Led Zeppelin, arguably one of the most influential bands of the mid-20th century, have faded into obscurity relative to the peak of their artistic relevance. Fans of the band can remember many of their iconic songs such as “Stairway to Heaven” and “Whole Lotta Love”. But few people know the actual religious roots and atheist ideologies present within the group’s music and songwriting.
The group’s musical influence is generally attributed to their influence of blues and British folk, plus the bombastic, improvisational style of their live performances. Close inspection of their lyrics reveals a decidedly darker and more incisive thematic content in the topics ranging from death and separation to paganism and religion. It is this latter topic that most alludes to their atheistic leanings.
The group’s frontman, Robert Plant, was raised a christian in the UK, however, his views on religion have become increasingly complex and uncertain over the years. In a 2005 interview with Rolling Stone Magazine, Plant was quoted as saying “I hope I’m not an atheist. But whatever it is, I’m living by it. And I’m not necessarily saying that I don’t believe in Christianity. There is so much contradiction about it, though, that you can’t really be sure.” Despite this uncertainty, Plant’s views on religion are certainly evident in the themes covered in Led Zeppelin’s music. The lyrics for the song, “Ramble On”, cover themes of death and resurrection with an explicit rejection of Christianity.
Atheist themes in Led Zeppelin songs have even extended to the band’s album art. The inside sleeve of the 1970 album led zeppelin III was designed by Bassist John Paul Jones, and features a picture of a church accompanied by the text “Do What Thou Wilt”. This line is attributed to the writings of the infamous occultist Aleister Crowley, and is arguably one of the clearest expressions of the band’s atheistic beliefs.
Even today, the influence of Led Zeppelin’s short-lived career still reverberates amongst modern music fans and artists. While their songs became the staples for classic rock radio stations, their relevance in the music industry as a whole is still evident in the numerous covers and tributes that countless bands and musicians still pay homage to. In addition to this, the spiritual influences utilized in their lyrical content and album art has made its way into other modern acts, such as The Arctic Monkeys, Radiohead and Muse.
Led Zeppelin’s Cultural Relevance
Even after so many years since the group’s last album was released almost 45 years ago, the cultural relevance of Led Zeppelin is still quite palpable. Rolling Stone Magazine ranked Led Zeppelin at number 14 on their list of the ‘100 Greatest Artists of All time’, claiming that they had shattered the boundaries of rock with their blend of blues and psychedelia. In addition to this, their stand-out live performances and legendary records remain staples of classic rock radio stations and constitute some of the most iconic songs of the 70’s.
Further afield, the influence of Led Zeppelin can be heard as far as New Zealand, where the group has purveyed influences to a number of local acts such as The Mutton Birds, Chugga and even the renowned Lorde. Led Zeppelin has even made its mark in video games, such as the popular Call of Duty franchise which features several of their songs during the loading sequences.
While Led Zeppelin may have faded over the years in comparison to their heyday, their iconic influence in pop culture is still evident today, from their musical innovations to their themes of atheism in their lyrics. Led Zeppelin remains as an underground favourite for generations of music fans.
The After-Effects of Led Zeppelin’s Atheism
When it comes to discussing the aftermath of Led Zeppelin’s atheism, it is important to note the current political climate in which the group’s influence resonates. In the United States, atheism is an increasingly accepted lifestyle, with many people turning away from religious values altogether. This is where Led Zeppelin’s music comes into play. The group’s lyrics encourage personal independence, and by praising freethinking, Led Zeppelin’s discography has managed to make atheism a viable life-choice for millions of young Americans.
However, while atheist themes in Led Zeppelin’s music may have pushed its audience to reconsider their own religious beliefs, the effects were not necessarily intentional or widespread. In many countries, such as Saudi Arabia, Iran and Afghanistan, the themes of atheism in Western music such as Led Zeppelin is still an extremely taboo topic, with authorities swiftly censoring such songs.
The effects of Led Zeppelin’s atheism thus need to be analysed in their proper context. While the band’s influence may be particularly potent in certain Western countries, the same cannot necessarily be said elsewhere in the world. That being said, the themes of atheism present in Led Zeppelin’s music remain an integral part of their collective legacy, devoid of any political or religious leanings.
The Band’s Atheist Legacy
For better or worse, atheist themes in Led Zeppelin’s music were integral to their distinct musical style. Upon close inspection, their lyrics contain a variety of pagan and secular themes that set the group apart from other musical acts of their time. While the reactionary effects of such atheistic lyrics have varied depending on the cultural background of the listener, it cannot be denied that such exerts a certain degree of influence on a global scale.
Led Zeppelin still continues to inspire generations of future musicians, be it in the form of modern classic rock bands, or in the contemporary music of popular acts such as Cage the Elephant or Arctic Monkeys. While it is difficult to measure the direct results of Led Zeppelin’s atheistic lyrics and album art, oftentimes the effects of such songs can be seen in the reflections of various cultures who admire and imitate the group.
In this sense, Led Zeppelin’s influence remains deeply ingrained in the attitudes and beliefs shared by millions of fans in the present day. From their iconic guitar riffs and solos to their themes of atheism, the collective legacy of the band is entrancing generations both in the US and abroad.
The Changing Attitude Towards Atheism
The stigma of atheism in popular culture has shifted significantly over time, largely due to the changes in political and religious beliefs of the younger generation. In the United States, millennials today are much more likely to be atheist or agnostic compared to their parents, and the cultural perception of atheism is shaping up to be much more accepting than before. Many famous actors and musicians such as Brad Pitt and John Lennon have become open supporters of atheism, and their influence has helped to open up a wider discourse towards the topic.
The attitudes towards atheism can also be seen in mainstream media, such as the popular TV show, The Big Bang Theory. While the plot of the show only tangentially covers the topic of atheism, the writers often draw on themes of freethinking and scientific theories to support their jokes. As such, the show serves to normalize and popularize atheism in the eyes of the general public.
In this way, the influence of atheist-themed music from groups such as Led Zeppelin is still echoed in the mindsets and attitudes of modern pop culture. Their songs may have predated such themes reaching the mainstream, but today it has become a regular topic, with countless millions of individuals now having discussed atheism without judgement.
Conclusion
Led Zeppelin may be a relic from a bygone era of music, but the band is still remembered today for its iconic influence on modern rock and popular music. Their songs have become benchmarks for American classic rock, and their lyrics often resonate with deeper meanings, including a wide range of atheist themes. While the impact of such themes can vary depending on the context, it is certainly clear that Led Zeppelin’s atheist influence is still felt today in the cultural conversation of popular music.
