"Four Sticks" (Led Zeppelin)

Led Zeppelin's untitled fourth album simply is one of the greatest discs in rock and roll.  And although not quite as famous as "Stairway to Heaven" or a perennial classic rock radio favorite like "Misty Mountain Hop," the song "Four Sticks" is one of the most unique, risk-taking tracks on the album.  Unlike most rock or blues songs, which are in 4/4 time, the song is based on a North African folk rhythm that oscillates between 5/8 and 6/8 time every few bars, creating a hypnotic pattern that is extremely difficult to count out, much less play.

In fact, drummer John Bonham was having a helluva time keeping time during the recording session because of the tricky shifting time signature.  After a few failed takes, he picked up an additional set of drumsticks (i.e. two in each hand) out of sheer frustration and proceeded to pound out another take, which was flawless.  Because he drummed with four sticks, the band called the track "Four Sticks."

I've also read that music journalists back in the day had labeled the band "four sticks in the mud" because they didn't care for talking to the press.  So "Four Sticks" also was a proverbial "f you" to journalists and critics.   (I've read this explanation several times over the years, but have yet to find an article from the 70s where a critic specifically uses the phrase "four sticks in the mud.")

Anyway, it's Jimmy Page riffing at his raunchy and majestic best.  Robert Plant ripping his vocal cords to shreds.  John Paul Jones doing double duty on electric bass and VCS3 synthesizer.  And, of course, Bonzo drumming like a madman from start to finish.