Iconic multi-instrumentalist John Paul Jones, born January 3, 1946, was Led Zeppelin’s sonic secret weapon. Whether playing bass, flute, or mandolin, Jones knew how to put the proverbial icing on a musical cake.
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To wit, Jones wrote many of Led Zeppelin’s biggest songs, either co-writing with the whole band or just one or two members. Below, we will dive into a handful of those songs that Jones helped make legendary with his Hall of Fame classic rock band.
[RELATED: 7 Songs You Didn’t Know Elvis Presley Got Writing Credit for but Didn’t Write]
Yes, these are five songs you likely didn’t know John Paul Jones wrote for Led Zeppelin.
1. “All My Love”
Written by Robert Plant, John Paul Jones
From the band’s 1979 album, Through the Out Door, “All My Love” was written by Jones, who also plays keys (including a keys solo) on the track, and singer Robert Plant. It was so rare, in fact, that “All My Love” is just one of two songs released by Led Zeppelin that did not include guitar player Jimmy Page as part of the writing process (the other is “South Bound Saurez,” which is also on Through the Out Door).
Should I fall out of love, my fire in the light
To chase a feather in the wind
Within the glow that weaves a cloak of delight
There moves a thread that has no end
For many hours and days that pass ever soon
The tides have caused the flame to dim
At last the arm is straight, the hand to the loom
Is this to end or just begin?
2. “Good Times Bad Times”
Written by John Bonham, Jimmy Page, John Paul Jones
The opening song on the band’s debut album, “Good Times Band Times” had to make its mark for the 1969 LP, Led Zeppelin, to continue earning airplay. And the song did just that thanks to its writers, drummer John Bonham, guitarist Jimmy Page and Jones, who said the bass riff he wrote for this song was one of the most difficult he’s ever had to play.
In the days of my youth
I was told what it means to be a man
Now I’ve reached that age
I’ve tried to do all those things the best I can
No matter how I try
I find my way to the same old jam
Good times, bad times
You know I’ve had my share
When my woman left home
For a brown-eyed man
Well, I still don’t seem to care
3. “Bron-Y-Aur Stomp”
Written by Robert Plant, Jimmy Page, John Paul Jones
Released in 1970 on the band’s third LP, known as Led Zeppelin III, “Bron-Y-Aur Stomp” was written in Whales as the band stayed in a cottage known as Montgomeryshire, which had no running water or electricity, to write new music. Written by Plant, Page, and Jones, the song is about hanging out with a dog in the woods.
Ah, I caught you smilin’ at me, that’s the way it should be
Like a leaf is to a tree, so fine
Ah, all the good times we had, I sung love songs so glad
Always smilin’, never sad, so fine
As we walk down the country lanes
I’ll be singin’ a song, you hear me callin’ your name
Hear the wind whisper in the trees
Tellin’ Mother Nature ’bout you and me
4. “Black Dog”
Written by Robert Plant, Jimmy Page, John Paul Jones
Another rock song about a pup from this British-born group, “Black Dog” was released on Led Zeppelin’s 1971 album, Led Zeppelin IV. The song is about a black lab that would hang around at Headley Grange Studios, where the band was working on its album at the time. Jones, inspired by Muddy Waters, wrote the main riff for the song.
Hey hey mama said the way you move
Gonna make you sweat, gonna make you groove
Ah, ah, child, way you shake that thing
Gonna make you burn, gonna make you sting.
Hey hey baby when you walk that way
Watch your honey drip, can’t keep away
5. “D’yer Mak’er”
Written by Robert Plant, John Bonham, Jimmy Page, John Paul Jones
From the band’s 1973 album, Houses of the Holy, “D’yer Mak’er” was inspired by the reggae music of Jamaica. The title of the song is a phonetic spelling of the island nation’s name, spoken with a British accent. While the song has gone on to become popular, at first Jones dismissed it as a joke, not thinking it would make an album after the impromptu jam it came from.
When I read the letter you wrote me, it made me mad mad mad
When I read the news that it told me, it made me sad sad sad
But I still love you so
I can’t let you go
I love you
Oh, baby, I love you
Photo by Gary Miller/WireImage
