Immigrant Song

About this song

The song was inspired by Led Zeppelin's trip to Iceland, which the band made as guests of the Icelandic government on a cultural mission. The band was set to play a concert in Reykjavik, but a civil servants' strike nearly cancelled it until the university prepared a concert hall for them. It opened the album the band intended to be quite different from its earlier work.

What it's about

The song draws a comparison between the band's Iceland visit and Norse warriors setting out to colonize America. Its lyrics are shaped by Iceland being a land first settled by Vikings.

Fun facts

• Sampled in 7 other songs, like “No Bitches by Joe Scacchi”.
• Covered 31 times, including “Immigrant Song by Axel Rudi Pell”.
• Written by Jimmy Page and Robert Plant.
• Produced by Jimmy Page.
• Recorded at Headley Grange.