OK, folks, it's time to upload my first cover here to FA. Probably my last, too, because I tend to slaughter other people's songs once I get my paws on 'em lol. This one I like, though.

The song in question is "Your Time Is Gonna Come", originally written and recorded by Led Zeppelin, and released on their self-titled debut in 1969. This version was recorded in the summer of 1991, during which I joined a short-lived band that was assembled by some of my co-workers at the supermarket at which I was working. Their influences leaned mostly towards classic rock-- Zeppelin, Aerosmith, and the Beatles-- but they were also interested in trying to integrate some of my influences (we also worked on a cover of "Tainted Love" by Soft Cell). During this period, we also recorded an original song of mine called "Deception", which, to this day, remains the only song of mine that has been recorded by a full band.

One of the few post-worthy recordings I have from this band is this Led Zeppelin cover. Before I got involved with these guys, I didn't know Led Zeppelin's music all that well. I knew a few songs here and there, of course (show me someone who grew up in the '70s and '80s and didn't know "Stairway To Heaven", and I'll show you someone who lived in a cave), but not much more than that. Dave (the guitarist) and Derald (the drummer) helped to open my eyes-- or, I guess, my ears-- to what I was missing out on. I've loved Led Zep ever since.

Fun facts about the recording: Like pretty much everything else I've uploaded so far, this was recorded with a Walkman-sized tape recorder. No mixing. If it sounds like some of us were just learning this song, it's because we were. I think I was still reading some of the lyrics off of a sheet of paper. And if you're wondering why the keyboard is so loud on this song, it's because the kid who played keyboard on it, Alex, insisted that the tape recorder be placed right on top of the keyboard speaker lol (to be fair, it probably was the only way he'd be heard over the drums). Alex was only in the band for this one rehearsal (he did a good job on this song-- which before this recording, he was unfamiliar with-- but he was a jerk) lol. The band itself broke up before it even had a name, although later Dave (who I remained friends with for a while) and I began referring to it as "The Beat Bastards".

And finally, if you're familiar with the original version of the song, you may notice a slight lyrical difference in the first line. Instead of "Lyin', cheatin', hurtin'", I sang "Lyin', cheatin', Ellen", which was a reference to a woman who worked at the supermarket with my bandmates and I. She's mentioned again towards the end of the song when I start ad-libbing. I guess that's why I like this recording... despite its flaws, you can tell we're having fun, and listening to it always makes me smile.


"Your Time Is Gonna Come" (4:07)
Words & music by Jimmy Page & John Paul Jones
Recorded August 4, 1991
Kiffa (me) - lead vocals
Derald S. - drums
David P. - guitar
Alex D. - keyboards, backing vocals