In the years since its release, Led Zeppelin's "Stairway to Heaven" has become the bane of music store clerks the world over, perhaps best depicted in a scene from Wayne's World. The longstanding "Stairway" denial makes it all the more strange that U2 and St. Vincent decided to cover the song on the same day.
Both artists shared covers of the Zeppelin catalogue staple online yesterday (July 26). Fully aware of the music store phenomenon, Annie Clark wrote in a caption, "Since guitar stores have been closed, I thought you might have missed the sound of someone fumbling through 'stairway to heaven.'"
Clark also gave honourable mention honours to other floor model favourites including Deep Purple's "Smoke on the Water," Lynyrd Skynyrd's "Sweet Home Alabama," Metallica's "Wherever I May Roam" and another Zeppelin cut in "Black Dog." She concluded, "Love to all my guitar players out there. I know. I miss it too."
U2's version, which you can also find below, brings Bono and the Edge together for some gentle jabs at their road crew. The vocalist explains how roadies make sure "Stairway" is a staple of the band's soundchecks around the globe.
"Wherever you go in the world, whatever venue you're playing — whether it's the Olympia or 3 Arena or Madison Square Garden — you walk into the venue and it's a big moment," Bono explains. "And you'll hear a song that we said, 'We'll never, ever play this.' And that's right, 'Stairway to Heaven.' These professionals believe they play this better than the band. And you know, it might be true."
You can check out the capable covers from both artists below. Earlier this year, Led Zeppelin won a retrial in which it was alleged that "Stairway to Heaven" had been plagiarized.
Both artists shared covers of the Zeppelin catalogue staple online yesterday (July 26). Fully aware of the music store phenomenon, Annie Clark wrote in a caption, "Since guitar stores have been closed, I thought you might have missed the sound of someone fumbling through 'stairway to heaven.'"
Clark also gave honourable mention honours to other floor model favourites including Deep Purple's "Smoke on the Water," Lynyrd Skynyrd's "Sweet Home Alabama," Metallica's "Wherever I May Roam" and another Zeppelin cut in "Black Dog." She concluded, "Love to all my guitar players out there. I know. I miss it too."
U2's version, which you can also find below, brings Bono and the Edge together for some gentle jabs at their road crew. The vocalist explains how roadies make sure "Stairway" is a staple of the band's soundchecks around the globe.
"Wherever you go in the world, whatever venue you're playing — whether it's the Olympia or 3 Arena or Madison Square Garden — you walk into the venue and it's a big moment," Bono explains. "And you'll hear a song that we said, 'We'll never, ever play this.' And that's right, 'Stairway to Heaven.' These professionals believe they play this better than the band. And you know, it might be true."
You can check out the capable covers from both artists below. Earlier this year, Led Zeppelin won a retrial in which it was alleged that "Stairway to Heaven" had been plagiarized.
