Robert Plant Admits One Zeppelin Classic Was “Too Embarrassing” for the Band

Robert Plant Admits One Zeppelin Classic Was “Too Embarrassing” for the Band
By [Your Name], Music Correspondent – June 23, 2025

Robert Plant, the legendary voice of Led Zeppelin, has once again reflected candidly on his former band’s catalogue—this time calling one hit from their seminal fourth album “too embarrassing” to be included in the group’s legacy.

In a recent interview with Rolling Stone and confirmed by Far Out and Cheat Sheet, Plant admitted that “The Battle of Evermore”—a fantasy-infused duet featuring Sandy Denny—felt overly whimsical and lyrically dated to him in retrospect .

> “I was living in a dream then, talking about C.S. Lewis and Tolkien… I said to Alison [Krauss], ‘I’m embarrassed by this,’” Plant recalled. “But she said, ‘you can’t be embarrassed—it resonated then and still does now’” .

 

Originally co-written with mandolin by Jimmy Page during the sessions for Led Zeppelin IV, “Evermore” pays homage to Tolkien-esque lore while conjuring a pastoral, mystical setting. Despite its longstanding status as a fan favorite, Plant now regards its lyrical tone as something he has grown to feel self-conscious about .

On the other hand, Plant’s relationship with his magnum opus “Stairway to Heaven” remains complex. Though still acknowledged as a defining rock milestone, he has openly criticized its pompous atmosphere and donated money to a radio station to avoid it being played . He’s described its lyrics as abstract and no longer relatable—a reflection of a 23‑year‑old’s mindset .

Yet, amidst these critiques, Plant expresses enduring pride in Zeppelin’s broader legacy. His all‑time favorite track, “Kashmir,” highlights his affection for the band’s more ambitious, world‑inspired work. He has argued the track—infused with Middle Eastern scale, rich arrangements, and an epic spirit—is more representative of the band’s true voice and artistic depth .

In a 2010 radio interview, he remarked, “I wish we were remembered for ‘Kashmir’ more than ‘Stairway to Heaven… Perfect Zeppelin’” .

Plant’s candidness reveals the transformation of an artist reconnecting with old canvases through new ears. His reflections range from self‑critique—calling his early vocals “horrific” on tracks like *“Babe I’m Gonna Leave You”* —to tender reassessment of a youthful urge to embrace fantasy.

Collaborating with Alison Krauss in later years, Plant’s admission that “The Battle of Evermore” embarrassed him speaks not only to personal growth but an appreciation of nostalgia from another era. Krauss reassured him that feeling that resonance as a “young person’s moment” shows its timeless value .

So while “Evermore” may not grace Zeppelin’s esteemed pantheon from Plant’s viewpoint, it remains a beloved chapter in classic‑rock lore. Ultimately, Plant’s journey reflects a fine line between creator and curator—re‑examining his past with both affection and critical distance, while keeping the music alive.

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In summary:

Plant now regards “The Battle of Evermore” as lyrically cringe‑worthy—the product of youthful Tolkien fever .

His discomfort even extends to “Stairway to Heaven,” which he finds pompous and overplayed .

Nevertheless, “Kashmir” stands forever as his favorite—a pinnacle of Zeppelin’s musical ambition .

Plant’s evolving perspective underscores a seasoned artist’s power to redefine his own canon without diminishing the impact those songs have on listeners.