What Is and What Should Never Be

Led Zeppelin

About What Is and What Should Never Be

"What Is and What Should Never Be" is a song by English rock band Led Zeppelin. It was written by Jimmy Page and Robert Plant and was included as the second track on Led Zeppelin II (1969).


Year:
1990
4:43
164 
#2

 The easy, fast & fun way to learn how to sing: 30DaySinger.com

And if I say to you tomorrow
Take my hand, child  come with me
It's to a castle I will take you
Where what's to be, they say will be

Catch the wind, see us spin
Sail away leave today
Way up high in the sky, hey, whoa
But the wind won't blow
You really shouldn't go
It only goes to show
That you will be mine
By takin' our time, ooh

And if you say to me tomorrow
Oh what fun it all would be
Then what's to stop us, pretty baby
But what is and what should never be

Catch the wind, see us spin
Sail away, leave today
Way up high in the sky, hey whoa
But the wind won't blow
You really shouldn't go
Only goes to show
That you will be mine
By takin' our time, ooh

So if you wake up with the sunrise
And all your dreams are still as new
And happiness is what you need so bad
Girl, the answer lies with you, yeah

Catch the wind, see us spin
Sail away, leave today
Way up high in the sky, hey whoa
But the wind won't blow
You really shouldn't go
Only goes to show
That you will be mine
By takin' our time, ooh

Hey, oh
Oh the wind won't blow and we really shouldn't go
And it only goes to show-ow-ow
Catch the wind, we're gonna see it spin
We're gonna sail, little girl
Do do do, bop bop a do-oh
My my my my my my my yeah
Everybody I know seems to know me well
But does anybody know I'm gonna move like hell
Baby, baby, baby, baby, baby, baby, oh, Lord
Baby, baby, baby, oh, right now, yeah
No, no, no, no, no, come on, now

 Watch: New Singing Lesson Videos Can Make Anyone A Great Singer


Led Zeppelin

Led Zeppelin were an English rock band active in the late 1960s and throughout the 1970s. Formed as the New Yardbirds in 1968, the band consisted of guitarist Jimmy Page, singer Robert Plant, bassist/keyboardist John Paul Jones, and drummer John Bonham. They are widely considered to be one of the most successful, innovative and influential rock groups in history. more »

30 fans

Written by: Robert Anthony Plant, James Patrick Page

Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


10 facts about this song

Historic Milestone
"What Is and What Should Never Be" was the second track off Led Zeppelin's second album, "Led Zeppelin II," which was released in 1969.
Music Composition
The song is renowned for its innovative use of stereo effects, with vocals and instruments panned to different channels to develop an immersive listening experience.
Significant Contribution
This song is the first Led Zeppelin song to feature Robert Plant as the writer or co-writer. Previously, Jimmy Page primarily handled the songwriting with some assistance from other band members.
Live Performances
Despite being one of their popular tracks, "What Is and What Should Never Be" was not regularly performed live by Led Zeppelin. The song was only included in their setlists during tours between 1969 and 1972.
Lyrics Inspiration
It's theorized that the song's lyrics were inspired by Plant's relationship with his wife's younger sister, though this has never been officially confirmed by the band.
Genre Defining
"What Is and What Should Never Be" is considered a perfect exemplification of the band's hard rock style with bluesy undertones, making it a crucial element of Led Zeppelin's characteristic sound.
Re-Release
The song was re-released as part of the remastered deluxe edition of "Led Zeppelin II" in 2014.
Cover Versions
This song has been covered by several artists. For instance, The Lovemongers, a side project of Ann and Nancy Wilson of the band Heart, included a cover of "What Is and What Should Never Be" on their debut EP in 1997.
TV and Film Appearance
The track has been used in popular culture quite often, such as in the television series "Entourage" and in the film "Silver Linings Playbook."
Honorary Ranking
In 2012, Rolling Stone magazine ranked "What Is and What Should Never Be" number 126 on their list of the 500 greatest songs of all time.

Discuss the What Is and What Should Never Be Lyrics with the community:

0 Comments

    Citation

    Use the citation below to add these lyrics to your bibliography:

    Style:MLAChicagoAPA

    "What Is and What Should Never Be Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 19 Apr. 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/29217660/Led+Zeppelin/What+Is+and+What+Should+Never+Be>.

    Missing lyrics by Led Zeppelin?

    Know any other songs by Led Zeppelin? Don't keep it to yourself!

    Watch the song video

    What Is and What Should Never Be

    2.9M
    35,145     782

    Browse Lyrics.com

    Quiz

    Are you a music master?

    »
    My name is _______. I live on the second floor. I live upstairs from you. Yes, I think you've seen me before.
    A Lucia
    B Lucas
    C Luna
    D Luka

    Free, no signup required:

    Add to Chrome

    Get instant explanation for any lyrics that hits you anywhere on the web!

    Free, no signup required:

    Add to Firefox

    Get instant explanation for any acronym or abbreviation that hits you anywhere on the web!

    Led Zeppelin tracks

    On Radio Right Now

    Loading...

    Powered by OnRad.io


    Think you know music? Test your MusicIQ here!