80’s at 8 Rockturnal With Scotty B Wednesday 04-26-23
ST. PAUL, MN – JULY 8: Robert Plant performs at the St. Paul Civic Center in St. Paul, Minnesota on July 8, 1985. (Photo by Jim Steinfeldt/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)
It is Double Play Wednesday on DHA and that means it’s a Double Play Wednesday 80’s at 8. I rocked a double shot of Robert Plant and the first track was Slow Dancer, it’s a deep cut from his 1982 debut solo album Pictures at Eleven. After the dissolution of Led Zeppelin following the tragic death of drummer John Bonham , Robert Plant went solo. His debut solo album Pictures at Eleven showcases his signature vocals and songwriting abilities, but also introduced a new sound for the rock icon.
One of the most notable aspects of Pictures at Eleven is Plant’s collaboration with guitarist Robbie Blunt. Blunt’s tasteful and melodic guitar work helped shape the album’s sound and would continue to be a key component of Plant’s solo career for several albums. Despite some initial skepticism from fans and critics who were hoping for a Led Zeppelin reunion, Pictures at Eleven was a commercial and critical success, reaching the top 5 on the Billboard 200 album chart, was certified Platinum in the US, and earned praise for its tight musicianship and mature songwriting.In the years following the release of Pictures at Eleven, Plant would continue to experiment with different sounds and genres, incorporating elements of world music and electronica into his music. However, Pictures at Eleven remains a standout moment in Plant’s solo career and a testament to his abilities as a songwriter and performer. No music video was made for Slow Dancer by Robert Plant but you can take a listen to it below:
DETROIT, MI – SEPTEMBER 3: English singer and former lead singer of Led Zeppelin, Robert Plant sings on stage during his 1983 The Principle of Moments Tour on September 3, 1983, at the Joe Louis Arena in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Ross Marino/Getty Images)
The second track in the Robert Plant Double Play in the 80’s at 8 was Tall cool One. It was released in 1988 as the lead single from his fourth solo album, Now and Zen. The song was a commercial success, it reached #1 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Chart and #25 on the Billboard Hot 100.. It also received significant airplay on MTV. The song features a driving beat and a catchy guitar riff, with Plant’s distinctive vocals soaring over the top. The lyrics are classic Plant, with references to mythology, the occult, and sexual innuendo. The title itself is a nod to the classic 1959 instrumental hit by The Wailers, “Tall Cool One.” One of the most memorable aspects of “Tall Cool One” is the use of samples from classic rock songs. The song opens with a sample of Led Zeppelin’s “Whole Lotta Love,” with the iconic riff playing over a drum machine beat. Throughout the song, Plant and his collaborators also incorporate samples from other classic rock tracks, including “The Rover” by Led Zeppelin and “Kashmir” by Led Zeppelin. “Tall Cool One” divided critics and some longtime Plant fans. Some felt that the song was too much of a departure from Plant’s earlier work, and that the use of samples was a cheap gimmick. Others praised the song’s energy and catchy hook, and felt that Plant was successfully adapting to the changing musical landscape of the late 1980s. Today, “Tall Cool One” remains a beloved classic rock song, and a testament to Plant’s enduring musical legacy. Its combination of classic rock riffs, electronic beats, and catchy hooks helped make it a hit in its time, and ensured its place in the pantheon of classic rock songs.
The music video for “Tall Cool One” also helped make the song a hit. The video features Plant cavorting with a group of models in a surreal, neon-lit nightclub. The video’s stylish visuals and playful tone helped make Plant seem more accessible and fun than his earlier, more serious work. You can watch the music video for Tall Cool One by Robert Plant below:
