Led Zeppelin rarely made mistakes during their decade at the top of the music world.
They set high standards for themselves and only released material that met those lofty expectations.
Known for their unparalleled musical chemistry and heavy rock sound, Led Zeppelin created some of the most iconic tracks in rock history.
However, despite their near-perfect run, some songs in their catalog left certain band members with regrets.
A Well-Oiled Machine with Room for Disagreements
Led Zeppelin operated like a well-oiled machine, moving in sync both on and off the stage.
However, like any group of creative individuals, they didn’t always see eye to eye. The band’s success was built on a democratic process, allowing each member to contribute to their music.
But this democracy sometimes led to creative tensions, with some members later voicing dissatisfaction over specific songs or albums.
Jimmy Page’s Perfectionist Approach
As the band’s lead guitarist and primary producer, Jimmy Page’s fingerprints are all over Led Zeppelin’s music.
His meticulous approach helped create timeless tracks, but Page didn’t love everything they produced.
While his catalog with Zeppelin is a source of pride, a few moments in their history didn’t sit well with the perfectionist guitarist.
Regrets over “In Through The Out Door”
One of Page’s biggest regrets is the band’s final album, In Through The Out Door (1979).
In a 1993 interview, Page revealed that both he and drummer John Bonham found the album “a little soft.” Page admitted to Guitar World that while bassist John Paul Jones had undergone a writing renaissance, he and Bonham felt sidelined.
Used to leading the band creatively, Page found the new dynamic uncomfortable, as Jones and singer Robert Plant became the driving forces behind the album.
The album marked a turning point that Bonham and Page hoped to steer back to a harder sound, but Bonham’s untimely death in 1980 prevented those plans.
Discontent with “All My Love”
One song in particular that signified Page’s discontent was “All My Love,” a heartfelt track written by Plant about the loss of his son.
Page didn’t want to remove the song from the album due to its emotional significance for Plant, but he admitted that the track wasn’t to his taste.
He found the chorus too soft for the band’s image, saying, “I could just imagine people doing the wave… That is not us.”
While Page respected the song’s sentiment, he wasn’t eager to pursue that musical direction in the future.
The Misogyny in “Livin’ Lovin’ Maid”
Another track that Page despises is “Livin’ Lovin’ Maid (She’s Just a Woman)” from Led Zeppelin II.
The song, which follows “Heartbreaker” on the album, has never been played live by the band—likely due to its problematic lyrics.
The misogynistic tone toward a real-life groupie made Page uncomfortable, even though his riff on the track is highly regarded.
Although Plant later added the song to his solo setlist, Page has distanced himself from it, embarrassed by the lyrics and the message they conveyed.
Pride in Led Zeppelin’s Body of Work
Despite these few moments of regret, Page remains incredibly proud of Led Zeppelin’s legacy.
Reflecting on the band’s career, Page told Uncut magazine, “We were the best.
I am not talking about one or two genius songwriters, and everyone else tagging along.
I am talking about a collection of musicians who are each at the top of their craft in their own right.”
While Page may not have loved every song, the body of work Led Zeppelin created remains a testament to their enduring influence in rock music.
