a song. It's an Anthem. Simply put it is the greatest rock anthem of all time.

Led Zeppelin is god-tier. Everyone in the band was phenomenal, from the riff-king Jimmy Page, golden rock god Robert Plant, John Paul Jones, the secret weapon who glues everything together, and of course, the Hammer of the Gods, the sadly departed John Bonham, who, even forty years after his passing, is routinely cited as the greatest rock drummer of all time.

1970s music....the best decade ever !!!

"So...maybe it'll be rock & roll?" is the greatest understatement ever uttered in the history of mankind.

One of the greatest songs ever recorded, from the greatest rock band ever! Period!

Welcome to the world of real music.

Seeing someone hear this song for the first time is pure joy..it’s magic …Led Zeppelin is the greatest band of all time

The greatest song ever written

You heard the best song ever written,it doesn't get any better than that

Watching you react to what my generation considers normal rock music is quite entertaining and seeing you discover and like the classics is pretty cool

watching his reaction to the start of the guitar solo is like watching realize the world is bigger than they are

“Stairway to Heaven” brings to our attention the hard truth that true happiness in life derives not from accumulating material possessions. The song tells a story of a woman who made so much money only to realize, in the end, that her life was meaningless even with all her wealth, and she won’t make it to heaven.

Now you know why us “oldies” (still young at heart Darling) say the music we listened to was the best. Rock music transports your soul. Do yourself a favour and watch the band perform this song live at Madison Square Garden. Robert Plant has the most gorgeous head of hair, and with the light like a halo around it he could be walking to heaven himself. Jimmy Page the lead guitarist does the most epic solo, twice as long as the studio version. It’s amazing!

This song was played at every high school dance in the 70s.

This really warms my heart. Thanks for spending 8 minutes giving 100% audio attention to this classic. It's a different way of consuming music, isn't it?

The greatest band of all time, for all time.

When I had my musical awakening as a young boy of about 14/15 I got handed a bunch of LP’s(records) by a Frank a friend of the family who was an ex Hells Angel. I still clearly remember him saying “take these, look after them and play them as I did..loudly..give yourself an education”. I took them home , hooked up my little record player and put on my headphones and sat there on my bed reading the album sleeve notes trying to find out as much as possible about this band who are filling my ears with this audio amber..and then I came to Stairway To Heaven..I’ll admit now and I’m not ashamed to say it but I cried tears of joy. I’d been awakened. The joy of discovering this new band (to me) was the start of a life long journey all of which was started off by a Hells Angel. Frank is no longer with us . He climbed his stairway to heaven a few years back but I’m eternally grateful.

It's remarkable watching the reactions of young people when hearing the music I grew up with for the first time. Makes me think people will still love it in 100 years. The Led Zeppelin IV album is fantastic, all great tracks. If you like music that takes you on a journey, little different, try Billy Joel's Scenes From an Italian Restaurant.

I know every single word and note for almost 40 years and I wish I could listen to this fantastic song for the first time again 😊😊

I bet that won't be the last time you listen to this song. Another great reaction Joel.

I'm definitely from the "turn it down" generation. When this was first released my mates and I all had great stereo systems in our bedrooms. An English amp along with Tannoy Gold speakers, stroboscopic turntable with the latest greatest stylus, we'd wear out the LP playing this time and again at volume. Amazing. I listened along with you, in headphones. I just long for the Hi-Fidelity air movement that you could feel in your body.... Amazing, along with countless tracks too many to mention, We was lucky 😎

"I got woken up right when the beat came in" Yeah, John Bonham had a habit of waking you up (and the entire village in Redditch, England, where he grew up) with his epic drumming! If you like shorter songs, try Communication Breakdown, Immigrant Song, or Black Dog next. If you want some longer songs, try Dazed and Confused, Kashmir, No Quarter, In My Time of Dying or Achilles Last Stand, they are all awesome!

Love to see the younger generation discovering the old (and best) music. Don’t forget this was around the time of Woodstock and many of the kids listening were “high”. Not that I’m suggesting this - but made the music even more phenomenal.

I was 21 when this was released in 1971. I've only listened to it about 3,264 times over the intervening 51 years. I STILL get a kick out of the song and over the last two or three years watching others on RU-vid discover what MIGHT be the greatest rock song ever. Four guys and a WALL of sound. The Heart live version (NOT the HD version -- it's butchered) in front of the three surviving members of the band back in 2012 in Washington D.C. will make you laugh and cry. It's a big winner. Great reaction!

Lots of helpful comments about the music, the era, etc. I'll just add that I was a radio DJ when this song was popular. And in those days we actually had to play records... A track this long really had to be confined to the evening or late night, when you would be alone in the station. So this type of long track had a very practical use... You could put it on and get to the toilet and back... with time for some substance abuse along the way... Seems like a million years ago. This brought back fond memories.

So happy you’re giving Led Zeppelin a go, they have some amazing tracks.

I am a 53 year old woman from Windsor, Ontario Canada. Found you on here yesterday reacting to Bohemian Rhapsody (Loved it) and decided to Subscribe. Watching your reaction to this today put a smile on my face, thank you, thank you, thank you!

If you want to see a great live version, watch Hearts version with Led Zeppelin in the Audience.

After i watched your reaction to Bohemian Rhapsody for the first time , i thought to myself , there's no way he never heard Stairway To Heaven also , you definitely surprised me today. Some information regarding Led Zeppelin :- Led Zeppelin were an English rock band formed in 1968 , it consists of the following members :- Robert Plant - Vocals Jimmy Paige - Guitar John Paul Jones - Bass and Keyboards John Bonham - Drums This song's from an untitled album , written by Jimmy Paige , released in 1971 and is considered to be one of the most influential and iconic rock song of all time , along with Bohemian Rhapsody of course. If you want to hear more of them , definitely try :- Dazed And Confused , Kashmir , Immigrant Song , Whole Lotta Love or Black Dog. Also a little fact , Led Zeppelin also performed at Live Aid , and while Queen's performance is considered to be one of their greatest , Led Zeppelin's performance was quite the opposite , i still enjoyed it nonetheless Looking forward to your reactions to both of these legendary bands :-)

Wasn't I lucky to grow up listening to all these wonderful groups!!! Queen, led Zep, Pink floyd etc... Real music that meant something, with musicians out of this world, with real talent, real voices and pure music!! Being able to see all of them in concert was the best experience ever. They were even better Live. Unreal!!!!

This song always gives me goosebumps I think it’s called alpha waves. ❤️

Led zeppelin is a rock band that been around for years. Brilliant band.

I was born in 89' so unfortuntely didn't have the experience of growing up to rock and roll at it's peak but Led Zeppelin is by far one of my favourite bands. Definitely was brought up in the wrong era 😌

I am 69 years old. I was 16 when this first rocked my world.

Led zeppelin are a rock band that been around since the 60s /70s.

That great guitar was played by Jimmy Page and if you want to hear the amazing drumming that John Bonham does try Kashmir. The great vocals is all Robert Plant.

Released in 1971 and I am 71 years old, loving the song, one of the best ever guitar solos but I'm still trying to understand the lyrics!

Hi my friend i live in Wales uk. Some yrs ago i went to a Ledzeplin concert i was about 40 ft from the stage in front they played stairway to heaven, they were playing through 16 ,000 watts of sound oh bro i have never forgotten that gig, you must play whole lotta love, your hair will stand on end,😊

Love me some Led Zeppelin. One of the best British rock bands. Absolutely classic band. You should check out their song Good Times Bad Times. It was the world's introduction to this band as it was the first song on their first album. Can't get a guitar solo better than Jimmy Page's solo in this song. Gives me chills every time without fail.

The flute in the first part is actually a recorder. Led Zeppelin is the band. The song was composed by the guitarist Jimmy Page and vocalist Robert Plant whilst they were staying in a cottage in Wales in 1970. They had either just finished their American tour or were taking a break during it. It is said that they only had an acoustic guitar and recorder with them, so composed the song using them, which is why they are used in the introduction, though how true that is, is open to question.

You might like to check out Jethro Tull that had flute in a lot of the songs. As other's mentioned ELO and Pink Floyd are good choices.

Babe, I'm Gonna Leave Ya, Dazed and Confused and many, many more. Mighty, mighty Zeppelin.

I love seeing the reactions of people that have never heard the songs I grew up with :)

led zep are an amazing band and this song is so iconic. two more iconic bands i suggest is pink floyd comfertably numb live pulse concert, and dire straits sultans of swing alchemy live. with all of these bands from the 1970s there live performances are always better than the studio versions. great reaction

Led Zeppelin are seriously GOAT. Stairway To Heaven Live at MSG 1973 is going to blow your mind. This is a deep rabbit hole and I really hope to watch you react to more. They are the great grandaddies of hard rock and heavy metal. World class musicianship and artistry here.

You play this on a long journey in the car on a sunny day with the windows down. Its a journey....literally x

Love your face when it really hit you. Still get chills listening after 50 years!

Seeing your reaction reminds me of exactly how I felt listening to this and discovering Zeppelin 50 years ago . There is so much amazing music for you to discover from the last 6 decades . One video to watch has to be by Pink Floyd . Comfortably Numb Live Pulse Tour which will blow your mind when you see it . The musical talent in bands like Led Zeppelin , Queen , Pink Floyd and many more is unbelievable . One tip the live versions are usually the best .

You were clearly blown away and if you intend to pursue this journey please may I suggest you do so in chronological order to get at feel for how this amazing band developed. Plenty more to come!

Greetings from Scotland my friend. Welcome into the hypnotic, mesmerizing world of Led Zeppelin. There is no escape. Next, please react to Kashmir......( studio version ! ).

It was written in different times. When the soul of the world was not engaged yet. Thanks, mate. Really loved your reaction :)

Led Zeppelin were the first band I ever saw live, back in 1971 - Led Zeppelin IV, the album this song is on had just been released and I've loved them ever since. the best rock band ever

I'm so enjoying watching this young man really get into every part of this song. He's appreciating everything about it. Good on you!! ❤

A rock masterpiece without equal.

I saw Led Zeppelin live in concert in 1969 and 1970- the song Dazed and Confused was just electrifying in person. Suggestions - Dazed and Confused, The Ocean, Black Dog, Cashmere - Watch any of the lives songs from the 1973 concert in Madison Square Garden - especially "Since I've Been Lovin' You"

Greatest band in history! Watch all their live performances! This one live 1973 at MSG is magnificent!

Got to listen to Kashmir and When the Levee Breaks next! Also, Robert Plant was a big Lord of the Rings fan, whose influence can be seen in some of his lyrics.

Great reaction welcome to the analogue world of music where talent marked out the greats .

There are a lot of theories behind the meaning of Stairway, but the one I buy in to is it’s one of a spiritual journey, giving yourself over two greater meaning, and understanding both your skills and flaws and those of the people around you in order to create perfection, in essence Heaven on Earth. That is just a number of one potential theories, however I would say to anybody, like any art, the meaning behind it is the one you find, if the song represents something to then that is its purpose .

'' She's buying a stairway to heaven'' is a reference to drug use. Brilliant band from my area and were often seen around our local pubs in the late 70s. Jon Bonham the drummer is buried just a couple of miles from me, and people visit from all over the world leaving coins and drumsticks on his grave. Robert Plant, who now lives in Wales took my daughter and her friend out to dinner about five years ago, he is the nicest man ever, and they ended the evening on the beach watching the sun go down. Apparently the song is the most requested song on British radio.

Recommend 'When the levee breaks' from the same album. Not nearly as famous as stairway to heaven but REALLY worth checking out

Eight minutes of pure bliss.

Led Zeppelin were the biggest musical attraction to hit the USA throughout the entire 1970s. Biggest band in the world. They had a number one album in 1970 and a number one album in 1979, with other number one albums in between throughout. Broke all concert attendance records through the decade as well. They were English, but were America's favourite band by far. Cheers.

There are many of us who are old enough to remember when this first came out and are blown away by it just as much now as then. It is great to see that young people today are just as impressed now as we were. I love your reaction particularly to Jimmy Page's solo, keep up the good work. For something a little heavier all through try "Whole Lotta Love".

Nice reaction mate! They are a band. The live version 1973 at MSG is amazing too. Welcome to the rabbit hole of rabbit holes

This and Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen are routinely cited as two of the greatest rock songs in history. You should also look at Led Zeppelin's mangus opus, Kashmir.

We have had some great rock bands in the world.

You might like to check out the cover done by Heart in tribute to Led Zep when they were inducted into the Hall of Fame 2012. Surviving members of Led Zep were in the audience and it brought them to tears. Epic. Also the Obamas rocking out.

So lovely seeing a young person discover one of the best rock songs of all time. Are there any other Led Zeppelin songs? Hell yes. Maybe this is the start of a voyage of discovery…. Forget the banal music we are subjected to today and find the brilliance of past (and present) music. Good luck.

I’ve heard the first bit but I didn’t realise that there’s such a long bit after the beginning.

When you said "Let me know if there's anything else from Led Zeppelin..." I knew I had to stick around and watch this unfold, so I subscribed. Thoroughly enjoyed watching your reaction and am looking forward to more. 🌠

Good morning! Now that you've seen the original, you MUST watch Heart performing "Stairway to Heaven" at the Kennedy center honors. They performed it honoring Led Zeppelin, & seeing Robert Plant get a bit teary, & how excited Jimmy Page was is awesome. Ann Wilson has an incredible voice, and then the late John Bonham's son plays the drums (his dad had been the drummer, but died by suffocating on his vomit). His Dad always wore a bowler hat, & so seeing Jason in a bowler hat taking his Dad's place on drums is really special.

"All that glitters is gold" is another one of Robert Plant's paraphrased lines plucked from Tolkien. Lines from The Lord of the Rings appear in a few Led Zeppelin songs. Stairway to Heaven is the cherry on the cake of Led Zeppelin IV. Such an unusual opening with the solo guitar and harmonised recorders giving it a slightly medieval feel. The tempo also constantly increases throughout the song, really driving it forwards to the Jimmy Page solo.

Wow, this song's over 50 years old now. Feeling very old

Thank you for not stopping the song. There is nothng more irritatingto me when others do it. I have no problem if you talk over it. Great vid. I give it a 👍👍 up!

'Time' by Pink Floyd is a must listen. In fact the entire 'Dark side of the Moon' album will blow you away!

John Paul Jones was playing the intro on a recorder, not a flute. The Jimmy Page solo is immortal and " forbidden" to play in guitar stores. John Bonhams timely entrance into the song midway is phenom! Robert Plants voice exudes the passion at the end. Led Zeppelin is without equal.

Dude - there's a whole world of Zeppelin for you to get emersed in now you've broken the ice - pick any 30 from 30 and you won't be disappointed - welcome to the very best of music :-)

I feel really old when someone tells me they’ve never heard Led Zeppelin…. 8 minutes long… yeh, maybe we had longer attention spans back in the day…. Or more time….? There’s quite few even longer- inna Gadda DaVida(sp?) was memorable, and the first track of Hot August Night.

I wonder if he's ready for Child In Time by Deep Purple yet?

This simply is the best rock anthem ever recorded, and is constantly voted so. again one from the 3 british bands who gave the world heavy rock Sabbath, Zepplin and Deep purple

Led Zeppelin won a Kennedy Center award. Heart did a performance of this song, which I never thought anyone could do well. Saw it and loved it. You may want to check it out

Brilliant song and I believe the band were British - again! 🙂. They started in the late 60's and had an influence on bands that followed during that generation. This to me was their most epic song. I was more into Queen and David Bowie in the 70's. For vocal talent you should also check out George Michael. Brilliant videos - thank you.

Time - Pink Floyd - Thank me later

What a masterpiece!!!

You just opened a deep deep rabbit hole with Led Zeppelin-Black dog, whole Lotta Love, Rock N Roll, Misty Mountain Hop, communication Breakdown, Immigrant Song, Over The Hills And Far Away, D'Yer Maker, Trampled Underfoot, Living Loving Maid just to name a few.

Also really recommend Jimi hendrix since you're getting into classic rock. Songs like Little wing, All along the watch tower (originally written by Bob dylan if you ever wanted to check out the original) Voodoo child, if 6 was 9 SOO many good songs and that guy could melt your brain with his guitar solos. :D

The live version is magic.And it's a keyboard not a flute lol in the live version.

I have never heard of Led Zeppelin and I am from the UK. I didn't like the beginning but OMG when the music got loud it was great. Older people from the UK may know Led Zeppelin but I am 20years old.

Finally an honest reaction to Stairway to Heaven. Concerning the lyrics: it does not have a single meaning, rather, it has multiple meanings and very useful messages for an young person like you. Good luck in life.

Wasn’t sure if you’d be posting today after your ‘challenge’. Glad to see you’re ok. I thought a summing up of your experience would have been forthcoming but this reaction was a pretty good second best!

Led Zeppelin are part of what is known as "The Unholy Trinity" 3 British bands that changed music in the 1970's Led Zeppelin Black Sabbath Deep Purple Do yourself a favour listen and feast on true Legends. You will find that Rock/Metal has long intro's on most songs.

Led Zepplin could shatter glass at 30 paces from the stage.Saw them in New Zealand in 1972..65,ooo turned up.A population of 3million at the time.My ears rang for three days..

Zeppelin has like 80 songs and all 80 are fucking amazing. Pretty much the only catalogue of music I can genuinely say that about with actual conviction.

My feeling is that the song may have been written thinking about a rich girl who acts like she's owed a place in heaven because of being born wealthy, but that's just a guess.

Its typical of this type of music to change tempo and sound as its like acts in a play. I think this helps with the length as its like listening to a different song one after the other , If something is kept interesting it can hold attention. Pink Floyds music does this you should try "Wish you were here" or "High Hopes". Or peter Gabriel "Sledgehammer", Lyrically some think it relates to drugs or some think its about believing accumulating wealth and material things to enter heaven (some ancient civilisations believed this). I find it interesting that there are things you may not have heard, this makes sense a person hasnt seen or heard everything and there are cultural differences which make us all unaware of some things I still discover things Ive never heard of all the time its what make life interesting.

Such a beautiful song that promises more as it goes on, and boy does it deliver. If you want more Led Zeppelin, you'll have probably heard "Immigrant Song" without knowing where is was from. If you're into The Lords of The Rings then "Battle for Evermore" is a must

Yup, that’s the usual reaction to this great iconic tune man. Loved it bro. Talk about the mother of all rabbit 🐇 🕳’s to go down. Rock on man!!¡

the british flag needs to be pinned up again dude 🤣🤣