This Led Zeppelin Song Isn't About Thanksgiving, But It Might as Well Be

This Led Zeppelin Song Isn't About Thanksgiving, But It Might as Well Be Led ZeppelinImage via Sony Pictures By  Dyah Ayu Larasati Published 43 minutes ago Dyah (pronounced Dee-yah) is a Senior Author at Collider, responsible for both writing and transcription duties. She joined the website in 2022 as a Resource Writer before stepping into her current role in April 2023. As a Senior Author, she writes Features and Lists covering TV, music, and movies, making her a true Jill of all trades. In addition to her writing, Dyah also serves as an interview transcriber, primarily for events such as San Diego Comic-Con, the Toronto International Film Festival, and the Sundance Film Festival. Dyah graduated from Satya Wacana Christian University in October 2019 with a Bachelor's degree in English Literature, concentrating on Creative Writing. She is currently completing her Master's degree in English Literature Studies, with a thesis on intersectionality in postcolonial-feminist studies in Asian literary works, and is expected to graduate in 2026. Born and raised between Indonesia and Singapore, Dyah is no stranger to different cultures. She now resides in the small town of Kendal with her husband and four cats, where she spends her free time cooking or cycling. Sign in to your Collider account Summary Generate a summary of this story follow Follow followed Followed Like Like Thread Log in Here is a fact-based summary of the story contents: Try something different: Show me the facts Explain it like I’m 5 Give me a lighthearted recap

As the season of gratitude approaches, we often turn to traditional hymns like "We Gather Together" and "Come, Ye Thankful People" to fill the festive air. But you don't need a holiday to appreciate songs about thankfulness, or write a Thanksgiving-specific tune just to capture the spirit of the season. Case in point: Led Zeppelin. As one of the pioneers of classic rock, members Jimmy Page, John Bonham, Robert Plant, and John Paul Jones stormed the charts with timeless hits like "Stairway to Heaven" and "Whole Lotta Love." Besides their blues-inspired jams, much of Led Zeppelin's music takes inspiration from their deeply personal relationships. While one of these songs comes from an individual experience, the message it contains speaks to all of its listeners — and could easily fit the reflective mood of Thanksgiving.

Robert Plant Wrote "Thank You" as a Tribute to His Former Wife

Written by Plant and composed by Page, "Thank You" marks one of Led Zeppelin's first steps away from their usual blues-rock sound into something softer and more heartfelt. The song opens with the line, "If the sun refused to shine, I would still be loving you," setting a tone of deep gratitude — not toward life or fate, but toward someone who brings meaning and joy. Lines like "Cold drops of rain whisper of the pain / Tears of loves lost in the days gone by," put a bittersweet note to the song. Much like Thanksgiving itself, the holiday season might not always be easy for everyone, especially for those who might've recently lost their loved ones. The period serves as a time to cherish what we have while remembering what's gone.

Thanksgiving mood aside, "Thank You" was actually inspired by Plant's former wife, Maureen Wilson. The two married in 1968, the same year Led Zeppelin was formed. The song serves as Plant's way of expressing his gratitude to his wife — "Kind woman, I give you my all / Kind woman, nothing more." It's a fitting tribute, considering they were only a year into their marriage when the song was released. Sadly, after 14 years together, the couple separated. Yet, despite their failed marriage — "mountains crumble to the sea" — Plant and Wilson have remained friends ("There will still be you and me.") "Thank You" may not be a conventional Thanksgiving song by definition, but it paints the spirit of the holiday: slowing down, appreciating love, and being thankful for the people who make life worth living.

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Posts 1 By  Gabrielle Ulubay Oct 28, 2025

"Thank You" Shares Similar Lyrics with Jimi Hendrix's "If 6 Was 9"

Recorded in June 1969 for Led Zeppelin II, "Thank You" features John Paul Jones's Hammon organ, John Bonham's drumming, and Page on the guitar. The song immediately became a live favorite until 1973, when it was last performed during the "The Song Remains the Same" concert at Madison Square Garden. However, fans of both Led Zeppelin and fellow rock star Jimi Hendrix might notice something peculiar. What's lesser known is that "Thank You" shares two lines with Hendrix's "If 6 Was 9": "If the sun refused to shine" and "If mountains crumble to the sea."

Released on Hendrix's 1967 album Axis: Bold as Love, "If 6 Was 9" draws inspiration from the Hopi creation myth — a complete 180 degrees from Plant's romantic tribute in "Thank You". Ironically, Hendrix was reportedly not a fan of Led Zeppelin, once calling them "excess baggage" who "stole from everybody." Though he never commented directly on "Thank You," the lyrical overlap between the two songs shows how similar lines can carry entirely different meanings. While Plant is rooted in personal love and devotion, the other stems from existential reflection.

Robert Plant Also Wrote Songs About Another Great Love of His Life

Besides writing songs for his former wife, Plant also wrote songs inspired by another great love of his life: The Lord of the Rings. The frontman has long been an admirer of J.R.R. Tolkien's seminal work, and his fascination with Middle-earth found its way into the band's music, particularly in the song "Ramble On". Plant makes direct references to Tolkien's mythos, mentioning Mordor, Gollum, and the "Evil One." Having both read the books and watched the film adaptations, he reportedly favored the novels, feeling they offered deeper meaning beyond the cinema screen. Apart from "Ramble On," Plant has incorporated his love for all things Tolkien in other songs like "Misty Mountain Hop, which references the fictional Misty Mountains in the closing chorus. The same goes for the track "The Battle of Evermore," which directly pulls characters from the novels into the lyrics.

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