In this case, we have a post sophomoric attempt at writing… I’ll give a quick synopsis of this writers attempt:

Bash, caveat, partial compliment, bash, bash, bash, bash, bash, caveat, compliment, bash, bash, use of dictionary to attempt to mince words, accusation, bash, bash, attempt at funny humor (this actually IS funny… but it’s always fun to use the word – discharge… so you get points here), bash, bash, end.

After reading the loyal Zeppelin comments, you find the following facts:

1. Led Zeppelin made great music despite their sometimes weak lyrics.
2. Most of the people commenting on Led Zeppelin know more about Led Zeppelin that the writer and can ever hope to. They even provide facts, details and occasionally reference their findings.
3. It is no great secret that many of Led Zeppelins popular songs are re-interpretations of American blues songs. It is now quite well known that they often did not credit to the original writer(s).

I think most importantly, you are missing the spirit of the music. The idea of a “hook”, a catchy riff, or memorable line that creates a unforgettable moment in time for a listener. Led Zeppelin has shown to do exactly that. Created wonderful music that seems to morph and change with time, allowing their music to last.

Now that you have done a bash piece… how about trying a more in-depth piece explaining just why their “plagiarized” tracks are so much better than their originals.

Alright, maybe I’m being a bit too “Us verses Them,” but “Black Dog” is one of the great songs of Rock n’ Roll because it epitomizes that innate, intricate balance inherent to Rock, Soul, Jazz, and Blues music— the balance between frank, simplicity and unattainable, complexity— ie: the lick verses the solo, the beat verses the fill, the chorus verses the melody.

A major part of the song’s juxtaposition between “simple” and “complex” came as a conflict between two musicians: “Black Dog” was written by Jones in a 3/16 time signature which the guitar part follows, (there is a 5/4 interval in there for those who are interested). But when this proved too difficult to do in live situations, Bonham just played the drums at a steady 4/4 underneath it all, so the drums and the guitar are playing two separate time signatures, which is why you may hear Jimmy rushing it a bit during the second half of the lick.

As for the lyrics, man, nobody wants to hear your grammar gripes. Go add “ly” to people’s words and tell them to use “adverbs,” even when it is incorrect. As for the lyrics, let me explain it to you by printing the whole verse:

“Ah, ah, child, way you shake that thing,
Gonna make you burn, gonna make you sting.
Hey, hey, baby, when you walk that way,
Watch your honey drip, can’t keep away.”

Now Black Dog surely is not the most thoughtful, lyrically, of all of Zep’s songs, (after all certain lyrics were lifted from Fleetwood Mac’s 1969 “Oh Well” and even Plant himself was quoted as saying “Not all my stuff is meant to be scrutinized. Things like ‘Black Dog’ are blatant, let’s-do-it-in-the-bath type things, but they make their point just the same,)” that being said let’s read-into-it without reading too much into it:

There is an old blues-song tradition about using the honey bee metaphor, ie: “Honey Bee Blues” by Sonny Boy Williams and “I’m a King bee” made famous by Muddy Waters. I cannot necessarily explain “why” but it is a theme as obligatory to blues as the train— aka “smokestack lightening,” or meeting the devil at the crossroads, or killing your woman after she’s been untrue to you— “Down by the River,” “Hey Joe.” You see what I mean about the blues genre recycling metaphors to deal with like themes and situations? That being said, Black Dog, similar to those other forms of musical animism, is equating the situation and content of the song to that of a Black Dog’s. I think the rest you can infer.

So all in all, I am a huge Zep fan, in case you couldn’t tell… though Pink Floyd will always reign supreme in my book. Page is only rivaled by Jimmy Hendrix as as THE great Rock guitarist, Plant can give Daltrey a run for his money as the great wailing “scream” of Rock…maybe. Bonham was a force on the drums, but even more so a legend of Rock n Roll. And as for John Paul Jones, besides being one of the great composers of rock, have you ever heard No Quater live? I mean what a keys player! While Black Dog might be “novelty” Zep, it is still Zep, and let’s give credit where credit is due.

I disagree with the “gonna make you burn, gonna make you sting” reference as being purely about disease. Sure, it could be seen in that light, but it also could that she is a “bee” who when she shakes “her thing”, means she is going to “sting” or pounce on an unsuspecting victum. This fits nicely with the next line, which mentions honey dripping. Basically, it’s not Plant who’s doing this to the girl, but rather the girl herself, by the way she dances, is doing it as a natural progression. (read: Hey, hey, mama, said the way you move [It's] Gonna make you sweat, gonna make you groove. Oh, oh, child, way you shake that thing [It's] Gonna make you burn, gonna make you sting.)

Of course, Zep is famous for double entendre’s, so they probably mean both. But there are much more clear ones then this in their songs.