Kashmir is one of Led Zeppelin’s most iconic and ambitious songs, released in 1975 on their sixth studio album, Physical Graffiti. Written by Jimmy Page, Robert Plant, and John Bonham, the track is known for its hypnotic, Eastern-influenced melody and grand, epic feel, standing out as one of the band’s finest achievements. It was never released as a single, yet it remains one of their most enduring and celebrated songs.
The song’s distinctive sound comes from its combination of rock and Middle Eastern, Indian, and North African musical influences. Page’s use of a unique guitar tuning (DADGAD) gives the song its exotic, modal flavour, while the orchestration, including layered string sections and brass, adds to the epic scale of the track. Plant’s lyrics are inspired by his travels in Morocco and the deserts of southern Morocco, though the title Kashmir refers to a region in South Asia, which Plant had not yet visited at the time of writing. The lyrics evoke a sense of journey, mystery, and grandeur, fitting the song’s expansive sound.
Kashmir is built around a repetitive yet mesmerising guitar riff, anchored by Bonham’s thunderous drumming, which gives the song its relentless and driving rhythm. The orchestral arrangements, combined with the band’s performance, create a sense of vastness and adventure. It’s a song that feels almost cinematic in its scope, and this powerful atmosphere helped it become one of Led Zeppelin’s signature tracks.
The song was a favourite of the band members, with Plant calling it “the pinnacle of Led Zeppelin” in interviews. It became a staple in their live performances, often played as a centrepiece during their concerts. Despite its length – over 8 minutes – the song never feels repetitive, instead building in intensity and drama throughout.
For the recording, Led Zeppelin used the Ronnie Lane Mobile Studio, equipped with a 16-track Studer A80 recorder, a Dolby noise reduction system, and a Helios mixing console. The setup had minimal outboard effects, including a Universal Audio 1176LN compressor, Leevers Rich graphic equalisers, and an AKG BX-20 spring reverb. During mixdown, the band’s roadies brought in an Eventide Clockworks Instant Phaser, which was used on the drums.
Robert Plant’s vocals were enhanced using another Eventide device, a prototype of the H910 Harmonizer. “Eventide Clockworks gave me innovative bits of electronics, and I just experimented with them,” recalled Zeppelin soundman. “Robert’s voice would transform into a chorus of 10 voices by feeding the signal back into itself. We also had a harmonizer with a keyboard, allowing me to make his voice sing chords. It was fantastic fun.”
Kashmir is widely regarded as one of the greatest rock songs of all time. Its influence stretches beyond rock, inspiring musicians across various genres, and its combination of Eastern and Western sounds has made it a timeless classic in Led Zeppelin’s catalogue.
