Led Zeppelin

Immigrant Song

Led Zeppelin III (1970)

"Immigrant Song" is the explosive opening track from Led Zeppelin’s 1970 album Led Zeppelin III. Written by Robert Plant and Jimmy Page, the song is one of the band’s most iconic singles and stands out for its driving, relentless guitar riff, thunderous drumming, and Plant’s intense, wailing vocals123.

Themes & Lyrics

The lyrics of "Immigrant Song" draw heavily on Norse mythology and Viking imagery. The song narrates the journey of Viking warriors heading westward by sea, with repeated references to “the land of the ice and snow,” “Valhalla,” and “the hammer of the gods.” This motif reflects both the band’s fascination with mythic adventure and the real-life inspiration from a 1970 Led Zeppelin tour in Iceland, which led Plant to pen the lyrics142:

"We come from the land of the ice and snow,
From the midnight sun, where the hot springs flow.
The hammer of the gods
Will drive our ships to new lands,
To fight the horde, singing and crying:
Valhalla, I am coming!"

Background & Inspiration

• The song was written after the band’s performance in Reykjavík, Iceland, which left a lasting impression on them and sparked the idea of “Vikings traveling to unknown territories” as a metaphor for adventure and exploration.
• The immediate response and energy of Icelandic audiences influenced Plant’s lyrics, giving the track its mythic spirit.

Musical Style

• The music is built around a fast-paced, staccato riff from Jimmy Page and pounding drums from John Bonham.
• Robert Plant’s vocal delivery includes the now-legendary primal shriek that opens the song.
• The track is concise and direct, lasting only about 2 minutes and 26 seconds—a notable brevity for a Zeppelin song.

Cultural Impact & Legacy

• "Immigrant Song" was released as a single in many countries and became a charting hit—reaching No. 16 in the U.S., No. 4 in Canada, and appearing in the Top 20 in several other countries.
• The phrase “the hammer of the gods” from the lyrics gave rise to a recurring nickname for Led Zeppelin’s sound and inspired the title of the famous band biography Hammer of the Gods.
• The song has influenced countless rock and metal artists with its themes and power, and has been widely covered or used in pop culture, including significant features in films like Thor: Ragnarok, and covers by artists such as Trent Reznor for The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.
• Live, "Immigrant Song" often served as a concert opener for Led Zeppelin from 1970–1972, setting an electrifying tone for their shows.

Notable Facts

"Immigrant Song" remains a defining example of Led Zeppelin’s ability to blend mythic storytelling with hard-hitting rock, capturing both the spirit of Norse adventure and the raw power of the band’s sound123.