It is widely recognized that the exhilarating world of live performance was the driving force behind Led Zeppelin’s monumental success. The band’s legendary guitarist, Jimmy Page, and charismatic lead vocalist, Robert Plant, expressed their sentiments about this very topic during a candid interview with Rolling Stone in 1975. Page remarked, “I love playing. If it was down to just that, it would be utopia.” Despite the glamorous facade of fame, he lamented the less appealing aspects of touring, such as uncomfortable flights, hotel stays, and security details that came with their celebrity status. Nevertheless, he was more than willing to endure these inconveniences for the opportunity to perform live. Plant, while feeling more at home, also felt an undeniable pull towards the stage, stating, “I miss this band when we aren’t playing.” He humorously noted that he often needed to reach out to Page to quell his performance-related restlessness, saying, “The other night when we played for the first time again, I found the biggest smile on my mouth.”

During their brief yet impactful decade-long career, Led Zeppelin delivered an impressive number of live performances. Utilizing data from setlist.fm, we meticulously compiled their most and least performed songs from nearly all studio albums, excluding Coda, which was released post-breakup and primarily includes unreleased tracks from earlier sessions. Interestingly, there are several songs that never made it to the live stage, which we will omit from this discussion for clarity. It’s important to mention that the data referenced here specifically pertains to performances officially billed as Led Zeppelin; thus, when Page and Plant toured in the ’90s, those performances do not feature John Paul Jones, the band’s third surviving member.

So, make yourself comfortable as we embark on this musical journey through the live performances of Led Zeppelin…

Album: Led Zeppelin (1969)
Most-played: “Dazed and Confused”
Least-played: “Your Time Is Gonna Come”

The studio recording of “Dazed and Confused” from Led Zeppelin’s debut album runs for around six and a half minutes. However, during live performances, the band frequently elongated the instrumental segments, transforming it into a much more expansive experience. By the time Led Zeppelin began performing this classic, Page was already a seasoned professional, having played it live numerous times with the Yardbirds. This track stands out as the most performed song in their repertoire, boasting an impressive 382 live renditions. In stark contrast, “Your Time Is Gonna Come” was only performed once, during a concert in Seattle in December 1968, making it the least played song from this album.

Album: Led Zeppelin II (1969)
Most-played: “Whole Lotta Love”
Least-played: “Ramble On”

On Led Zeppelin II, the transition from “Heartbreaker” to “Living Loving Maid (She’s Just a Woman)” is seamless, yet Page reportedly had a strong aversion to the latter track. While “Heartbreaker” was performed 261 times, “Living Loving Maid” never graced the stage. Consequently, “Ramble On” takes the title of least performed song from this album, having been played only once at the 2007 tribute concert for Ahmet Ertegun where Zeppelin reunited for a single night. In contrast, “Whole Lotta Love” dominated the stage with a staggering 295 performances over the years.

Album: Led Zeppelin III (1970)
Most-played: “Since I’ve Been Loving You”
Least-played: “Friends”

In the accompanying video, you can witness John Paul Jones masterfully playing an organ, utilizing its bass pedals instead of the traditional bass guitar for the studio rendition of “Since I’ve Been Loving You.” Live performances of this track showcased Plant’s powerful wails, creating a captivating experience for audiences. Two tracks from Led Zeppelin III, “Out on the Tiles” and “Hats Off to (Roy) Harper,” were never performed live, while “Friends” saw only one performance in Japan in 1971. Nevertheless, Plant has frequently included it in his solo tours over the past two decades, keeping the song alive for fans.

Album: Led Zeppelin IV (1971)
Most-played: “Stairway to Heaven”
Least-played: “Four Sticks”

Many individuals, including my parents, who were teenagers in the ’70s, have remarked that they would be perfectly content never to hear “Stairway to Heaven” again. Regardless of personal opinions about this iconic track, the statistics tell a different story: it stands as the most performed song from Led Zeppelin IV and ranks as the fifth most played song in the band’s entire catalog. Interestingly, every track from Led Zeppelin IV has been performed live at some point, yet “Four Sticks” holds the distinction of being the least performed, with only two shows taking place one day apart on May 3 and 4, 1971. A special shoutout goes to the dedicated individual who managed to capture one of those performances on record.

Album: Houses of the Holy (1973)
Most-played: “The Song Remains the Same”
Least-played: “The Crunge”

Interestingly, “D’yer Mak’er,” which features writing credits from all four members of Led Zeppelin, was never performed live. Nevertheless, several other tracks from Houses of the Holy that share writing credits found their way onto setlists, including “The Crunge,” which was played 12 times, all during 1975. At the forefront with 172 performances is “The Song Remains the Same,” a track that was initially intended to be instrumental until Plant contributed his lyrical genius.

Album: Physical Graffiti (1975)
Most-played: “Kashmir”
Least-played: “Custard Pie”

Several songs from Physical Graffiti were never showcased live—most notably “Houses of the Holy,” which ultimately did not fit with the band’s evolving sound. “Custard Pie” managed to be performed just twice: once in 1975 and again in 1990 at drummer John Bonham’s son Jason Bonham’s wedding reception, which must have been an unforgettable gig. Leading the charge, “Kashmir” was performed over 100 times, showcasing the epic nature of a song that took years to craft—definitely worth the wait.

Album: Presence (1976)
Most-played: “Achilles Last Stand”
Least-played: “For Your Life”

As we delve deeper into Led Zeppelin’s discography, the number of live performances dwindles. From the 1976 album Presence, only two out of the seven tracks were ever performed live. “Achilles Last Stand” stands out with a notable 57 performances over a three-year span. In contrast, “For Your Life” was revived during the band’s 2007 reunion show, showcasing its enduring appeal despite its rarity.

Album: In Through the Out Door (1979)
Most-played: Tie Between “Hot Dog” and “In the Evening”
Least-played: “All My Love”

Despite its quirky title, I believe “Hot Dog” deserves recognition. Although it diverges from the typical Led Zeppelin sound, it’s a fun and energetic track that invites audience participation—just look at the joy on Page’s face in the accompanying clip. Both “Hot Dog” and “In the Evening” were performed 17 times during 1979 and 1980, including a memorable appearance at the 1979 Knebworth Festival. Meanwhile, “All My Love” came in close with 13 performances, while the rest of In Through the Out Door remained primarily in the studio.