The Great Led Zeppelin Songs That Weren’t Written By Jimmy Page
Led Zeppelin, 1971 c/o official band site
When people think of Led Zeppelin, Jimmy Page often takes center stage. As the band’s founder, producer, and primary songwriter, his fingerprints are all over the band’s most iconic works—from the haunting majesty of “Stairway to Heaven” to the epic thunder of “Kashmir.” Page’s guitar wizardry and sonic vision shaped the band’s identity and legacy. But Led Zeppelin was always more than a one-man show.
Robert Plant’s poetic lyricism and John Bonham’s explosive drumming were critical pillars of the Zeppelin sound, and John Paul Jones quietly held the band together with his musical versatility. Still, it came as a surprise to many fans to learn that a few Zeppelin tracks weren’t written by Page at all. Instead, two standout songs from their final album In Through the Out Door were born from the creative partnership of Plant and Jones.
These two tracks—“All My Love” and “South Bound Suarez”—reveal a different side of Led Zeppelin. With Page and Bonham grappling with addiction and personal struggles, Plant and Jones stepped up, crafting pieces that veered away from the band’s usual heaviness. What emerged was a softer, more introspective sound that captured emotion in a way only they could.
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“All My Love” — A Father’s Farewell
Among the most poignant tracks in Led Zeppelin’s catalog, “All My Love” stands out for its emotional weight and sincerity. Written as a tribute to Robert Plant’s son, Karac, who passed away at just five years old, the song offers a glimpse into the singer’s grief and healing. With lyrics that ache with love and loss, it became one of the band’s most human moments.
John Paul Jones played an essential role in bringing this emotion to life. He composed a tender melody with a soft, almost Baroque feel—an intentional contrast to the band’s usual bombast. The keyboard-driven arrangement carries the heart of the song, giving Plant’s voice the room it needs to mourn and remember. It’s not just a Led Zeppelin ballad—it’s a personal eulogy.
However, not everyone was on board with the change in tone. Jimmy Page admitted to being wary of the track’s chorus, even fearing it might inspire stadium-style singalongs that clashed with the band’s image. Still, he let it on the album, acknowledging its place in the larger story—even if it wasn’t the direction he’d choose for Zeppelin’s future.
“South Bound Suarez” — A Burst of Rock ‘n’ Roll Fun
While “All My Love” was filled with sadness and grace, “South Bound Suarez” was its energetic foil. Also written by Plant and Jones, the track explodes with playful spirit and retro flair. It’s a love letter to the rock ‘n’ roll of the 1950s, with honky-tonk piano runs and a swing-infused groove that channels Little Richard more than it does “Black Dog.”
Jones, again, was at the center of the track’s sound. His busy keyboard work drives the rhythm and injects a vibrancy that set it apart from anything else on In Through the Out Door. It’s a rare moment where Led Zeppelin lets loose in a way that feels carefree and joyous—almost like they were jamming in a smoky piano bar rather than a studio.
For longtime fans expecting Page’s iconic guitar riffs, the track may have seemed like a curveball. But within the context of the band’s final album—and the chaos surrounding it—it stands out as a moment of levity and groove. “South Bound Suarez” proved that even without Page or Bonham at the helm, Zeppelin could still cook up something memorable.
Redefining Zeppelin’s Legacy
The absence of Jimmy Page in the songwriting credits for these two tracks might seem shocking, but it reflects a broader truth about Led Zeppelin’s evolution. By 1979, the band was no longer the unified force it had been a decade earlier. Page and Bonham were struggling with substance abuse, and Plant and Jones found themselves stepping into creative leadership.
What they produced wasn’t lesser Zeppelin—it was different. “All My Love” and “South Bound Suarez” showed the band’s range, proving they could move beyond the hammer-and-thunder archetype. These tracks are softer, more vulnerable, and more playful, offering emotional and musical depth that stands the test of time.
In the end, these songs remind us that Led Zeppelin wasn’t just Jimmy Page’s band. It was a group of musicians who, at different times, carried the torch when others couldn’t. And in these two tracks, the partnership of Plant and Jones gave us something fans didn’t expect but have come to appreciate as vital pieces of the Zeppelin story.
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