Few artists embody raw rock energy like Jack White. His music often echoes the primal power of Led Zeppelin’s sound — heavy blues riffs, stripped-down production, and emotional intensity. White has repeatedly acknowledged Zeppelin as a major inspiration, saying their music “proved that rock could be both delicate and destructive.”
White’s fascination isn’t limited to the obvious classics. His list includes live performances, BBC session recordings, and alternate mixes that showcase Zeppelin’s range — a testament to how deeply he’s explored their catalog.
Jack White’s 10 Favourite Led Zeppelin Songs
Below is Jack White’s handpicked list of his favourite Led Zeppelin songs, along with what makes each track special to him and how it connects to his artistic vision.
1. The Rover
An underrated gem from Physical Graffiti (1975), “The Rover” is a perfect blend of grit and groove. The song’s chunky guitar riff, coupled with Robert Plant’s soaring vocals, captures the balance between melody and muscle — something Jack White has emulated in his own work with The Raconteurs and The Dead Weather.
2. How Many More Times
Closing out Zeppelin’s debut album, this eight-minute blues explosion epitomizes the band’s early power. Jack White’s love for raw, improvised sound finds a mirror here — the swagger, the chaos, and the hypnotic bassline that drives the song forward.
It’s not hard to hear echoes of “How Many More Times” in White Stripes’ tracks like “Ball and Biscuit,” where spontaneity and structure collide beautifully.
3. Achilles Last Stand (Two Ones Are Won – Alternate Mix)
From Presence (1976), this epic is one of Zeppelin’s most ambitious pieces — nearly 10 minutes of relentless rhythm and layered guitars. White’s inclusion of the alternate mix shows his appreciation for creative process and raw studio experimentation.
“Achilles Last Stand” reflects the kind of musical stamina that Jack White pursues — pushing boundaries while keeping emotion intact.
4. Since I’ve Been Loving You
Perhaps Zeppelin’s purest blues masterpiece, this track from Led Zeppelin III (1970) drips with anguish and soul. Jimmy Page’s guitar cries like a wounded spirit, while Plant’s vocals ache with vulnerability.
For White, this song represents the essence of what blues-influenced rock should be — intimate, unfiltered, and emotionally charged. It’s easy to see how this influenced songs like “I’m Lonely (But I Ain’t That Lonely Yet)” or “Love Interruption.”
5. The Girl I Love She Got Long Black Wavy Hair (BBC Session)
A rarity from the band’s BBC sessions, this track showcases Zeppelin’s deep connection to American blues traditions. Jack White, a longtime champion of the blues, has a special fondness for this version because it captures the band’s spontaneity and rawness — qualities that also define his own live performances.
6. The Lemon Song
Steeped in innuendo and swagger, “The Lemon Song” from Led Zeppelin II is bold, brash, and unapologetically bluesy. It’s one of the best examples of the band’s chemistry — John Paul Jones’s groovy bass, Bonham’s inventive drumming, and Page’s jaw-dropping solos.
Interestingly, White once performed this track live with Robert Plant in Argentina, a moment that showcased how deeply this song resonates with him.
7. St. Tristan’s Sword (Alternate Mix)
This instrumental outtake from Led Zeppelin III sessions offers a glimpse into the band’s creative experimentation. White’s inclusion of this track reveals his fascination with Zeppelin’s unfinished or lesser-known work — music that captures the spirit of exploration over perfection.
The gritty, unpolished sound mirrors White’s own recording philosophy: keep it real, keep it raw.
8. Travelling Riverside Blues
Originally a Robert Johnson classic, this 1969 BBC session performance is one of Zeppelin’s purest homages to the Delta blues. White, who’s spent much of his career preserving and reinventing blues traditions, naturally gravitates to this version.
The song’s bottleneck guitar work and haunting groove echo the same old-soul quality found in much of White’s early music.
9. Moby Dick
A celebration of pure percussion, “Moby Dick” is John Bonham’s defining moment. Jack White’s appreciation for rhythm and physicality in music makes this a fitting pick.
While it’s a drum showcase, it also underscores Zeppelin’s ensemble power — each musician complementing the other. White has often said he admires bands where “every player sounds like they’re fighting for their life,” and “Moby Dick” is just that.
10. Out on the Tiles
Rounding out the list, “Out on the Tiles” is a straight-ahead rocker with infectious energy. Its relentless tempo and joyous spirit make it a perfect closing track — both for Zeppelin and for White’s playlist.
This song embodies the same fearless, foot-stomping energy that drives Jack White’s stage presence — pure rock and roll adrenaline.
What Jack White’s List Reveals About His Musical DNA
Jack White’s selection of Led Zeppelin songs offers insight into how he views music itself — not just as entertainment, but as a conversation between generations of artists.
- Deep Blues Influence: His emphasis on blues-heavy tracks reveals his ongoing reverence for the roots of rock.
- Preference for Authenticity: Many of his picks are raw or alternate recordings, reflecting his philosophy that imperfection is a part of art’s beauty.
- Balance of Chaos and Control: Songs like “Achilles Last Stand” and “How Many More Times” showcase structure and spontaneity — traits that define both Zeppelin and White’s discography.
- Live Energy: White values songs that feel alive, a quality evident in Zeppelin’s BBC performances and his own fiery concerts.
This list isn’t just a tribute; it’s a blueprint for how Jack White channels Zeppelin’s spirit into his own work.
The Legacy Connection
Both Jack White and Led Zeppelin share a devotion to musical rebellion. Zeppelin revolutionized rock by blending blues with mysticism and power, while White revived garage rock and vinyl culture with unrelenting passion.
By choosing a mix of obscure and classic Zeppelin songs, White demonstrates how true artistry lies not in imitation but in reinterpretation. His list reminds us that inspiration is most powerful when it’s personal, not predictable.
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FAQs
Q1: Why did Jack White choose lesser-known Led Zeppelin songs?
White has always valued raw emotion and authenticity over popularity. His picks include BBC sessions and alternate mixes that showcase Zeppelin’s creative process rather than polished studio perfection.
Q2: What Led Zeppelin track best represents Jack White’s own style?
“Since I’ve Been Loving You” is a perfect reflection of White’s musical soul — a fusion of pain, passion, and blues power.
Q3: Did Jack White ever perform with any Led Zeppelin members?
Yes. Jack White and Robert Plant performed “The Lemon Song” live in Argentina, a collaboration that celebrated their shared love for vintage blues-rock.
Q4: Why does Jack White admire Led Zeppelin so much?
White sees Zeppelin as masters of transformation — musicians who elevated blues into something cinematic and powerful while staying true to its roots.
Q5: Where can fans listen to Jack White’s Zeppelin playlist?
The curated list is available on various streaming platforms and music magazines, offering a deep dive into the sound world that inspired one of modern rock’s greatest innovators.
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