In the Light
{{Short description|1975 song by Led Zeppelin}}
{{other uses}}
{{Infobox song
| name = In the Light
| artist = Led Zeppelin
| album = Physical Graffiti
| released = {{Start date|df=yes|1975|02|24}}
| recorded = 1974
| studio =
- Headley Grange, Headley, England
- Olympic, London
| genre =
- Progressive rock{{sfn|Guesdon|Margotin|2018|p=402}}{{cite book|first= Scott |last= Calef |year= 2011 |title= Led Zeppelin and Philosophy: All Will Be Revealed |publisher= Open Court |page= 217 |isbn= 9780812697766 |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=Ozfg785V0E4C&pg=PA217}}{{cite book|first= Stevie|last= Chick|editor-first= Robert |editor-last= Dimery |year= 2005 |title= 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die |chapter= Led Zeppelin - Physical Graffiti|publisher= Cassell Illustrated |location= London |page= 338}}{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/best-albums-1975-1235311960/led-zeppelin-physical-graffiti-3-1235312038/|title=The 75 Best Albums of 1975|first=Angie|last=Martoccio|website=Rolling Stone|date=16 April 2025|access-date=19 April 2025|quote=...the synth-heavy prog rock odyssey that is "In the Light".}}
- art rock{{cite web|last=Rivadavia|first=Eduardo|date=17 November 2016|title=Led Zeppelin Albums Ranked|url=https://loudwire.com/led-zeppelin-albums-ranked/|access-date=26 May 2021|website=Loudwire}}
| length = 8:46
| label = Swan Song
| writer =
| producer = Jimmy Page
}}
"In the Light" is a song by English rock band Led Zeppelin from their 1975 album Physical Graffiti. The song was composed primarily by bassist/keyboardist John Paul Jones on synthesiser, though singer Robert Plant and guitarist Jimmy Page also received songwriting credits.
Composition and recording
The unique sound of the intro was created by Page using a bow on an acoustic guitar, as a backdrop to Jones' opening synthesiser solo.{{cite magazine|last1=Grow|first1=Kory|title=Jimmy Page on the 'Swagger' of Led Zeppelin's 'Physical Graffiti'|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/features/jimmy-page-on-the-swagger-of-led-zeppelins-physical-graffiti-20150223|magazine=Rolling Stone|date=23 February 2015 |access-date=17 June 2016}} The song is based on an earlier band composition titled "In the Morning".Dave Lewis (1994), The Complete Guide to the Music of Led Zeppelin, Omnibus Press, {{ISBN|0-7119-3528-9}}.
Led Zeppelin also recorded an alternative version of the song, "Everybody Makes It Through" (In the Light) [Early Version/In Transit]". This version was released on 23 February 2015, as part of the remastering process of all nine albums. Led Zeppelin never performed "In the Light" in concert.
Reception
In a contemporary review of Physical Graffiti, Jim Miller of Rolling Stone gave "In the Light" a mixed review, saying that while the track was "one of the album's most ambitious efforts", the track "fizzles down the home stretch."{{cite magazine|last1=Miller|first1=Jim|title=Physical Graffiti|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/albumreviews/physical-graffiti-19750327|magazine=Rolling Stone|access-date=28 July 2017|date=27 March 1975|archive-date=23 April 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090423132813/http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/ledzeppelin/albums/album/158693/review/5944206/physical_graffiti|url-status=dead}} Miller continues "the problem here is not tedium but a fragmentary composition that never quite jells: When Page on the final release plays an ascending run intended to sound majestic, the effect is more stilted than stately."
In a retrospective review of Physical Graffiti (Deluxe Edition), Jon Hadusek of Consequence of Sound called "In the Light" one of his favorite Zeppelin songs; Hadusek believed the song's arrangement "shouldn't work, but it does".{{cite news|last1=Hadusek|first1=Jon|title=Led Zeppelin – Physical Graffiti (Reissue)|url=https://consequenceofsound.net/2015/02/album-review-led-zeppelin-physical-graffiti-reissue/|newspaper=Consequence|access-date=28 July 2017|date=19 February 2015}} Describing the track, Hadusek said the track "erratically builds from solo organs and doom riffs to a cheerful chorus of major scales."
In an interview he gave to rock journalist Cameron Crowe, Plant stated that this song was one of Led Zeppelin's "finest moments".Liner notes by Cameron Crowe for The Complete Studio Recordings. Similarly, Page has stated that this is his personal favourite track on Physical Graffiti.
Personnel
According to Jean-Michel Guesdon and Philippe Margotin:{{sfn|Guesdon|Margotin|2018|p=400}}
- Robert Plant – vocals
- Jimmy Page – electric guitars, bow
- John Paul Jones – bass, synthesiser, Clavinet
- John Bonham – drums
See also
- {{slink|List of cover versions of Led Zeppelin songs#In the Light}}
References
{{reflist}}
Bibliography
- {{cite book|first1=Jean-Michel|last1=Guesdon|first2=Philippe|last2=Margotin|year=2018|title=Led Zeppelin All the Songs: The Story Behind Every Track|publisher=Running Press|isbn=978-0-316-448-67-3}}
{{Led Zeppelin songs}}
{{Led Zeppelin}}
{{authority control}}
Category:Songs written by Jimmy Page
Category:Songs written by Robert Plant
Category:Songs written by John Paul Jones (musician)
Category:Song recordings produced by Jimmy Page