“What Is and What Should Never Be” is a track from Led Zeppelin’s 1969 album Led Zeppelin II, showcasing the band’s signature blend of blues, hard rock, and experimental sounds. Written by Jimmy Page and Robert Plant, the song is an exemplary piece of Led Zeppelin’s musical mastery, highlighting their ability to craft intricate arrangements while maintaining emotional depth.
The song’s lyrics, like many of Plant’s compositions, evoke a sense of introspection and conflict. “What Is and What Should Never Be” delves into the tension between reality and idealism, exploring the ways in which people often become disillusioned when their expectations do not align with reality. This theme is captured through imagery and a poetic approach, making the song feel both personal and universal. The lyrics describe a sense of freedom, a longing for escape, and the painful realization that what one desires is often unattainable.
The structure of the song is a unique one, with the music taking the listener on a journey through multiple dynamic shifts. It begins with a mellow, almost dreamy, acoustic guitar intro, followed by a powerful buildup as the electric guitar and drums enter. This contrast between the soft and hard elements mirrors the lyrics’ exploration of contrasts—between the ideal and the real, the dream and the disappointment. The gentle verses, sung with a sense of vulnerability by Plant, gradually give way to more intense, energetic passages, where the full force of the band’s sound comes to life.
One of the most captivating aspects of “What Is and What Should Never Be” is the interplay between Page’s guitar work and Bonham’s drumming. The song’s riff, though simple in its structure, creates a hauntingly powerful atmosphere. Page’s iconic use of guitar effects—particularly his use of a Leslie speaker—adds texture and depth, giving the song a distinctive sound that was groundbreaking for its time. Bonham’s drumming, while understated in the quieter parts of the song, erupts during the heavier moments, providing a rhythmic foundation that drives the energy forward.
The song’s lyrics and instrumentation reflect the themes of the struggle between ideals and reality, with the song almost feeling like a musical representation of a dream being slowly unraveled. This theme resonates deeply, as it speaks to the human experience of chasing desires that may ultimately lead to disappointment, but also the thrill of the pursuit itself.
In conclusion, “What Is and What Should Never Be” stands as one of Led Zeppelin’s most complex and introspective tracks. The song captures the essence of what made Led Zeppelin one of the most influential bands of the 20th century: their ability to blend raw emotion, poetic lyricism, and innovative musicianship into a sound that was entirely their own. The track not only showcases their technical skills but also their ability to evoke powerful emotions and provoke thought, making it a timeless piece in the history of rock music.
