If you’re a fan of The Lord Of The Rings and The Hobbit, you might be pleased to know that there are quite a few music references to the work of J.R.R. Tolkien out there. Let’s take a look at just a few of our favorites from rock and folk, specifically!
1. “I Think I Understand” by Joni Mitchell
We’re as surprised as you are that Joni Mitchell is a Tolkien fan. The famed folk singer/songwriter penned “I Think I Understand” back in 1969 for her album Clouds. On the surface, the references to The Lord Of The Rings might seem a bit cryptic or vague. However, Mitchell herself introduced the song at a music festival that year and said that the books “left a big impression” on the singer and resulted in this stunning piece of work.
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“A few years ago I read a trilogy by an Englishman named Tolkien,” said Mitchell at the Mississippi River Festival in 1969. “It left a big impression on me because there are so many different ways that you can read your own things into it… And get your own hope and light and everything from it.”
2. “Ramble On” by Led Zeppelin
Out of all the J.R.R. Tolkien music references on this list, this famed song from Led Zeppelin is probably the most well-known. Both Robert Plant and Jimmy Page are fans of the author, so it’s not exactly shocking that they’d reference Tolkien’s magical, whimsical world in the song “Ramble On” from Led Zeppelin II.
3. “The Wizard” by Black Sabbath
Another great example of J.R.R. Tolkien music references in classic rock, Black Sabbath put together “The Wizard” back in 1970. Geezer Butler had read The Lord Of The Rings when the band was penning their first album. Naturally, some fantastical inspiration made its way onto their famed debut record.
4. “Rivendell” by Rush
This is a pretty direct reference to The Lord Of The Rings, and we’re not complaining. Rush’s Neil Peart sprinkled quite a few references to the book series in Rush’s work throughout the 1970s, but “Rivendell” is the most obvious reference to the famed elven sanctuary. “The Necromancer” is another Rush track that references the series.
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