11. In My Time of Dying
Artist: Led Zeppelin
Album: Physical Graffiti
Released: 1975
Points: 145.2
In My Time of Dying is a traditional gospel song that was performed by many artists including Bob Dylan. Led Zeppelin’s version appeared on the band’s album Physical Graffiti, which stayed on Billboard 200 for 43 weeks, hitting the No. 1. Zeppelin, known for lengthy songs, this time outmatched themselves. The studio track lasts 11:06. In the book Led Zeppelin: The Complete Guide to Their Music, Dave Lewis praised In My Time of Dying as “one of the most scintillating moments in the whole Zeppelin catalogue”.
The song, which repeats the line Jesus, gonna make up my dyin’ bed with variations, speaks about poet’s encounter with Jesus, St Peter and angles after his death. The whole song echoes with the feeling of approaching end, so it is no wonder that Plant didn’t enjoy performing it after the car crash he had in 1975.
