Journey into the desert of longing with Robert Plant's iconic 80s solo hit.
The Song
"Big Log" was the lead single from Robert Plant's second solo album, The Principle of Moments, released in July 1983. Co-written by Plant, guitarist Robbie Blunt, and keyboardist Jezz Woodroffe, the track marked a significant stylistic departure from the heavy rock sound of Led Zeppelin, embracing a softer, more introspective tone with new-wave and synth-pop influences. The song features a distinctive, dreamy guitar riff and a prominent Roland TR-808 drum machine, which Woodroffe programmed, including its era-defining handclaps.
The enigmatic title, "Big Log," does not appear in the lyrics and has several interpretations. One origin story suggests it came from Plant and Woodroffe burning a large fallen tree, piece by piece, for warmth when they ran out of fuel while writing the song in winter. Another popular interpretation is that "big log" refers to a long-distance truck driver's logbook, aligning with the song's themes of travel, longing, and the open road. The lyrics evoke a sense of solitude and wistfulness, exploring themes of a lost love "in league with the freeway" and the "miles and the waiting."
The Artist
Robert Plant is an English singer, songwriter, and the legendary lead vocalist of the iconic rock band Led Zeppelin. Following the tragic death of drummer John Bonham in 1980 and the subsequent disbandment of Led Zeppelin, Plant embarked on a successful solo career, determined to carve out his own musical legacy. His solo work, starting with Pictures at Eleven in 1982 and followed by The Principle of Moments, saw him consciously move away from the "crash of Zeppelin," exploring different sounds and a more mature, emotional depth in his vocals.
The Principle of Moments was Plant's second Top 10 album in both the US and UK, proving his ability to reinvent himself as an artist. While drummer Phil Collins played on five of the album's eight tracks, Big Log notably featured a drum machine, further showcasing Plant's willingness to experiment with new sounds and move beyond his hard rock roots. This period cemented Plant's status as a versatile and evolving musician capable of creating hits outside the shadow of his former band.
Chart Performance
"Big Log" was a significant commercial success for Robert Plant, becoming his first solo Top 40 hit.
- It peaked at No. 11 on the UK Singles Chart.
- In the US, the song reached No. 20 on the Billboard Hot 100.
- The track also performed well on rock radio, hitting No. 6 on the Billboard Top Tracks chart.
- Internationally, it reached No. 5 in the Netherlands and Belgium, No. 7 in New Zealand, and No. 23 in Australia.
Cultural Impact
"Big Log" was instrumental in solidifying Robert Plant's solo identity after Led Zeppelin. It demonstrated his ability to create successful and critically acclaimed music that diverged from his iconic past, influencing the charts and proving his songwriting prowess to himself and the public. The song's introspective lyrics and atmospheric sound resonated with listeners, creating a "dreamy yet profound atmosphere" that felt both familiar and fresh for the 1980s.
The song's distinctive sound, blending pop-rock melodies with a touch of blues and electronic elements, showcased Plant's versatility and maturity as an artist. Years later, "Big Log" also served as a unique connecting link in Plant's career, as Alison Krauss and her brother Viktor Krauss covered the song on Viktor's 2004 album, with Plant expressing how flattered he was by their rendition. This connection ultimately foreshadowed Plant and Krauss's highly successful collaborative relationship, including their Grammy-winning album Raising Sand.
Fun Facts
- The music video for "Big Log," directed by Storm Thorgerson (famous for Pink Floyd's The Dark Side of the Moon album cover), was filmed in evocative desert locations around California and Nevada.
- Specific filming locations included the Amargosa Opera House and Hotel in Death Valley Junction, California, Calico Ghost Town in California, the Glass Pool Inn in Las Vegas, and areas in Crystal, Nye County, Nevada.
- The video features Robert Plant's classic car overheating at a desolate desert gas station, leading him to muse upon lost love while wandering the arid landscape.
- The song was written in Rockfield Studios in Wales, the same studio where Plant had recorded his previous solo album, Pictures at Eleven.
- Cash Box magazine compared the synthesized drums and handclaps in "Big Log" to Marvin Gaye's hit "Sexual Healing."
- In a 2019 episode of his "Digging Deep" podcast, Plant recounted his initial skepticism about the Roland TR-808 drum machine sound for the song, thinking it was "shite," but eventually learned how to use it effectively.