All about the song "29 Palms": history, lyrics, and meaning

Led Zeppelin have become iconic performers in all of hard rock, and their influence on this and other genres impossible not to be celebrated. For a long time the musicians created songs together, but after the band disbanded, its members went to solo creativity, never ceasing to delight fans hits.

Robert Plant has managed to create more than 10 studio albums during his career outside of Led Zeppelin. Some of them are rightfully considered to be iconicThe songs from them are no less famous than those of the Zeppelins. In this article we will talk about the track "29 Palms."The story of the musician, how his story began, and his success, which brought him another wave of fame.

Inspiration and recording

Robert Plant's sixth studio recording was conceived back in early 1991, when the musician had finished touring with his previous album "Manic Nirvana. In one interview, the singer noted that he needed to go back to the beginning of his artistic path, and then Plante dipped into the psychedelic of the '60s and turned his attention to Origins rock movements and iconic bands. The musician admitted that it was important for him to remember how the musical tradition that gave good start Robert's material was based on his own feelings and emotions, revealing them fully in the songs on the record "Fate of Nations.".

The tendency to tell a story that excites the performer is also conveyed in the composition "29 Palms."The album was released in 1993 as part of the album and a little earlier as a single. Emotional, in the best tradition road songs the track was written on tour when the musician visited the small town after which the composition was named. Twentynine Palms is one of entrances to Joshua Tree National Park, beginning in the Mojave Desert. One legend says that the pioneers of American lands discovered an oasis of 29 palm trees during a hike and established a village there. There are many in the text. links to the area that inspired the musician.

Music critics have noted not only the outstanding vocals Plante, but also a strong energy of the whole song, as well as the overall good sound of the track. This contributed to a decent debut The song was on the charts in America, where "29 Palms" reached number 21.

Lyrical stuffing

The dreamy and "road" motif of the song shades the story told in the text "29 Palms. The main character falls in love with a woman who is the personification of of the place where he is. Everything in the girl's demeanor betrays her fierceness and passion, having grown up among the hot desert lands:

Her fiery kiss,
An ambiguous invitation.

…

Her movements are elegant,
With a touch of despair.

Amidst the longing and heartache, the hero does not feel that love for the mysterious stranger will be his salvation. In his attempts to Facilitate He tries to turn to God, but he does so for the sake of the woman he loves. It is as if the hero remains closed in his unspent feelings, losing his beloved and coming back to her again:

It's not easy,
When I hear your voice on the radio.
It brings me back to you.

Oooh, 29 palms.
I feel the heat of your desolate heart.
It brings me back to you.

The hero chases the ghost of the mysterious lady who stole his soul. He tries to reassure himself, but he himself does not seem to know whether he will be able to return to the place of their first meetings.

A lady of the heart or just a friend?

The musician did not mention to whom exactly this composition was dedicated, but there is speculation that the stranger from the desert places was a singer Alana Milesperformer of the hit "Black Velvet.". In the early '90s, Robert Plant and his vocalist visited southeastern California as part of a tour, but the musicians did not officially declare their relationship. The singer repeatedly noted that he deeply respected Miles as a colleague and a good friend, but unambiguous The answer about the connection with Alana was not given. In spite of this, there is a clear hint on the figure of the Canadian performer: the line "Her velvet Glove" echoes Miles' most popular song, and the chorus lines about the voice on the radio make it almost impossible to imagine anyone else in the posh lady's shoes. 

However, there is another version of who Robert Plant confessed his feelings to. It is believed that the musician, while on tour, had an affair with leading local radio, and soon wrote a touching song for the girl, only these rumors were not confirmed by Plante himself.

It is also unclear. clip to the composition where the girl is remotely recalls Alan, and she might as well be the local girl. The aesthetics of the southwestern United States, combined with the lyrics and musical content, are revealed in the video attitude musician and his longing for his roots.