Background Information
Since I’ve Been Loving You is a classic rock song by British rock band Led Zeppelin. Composed by Jimmy Page and Robert Plant, this song is renowned for its powerful opening riff and iconic guitar solo. Since I’ve Been Loving You was released as one of the two lead singles from the band’s third album, Led Zeppelin III, in 1970. The track has been covered and sampled by numerous artists, including Clapton, Testament, Joe Bonamassa, and Bruce Springsteen. Despite being released over fifty years ago, the popularity of this iconic rock anthem continues to endure.
The Composition
Since I’ve Been Loving You is an electric blues-rock song that features a number of classic rock elements. The track opens with a powerful introduction from Jimmy Page’s acclaimed guitar riff and builds to a dramatic crescendo. Subsequent verses are accented by John Paul Jones’ richly layered organ and John Bonham’s hard-hitting drums. Lyrically, the song is largely composed of plaintive verses, such as ‘Oh, way down inside, woman, you don’t feel right’. Robert Plant’s distinct blues-rock vocal style also makes this song a memorable listening experience.
Playing the Instrumental Solo
One of the most iconic elements of Since I’ve Been Loving You is the solo performed by Jimmy Page. To recreate this piece, aspiring guitarists must first learn the underlying chords and notes. Page’s solo is comprised of A minor pentatonic scale and blues scale structures, based on the pitch and tonality of the song. It should be stressed that the solo is challenging due to its complexity and being a well-played improvisational piece. You may wish to refer to successful covers of the solo online for assistance.
Vocal Expression
Those wishing to emulate Robert Plant’s vocal expression must also consider the emotive factor of the song. To successfully portray all the emotions of Since I’ve Been Loving You, one must learn to tune into the song’s lyricism and adjust the pitch and tonality of one’s vocal performance accordingly. Plant himself has noted that he adopts a ‘shouting’ style during the lengthy vocal solo featured in the song, as a way of accentuating the sense of desperation communicated through the lyrics.
The Music Video
The music video for Since I’ve Been Loving You has become one of the most iconic music videos of all time. The video premiered in 1970 and features haunting visuals of Robert Plant and Jimmy Page, walking through a foggy landscape while evoking the bluesy feel of the song. The video also features quick cuts of street scenes in America, capturing the band in a moment of musical greatness.
Live Performances
Since I’ve Been Loving You has become an integral component of Led Zeppelin’s live setlists and is often referenced as being the band’s most powerful live track. Live performances of the track often extend for up to nine minutes and feature extended guitar and keyboard solos, with Plant delivering the memorable lyrics with intensity. The track has appeared as part of a number of Super Bowl, American Idol, and Music Awards performances.
Cultural Impact
Since I’ve Been Loving You is often cited as one of Led Zeppelin’s most iconic songs and has become part of the collective rock music canon. The track has reached legendary status among rock music fans and continues to influence contemporary musicians to this day. Many classic rock radio stations will continue to feature the song on a regular basis, ensuring its cultural legacy remains alive.
Re-Recordings and Covers
Since I’ve Been Loving You has been covered and sampled by a variety of artists, including Jerry Garcia, Willie Nelson, Joe Bonamassa, and Bruce Springsteen. The song has also been heavily sampled in hip-hop and electronic music, with renowned producers including The Roots, Dr. Dre, and Daft Punk all using its rock-infused power to create innovative musical pieces.
Riffs and Variations
Although Since I’ve Been Loving You was composed by Jimmy Page and Robert Plant, their influence is visible in many other artists and genres. For instance, Jimmy Page himself often incorporates fragments of the song’s main guitar riff into other live performances. Variations of the song’s main riff have also become recognized within blues guitar circles, including the use of augmented and suspended chords in the introduction.
Arrangements
When performing Since I’ve Been Loving You, aspiring guitarists should consider different arrangements of the song. One of the simplest forms of arrangement is key transposition, which involves changing the tonality of the song (i.e. the key signature) to make the song playable in different guitar keys. For example, the song is commonly played in E minor, but can also be played in A minor or D minor.
Interpretation of Lyrics
One of the most profound aspects of Since I’ve Been Loving You is the song’s lyrical interpretation. Robert Plant’s stirring vocals help to create an atmosphere of plaintive regret and longing, emotional triggers that resonate with listeners even today. Subsequent verses are laced with regret and hints at the agony of unreciprocated love, depicting the cycle of pain and loss felt by many individuals throughout the passage of time.
Fingerpicking Style
To truly capture the essence of Since I’ve Been Loving You, aspiring guitarists should practice playing the song in a fingerpicking-style. This technique involves the use of “thumbing” and “picking” fingers to play individual strings in a rhythmic fashion. Through this method, guitarists are able to differentiate the melody and bass elements of the original recording, resulting in a fuller sound. It is important to note that fingerpicking-style takes months to master, so expect to invest significant time and effort into achieving a performance-ready level of proficiency.
