Editing Houses of the Holy (section)

===Side one===
The album's opening track, "[[The Song Remains the Same (song)|The Song Remains The Same]]", was originally a Page-composed instrumental called "The Overture". Plant added lyrics that referred to the group's experiences on tour, and it was given a working title of "The Campaign". His lead vocal was sped up slightly in the final mix, while Page played an electric [[twelve string guitar]] and a six-string electric. For live performances, he used the [[Gibson EDS-1275]] double-neck guitar that was also used for playing "[[Stairway to Heaven]]" in concert.{{sfn|Lewis|1990|p=53}}

"[[The Rain Song]]" was composed at Page's home studio, including the entire arrangement and the vocal melody.{{sfn|Lewis|1990|p=53}} He was inspired to write the song after [[George Harrison]] complained that Led Zeppelin "never did any ballads".{{sfn|Lewis|2012|p=132}} The opening chords are the same as Harrison's song “[[Something (Beatles song)|Something]]” from [[The Beatles]]' ''[[Abbey Road]]''.{{sfn|Lewis|2012|p=132}} The backing track was recorded at Olympic, with a working title of "Slush". Plant added some sensitive lyrics which matched the music, Jones added a string section played on the [[Mellotron]], while Page played acoustic and [[Danelectro]] electric guitars in various different tunings.{{sfn|Lewis|2012|p=132}}{{sfn|Lewis|1990|p=53}} The song was regularly performed live, with Page using the Gibson EDS-1275. [[Page and Plant]] revived the track for their 1994–95 tour.{{sfn|Lewis|2012|p=132}}

"[[Over the Hills and Far Away (Led Zeppelin song)|Over the Hills and Far Away]]" was written about the hippie lifestyle, including references to the "open road". The song was developed in two halves, with a quiet acoustic section leading into a livelier electric one. The song was one of the first to be introduced into Led Zeppelin's live set, being first played in mid-1972.{{sfn|Lewis|1990|p=53}}

"[[The Crunge]]" was written by Bonham and developed out of a jam at Stargroves. He decided to create a funk beat that stepped on and off the beat, making it impossible to dance to. Plant improvised a set of lyrics in the manner of [[James Brown]] over the music, parodying Brown's "Take it to the Bridge" vocal style towards the end of the track. To further show that the song was a tongue-in-cheek joke, the group considered putting "dance steps" to the song on the cover at one stage. The track was occasionally performed as an impromptu piece in concert, usually in the middle of another song such as the fast guitar solo section in "[[Dazed and Confused (Jake Holmes song)|Dazed and Confused]]".{{sfn|Lewis|1990|p=54}}