How an Icelandic Concert Inspired Led Zeppelin’s ‘Immigrant Song’
In the summer of 1970, Led Zeppelin embarked on a short tour of Europe, and a single concert in Reykjavik, Iceland, unexpectedly ignited the creative spark that would lead to one of their most iconic tracks—“Immigrant Song.” Often remembered for its thunderous opening wail and driving rhythm, the song was born not in a London studio or an American stadium, but on the stark, volcanic island nation in the North Atlantic.
Led Zeppelin performed at Laugardalshöll, a sports arena in Reykjavik, on June 22, 1970, as part of a cultural exchange organized by the British government. While initially seen as just another tour stop, the band’s time in Iceland left a lasting impression—particularly on vocalist Robert Plant. The alien landscapes, the raw beauty of the glaciers, and the mythical atmosphere of Norse heritage all blended into a visceral experience that inspired Plant’s imagination.
Shortly after returning from Iceland, Plant began to pen lyrics that captured the grandeur and mystery of the land they had just visited. He conjured images of Viking conquest, Norse mythology, and icy voyages across northern seas. Within days, “Immigrant Song” was born—a fierce, compact rocker that opens with Plant’s now-legendary howl and quickly charges into pounding drums and distorted guitar riffs.
“We come from the land of the ice and snow / From the midnight sun where the hot springs flow,” Plant sings, directly referencing the geothermal features and long summer days of Iceland. The lyrics continue with imagery of Norse gods, ships heading west, and the pride and violence of conquest—an apt tribute to the legends that inspired them.
The track became the opening number of Led Zeppelin’s third studio album, Led Zeppelin III, released in October 1970. Clocking in at just over two minutes, “Immigrant Song” is deceptively simple but immensely powerful, marking a departure from the band’s earlier blues-heavy sound and moving into more experimental, folk- and mythology-infused territory.
Guitarist Jimmy Page recalled the song as a breakthrough moment, linking it back to their Icelandic adventure. “That trip just sort of opened up a whole new set of images and moods,” he said in a 1971 interview. “It was like being transported to another world.”
Beyond its musical achievements, “Immigrant Song” has had a long-lasting cultural impact. Its distinct sound and Norse themes have been used widely in film and television, most memorably in Thor: Ragnarok (2017), where it underscored the film’s mythological tone. The song’s fusion of historical fantasy and hard rock set the stage for countless imitators and firmly embedded Led Zeppelin in the pantheon of rock innovators.
What began as a brief cultural outreach visit to a remote northern country ended up shaping one of the band’s most legendary tracks. Iceland, with its glacial majesty and Viking legacy, unknowingly helped craft the sound of rock mythology.
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