Led Zeppelin - Ten Years Gone Lyrics Meaning

Ten Years Gone is the fourth song on side three of the double album Physical Graffiti. It is a unique song for Led Zeppelin. Previously they had their songs had either been steeped in the blues, philosophical, or carried a fantasy element. Ten Years Gone is different because it carries a very real element to it without being a blues number.

Robert Plant himself explained that Ten Years Gone was about a girlfriend of his who had made him choose between her or the music. Thankfully for us, he chose the music.

The first verse of the song is about fate. It gives itself to the theory that human beings have a predetermined destiny.

In the second verse he is saying that despite all the changes in his life he often reflects back on his life, and, in particular, her.

The bridge is extremely effective. It's virtually a cry for love. It suggests that this woman was Robert Plant's first conquest.

The third verse is about two things. The first is about beauty. The narrator is in awe of this woman's beauty. The second thing is about connection. Despite their years apart Plant still feels some kind of connection with her.

The fourth and final verse suggests simply that the two have met again. "Vixen in my dreams/ with great surprise to me" suggests that the narrator had carried a certain amount of bitterness with him for some time.