Led Zeppelin released their fifth studio album, Physical Graffiti, in February 1975. Fifty years later, it’s still among the best releases in the band’s discography.
The double album marked a turning point in the band’s career as the first release on their Swan Song record label. Later this year, a four-song EP will celebrate the milestone. Hear “Trampled Under Foot,” the first sample of the new EP, below.
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The aptly titled Live E.P. Will drop on September 12. Fans will be able to pick it up on 180-gram vinyl or CD. It will also be available across digital platforms, according to press materials. The EP will feature four songs from Physical Graffiti captured at two classic concerts. “In My Time of Dying” and “Trampled Under Foot” come from their 1975 show at Earl’s Court. “Sick Again” and “Kashmir” were captured at their 1979 Knebworth show.
Fans who own the Led Zeppelin DVD from 2003 have already heard these recordings. However, the band’s new live RP marks the first time they’ve been released together in a stand-alone audio format.
Led Zeppelin’s Robert Plant on Physical Graffiti
Robert Plant discussed Physical Graffiti in a press release announcing the new Led Zeppelin EP. “It goes from one extreme to the other, but at the same time, it’s very evident that it’s Zeppelin,” he said of the classic. “I love the album, and it does work as a double album. There are some real humdinger, roaring tracks,” he added.
“Trampled Underfoot”
Led Zeppelin drew inspiration from blues great Robert Johnson for “Trampled Under Foot.” They based the song’s lyrics on Johnson’s “Terraplane Blues” from 1936. According to Songfacts, a Terraplane is a classic car, and Johnson used automotive parts and phrases as metaphors for sex. Where Johnson’s song is about cheating, “Trampled Under Foot” is about giving in to temptation.
The song evolved out of a jam session. When the band played it live, they usually jammed, extending the song with solos. That is reflected in the version released today which is more than three minutes longer than the album version.
