Coda Songs Ranked

Coda is a compilation album by the English rock band Led Zeppelin. The album is a collection of unused tracks from various sessions during Led Zeppelin’s twelve-year career. It was released on 19 November 1982, almost two years after the group had officially disbanded following the death of drummer John Bonham. The word coda, meaning a passage that ends a musical piece following the main body, was therefore chosen as the title. Guitarist Jimmy Page explained that part of the reasoning for the album’s release related to the popularity of unofficial Led Zeppelin recordings which continued to be circulated by fans: “Coda was released, basically, because there was so much bootleg stuff out. We thought, “Well, if there’s that much interest, then we may as well put the rest of our studio stuff out”. As John Paul Jones recalled: “They were good tracks. A lot of it was recorded around the time punk was really happening… basically, there weren’t a lot of Zeppelin tracks that didn’t go out. We used everything.” Here are all of Coda’s songs ranked.

Don’t miss out on the TIMELESS Led Zeppelin music! Click to experience the power of Jimmy Page!

10. White Summer/Black Mountain Side

“This album is too often overlooked by both fans and detractors of Led Zeppelin alike. It rocks with a vengeance, and shows the quality of the band’s work. Even though it’s made up of leftover tracks from earlier sessions, it’s still better than the best material from most bands. I think it’s an underrated gem in their legendary catalog.”

9. Travelling Riverside Blues

“An excellent song that really should have been included on one of Zeppelin’s original albums (it would have fit well on Zeppelin II or III), “Travelling Riverside Blues” is an essential track that no self-respecting Zeppelin fan can do without. Fortunately, one does not have to track down this obscure, limited-release promo for the 1990 Box Set to get the track, as it is officially available in both that box set and the Led Zeppelin BBC Sessions release.”

8. Wearing and Tearing

“Well that makes a lot of noise, it’s very speedy and Plant’s voice screeches over roaring guitars! Despite all the uproar, it’s a bit poor musically and very repetitive. There isn’t even a worthy solo to play in. This piece also dates from the same November 1978 session at Polar Studio in Stockholm.”

7. Walter’s Walk

“The guitar does the intro and the drums come in with a bang. Here Plant rages more or less loudly against a background of roaring guitars as the drums sustain a tense tempo throughout the song.”

See More: Led Zeppelin Songs Ranked

6. Poor Tom

“Starts on a drums background with Plant’s plaintive voice. Then the acoustic guitar is added to this unusual accompaniment. Then come bass and harmonica, all in an instrumental crescendo. It’s a rather calm song that comes alive at the end with oriental influences.”

5. We’re Gonna Groove

“On a frame of blues, this track farts from the fire of God with a hectic rhythm and a Robert Plant of the great days. A big guitar responds to Robert’s savage injunctions. Jimmy Page plays a rather plaintive solo before the cover of a final verse on the same hell train.”

4. Bonzo’s Montreux

“Here, Bonham gives us a drum demo with more or less unusual sounds. Technically there is really nothing out of the ordinary especially as our favorite drummer has done much better elsewhere. But as this album is dedicated to him, let’s not sulk our pleasure and listen to it in the second degree, considering it as a joyful antics on his part.”

See More: Led Zeppelin Albums Ranked

3. Ozone Baby

“The fifth song of the “Coda” album is “Ozone Baby”. This is a very simplistic composition that does not stand out from the rest. Vulgar “yu-yu” sound very ridiculous and so often, as if it were some kind of cheap pop music for unencumbered school children.”

2. Darlene

“Darlene” is a rock song with continuous drums, bass, guitar and piano to the accompaniment. He gives us a good central solo preceded by the guitar one which adds a second at the end. Even though this song plays well, it’s not the very big Led Zeppelin.”

1. I Can’t Quit You Baby

“Yes you know of course! Because this title appears in the 1st album but it is not the same version. This is later since it dates from September 1, 1970 recorded during sound research at the Royal Albert Hall. It is wilder and more scathing than the 1st because the guitar is more talkative, more incisive and sometimes imperceptible but with an excellent solo in the middle. Plant gets stoned more and the battery is more present; In fact, it was she who concluded with a devastating final roll.”