"Sick Again" is a song by English rock band Led Zeppelin from their 1975 album Physical Graffiti. It was written by singer Robert Plant. The song is about a group of teen groupies, which Plant referred to as "L.A. Queens", with whom the band were acquainted on their 1973 US Tour.[4]
| "Sick Again" | |
|---|---|
| Song by Led Zeppelin | |
| from the album Physical Graffiti | |
| Released | 24 February 1975 |
| Recorded | 1974 |
| Studio |
|
| Genre | |
| Length | 4:40 |
| Label | Swan Song |
| Songwriter(s) | |
| Producer(s) | Jimmy Page |
Lyrics
editPlant took pity upon these girls who would flock to the hotel rooms of the band to offer them "favors". In an interview he gave in 1975, he provided an explanation of the lyrics:
If you listen to "Sick Again," a track from Physical Graffiti, the words show I feel a bit sorry for [the girls]. "Clutchin pages from your teenage dream in the lobby of the Hotel Paradise/Through the circus of the L.A. Queen how fast you learn the downhill slide." One minute she's 12 and the next minute she's 13 and over the top. Such a shame. They haven't got the style that they had in the old days ... way back in '68.[5]
Live performances
editLed Zeppelin frequently performed "Sick Again" in concert; during the 1975 and 1977 tours, it was often the second song they played.[4] A performance from the 1979 Knebworth Festival is included on the Led Zeppelin DVD (2003). The song was dropped for the band's final tour Over Europe in 1980.[4]
Page performed this song on his tour with the Black Crowes in 1999. A version of "Sick Again" performed by them can be found on the album Live at the Greek.
Personnel
editAccording to Jean-Michel Guesdon and Philippe Margotin:[3]
- Robert Plant – vocals
- Jimmy Page – electric guitars
- John Paul Jones – bass
- John Bonham – drums
References
edit- ^ Williamson, Nigel (2007). The Rough Guide to Led Zeppelin. Rough Guides UK. p. 236. ISBN 978-1-8435-3841-7.
- ^ Larkin, Colin (1997). The Virgin Encyclopedia of Seventies Music. Virgin Books. p. 249. ISBN 978-0-7535-0154-2.
Physical Graffiti, a double set, gave full rein to the quartet's diverse interests, with material ranging from compulsive hard rock ('Custard Pie' and 'Sick Again') to pseudo-mystical experimentation ('Kashmir').
- ^ a b Guesdon & Margotin 2018, p. 432.
- ^ a b c Lewis, Dave (1994). The Complete Guide to the Music of Led Zeppelin. Omnibus Press. ISBN 0-7119-3528-9.
- ^ "Cameron Crowe interview Led Zeppelin". 18 March 1975. Archived from the original on 29 April 2007.
Bibliography
edit- Guesdon, Jean-Michel; Margotin, Philippe (2018). Led Zeppelin All the Songs: The Story Behind Every Track. Running Press. ISBN 978-0-316-448-67-3.