Led Zeppelin – Four Sticks

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Oh baby it's cryin' time
Oh baby I got to fly.

Got to try to find a way
Got to try to get away

'Cause you know I gotta get away from you babe.
Oh baby the river's red oh baby in my head.
There's a funny feelin' goin' on
I don't think I can hold out long.

And when the owls cry in the night
Oh baby baby when the pines begin to cry
Baby baby baby how do you feel?
If the river runs dry, baby, how do you feel?

Craze, baby, the rainbow's end, Mmm, baby, it's just a den
For those who hide, who hide their love to depths of life
And ruin dreams that we all knew so, babe.

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Lyrics submitted by kevin

Track duration: 04:39

"Four Sticks" as written by James Patrick (jimmy)/plant Page

Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.

Lyrics powered by LyricFind


Four Sticks song meanings
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45 Comments

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  • 0
    General Comment:I absolutly love this song and every other song on this record. It's hard for me to say the other songs are better, they all hold a feel and sound to me that I very much enjoy.
    Flag nosreveson October 01, 2010   Link
  • 0
    My Opinion:Great song. Main riff's insanely fun to play on bass.
    Flag PintoMelovich92on December 25, 2009   Link
  • -1
    General Comment:He's fighting an urge he thinks isn't right, but seems to be a deep part of his nature. (He uses symbols like rivers and owls and pines.) Also, the sounds of wind through the pines at night and owls are really lonesome kinds of sounds if you've ever heard them. He's looking to fill the sense of loneliness.

    HE wants to go someplace where there are others that have the same pull-- the rainbow's end, where everything is supposed to be rosy. But he's saying it's not what it seems or what one might hope for: when you get there it's just other people drowning their love. It's an empty place. He knows it but still can't resist the pull.

    So, my theory is that it's about an urge to do drugs or have casual sex outside his marriage/relationship. It's hard to tell which, but I'd say it 's sex since he's trying to explain to his wife and justifying it by saying the rivers are running dry in the relationship.

    I believe Robert Plant is bisexual and that's why so many of his lyrics are about needing to go away, ramble, etc., even though he's with someone he loves deeply.
    Flag bigmike7on September 29, 2009   Link
    • 1 Reply
  • 0
    General Comment:JB really hammers the skins...
    Flag xlr51on February 02, 2009   Link
  • +1
    General Comment:When I hear the chorus

    'Mmmm, baby, the river's red.
    Oh, baby, in my head.

    There's a funny feeling going on.
    I don't think I can hold out long.'

    I can't help but think of cocaine, and the way it actually works to get you high.

    Very awesome song though. I always found the 'Four Sticks' path to be all crazy and symbolic. I imagine four sticks lined up in mud, with their shadows all pointing to each other.

    Who knows.
    Flag Ironed Maidenson October 21, 2008   Link
    • 1 Reply
  • 0
    General Comment:I think this song is awesome. Great drums and a good singing job by plant. The guitar riff is pretty sweet as well. I can't define it as my favorite or not my favorite though because I have no favorite song by them. They put 100% of themselves into everything they did(until Hot Dog came out) that's my 2 cents
    Flag Davey1991on May 14, 2008   Link
    • 1 Reply
  • 0
    General Comment:Enough about the drumming. It's awesome, but isn't this a song meanings site? I think it's about a guy whose woman can't express his feelings for her, or the love in their relationship has 'run dry' like a dead river. He's got to get away from her, since there's nothing there between them any longer, and it's making him crazy.
    Flag xylem7on February 08, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I don't know what it means but I absolutely love this song. This one and When The Levee Breaks are my fav. on the album. I just can't believe some people don't like this song. It's amazing. It's really mystical and dreamy sounding. I love it! If you listen to with the headphones on, you might like it more...you can hear everything then!
    Flag libraroseon February 07, 2008   Link
    • 1 Reply
  • 0
    General Comment:Brave I endure - strong shields and all
    They can't hold the wrath of those who walk
    In the boots of those who march
    Baby, through the roads of time so long ago...
    Flag yrsonicson October 29, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:PS. One more thing (OK maybe I'm going on a little too much about this)

    Actually the recording I have is on the next album THE LOST SESSIONS V2, (it's there too)

    And it's obviously guest musicians playing, not Led Zep. That's my guess.
    Flag zaqwert777on July 17, 2007   Link

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