Guitar World presents a critical analysis of Led Zeppelin's 50 best tracks.

Related Content

• January 2013 Guitar World Available Now: Led Zeppelin Rides Again, Shinedown, Alice In Chains, Gear Reviews and More

38. “No Quarter” (live version, The Song Remains the Same)

This fully realized, extended performance of John Paul Jones’ keyboard showcase piece packs the same kind of dynamic punch and slow-jam rhythmic drama as “Since I’ve Been Loving You” and demonstrates both Jones’ and Page’s penchant for modal jazz and their respective skills at building extended, story-like solos over a one-chord vamp. (Incidentally, it is performed in standard tuning, a half step higher than the studio version from Houses of the Holy, for which the instruments sound a half step below concert pitch.)

Also noteworthy are the two jarring, prog-rock-flavored chords in the song’s pre-chorus, Bfadds11 and Efadds11, first heard at 0:58 and 1:06, respectively.

Related