Occult Influence on the Music of Led Zeppelin

When discussing the history of rock and roll, it’s hard to ignore the influence and prominence of Led Zeppelin. Apart from their unique blend of blues, hard rock, and folk, Led Zeppelin is also well-known for the esoteric and mystical themes that run through much of their music. Many have argued that a strong occult influence is present in both their lyrics and imagery.

The Occult and Led Zeppelin: An Introduction

“Occult” means “hidden,” and traditionally refers to a range of esoteric beliefs and practices, including but not limited to alchemy, hermetism, Kabbalah, and mysticism. The late 1960s and early 1970s saw a surge of interest in the occult and other alternative spiritualities. Jimmy Page, the band’s guitarist, was notably interested in these areas, most famously being a follower of Aleister Crowley, an English occultist, ceremonial magician, and founder of the religious movement Thelema.

Examples of Occult Influences in Led Zeppelin’s Music

1. “Stairway to Heaven”
   • Arguably the band’s most famous song, “Stairway to Heaven” has been the subject of numerous interpretations. The song’s lyrics touch upon various spiritual and esoteric themes. The mention of “a sign on the wall” and the May Queen, for instance, can be seen as nodding towards an older, pagan world, and the transformative power of spiritual ascent.
2. “Immigrant Song”
   • The song opens with Robert Plant’s iconic screams, leading into lyrics about Viking invasions and the “hammer of the gods”. While not strictly occult, it invokes Norse mythology and the mysticism of ancient warriors.
3. “Kashmir”
   • The lyrics and soundscape of “Kashmir” evoke an epic journey, both physically and spiritually. The song references timeless lands and drifting into the light, suggesting a transcendental experience.
4. “Houses of the Holy”
   • The title track of the album that was never actually featured on the album named for it, this song references dancing in the dark and “the voices of those who stand looking.” This could be seen as an allusion to mystics or spiritual seekers.
5. Jimmy Page and Aleister Crowley
   • Although not a lyric, Jimmy Page’s fascination with Aleister Crowley is a significant example of the band’s occult leanings. Page even bought Crowley’s former home, Boleskine House, on the shores of Loch Ness in Scotland. The phrase “Do what thou wilt” from Crowley’s Thelemic teachings was inscribed in the run-out groove of the original vinyl release of the album “Led Zeppelin III.”
6. “In The Light”
   • The lyrics “In the light you will find the road” allude to illumination and enlightenment, common themes in mysticism and occult practices.

Criticisms and Controversies

Not everyone agrees that Led Zeppelin’s music is deeply occult or that it carries any hidden messages. Some argue that the band simply borrowed these images because they were popular and evocative, not because they held any particular spiritual belief in them.

There was also the infamous “backward masking” controversy surrounding “Stairway to Heaven,” with claims that if played backward, the song contained satanic messages. These claims, largely propagated by religious groups in the 1980s, have been debunked many times.

Conclusion

Whether deeply committed to the occult or merely fascinated by its imagery and ethos, there’s no doubt that Led Zeppelin integrated these themes into their music. Like any art, their songs are open to interpretation. For some, the mystical lyrics and symbols add depth to the band’s already powerful music, while for others, they’re just another layer of the Zeppelin mystique. Either way, the melding of hard rock with esoteric and mythological themes makes Led Zeppelin’s work endlessly fascinating and influential.