"Kashmir" by Led Zeppelin

Journey into Led Zeppelin's epic "Kashmir," a monumental hard rock and progressive rock masterpiece from 1975's Physical Graffiti. Defined by its hypnotic, cyclical riff, powerful drumming, and majestic orchestral layers, this track creates an immersive, timeless soundscape unlike any other in rock history.

Released on the ambitious double album Physical Graffiti in 1975, "Kashmir" stands apart with its unique structure and sound. Its foundation is the iconic, trance-inducing guitar riff (in DADGAD tuning) interwoven with John Paul Jones' masterful string and brass arrangements (using Mellotron and potentially real instruments), creating a majestic, symphonic hard rock atmosphere that is instantly recognizable.

John Bonham's steady, powerful drumming anchors the song's relentless groove, while Robert Plant delivers commanding, mystical vocals inspired by overland travels. Though titled "Kashmir," the lyrics evoke the landscapes of the Moroccan desert. Considered one of Led Zeppelin's greatest progressive hard rock achievements, its influence and epic scope remain undiminished since 1975.

SONG MEANING: Despite the title, Robert Plant wrote the lyrics for "Kashmir" after driving through the Sahara Desert in Southern Morocco. The words depict a vast, timeless journey through desolate, exotic landscapes ("Oh, father of the four winds fill my sails / Across the sea of years"), reflecting a sense of endless travel, searching, and perhaps a spiritual quest within an ancient, mystical setting, rather than the specific region of Kashmir.