Before I get started, I’d like to say that I’m a huge fan of Led Zeppelin. That being said, someone (anonymous) emailed me about a month ago suggesting the idea for this post. They said they heard Howard Stern discussing the Album Led Zeppelin I, and that all of the songs, with the exception of Good Times Bad Times, were stolen from other artists, and writing credit was not given. Actually, writing credit WAS given, but only after Led Zeppelin’s Greatest Hits album was released. The original artists were never paid royalties for their works, but from what I understand, royalties are now being paid, but dated from the Greatest Hits album.

After many hours of searching for these songs, I now have all of the original artists’ versions of the songs from the album Led Zeppelin I., along with Led Zeppelin’s version. You decide – Innovators or Plagiarists?

#1 Good Times Bad Times

This appears to be their only original track on this album.

#2 Babe I’m Gonna Leave You

Original Artist: Joan Baez

Original Song Title: Babe I’m Gonna Leave You

[audio:http://www.listropolis.com/audio/joan_baez_gonna_leave.mp3]

Led Zeppelin’s Version

[audio:http://www.listropolis.com/audio/zeppelin_gonna_leave.mp3]

#3 You Shook Me

Original Artist: Willie Dixon

Original Song Title: You Shook Me

[audio:http://www.listropolis.com/audio/willie_dixon_you_shook_me.mp3]

Led Zeppelin’s Version

[audio:http://www.listropolis.com/audio/zeppelin_you_shook_me.mp3]

#4 Dazed and Confused

Original Artist: Jake Holmes

Original Song Title: I’m Confused

[audio:http://www.listropolis.com/audio/jake_holmes_im_confused.mp3]

Led Zeppelin’s Version

[audio:http://www.listropolis.com/audio/zeppelin_dazed_confused.mp3]

#5 Your Time is Gonna Come

Original Artist: Traffic

Original Song Title: Dear Mr. Fantasy

[audio:http://www.listropolis.com/audio/traffic_dear_mr_fantasy.mp3]

Led Zeppelin’s Version

[audio:http://www.listropolis.com/audio/zeppelin_your_time_is_gonna_come.mp3]

#6 Black Mountain Side

Original Artist: Bert Jansch

Original Song Title: Black Waterside

[audio:http://www.listropolis.com/audio/bert_jansch_black_waterside.mp3]

Led Zeppelin’s Version

[audio:http://www.listropolis.com/audio/zeppelin_black_mountain_side.mp3]

#7 Communication Breakdown (I don’t hear this one)

Original Artist: Eddie Cochran

Original Song Title: Nervous Breakdown

[audio:http://www.listropolis.com/audio/eddie cochran_nervous_breakdown.mp3]

Led Zeppelin’s Version

[audio:http://www.listropolis.com/audio/zeppelin_communication_breakdown.mp3]

#8 I Can’t Quit You Baby

Original Artist: Willie Dixon

Original Song Title: I Can’t Quit You Baby

[audio:http://www.listropolis.com/audio/willie_dixon_cant_quit.mp3]

Led Zeppelin’s Version

[audio:http://www.listropolis.com/audio/zeppelin_cant_quit.mp3]

#9 Stairway to Heaven (Not on the album, but worth mentioning!)

Original Artist: Spirit

Original Song Title: Taurus

[audio:http://www.listropolis.com/audio/spirit_taurus.mp3]

Led Zeppelin’s Version

[audio:http://www.listropolis.com/audio/zeppelin_stairway.mp3]

Disturbing, right? If you know of any other rips, tell us in the comments.

Related Reading:

Sheet Music: Uncovering the Secrets of Sexual Intimacy in Marriage

Music: An Appreciation

Music: An Appreciation, 6th Brief Edition