Misty Mountain Hop


"Misty Mountain Hop" is a song from English rock band Led Zeppelin's untitled fourth album, released in 1971. The song was released as the B-side to the single "Black Dog" and performed in most of the band's 1972 and 1973 concert tours.

Background

The most common interpretation of the song's title involves a reference to the Misty Mountains in J. R. R. Tolkien's The Hobbit. The lyrics refer to the events of the 7 July 1968 "Legalise Pot Rally" in Hyde Park, London, in which police made arrests for marijuana possession. The lyrics reflect Plant's quest for a better society, a place and time when hangups are replaced with individual freedom and a life of mutual support and rapport.

Recording

The song was recorded at Headley Grange, a mansion where the band sometimes lived in Hampshire, England.

Releases and versions

The song was released as the B-side to the single "Black Dog", which was released in the United States on 2 December 1971, continental Europe, and Australia.
A different version of this song is featured on the second disc of the remastered two CD deluxe edition of Led Zeppelin IV.

Live performances

The band performed the song at the 3 May 1971 Copenhagen concert and then at the 1972 and 1973 concert tours. Band member Robert Plant performed it for most of his own solo concerts since the 1980 band breakup. Plant also performed it with the surviving members of the band at the 10 December 2007 tribute concert for Ahmet Ertegun.

Cover versions