We all know Led Zeppelin. 1970s British band. Founders of hard rock. Oh: and political commentators.
Well, not exactly. Compared to their peers, Led Zeppelin generally avoided political themes in their songwriting. Pink Floyd decried all war with “Us and Them,” the Beatles critiqued Communist China in “Revolution,” and the Rolling Stones’ “Street Fighting Man” is a clear nod to anti-Vietnam War protests of the 1960s. Meanwhile, critics ridiculed Led Zeppelin for simple lyrics about sex and Lord of the Rings.
On its face, Led Zeppelin’s “Stairway to Heaven” seems no different. Its mystical lyrics leave fans dazed and confused about their actual meaning. Some believe the song disavows materialism; others even fear it calls the listener to join a Satanic cult. I saw the 8-minute anthem a bit differently: “Stairway” is actually a metaphor for the disillusionment of young people entering a broken, corrupt political system.
Let’s go lyric by lyric:
“There’s a lady who’s sure all that glitters is gold / And she’s buying a stairway to Heaven”
This is a pretty clear representation of youthful overidealism, a naive optimism in the pursuit of progress. Young people unfamiliar with the gridlock and deceit of the political system are “sure” that change is possible. You feel invincible and trust the world around you: naturally, you can solve the world’s problems.
In truth, not “all that glitters is gold,” whether it is jewelry or politics. Nevertheless, this lady—like some young people in politics—has convinced herself that every promise of change is a genuine step towards progress. The patently absurd metaphor of a “stairway to Heaven” embodies this: no stairway, no matter how glorious, can take you all the way to Heaven. Yet, the overidealism persists.
“When she gets there she knows, if the stores are all closed / With a word she can get what she came for / Ooh, ooh, and she’s buying a stairway to Heaven”
Young people seem to be the centerpiece of most political energy and activism. Politicians are obsessed with winning the youth vote—which may give the impression that young people can always “get what [they] came for.” But, as the song later reveals, this outsized influence is merely a facade.
“There’s a sign on the wall, but she wants to be sure / ‘Cause you know sometimes words have two meanings”
This is our first obstacle for young people in politics. Many politicians resort to doublespeak and misleading rhetoric to justify their broken promises. From Nixon’s “I’m not a crook” to Bush’s “Mission Accomplished!” it seems words always have “two meanings” in politics. This discourages youth activism since we believe the system is broken beyond fixing. If every politician lies, and gets away with it, then young people may feel powerless to hold them accountable. Alternatively, believing these lies fosters complacency among young people—if politicians can do no wrong, then why get involved?
“In a tree by the brook, there’s a songbird who sings / Sometimes all of our thoughts are misgiven / Ooh, it makes me wonder / Ooh, makes me wonder”
This political doublespeak starts to give young people doubt, “misgiven thoughts,” and distrust in government. Cue the famous line: “It makes me wonder,” which repeats and builds throughout the song as young people continue to question the status quo.
“There’s a feeling I get when I look to the West / And my spirit is crying for leaving”
For young people, politics pokes holes in our idealistic vision of the West. Our “spirit” still connects with the American Dream, but politics perpetuate inequality. Increasingly, young people seem to lack the money and power to truly influence politics. Major donors have billions while young voters have no quarter.
This portion fits nicely into a narrative about youth politics, but it could also relate to the immigrant experience in the West. Refugees and immigrants are “crying for leaving,” but find a land of broken promises and corrupt politics upon arriving on Western shores.
Cracks in the immigration system are all too clear today. Immigration reform fell apart in the US while Britain’s Parliament approved a plan to deport asylum seekers to Rwanda. Although “Stairway” conveys eternal political themes, they may seem more relevant for certain people at certain times.
Every listener will have a different interpretation of Led Zeppelin’s music. Students may believe the song is about youth political activism, but Jeff Bezos might see the “Stairway to Heaven” as a stairway to tax avoidance. No perspective is any more legitimate than another, no matter what a college student tells you.
With that said, back to the lyrics:
“In my thoughts I have seen rings of smoke through the trees / And the voices of those who stand looking / Ooh, it makes me wonder / Ooh, really makes me wonder”
This “smoke through the trees” arises from the fires of polarization. The current political landscape seems more divided than ever, and most politicians simply “stand looking”—or even fuel the fire.
“And it’s whispered that soon if we all call the tune / Then the piper will lead us to reason / And a new day will dawn for those who stand long / And the forests will echo with laughter / Oh-oh-oh-oh-whoa”
The disillusionment of young people is now complete. Rather than courageously paving the way, politicians encourage young people to simply acquiesce to the status quo. We’re told that “if we all call the tune” then “a new day will dawn”—a promise of change that will never come to fruition. Youthful idealism fades over the hills and far away.
“If there’s a bustle in your hedgerow, don’t be alarmed now / It’s just a spring clean for the May queen”
Again, we’re told to accept political failure. Even if there’s a “bustle in your hedgerow,” we should not be “alarmed.” Even if political authorities lead us to disaster—from the Iraq War to the 2008 recession—it’s just a “spring clean for the May queen.” This persistent obedience to a royal figure further solidifies the control of a failed political system.
“Yes, there are two paths you can go by, but in the long run / There’s still time to change the road you’re on”
Suddenly, there is a monumental change in perspective. This sense of pessimism and disillusionment is now gone. While it may seem bleak, there is “still time to change the road” in the “long run.” Young people will continue to face temptations from politicians with hollow promises, but “Stairway” recognizes that there is a choice. Perhaps no individual can change the entire system, but at least there are “two paths.”
“And it makes me wonder / Ohh, whoa / Your head is humming, and it won’t go, in case you don’t know / The piper’s calling you to join him”
Pressures to maintain the status quo remain strong, though. The “piper” continues to plead for youth support, such that your “head is humming.”
“Dear lady, can you hear the wind blow? And did you know / Your stairway lies on the whispering wind?”
This stairway to Heaven, to a better future, is ephemeral. In the current political system, where partisan majorities and public opinion can shift at a moment’s notice, the opportunity for progress rests on “the whispering wind.”
Cue epic guitar solo—guitarist Jimmy Page deserves a full image here just for this:
“And as we wind on down the road / Our shadows taller than our soul / There walks a lady we all know / Who shines white light and wants to show / How everything still turns to gold / And if you listen very hard / The tune will come to you at last / When all are one, and one is all / To be a rock and not to roll”
Young people can make a difference, and should. They must stay strong like a “rock” and “not roll” with the tide of political pressures. Most young people believe they can influence the political system, no matter how broken. Although young people are just as divided as most Americans, we can still unify— “when all are one”—on the path to progress.
“And she’s buying a stairway to Heaven”
As the band’s beautiful anthem comes to a close, “Stairway” reminds us that idealism is a noble pursuit. It is possible, even profoundly necessary, to buy a “stairway to Heaven.”
So, where does this leave us? The political meaning might not be explicit in “Stairway to Heaven,” but all human experience is political—the way we associate with each other, organize power, and develop solutions to our problems is a persistent question for everyone. From political scientists to lawmakers to a group of British lads cranking up the volume while recording “Whole Lotta Love,” politics is for everyone.
Furthermore, this liberation of political interpretation empowers anyone to find their own meaning. Music listeners (myself included) often love to learn about a song’s history and what the artist really meant with each lyric, but it is time to put music interpretation back into our own hands. Just as young people need to reclaim politics and buy a “Stairway to Heaven,” music listeners need to reclaim personal artistic interpretation. A political reading of “Stairway” may seem far-fetched, especially since singer Plant himself is unsure what the song means. Maybe this was all just the delusion musings of a bored college student. Nevertheless, finding the politics in everything is the first step towards a deeper understanding of our society and political system.
Step aside, Walt Whitman—Led Zeppelin also contains multitudes. “Stairway to Heaven” works as a rock n’roll masterpiece one minute and solemn political story the next, cementing its eternal place in the halls of music history.
Featured Images: eBay and Miki De Goodaboom
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