Every since I was old enough to drive, (I got my license as soon as I turned 16) I would drive up to Nicholas Canyon Road in the Hollywood Hills at night and I would always take with me some girl. I would be playing "No Quarter" by Zepp and "Blue Jay Way" by The Beatles, back to back. It would scare the shit out of the girls. Me cruising down those winding roads and it's dark and THESE songs are playing....It's something I still sometime do to this very day. On the third date, this is where I'm taking her. I'll be like "fuck the movies, we're going for a drive." If she calls me after that, then I know I've found someone! Anyway, LOVE LOVE LOVE these two songs. Two of my all time faves by anyone. In "No Quarter", everything about this song is banging. Again, this is why I always pump John Paul Jones on here. If u should ever wonder what he brought to Zepp, check out this cut. His keyboard work on this song alone displays his gift. He truly elevated Zepp from just being another good rock band with a cool guitarist and frontman to a band that was on another level. Page's fantastic riff on the hook combined with the spooky as hell verse and Plant's under water vocals makes for a one of a kind song. The Beatles "Blue Jay Way" is also a killer. Written by the unsung hero, George Harrison, this track rivals many of the Beatle songs. It also contains many backward phrases pertaining to Paul being dead. Like "Paul is bloody...Paul is so very bloody." You can tell just from listening to the song played normal that "something" is up with this track. It sounds geniunely scary. The famous Beatle background vocals are in full force on this one. "Please don't be very long...please don't you be very long. Please don't be long....for I may be asleep." Anyway, what do ya'll think of these two brilliant songs?

"Blue Jay Way" has always had that cool "spooky electric" sound that I dig. George could pull out some cool jams when he wanted to. "No Quarter" is CLASSIC! A great riff. It's a headphone masterpiece. Hope the rumour is true about ZEP reforming for a tour. I'd enjoy that better than the Dave and Eddie show..(but let's save that for another thread)..

Great picks as always Brutha B!

SPYZFAN1 said:

Thanx Spyz. Hey, who would Zepp use for their drummer? Jason? That would be suitable, I think.

Blue jay way used to scare the crap out of me when I was a kid, and yet I was fascinated by it. Very beautifully, engrossingly creepy song. No Quarter's pretty good, but doesn't move quite as much. And yes, John Paul Jones was a sorely underappreciated musician, much like John Entwistle and the keyboards and horn charts he would contribute to the Who.

Yup..The word on the street is Jason will be filling the drum throne.

I have always loved Page's solo in the middle of the song. So quiet and understated, but beautiful and powerful also, which is a great testament to Page's playing ability and with him knowing just the right kind of notes and tempo to play on such an atmospheric song such as this one. One of Page's best guitar performances on record. And Jones's wonderful contribution to the song goes without saying of course.

I actually have yet to hear 'Blue Jay Way' believe it or not. It never seems to be talked about as much as all of the other songs by the group. Are there any other Beatles songs that any of you guys would also describe as being a bit creepy and eerie sounding as well?

PurpleJam said:

Revolution 9
Tommorrow Never Knows (one of my alltime favourites!)
and Flying
[Edited 2/9/07 6:41am]

PurpleJam said:

Oh hell, that's a another topic unto itself! There are sooo many dealing with Paul being dead, i.e., backward tracks, etc.

BT11 said:

I think "Honey Pie" sounds like Texas Chainsaw Massacre,

"Piggies" which literally contains the calling out that Charles Manson took so literally "what they needs a damn good wacking" that his poeple spelled it out in blood.

"Day in The Life" sounds like the epic decision of a suicide "He blew his mind out in a car"

"Long Long Long" is insanity at the end. "Helter skelter" is violent.

"I Want You She's So Heavy" had that evil epic notation mantra dissolving into chilly winds of destruction... and just ends...

ufoclub said:

I believe that was Helter Skelter.

BT11 said:

Manson's people wrote "Helter Skelter" in blood as well, but the lyrics of Piggies actually say "Have you seen the Little piggies in their starched white shirts... you can see them out for dinner... what they needs a damn good wacking!" Piggies literally seems like the call for Manson's murders.

BT11 said:

It was actually a few songs on The White Album that Manson got his crazy ideas from. 'Helter Skelter' is of course the most famous one of them. The other songs were 'Piggies'(as mentioned) and 'Blackbird'.
[Edited 2/12/07 3:44am]

PurpleJam said:

Blackbird might have been where some of his ideas of the black vs white race war came from, that and the sounds in revolution 9.

PurpleJam said:

Blackbird really? Wow, such a harmless lovely little song.

ufoclub said:

You are correct about 'Blackbird' and Manson's interpretation about the song. Certain words that were written in blood at the murder scenes were contained in the 'Blackbird' song.
[Edited 2/12/07 3:51am]

BT11 said:

Yes indeed. It just goes to show that anyone can imagine any kind of evil things in their minds from any type and style of song, whether they are the most dark and sinister sounding of songs or the most gentle and harmless of songs.

PurpleJam said:

Paul has stated that "Blackbird" was about Black Americans coming into their own in this country. As insane as Manson was/is, his "logic" was consistent.