Today, if you say the name Jimmy Page, it’s almost impossible not to think of Led Zeppelin. The guitar player and songwriter was with the band for about a dozen years and helped write songs like “Stairway to Heaven” and “Whole Lotta Love.”
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But prior to the British-born Page’s stint in the iconic classic rock band, he was a member of another legendary group, the Yardbirds. That band, famous for having players like Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, and Page in its ranks, was around in the mid-1960s. And as part of the group, Page helped pen some of its important songs.
[RELATED: 2 Songs You Didn’t Know Jimmy Page Wrote for Other Artists]
1. “Think About It”
Written by Jimmy Page, Keith Relf, Jim McCarty
Released in the United States as a single on April Fool’s Day in 1968, this song is a bit of a psychedelic rock number, written by Page, lead singer Keith Relf and drummer Jim McCarty. It also features a big guitar solo from Page that is reminiscent of a Led Zeppelin riff. As far as the lyrics, they’re simple if not a bit philosophical.
When will the clouds all roll away?
When will the good people have their say?
I hope you’re still round to see the day.
Take a while,
Think about it.
Who can tell what is up or down?
You can be the king or be the clown.
Then climb your tree, take a look around.
2. “Happenings Ten Years Time Ago”
Written by Jeff Beck, Jimmy Page, Keith Relf, Jim McCarty
One of the band’s most beloved songs, this track was written, cut, and released as a single in 1966. Known as the band’s first song to feature the progressive combination of two lead guitar players—in this case Beck and Page—this song was known as both a triumph of guitar work and as the equivalent of an action movie in music. As far as the lyrics, the subject matter is that strange, numinous feeling of déjà vu.
Meeting people on my way
Seemingly I’ve known one day
Familiarity of things
That my dreaming always brings
Happenings ten years time ago
Situations we really know
But the knowing is in the mind
Sinking deep into the well of time
Sinking deep into the well of time
3. “Psycho Daisies”
Written by Jeff Beck, Jimmy Page, Keith Relf, Jim McCarty, Chris Dreja
This song was recorded during the same studio sessions as “Happenings Ten Years Time Ago” and the song was released as a B-side to that release. In this song, there are some role switches, with Beck singing lead and Page playing the bass. The inspiration for the song was the rockabilly song “Somethin’ Else” by Eddie Cochran and fans can hear a bit of the White Stripes in the song, proving Jack White was most likely a fan of Page, Beck and the Yardbirds.
Pennsylvania snow is pretty thick
Michigan ain’t where I get my kicks
Texas is fine but it gets too hot
And New York City’s not a place to stop
New Orleans is the home of the blues
But California’s my home with Mary Hughes
Photo by Paul Natkin/WireImage
