AboutAmy Maloney Expertise I have studied the band for going on 30 years now. I have met the remaining members of Zep, along with some of their neighborhood friends and some of their family members. My knowledge about them is probably strongest in the area of biography, personalities, song meanings, influences, etc. I may not be well versed in various technical aspects of various recording equipment, instrument details, or any info on how to play the music, as I am not a musician. I am mostly a fan who has been reading about them, collecting, and has met them numerous times in the last 25 years. If I don't know an answer I have lots of resources and references to look up!
Experience Been studying the band since 1977.
Organizations N/A
Publications N/A
Education/Credentials Bachelors of Arts, University of MD.
Writing, Teaching, Travel Agent, Yoga.
Question When I first listened to this song, celebration day, i thought it was awesome, but then i looked at the lyrics and now i don't understand. Can you please explain this song to me.
Answer Hi Dominic,
I've always thought the song was an analogy to a greedy society, most probably the US. The reason I think it's America is because Plant refers to the "dollar" and "her name is brown or white or black", referring to a multi-cultural society. The writer, Plant, sees through the facade of a country that preaches freedom and equality and the pursuit of happiness while taking part in a very unpopular war (at the time the song was written in 1970, Vietnam was raging.)
"She hears them talk of new ways to protect the home she lives in, then she wonders what it's all about when they break down the door" I think refers the arms race, the sale of arms and guns between powerful and greedy entities. Then those same entities or countries feign shock and confusion when rates of violent crime are high or they are attacked by countries that they may have sold weapons to.
"..you hear her cry for mercy as the winner tolls the bell".. I think the writer feels that at some point she (the society) will have to pay a price. Robert often points to greed and hypocricy in his songs.
It could refer to any other powerful, greedy or hypocritical culture or society, not just America. But I vaguely remember reading in a very old interview with Plant that the US is the country it refers to. It's really important to look at the song in the context of the 1970's, too.
That's just my take, Dominic! Oh, there's also a website: songmeanings.net. If you search under Celebration Day, you can find the lyrics printed and underneath is a comment board where there are a bunch of different folks' opinions.
