Down by the Seaside

People turned away from the concept of original sin, to sing in the sunshine and celebrate their true nature.

Ummmmm, this was on Physical Graffiti. Not III.

It's strange how sometimes a song doesn't mean much to you the first time you hear it, but grows on you as you listen to the album a few times. That's how it was for me with Down By the Seaside and Physical Graffiti. There's just something very peaceful yet upbeat about this song. Zeppelin has an amazing repertoire, with hard rock and folk and blues; this song is definitely an amalgam of their skills, that I wouldn't really be able to tell someone what "type" of song this is. It's perhaps the most "country" they get, so maybe that's why it doesn't seem to appeal to the average Zeppelin fan (judging by the lack of posts for this song on this website). Anyway, its purpose seems to be to remind everyone to slow down and enjoy nature, and life in general. And they passed that message through the music just as well as they did through the lyrics.

I totally concur with Meddler, beautiful and trippy song. Does anyone know if Zep ever played this song live?

Grobus is a scrodum.

What are they talking about twist though? Maybe they are talking about the late 50's and 60's. Their childhood thus what they remember as 'golden years' Especially Plant, who wrote the lyrics obviously, who was a huge country boy/hippie sort of thing. He was, possibly is, the type of guy who likes to just lie in the grass and search for insects. So he's referring to his childhood, or at least that time period, because he remembers things being slowed down and less urgent etc. That's my only guess. lol

Hmmm. And my 2 cents. I generally hate country. I also hate rap. But at camp last year I heard these guys rapping and long story short, it was amazing. It was just raw, and just 3 or 4 guys singing about whatever came to mind with whatever they had on hand. It was modern day blues. See, when you hold grudges against genres or really anything, all you're doing is missing out. If there's some great thing or song or whatever of that genre, but you're too stubborn to accept it, then I really don't care, but all you're doing is preventing yourself from liking a song. (Or whatever you apply this to)

I'm shocked there are no comments for this song. In my opinion this by far one of the best Zep III songs. The melody alone makes my head spin with memories of days ago. I especially love the comparison of past to present, the soothing country to the hectic life of the city, and how too many people forgot how to take in a beautiful day and just relax with nature abound. I love every Led Zep song but this is top of my favorites list.

I saw them in Atlanta and they played it live. In 1977...one of the last couple of dates before Plant's son died and the tour was cancelled.

It is definitely one of my favorites.

Love this song.... Definetly one of the most relaxing songs in existence.

actually, adman i doubt you saw them play it live because it was never played live, i'm not saying you didn't see them but here is the setlist for the show you are talking about: 04/23/1977 Atlanta, Georgia - The Omni

1. The Song Remains The Same
2. The Rover (intro) / Sick Again
3. Nobody's Fault But Mine
4. In My Time of Dying
5. Since I've Been Loving You
6. No Quarter
7. Ten Years Gone
8. Battle of Evermore
9. Going to California
10. Black Country Woman
11. Bron-Yr-Aur Stomp
12. White Summer / Black Mountain Side
13. Kashmir
14. Moby Dick
15. Guitar Solo
16. Achilles Last Stand
17. Stairway To Heaven
18. Rock And Roll
19. Trampled Underfoot