"The Lemon Song" by Led Zeppelin

Squeeze into Led Zeppelin's raw "The Lemon Song," a potent slice of heavy blues rock from Led Zeppelin II (1969). Famous for its improvisational feel, suggestive lyrics, and powerful performances, particularly Robert Plant's vocals and John Paul Jones' bass break, it showcases their mastery of hard-hitting blues.

Appearing on 1969's Led Zeppelin II, this track exemplifies the band's deep roots in electric blues, heavily influenced by Howlin' Wolf's "Killing Floor." It features a loose, almost live-in-studio feel, anchored by Jimmy Page's fiery guitar, John Bonham's powerful drumming, and highlighted by John Paul Jones' memorable, fluid bass interlude within its dynamic blues rock structure.

Robert Plant delivers one of his most intense and suggestive vocal performances, utilizing classic blues metaphors, most notoriously the "squeeze my lemon" line derived from Robert Johnson. While initially facing crediting issues (later crediting Howlin' Wolf), the track stands as a quintessential example of Led Zeppelin's electrifying, heavy interpretation of blues rock power in 1969.

SONG MEANING: Steeped in traditional blues metaphors, "The Lemon Song" uses heavy sexual innuendo to express raw desire and passion. The most famous line, "squeeze my lemon 'til the juice runs down my leg" (adapted from Robert Johnson's "Travelling Riverside Blues"), is a widely recognized metaphor for sexual release. The song is a direct and intense expression of lust.