Sold between 200 to 300 million records worldwide, Led Zeppelin is one of the best-selling music artists of all time. They achieved eight consecutive UK number-one albums and six number-one albums on the US Billboard 200, with five of their albums certified Diamonds in the US.
With their heavy, guitar-driven sound, they are considered one of the progenitors of hard rock and heavy metal, although their style drew from a variety of influences, including blues and folk music. Led Zeppelin has released eight studio albums, four live albums, ten compilation albums, sixteen singles, and eight music downloads.
Led Zeppelin Albums in Order
Led Zeppelin’s musical legacy is characterized by its groundbreaking sound, exceptional musicianship, and lasting influence on rock music. In this article, we will explore the list of Led Zeppelin albums in order of their release dates, delving into their unique qualities and contributions to the band’s discography.
| Studio Album | Release Date |
| Led Zeppelin | Jan 12, 1969 |
| Led Zeppelin II | Oct 22, 1969 |
| Led Zeppelin III | Oct 5, 1970 |
| Led Zeppelin IV | Nov 8, 1971 |
| Houses of the Holy | March 28, 1973 |
| Physical Graffiti | Feb 24, 1975 |
| Presence | March 31, 1976 |
| The Song Remains the Same | Oct 20, 1976 |
| In Through the Out Door | August 15, 979 |
Led Zeppelin’s Formation and Early Reception
Formed in London in 1968, Led Zeppelin comprised guitarist Jimmy Page, singer Robert Plant, bassist John Paul Jones, and drummer John Bonham. Initially facing criticism from critics, they eventually achieved significant commercial success with their eight studio albums released over the course of ten years.
Led Zeppelin (1969)
Led Zeppelin’s self-titled debut album, released in 1969, is a monumental rock masterpiece that set the stage for the band’s legendary career. With tracks like “Good Times Bad Times,” “Dazed and Confused,” and “Communication Breakdown,” the album effortlessly blended blues, rock, and folk influences, creating a sound that was both heavy and melodic.
Tracks:
- Good Times Bad Times
- Babe, I’m Gonna Leave You
- You Shook Me
- Dazed And Confused
- Your Time Is Gonna Come
- Black Mountain Side
- Communication Breakdown
- I Can’t Quit You Baby
- How Many More Times
Led Zeppelin II (1969)
Led Zeppelin’s second studio album, Led Zeppelin II, released in 1969, is a timeless rock masterpiece that solidified the band’s status as one of the most influential and innovative groups of the era. The album showcased the band’s exceptional talent and groundbreaking sound, packed with raw energy, virtuosic musicianship, and a fusion of blues, folk, and hard rock elements.
Tracks:
- Whole Lotta Love
- What Is And What Should Never Be
- The Lemon Song
- Thank You
- Heartbreaker
- Living Loving Maid (She’s A Woman)
- Ramble On
- Moby Dick
- Bring It On Home
Led Zeppelin III (1970)
Led Zeppelin III, released in 1970, marked a significant departure from the band’s earlier heavy blues-rock sound, revealing a more introspective and acoustic-driven side of Led Zeppelin. The album showcased their versatility as musicians and songwriters, incorporating elements of folk, country, and psychedelic rock.
Tracks:
- Immigrant Song
- Friends
- Celebration Day
- Since I’ve Been Loving You
- Out On The Tiles
- Gallows Pole
- Tangerine
- That’s The Way
- Bron Yr Aur Stomp
- Hats Off To (Roy) Harper
Led Zeppelin IV (1971)
Led Zeppelin’s fourth studio album, commonly known as Led Zeppelin IV, was released in 1971 and is considered a timeless masterpiece. This album further cemented the band’s status as one of the greatest rock acts of all time. Led Zeppelin IV features iconic tracks like “Black Dog,” “Rock and Roll,” and the legendary “Stairway to Heaven.”
The album showcased the band’s musical range, blending hard rock, blues, folk, and even elements of progressive rock.
Tracks:
- Black Dog
- Rock And Roll
- The Battle Of Evermore
- Stairway To Heaven
- Misty Mountain Hop
- Four Sticks
- Going To California
- When The Levee Breaks
Houses of the Holy (1973)
Released in 1973, Led Zeppelin’s fifth studio album, Houses of the Holy, continued to push boundaries and experiment with different musical styles.
The album featured a diverse range of tracks, including the energetic “The Song Remains the Same,” the reggae-influenced “D’yer Mak’er,” and the epic and atmospheric “No Quarter.” Houses of the Holy showcased Led Zeppelin’s ability to evolve their sound while maintaining their signature intensity and musical prowess.
Tracks:
- The Song Remains The Same
- The Rain Song
- Over The Hills And Far Away
- The Crunge
- Dancing Days
- D’yer Mak’er
- No Quarter
- The Ocean
Physical Graffiti (1975)
Physical Graffiti, released in 1975, is a double album that further showcased Led Zeppelin’s musical innovation and creativity. This album featured a mix of new material and previously unreleased tracks from earlier recording sessions.
Physical Graffiti included fan-favorite songs like “Kashmir,” “Trampled Under Foot,” and “In My Time of Dying.” The album’s diverse range of styles, from hard rock to funk and Eastern influences, solidified Led Zeppelin’s reputation as pioneers in the rock genre.
Tracks:
- Custard Pie
- The Rover
- In My Time Of Dying
- Houses Of The Holy
- Trampled Under Foot
- Kashmir
- In The Light
- Bron Yr Aur
- Down By The Seaside
- Ten Years Gone
- Night Flight
- The Wanton SongBoogie With Stu
- Black Country Woman
- Sick Again
Presence (1976)
In 1976, Led Zeppelin released Presence, their seventh studio album. This record exhibited a raw and stripped-down sound compared to their previous works. Despite facing challenges during its production, including guitarist Jimmy Page’s injury, Presence still managed to deliver powerful and impactful tracks. Songs like “Achilles Last Stand” and “Nobody’s Fault but Mine” showcased the band’s resilience and their ability to create hard-hitting rock anthems.
Tracks:
- Achilles’ Last Stand
- For Your Life
- Royal Orleans
- Nobody’s Fault But Mine
- Candy Store Rock
- Hots On For Nowhere
- Tea For One
The Song Remains the Same (1976)
The Song Remains the Same has a convoluted background and is actually more of the music for a bloated concert movie than a true live CD. In reality, Led Zeppelin began backing away from this one almost immediately, but despite some serious problems, it remained the only concert recording from the band for many years.
The entire production was largely rebuilt in 2007, when the soundtrack and movie were synced, and the performances gained new clarity.
Tracks:
- Rock And Roll
- Celebration Day
- Song Remains The Same
- The Rain Song
- Dazed And Confused
- No Quarter
- Stairway To Heaven
- Moby Dick
- Whole Lotta Love
In Through the Out Door (1979)
Led Zeppelin’s eighth and final studio album, In Through the Out Door, was released in 1979. This album represented a departure from their usual sound, featuring a greater emphasis on keyboards and synthesizers.
The tracks on In Through the Out Door displayed a more polished and commercial sound, with notable songs like “Fool in the Rain” and “All My Love.” Despite the album’s commercial success, it also marked the end of an era for Led Zeppelin.
After John Bonham’s passing in 1980, Led Zeppelin was no longer active and no further studio albums were ever produced. From this point forward, only live albums, unreleased tracks, compilations, most significant hits collections, box sets, and the remastered series with outtakes will be published as Led Zeppelin albums.
Tracks:
- In The Evening
- South Bound Suarez
- Fool In The Rain
- Hot Dog
- Carouselambra
- All My Love
- I’m Gonna Crawl
Coda (1982) (Compilation Album)
Coda, released in 1982, served as a posthumous compilation album after the death of drummer John Bonham in 1980. The album featured a collection of outtakes, unreleased tracks, and live recordings from various sessions throughout Led Zeppelin’s career.
While not a studio album in the traditional sense, Coda provided fans with a glimpse into the band’s creative process and showcased their musical versatility.
Tracks:
- We’re Gonna Groove
- Poor Tom
- I Can’t Quit You Baby
- Walter’s Walk
- Ozone Baby
- Darlene
- Bonzo’s Montreux
- Wearing And Tearing
Led Zeppelin’s discography is a testament to their immense talent and musical innovation. From their explosive debut to their genre-defying experiments, each album holds a special place in rock history. Led Zeppelin’s influence can still be felt in the music world today, and their albums continue to resonate with both longtime fans and new generations of listeners.
FAQs
1. How many albums did Led Zeppelin release?
Led Zeppelin released eight studio albums, four live albums, and ten compilation albums.
2. Which Led Zeppelin album is considered their best?
Opinions on the best Led Zeppelin album may vary, as the band’s discography is filled with critically acclaimed and beloved albums. However, some of the most highly regarded albums by Led Zeppelin include “Led Zeppelin IV” (1971) and “Physical Graffiti” (1975).
These albums are often praised for their musical diversity, iconic tracks, and lasting impact on the rock genre.
3. Did Led Zeppelin have any live albums?
Yes, Led Zeppelin released several live albums throughout their career. Some notable live albums include “The Song Remains the Same” (1976), which features live performances recorded in 1973 at Madison Square Garden, and “How the West Was Won” (2003), a compilation of live recordings from their 1972 concert tour.
4. What is Led Zeppelin’s most famous song?
Led Zeppelin has numerous iconic songs that have become classics in the rock music canon. One of their most famous and enduring songs is “Stairway to Heaven” from their fourth studio album. “Kashmir,” “Whole Lotta Love,” and “Black Dog” are also widely recognized and celebrated tracks.
5. Are there any unreleased Led Zeppelin songs?
Yes, Led Zeppelin has several unreleased songs and demos that have surfaced over the years. Some notable examples include “Sugar Mama,” “Traveling Riverside Blues,” and “Fire.”
These unreleased tracks offer fans a glimpse into Led Zeppelin’s creative process and provide additional material to explore beyond their official discography.
6. Did Led Zeppelin ever reunite after their breakup?
Led Zeppelin briefly reunited for a one-off performance in 2007, paying tribute to Ahmet Ertegun, the founder of Atlantic Records.
The reunion concert took place at the O2 Arena in London and featured surviving members Jimmy Page, Robert Plant, and John Paul Jones, along with Jason Bonham, son of late drummer John Bonham, filling in on drums. Since then, the band has not officially reunited for any further performances or recordings.