Editing Houses of the Holy

{{About|the Led Zeppelin album}}
{{good article}}
{{Infobox album
| name         = Houses of the Holy
| type         = studio
| artist       = [[Led Zeppelin]]
| cover        = Led Zeppelin - Houses of the Holy.jpg
| alt          = Six nude children with long blonde hair scramble up a stairstep series of basalt rocks ascending away from the viewer, with an orange-white sky above
| released     = {{start date|1973|03|28|df=yes}}
| recorded     = December 1971 – August 1972<ref name=hoth>''Houses of the Holy'', Led Zeppelin, Atlantic Records, R2-544300, Super Deluxe Edition Box, 2014 liner Notes, page 3</ref>
| studio       = *[[Rolling Stones Mobile Studio|Rolling Stones Mobile]] ([[Stargroves]] and [[Headley Grange]])
*[[Island Studios|Island]] and [[Olympic Studios|Olympic]] (London)
| genre        = 
*[[Hard rock]]
*[[art rock]]
| length       = {{Duration|m=40|s=57}}
| label        = [[Atlantic Records|Atlantic]]
| producer     = [[Jimmy Page]]
| prev_title   = {{Noitalic|[[Led Zeppelin IV|Untitled]]}}
| prev_year    = 1971
| next_title   = [[Physical Graffiti]]
| next_year    = 1975
| misc         = {{Singles
 | name        = Houses of the Holy
 | type        = studio
 | single1     = [[Over the Hills and Far Away (Led Zeppelin song)|Over the Hills and Far Away]]" / "[[Dancing Days]]
 | single1date = 24 May 1973<ref name=oth>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/led-zeppelin/chart-history/hsi/|title=Led Zeppelin : Over The Hills and Far Away|magazine=Billboard|access-date=26 July 2018}}</ref>
 | single2     = [[D'yer Mak'er]]" / "[[The Crunge]]
 | single2date = 17 September 1973<ref name=dyme/>
}}
}}
'''''Houses of the Holy''''' is the fifth studio album by the English [[Rock music|rock]] band [[Led Zeppelin]], released on 28 March 1973 in the United States and on 30 March 1973 in the United Kingdom by [[Atlantic Records]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/?tab_active=default-award&ar=Led+Zeppelin&ti=Houses+of+the+Holy&format=Album&type=#search_section|title=RIAA}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bpi.co.uk/award/7030-2162-2|title=BPI}}</ref> The album benefited from two band members installing studios at home, which allowed them to develop more sophisticated songs and arrangements and expand their musical style. Several songs subsequently became fixtures in the group's live set, including "[[The Song Remains the Same (song)|The Song Remains the Same]]", "[[The Rain Song]]" and "[[No Quarter (song)|No Quarter]]". Other material recorded at the sessions, including the [[Houses of the Holy (song)|title track]], was shelved and released on the later albums ''[[Physical Graffiti]]'' (1975) and ''[[Coda (Led Zeppelin album)|Coda]]'' (1982). All instruments and vocals were provided by the band members [[Robert Plant]] (vocals), [[Jimmy Page]] (guitar), [[John Paul Jones (musician)|John Paul Jones]] (bass, keyboards), and [[John Bonham]] (drums). The album was produced by Page and mixed by [[Eddie Kramer]]. The cover was the first for the band to be designed by [[Hipgnosis]] and was based on a photograph taken at [[Giant's Causeway]] in [[Northern Ireland]].

Although critical response was mixed, ''Houses of the Holy'' became a commercial success, later receiving a [[RIAA certification|Diamond]] certification<ref name=Diamond>{{cite web|url=https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/?advance_search=1&tab_active=awards_by_album&awardal=D&formatal=Album&typeal=&|title=RIAA's historic Gold® & Platinum® Program defines success in the recorded music industry.|work=The Recording Industry Association of America® (RIAA)|access-date=12 May 2019|archive-date=21 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210521204157/https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/?advance_search=1&tab_active=awards_by_album&awardal=D&formatal=Album&typeal=|url-status=live}}</ref>  by the [[Recording Industry Association of America]] (RIAA) in 1999 for at least 10 million copies sold in the US. In 2020, the album was ranked at number 278 on ''[[Rolling Stone]]'''s 2020 list of the "[[Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Albums of All Time|500 Greatest Albums of All Time]]".<ref name="rollingstone.com">{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/best-albums-of-all-time-1062063/led-zeppelin-houses-of-the-holy-2-1062955/|title=Houses of the Holy ranked 278th greatest album by Rolling Stone magazine|magazine=Rolling Stone|date=22 September 2020 |access-date=30 September 2020|archive-date=4 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201104204605/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/best-albums-of-all-time-1062063/led-zeppelin-houses-of-the-holy-2-1062955|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Recording==
By 1972, Led Zeppelin had achieved sustained commercial and critical success from both their studio albums and live shows. They were keen to record on location using the [[Rolling Stones Mobile Studio]] as it had been an enjoyable experience for their [[Led Zeppelin IV|untitled fourth album]], released the previous year.{{sfn|Lewis|1990|p=17}} After touring Australia, in April 1972 the group decided to take the mobile studio to [[Mick Jagger]]'s home, [[Stargroves]], a manor house and country estate in [[Hampshire]]. [[Eddie Kramer]] returned as recording engineer.{{sfn|Lewis|1990|pp=17, 89}}

Some songs from the album had initially been tried out in earlier sessions, such as "[[No Quarter (song)|No Quarter]]", which was first attempted during a session at [[Headley Grange]] Estate, in East Hampshire.{{sfn|Lewis|1990|p=54}} Both guitarist and producer [[Jimmy Page]] and bassist / keyboardist [[John Paul Jones (musician)|John Paul Jones]] had installed home studios, which allowed them to arrive at Stargroves with complete compositions and arrangements.{{sfn|Lewis|1990|p=17}}

Page's home studio used some of the equipment from Pye Mobile Studios, which had been used to record [[the Who]]'s 1970 live album ''[[Live at Leeds]]''.{{sfn|Lewis|2012|p=132}} Because of his home studio, he was able to present a complete arrangement of "[[The Rain Song]]", including non-standard guitar tunings and a variety of dynamics, and "[[Over the Hills and Far Away (Led Zeppelin song)|Over the Hills and Far Away]]", featuring multiple guitar parts. Meanwhile, Jones had developed a new arrangement of "No Quarter". Once the group were settled in Stargroves, they composed the other songs through [[jam session]]s together. Further recording took place at [[Olympic Studios]] in May, and during the band's [[Led Zeppelin North American Tour 1972|1972 North American tour]] additional recording sessions were conducted at [[Electric Lady Studios]] in New York.{{sfn|Lewis|1990|p=17}} Some songs recorded during these various sessions did not make it onto ''Houses of the Holy'', though several were released on later albums. A series of rock 'n' roll covers, including songs that appeared on [[Elvis Presley]]'s ''[[Elvis' Golden Records]]'', were recorded at Electric Lady Studios, which remain unreleased.{{sfn|Lewis|1990|p=17}}

==Composition==
The album was a stylistic turning point for the band. The composition and production laid foundations for subsequent releases. According to the band's biographer Dave Lewis, "while the barnstorming effect of the early era was now levelling off, and though devoid of the electricity of ''[[Led Zeppelin (album)|Zeppelin I]]'' and ''[[Led Zeppelin II|II]]'', the sheer diversity of [[Led Zeppelin III|the third album]], and lacking the classic status of [[Led Zeppelin IV|the fourth]], ''Houses of the Holy'' nevertheless found its rightful niche."{{sfn|Lewis|2012|p=130}} The album largely abandoned their previous music's weighty, dark [[blues rock]] distortion in favor of a clean, expansive rock sound—as evinced by Page's sharper, brighter guitar tone. It was also likely the most eclectic musically of their albums, in the opinion of ''[[Consequence of Sound]]'' writer Kristofer Lenz, who observed [[Swing (jazz performance style)|swing]] rhythms on "Dancing Days", and experiments with [[reggae]] and [[psychedelic music]] on "D'yer Mak'er" and "No Quarter", respectively.<ref name="COS"/> [[Pete Prown]] and [[HP Newquist]] have called it "a diverse collection of rockers, ballads, reggae, funk, and fifties-style rock 'n' roll".<ref>{{cite book|last1=Prown|first1=Pete|last2=Newquist|first2=Harvey P.|year=1997|title=Legends of Rock Guitar: The Essential Reference of Rock's Greatest Guitarists|publisher=[[Hal Leonard Corporation]]|isbn=0793540429|page=61}}</ref>

===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}}

===Side two===
"[[Dancing Days]]" was inspired by the enjoyable sessions at Stargroves, and the lyrics show a general optimism to life.{{sfn|Lewis|1990|p=54}} Kramer recalled the group dancing around in the garden at Stargroves, listening to the playback of the final mix. A promotional copy of the track was sent out by Atlantic for radio play in March 1973, as a preview for the album.{{sfn|Lewis|2012|p=135}}

"[[D'yer Mak'er]]"{{efn|The title comes from an old British joke – "My wife's gone on holiday?" "D'Yer Mak'er?" (which when pronounced quickly sounds like "[[Jamaica]]") "No, she went of her own accord."{{sfn|Lewis|2012|p=136}}}} originated with Bonham trying to combine [[reggae]] with 1950s [[doo-wop]]{{efn|This led to the remark "Whatever happened to [[Rosie and the Originals]]?" on the sleeve{{sfn|Lewis|2012|p=136}}}} by leaving a short [[Off-beat (music)|off-beat]]. Jones later disapproved of the track, saying it was treated as a joke and not thought out well, but Plant thought it could be a hit and suggested it should be released as a single. Led Zeppelin's general policy was to not release singles in the UK, and though test and promotional pressings were produced there, the rest of the group vetoed the idea.{{sfn|Lewis|1990|p=54}}{{sfn|Lewis|2012|p=136}} In the United States, it became a top 20 hit.<ref name=dyme>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/led-zeppelin/chart-history/hsi/|title=Led Zeppelin D'yer Mak'er chart history|magazine=Billboard|access-date=25 July 2018|archive-date=25 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180725163227/https://www.billboard.com/music/led-zeppelin/chart-history/hot-100/song/574029|url-status=live}}</ref>

"[[No Quarter (song)|No Quarter]]" was composed by Jones. An early arrangement of the song was attempted for their fourth album, but abandoned. Jones reworked the track to add acoustic and electric piano, and various synthesizers. The track quickly became a live favourite, and was featured at every show from 1973 through 1979, providing Jones with an extended solo showcase in the middle, and a jam session with a variety of different styles. Plant revived the song for his 1990 tour, and it was performed by Page and Plant in 1994. Jones performed a solo instrumental performance on tour in 1999, and Plant performed it solo again in 2005. It was part of the set at the [[Ahmet Ertegun Tribute Concert]] in 2007.{{sfn|Lewis|1990|pp=54,117}}{{sfn|Lewis|2012|pp=137–138}}

"[[The Ocean (Led Zeppelin song)|The Ocean]]" began with Bonham shouting "We've done four already but now we're steady and then they went, one, two, three, four," referring to the number of takes already recorded. The title and lyrics refer to the group's fans and their devotion to the band. The middle of the track features an a cappella vocal break sung by Plant, Bonham and Jones, while the ending was another pastiche of the doo-wop style.{{sfn|Lewis|1990|p=54}}

===Unreleased material===
The album's [[Houses of the Holy (song)|title track]] was recorded at Olympic and mixed at Electric Lady. It was ultimately left off the album, as there were enough tracks to fill two sides of an LP, and was released on the follow-up, ''[[Physical Graffiti]]'' in 1975.{{sfn|Lewis|1990|p=55}} That album also included two songs from ''Houses of the Holy's'' Stargroves sessions, "[[The Rover (Led Zeppelin song)|The Rover]]" and "Black Country Woman" (the latter recorded in the outdoor garden).{{sfn|Lewis|1990|p=54}}

Another track from the Stargroves sessions, "[[Walter's Walk]]", was eventually released on ''[[Coda (Led Zeppelin album)|Coda]]'' in 1982.{{sfn|Lewis|1990|p=54}}

==Packaging==

[[File:Aird Snout and the Giant's Causeway - geograph.org.uk - 5243720.jpg|thumb|The cover photograph was shot at the [[Giant's Causeway]], [[Northern Ireland]]]]

''Houses of the Holy'' was the first album by the group to have an explicit title that was not eponymous, but like the previous one, neither the band's name nor the album title was printed on the sleeve. However, manager [[Peter Grant (music manager)|Peter Grant]] did allow Atlantic Records to add a wrap-around paper title band to US copies of the sleeve that had to be broken or slid off to access the record.{{sfn|Lewis|1990|p=53}} The first CD release of the album in the 1980s had the title logos printed on the cover itself.{{sfn|Lewis|2012|p=129}}

The cover art for ''Houses of the Holy'' was inspired by [[Arthur C. Clarke]]'s novel ''[[Childhood's End]]''. The cover is a [[collage]] of several photographs which were taken at the [[Giant's Causeway]], Northern Ireland, by [[Aubrey Powell (designer)|Aubrey Powell]] of [[Hipgnosis]]. This location was chosen ahead of an alternative one in [[Peru]] which had also been considered.{{sfn|Lewis|2012|p=128}}

The [[photo shoot]] featured two naked child models, [[Stefan Gates|Stefan]] and Samantha Gates. It was a frustrating affair over the course of 10 days. Shooting was done first thing in the morning and at sunset in order to capture the light at dawn and dusk, but the desired effect was never achieved due to constant rain and clouds. The photos of the two children were taken in black and white and were multi-printed to create the effect of 11 individuals that can be seen on the album cover. The results were unsatisfactory, but some accidental [[Tint, shade and tone|tinting]] effects in post-production created a suitable cover. The inner gatefold photograph was taken at [[Dunluce Castle]] nearby the Causeway.{{sfn|Lewis|2012|p=128}} In February 2010, Stefan Gates was featured on a [[BBC Radio 4]] documentary about the cover. He said there was something sinister about the image, though his sister disagreed. He also admitted never having heard the album. The programme ended with Gates returning to Giant's Causeway and listening to the album on a portable player, after which he said that a great weight had been lifted from him.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://dangerousminds.net/comments/houses_of_the_holy_the_backstory_to_the_famous_led_zeppelin_album_cover|title=Houses of the Holy: The Backstory to the Famous Led Zeppelin Album Cover|work=Dangerous Minds|date=8 March 2013|access-date=22 July 2018|archive-date=23 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180723003803/https://dangerousminds.net/comments/houses_of_the_holy_the_backstory_to_the_famous_led_zeppelin_album_cover|url-status=live}}</ref> Samantha also appeared on the back cover of the band's 1976 album ''[[Presence_(album)|Presence]]''.

Page has stated that the album cover was the second version submitted by Hipgnosis. The first, by artist [[Storm Thorgerson]], featured an electric green tennis court with a [[Racket (sports equipment)|tennis racket]] on it. Furious that Thorgerson was implying, by means of a [[visual pun]], that their music sounded like a "racket", the band fired him and hired Powell in his place.<ref>{{cite journal|first1=Brad|last1=Tolinski|first2=Greg|last2=Di Bendetto|title=Light and Shade|journal=Guitar World|date=January 1998}}</ref>

In 1974, the album was nominated for a [[Grammy Award]] in the category of [[Grammy Award for Best Recording Package|Best Album Package]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Grammy Award Nominees 1974 – Grammy Award Winners 1974 |url=http://www.awardsandshows.com/features/grammy-awards-1974-223.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170503133041/http://www.awardsandshows.com/features/grammy-awards-1974-223.html |archive-date=3 May 2017 |access-date=28 April 2017 |website=www.awardsandshows.com}}</ref> The cover was rated number 6 on [[VH1]]'s 50 Greatest Album Covers in 2003.<ref>{{cite web |title=The Greatest: 50 Greatest Album Covers |url=http://www.vh1.com/photos/gallery/?fid=1478677&pid=1542309 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151016081340/https://www.vh1.com/photos/gallery/?fid=1478677&pid=1542309 |archive-date=16 October 2015 |access-date=3 October 2015 |publisher=VH1}}</ref>

==Release and reception==
{{Album reviews
| title = Retrospective professional reviews
| rev1 = [[AllMusic]]
| rev1score = {{Rating|5|5}}<ref name="AM">{{cite web |last1=Erlewine |first1=Stephen Thomas |author1-link=Stephen Thomas Erlewine |title=''Houses of the Holy'' – Led Zeppelin |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/houses-of-the-holy-mw0000190648 |publisher=[[AllMusic]] |access-date=21 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210507162612/https://www.allmusic.com/album/houses-of-the-holy-mw0000190648 |archive-date=7 May 2021}}</ref>
| rev2 = ''[[Christgau's Record Guide: Rock Albums of the Seventies|Christgau's Record Guide]]''
| rev2score = A−<ref name="Christgau">{{cite book|last=Christgau|first=Robert|author-link=Robert Christgau|year=1981|title=[[Christgau's Record Guide: Rock Albums of the Seventies]]|publisher=[[Ticknor & Fields]]|isbn=0-89919-025-1|chapter=Houses of the Holy|chapter-url=https://www.robertchristgau.com/get_album.php?id=2014|access-date=5 September 2018|via=robertchristgau.com|archive-date=6 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180906014224/https://www.robertchristgau.com/get_album.php?id=2014|url-status=live}}</ref>
| rev3 = ''[[Encyclopedia of Popular Music]]''
| rev3score = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref>{{cite book |editor1-last=Larkin |editor1-first=Colin |title=The Encyclopedia of Popular Music |date=2007 |publisher=Omnibus |page=833 |edition=5th concise |ol=11913831M}}</ref>
| rev4 = ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]''
| rev4score = A<ref>{{cite magazine |author=Tom Sinclair |url=https://ew.com/article/2003/06/20/recordsled-zeppelin/ |title=Entertainment Weekly Review |magazine=EW.com |date=20 June 2003 |access-date=9 August 2011 |archive-date=5 December 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141205135710/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,458337,00.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
| rev5 = ''[[The Great Rock Discography]]''
| rev5score = 8/10<ref>{{cite book |last1=Strong |first1=Martin C. |title=The Great Rock Discography |date=2004 |publisher=Canongate |location=New York |page=870 |ol=18807297M}}</ref>
| rev6 = ''[[MusicHound|MusicHound Rock]]''
| rev6Score = 4/5<ref>{{cite book|editor-last1=Graff|editor-first1=Gary|editor-last2=Durchholz|editor-first2=Daniel|title=MusicHound Rock: The Essential Album Guide|publisher=Visible Ink Press|location=Farmington Hills, MI|year=1999|isbn=978-1-57859-061-2|page=[https://archive.org/details/isbn_9781578590612/page/662 662]|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/isbn_9781578590612/page/662}}</ref>
| rev7 = ''[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]]''
| rev7score = 9.3/10<ref>{{cite web |url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/19834-led-zeppelin-ivhouses-of-the-holyphysical-graffiti/ |archive-url=https://archive.today/20150227053925/http://m.pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/19834-led-zeppelin-ivhouses-of-the-holyphysical-graffiti/ |url-status=live |archive-date=27 February 2015 |last=Richardson |first=Mark |title=Led Zeppelin: Led Zeppelin IV/Houses of the Holy/Physical Graffiti |work=[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]] |date=24 February 2015 |access-date=22 February 2025 }}</ref>
| rev8 = ''[[Rolling Stone]]''
| rev8score = {{Rating|5|5}}<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/albumreviews/houses-of-the-holy-20030730|title=Houses Of The Holy|first=Gavin|last=Edwards|date=30 July 2003|magazine=Rolling Stone|access-date=24 August 2018|archive-date=8 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171008040634/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/albumreviews/houses-of-the-holy-20030730|url-status=live}}</ref>
| rev9 = ''[[The Rolling Stone Album Guide]]''
| rev9Score = {{Rating|4.5|5}}<ref>{{cite book|editor1-last=DeCurtis|editor1-first=Anthony|editor1-link=Anthony DeCurtis|editor2-last=Henke|editor2-first=James|editor3-last=George-Warren|editor3-first=Holly|chapter=Led Zeppelin|title=[[The Rolling Stone Album Guide]]|publisher=[[Random House]]|year=1992|isbn=0-679-73729-4|edition=3rd}}</ref>
| rev10 = ''[[Tom Hull – on the Web]]''
| rev10Score = A−<ref>{{cite web|last=Hull|first=Tom|date=n.d.|url=http://tomhull.com/ocston/nm/get_gl.php?n=Led+Zeppelin|title=Grade List: Led Zeppelin|website=Tom Hull – on the Web|access-date=18 July 2020|archive-date=18 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200718153558/http://tomhull.com/ocston/nm/get_gl.php?n=Led+Zeppelin|url-status=live}}</ref>
}}
This was Led Zeppelin's final studio release on Atlantic Records before forming their own label, [[Swan Song Records]], in 1974, which would be distributed by Atlantic.{{sfn|Lewis|1990|p=89}} It was also the only Led Zeppelin album that contained complete printed lyrics for each song.<ref name=sleeve>{{cite AV media notes|title=Houses of the Holy|publisher=Atlantic Records|year=1973|id=K50014}}</ref>

{{quote box|align=left|width=25em|quote="The epic scale suited Zeppelin: They had the largest crowds, the loudest rock songs, the most groupies, the fullest manes of hair. Eventually excess would turn into bombast, but on ''Houses'', it still provided inspiration."|source=—Gavin Edwards, ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' (2003)<ref name=rsreview>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/artists/ledzeppelin/albums/album/120527/review/5940338/houses_of_the_holy |title=''Houses of the Holy''" review |access-date=4 September 2008 |author="Edwards, Gavin |date=30 July 2003 |magazine=Rolling Stone |archive-date=16 October 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081016060708/http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/ledzeppelin/albums/album/120527/review/5940338/houses_of_the_holy |url-status=dead }}</ref>}}

Although intended for release in January 1973, delays in producing the album cover meant that it was not released until March, when the band was on its 1973 European tour.{{sfn|Lewis|1990|p=53}} The album was promoted heavily before the commencement of Led Zeppelin's subsequent [[Led Zeppelin North American Tour 1973|North American Tour]], ensuring that it had ascended the top of the American chart by the beginning of the tour. Because much of the album had been recorded almost a year previously, many of the songs which are featured on the album had already been played live by Led Zeppelin on their [[concert tour]]s of North America, Japan, Europe and the UK in 1972–73.{{sfn|Lewis|1990|pp=53, 89, 94}}

''Houses of the Holy'' originally received mixed reviews, with much criticism from the music press being directed at the off-beat nature of tracks such as "The Crunge" and "D'yer Mak'er". Gordon Fletcher from ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' called the album "one of the dullest and most confusing albums I've heard this year", believing the band had digressed from "the epitome of everything good about rock" to a watered down heavy metal act.<ref name="rolling stone">{{cite magazine|last1=Fletcher|first1=Gordon|title=Houses of the Holy|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/albumreviews/houses-of-the-holy-19730607|magazine=Rolling Stone|access-date=14 August 2017|date=7 June 1973|archive-date=14 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170814103701/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/albumreviews/houses-of-the-holy-19730607|url-status=live}}</ref> However, the album was a commercial success and topped the UK charts and spent 39 weeks on the [[Billboard 200]] albums chart including two weeks at number one (their longest stint since ''Led Zeppelin III'').{{sfn|Lewis|2012|p=129}} The album was number four on Billboard magazine's top albums of 1973 year end chart.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://hitsofalldecades.com/chart_hits/index2.php?option=com_content&do_pdf=1&id=200 |title=BILLBOARD MAGAZINE'S (USA) TOP ALBUMS OF 1973 |access-date=21 September 2019 |archive-date=24 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210224123243/http://hitsofalldecades.com/chart_hits/index2.php?option=com_content&do_pdf=1&id=200 |url-status=live }}</ref>

In ''[[Christgau's Record Guide: Rock Albums of the Seventies]]'' (1981), [[Robert Christgau]] appraised ''Houses of the Holy'' favourably. While mocking the solemnity of "No Quarter" and finding some tracks derivative of previous albums, he found side one "solid led" with "sprung rhythm" and a "[[James Brown]] tribute/parody/ripoff" in "The Crunge" that complements the second side's "two amazing, well, dance tracks" in "Dancing Days{{"'}}s "transmogrified [[shuffle rhythm|shuffle]]" and the reggae of "D'yer Mak'er".<ref name="Christgau"/> "Throughout the record, the band's playing is excellent," wrote [[AllMusic]]'s [[Stephen Thomas Erlewine]], "making the eclecticism of Page and Robert Plant's songwriting sound coherent and natural."<ref name="AM"/>

In 2003, ''Rolling Stone'' ranked it at number 149 on the magazine's list of the "[[List of Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Albums of All Time|500 Greatest Albums of All Time]]."<ref name=Stone>{{cite magazine |url=http://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/500-greatest-albums-of-all-time-19691231/houses-of-the-holy-led-zeppelin-19691231 |title=Houses of The Holy ranked 149 in 2003 |access-date=19 February 2021 |magazine=Rolling Stone|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110902072718/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/500-greatest-albums-of-all-time-19691231/houses-of-the-holy-led-zeppelin-19691231 |archive-date=2 September 2011 }}</ref> It was re-ranked at number 148 in a 2012 revised list,<ref>{{cite magazine| url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/500-greatest-albums-of-all-time-156826/led-zeppelin-houses-of-the-holy-37372/| title=Houses of the Holy ranked 148 in 2012| access-date=19 February 2021| magazine=Rolling Stone| date=31 May 2009| archive-date=28 February 2021| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210228164723/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/500-greatest-albums-of-all-time-156826/led-zeppelin-houses-of-the-holy-37372/| url-status=live}}</ref> and re-ranked at number 278 in 2020.<ref name="rollingstone.com"/> In 1991, [[Chuck Eddy]] ranked ''Houses of the Holy'' 45th in his book of the 500 best heavy metal albums, writing that as with "[[the Byrds]] in the sixties and [[college radio]] in the eighties", the band "forfeit hookage for [[jangle|janglage]]". He noted that despite fans of the band's "lead mode" being critical of the funk and reggae excursions, "fun" songs like those and "Dancing Days" mark the album's best material, highlighting Bonham's great [[steel drum]]-esque sounds on "D'yer Maker", as well as praising "The Rain Song" for being "my kinda [[new age music|new age]]".<ref name="Eddy">{{cite book |last1=Eddy |first1=Chuck |title=Stairway to Hell: The 500 Best Heavy Metal Albums in the Universe |date=1991 |publisher=Harmony Books |location=New York |isbn=0517575418 |pages=35-36}}</ref>

{|class="wikitable"
|+Accolades for ''Houses of the Holy''
|-
! scope=col| Publication
! scope=col| Country
! scope=col| Accolade
! scope=col| Year
! style="text-align:center;" scope=col|Rank
|-
| ''The Book of Rock Lists''
| United States
| "The Top 40 Albums (1973)"<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rocklistmusic.co.uk/dmarshal.html#70 |title=The Top 40 Albums 1973 |access-date=10 February 2009 |publisher=rocklistmusic.co.uk |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090106064504/http://www.rocklistmusic.co.uk/dmarshal.html |archive-date=6 January 2009 }}</ref>
| 1981
| 13
|-
| [[Grammy Award]]
| United States
| "[[Grammy Award for Best Recording Package]]"<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.super70s.com/Super70s/Music/1973/Grammys.asp |title=Grammy Award for Best Album Package (Hipgnosis)&nbsp;– 2 March 1974 |access-date=10 February 2009 |publisher=Grammy |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081026080944/https://www.super70s.com/Super70s/Music/1973/Grammys.asp |archive-date=26 October 2008  }}</ref>
| 1974
| Nominee
|-
| ''[[Classic Rock (magazine)|Classic Rock]]''
| United Kingdom
| "100 Greatest British Rock Album Ever"<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rocklistmusic.co.uk/steveparker/classicrock2.htm |title=Classic Rock&nbsp;– 100 Greatest British Rock Album Ever&nbsp;– April 2006 |access-date=10 February 2009 |work=Classic Rock |archive-date=15 May 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130515072650/http://www.rocklistmusic.co.uk/steveparker/classicrock2.htm |url-status=usurped }}</ref>
| 2006
| 90
|-
| [[Rock and Roll Hall of Fame]]
| United States
| "The Definitive 200: Top 200 Albums of All-Time"<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rockhall.com/pressroom/definitive-200 |title=The Definitive 200: Top 200 Albums of All-Time |access-date=10 February 2009 |work=Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (United States) |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080927013446/http://www.rockhall.com/pressroom/definitive-200 |archive-date=27 September 2008  }}</ref>
| 2007
| 51
|-
| ''[[Rolling Stone]]''
| United States
| "[[Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Albums of All Time|The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time]]"<ref name="rollingstone.com"/>
| 2020
| 278
|-
| [[Pitchfork Media]]
|United States
|"Top 100 Albums of the 1970s"<ref>{{cite web |url=http://pitchfork.com/features/staff-lists/5932-top-100-albums-of-the-1970s/3/ |title=Staff Lists: Top 100 Albums of the 1970s |website=Pitchfork |date=23 June 2004 |access-date=9 August 2011 |archive-date=11 April 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130411011310/http://pitchfork.com/features/staff-lists/5932-top-100-albums-of-the-1970s/3/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
|2004
|75
|}

<small>(*) designates unordered lists.</small>

==2014 reissue==
{{Album ratings
| title = 2014 reissue ratings
| MC = 98/100<ref name="MC">{{cite web|url=http://www.metacritic.com/music/houses-of-the-holy-remastered/led-zeppelin|title=Reviews for Houses of the Holy [Remastered] by Led Zeppelin|website=[[Metacritic]]|access-date=13 July 2015|archive-date=16 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151016081340/http://www.metacritic.com/music/houses-of-the-holy-remastered/led-zeppelin|url-status=live}}</ref>
| rev1 = ''[[Classic Rock (magazine)|Classic Rock]]''
| rev1score = 9/10<ref>{{cite magazine |author=Batcup, Tim |title=Led Zeppelin ''Led Zeppelin IV'' / ''Houses Of The Holy'' |magazine=[[Classic Rock (magazine)|Classic Rock]] |date=November 2014 |pages=98–99}}</ref>
| rev2 = ''[[Consequence of Sound]]''
| rev2score = A&minus;<ref name="COS">{{cite magazine|last=Lenz|first=Kristofer|date=4 November 2014|url=https://consequenceofsound.net/2014/11/album-review-led-zeppelin-houses-of-the-holy-reissue/|title=Houses of the Holy Reissue|magazine=[[Consequence of Sound]]|access-date=6 September 2018|archive-date=6 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180906195525/https://consequenceofsound.net/2014/11/album-review-led-zeppelin-houses-of-the-holy-reissue/|url-status=live}}</ref>
| rev3 = ''[[Mojo (magazine)|Mojo]]''
| rev3score = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref>{{cite magazine|author=Snow, Mat |title=More muscle in your bustle: Led Zeppelin ''Houses of the Holy'' |magazine=[[Mojo (magazine)|Mojo]] |date=November 2014 |page=106}}</ref>
| rev4 = ''[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]]''
| rev4score = 9.3/10<ref name="pitchfork">{{cite web |url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/19834-led-zeppelin-ivhouses-of-the-holyphysical-graffiti/ |archive-url=https://archive.today/20150227053925/http://m.pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/19834-led-zeppelin-ivhouses-of-the-holyphysical-graffiti/ |url-status=live |archive-date=27 February 2015 |last=Richardson |first=Mark |title=Led Zeppelin: Led Zeppelin IV/Houses of the Holy/Physical Graffiti |publisher=[[Pitchfork Media]] |date=24 February 2015 |access-date=10 October 2015 }}</ref>
| rev5 = ''[[Q (magazine)|Q]]''
| rev5score = {{Rating|5|5}}<ref>{{cite magazine|magazine=[[Q (magazine)|Q]]|title=Review|date=November 2014|page=125|author=Anon.}}</ref>
| rev6 = ''[[Rolling Stone]]''
| rev6score = {{Rating|4.5|5}}<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Grow|first=Kory|date=25 November 2014|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-album-reviews/led-zeppelin-houses-of-the-holy-deluxe-edition-album-review-117616/|title=Led Zeppelin ''Houses of the Holy (Deluxe Edition)'' Album Review|magazine=Rolling Stone|access-date=6 September 2018|archive-date=6 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180906195835/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-album-reviews/led-zeppelin-houses-of-the-holy-deluxe-edition-album-review-117616/|url-status=live}}</ref>
}}
A remastered version of ''Houses of the Holy'' was reissued on 27 October 2014, along with ''[[Led Zeppelin IV#2014 reissue|Led Zeppelin IV]]''. The reissue comes in six formats: a standard CD edition, a deluxe two-CD edition, a standard LP version, a deluxe two-LP version, a super deluxe two-CD plus two-LP version with a hardback book, and as high resolution 24-bit/96k digital downloads. The deluxe and super deluxe editions feature bonus material. The reissue was released with an altered-colour version of the original album's artwork as its bonus disc's cover.<ref>{{cite web|last=Bennett|first=Ross|date=29 July 2014|url=http://www.mojo4music.com/16007/led-zeppelin-iv-houses-holy-remasters-due/|title=Led Zeppelin IV And Houses Of The Holy Remasters Due|work=[[Mojo (magazine)|Mojo]]|access-date=31 July 2014|archive-date=21 February 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150221035053/http://www.mojo4music.com/16007/led-zeppelin-iv-houses-holy-remasters-due/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

At [[Metacritic]], which assigns a [[standard score|normalised]] rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream publications, the reissue received an [[weighted arithmetic mean|average]] score of 98, based on nine reviews, indicating "universal acclaim".<ref name="MC"/> ''[[Consequence of Sound]]'' writer Kristofer Lenz said, "The remastering of this album is a blessing to the careful compositions and mannered performances throughout the record."<ref name="COS"/> "''Houses of the Holy'' might be Zeppelin's most impressive album on a purely sonic level," wrote ''[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]]''{{'}}s Mark Richardson, "and this particular remaster reinforces that notion." He was disappointed, however, by the bonus disc of alternate mixes, which merely provide "a chance to hear familiar performances in familiar songs in a way that sounds slightly unfamiliar".<ref name="pitchfork"/>
{{clear}}

==Track listing==
All tracks written by [[Jimmy Page]] and [[Robert Plant]], except where noted.
===Original release===
{{Track listing
| headline = Side one
| title1 = [[The Song Remains the Same (song)|The Song Remains the Same]]
| writer1 = 
| length1 = 5:32

| title2 = [[The Rain Song]]
| writer2 = 
| length2 = 7:39

| title3 = [[Over the Hills and Far Away (Led Zeppelin song)|Over the Hills and Far Away]]
| writer3 = 
| length3 = 4:50

| title4 = [[The Crunge]]
| writer4 = {{hlist|Page|Plant|[[John Paul Jones (musician)|John Paul Jones]]|[[John Bonham]]}}
| length4 = 3:17
}}

{{Track listing
| headline = Side two
| title1 = [[Dancing Days]]
| writer1 = 
| length1 = 3:43

| title2 = [[D'yer Mak'er]]
| writer2 = {{hlist|Page|Plant|Jones|Bonham}}
| length2 = 4:23

| title3 = [[No Quarter (song)|No Quarter]]
| writer3 = {{hlist|Jones|Page|Plant}}
| length3 = 7:00

| title4 = [[The Ocean (Led Zeppelin song)|The Ocean]]
| writer4 = {{hlist|Page|Plant|Jones|Bonham}}
| length4 = 4:31
| total_length = 40:57
}}

===Deluxe edition (2014)===
{{Track listing
| headline = 2014 deluxe edition bonus disc
| extra_column = Recording Date

| title1 = The Song Remains the Same
| note1 = Guitar [[Overdubbing|overdub]] reference [[Audio mixing (recorded music)|mix]]
| length1 = 5:29
| writer1 = 
| extra1 = 18 May 1972

| title2 = The Rain Song
| note2 = Mix minus piano
| length2 = 7:45
| writer2 = 
| extra2 = 18 May 1972

| title3 = Over the Hills and Far Away
| note3 = Guitar mix backing track
| length3 = 4:22
| writer3 = 
| extra3 = 16 April 1972

| title4 = The Crunge
| note4 = Rough mix – Keys up
| length4 = 3:16
| writer4 = {{hlist|Page|Plant|Jones|Bonham}}
| extra4 = 16 April 1972

| title5 = Dancing Days
| note5 = Rough mix with vocal
| length5 = 3:46
| writer5 = 
| extra5 = 12 April 1972

| title6 = No Quarter
| note6 = Rough mix with John Paul Jones keyboard overdubs – No vocal
| length6 = 7:03
| writer6 = {{hlist|Page|Plant|Jones}}
| extra6 = 3 December 1971

| title7 = The Ocean
| note7 = Working mix
| length7 = 4:26
| writer7 = {{hlist|Page|Plant|Jones|Bonham}}
| extra7 = 15 April 1972
| total_length = 36:10
}}

==Personnel==
;Led Zeppelin<ref name=sleeve/>
*[[Robert Plant]]&nbsp;– vocals
*[[Jimmy Page]]&nbsp;– guitars, production
*[[John Paul Jones (musician)|John Paul Jones]]&nbsp;– bass guitar (all except "No Quarter"), piano ("D'yer Mak'er", "No Quarter"), [[Mellotron]] ("The Rain Song"), organ ("Dancing Days"), synthesiser ("The Crunge", "No Quarter"), synthesised bass ("No Quarter"), backing vocals ("The Ocean")
*[[John Bonham]]&nbsp;– drums, backing vocals ("The Ocean")

;Production
*[[Eddie Kramer]]&nbsp;– engineering, mixing
*[[George Chkiantz]]&nbsp;– engineering
*[[Keith Harwood]]&nbsp;– engineering
*[[George Marino]]&nbsp;– mastering (remastered CD)

;Design and cover
*[[Hipgnosis]]&nbsp;– sleeve design
*[[Aubrey Powell (designer)|Aubrey Powell]]&nbsp;– cover photography

==Charts==
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}

===Weekly charts===
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|+1973–1974 weekly chart performance for ''Houses of the Holy''
! Chart (1973–1974)
! Peak<br />position
|-
! scope="row"|Australian Albums ([[Kent Music Report]])<ref name=aus>{{cite book|last=Kent|first=David|author-link=David Kent (historian)|title=Australian Chart Book 1970–1992|edition=illustrated|publisher=Australian Chart Book|location=St Ives, N.S.W.|year=1993|isbn=0-646-11917-6}}</ref>
| align="center"| 1
|-
{{Album chart|Austria|3|artist=Led Zeppelin|album=Houses of the Holy|rowheader=true|accessdate=July, 8 2023}}
|-
{{Album chart|Canada|1|artist=Led Zeppelin|album=Led Zeppelin IV|chartid=4811|rowheader=true|accessdate=July, 8 2023}}
|-
!scope="row"| Danish Albums ([[Hitlisten]])<ref>{{cite web | url = http://danskehitlister.dk/?song_id=6315 | title = LP Top 10 – November 22, 1971 | access-date = 30 March 2016 | archive-date = 10 April 2016 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160410013051/http://danskehitlister.dk/?song_id=6315 | url-status = live }}</ref>
| align="center"| 24
|-
{{Album chart|Netherlands|3|artist=Led Zeppelin|album=Houses of the Holy|rowheader=true|accessdate=July, 8 2023}}
|-
! scope="row"| Finnish Albums ([[The Official Finnish Charts]])<ref name=FINI>{{cite book|last=Pennanen|first=Timo|title=Sisältää hitin – levyt ja esittäjät Suomen musiikkilistoilla vuodesta 1972|edition=1st|publisher=Kustannusosakeyhtiö Otava|location=Helsinki|year=2006|isbn=978-951-1-21053-5 | language= fi}}</ref>
| align="center"| 2
|-
{{Album chart|Germany4|8|artist=Led Zeppelin|album=Houses of the Holy|id=6637|rowheader=true|accessdate=July, 8 2023}}
|-
! scope="row"|Italian Albums (''[[Musica e Dischi]]'')<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.musicaedischi.it/classifiche_archivio.php|title=Classifiche|work=[[Musica e Dischi]]|language=it|access-date=July 8, 2023}} Set "Tipo" on "Album". Then, in the "Artista" field, search "Led Zeppelin".</ref>
| align="center"| 4
|-
!scope="row"|Japanese Albums ([[Oricon]])<ref name="JPN">{{cite book|title=Oricon Album Chart Book: Complete Edition 1970–2005|publisher=[[Oricon|Oricon Entertainment]]|location=Roppongi, Tokyo|year=2006|isbn=4-87131-077-9|language=ja}}</ref>
| align="center"| 3
|-
{{Album chart|Norway|4|artist=Led Zeppelin|album=Houses of the Holy|rowheader=true|accessdate=July, 8 2023}}
|-
!scope="row"|[[Productores de Música de España|Spanish Albums Chart]]<ref>{{cite book|last=Salaverri|first=Fernando|title=Sólo éxitos: año a año, 1959–2002|edition=1st|date=September 2005|publisher=Fundación Autor-SGAE|location=Spain|isbn=84-8048-639-2}}</ref>
|align="center"|9
|-
{{Album chart|UK2|1|date=19730408|rowheader=true|accessdate=July, 8 2023}}
|-
{{Album chart|Billboard200|1|artist=Led Zeppelin|rowheader=true|accessdate=July, 8 2023}}
|-
! scope="row"| US Top 100 Albums (''[[Cashbox (magazine)|Cash Box]]'')<ref>{{cite magazine|date=May 5, 1973|title=Cash Box Top 100 Albums|url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Cash-Box/70s/1973/Cash-Box-1973-05-05.pdf#page=35|magazine=[[Cashbox (magazine)|Cash Box]]|location=New York|publisher=The Cash Box Publishing Co. Inc.|volume=XXXIV|issue=46|page=35|issn=0008-7289}}</ref>
| 1
|}

{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders"
|+2014 weekly chart performance for ''Houses of the Holy''
! Chart (2014)
! Peak<br />position
|-
{{Album chart|Australia|33|artist=Led Zeppelin|album=Houses of the Holy|rowheader=true|accessdate=July, 8 2023}}
|-
{{Album chart|Flanders|37|artist=Led Zeppelin|album=Houses of the Holy|rowheader=true|accessdate=July, 8 2023}}
|-
{{Album chart|Wallonia|20|artist=Led Zeppelin|album=Houses of the Holy|rowheader=true|accessdate=July, 8 2023}}
|-
{{Album chart|Denmark|24|artist=Led Zeppelin|album=Houses of the Holy|rowheader=true|accessdate=July, 8 2023}}
|-
{{Album chart|Finland|11|artist=Led Zeppelin|album=Houses of the Holy|rowheader=true|accessdate=July, 8 2023}}
|-
{{Album chart|France|29|artist=Led Zeppelin|album=Houses of the Holy|rowheader=true|accessdate=July, 8 2023}}
|-
{{Album chart|Hungary|12|artist=Led Zeppelin|album=Houses of the Holy|year=2014|week=44|rowheader=true|accessdate=July, 8 2023}}
|-
{{Album chart|Italy|17|artist=Led Zeppelin|album=Houses of the Holy|rowheader=true|accessdate=July, 8 2023}}
|-
{{Album chart|New Zealand|9|artist=Led Zeppelin|album=Houses of the Holy|rowheader=true|accessdate=July, 8 2023}}
|-
{{Album chart|Portugal|12|artist=Led Zeppelin|album=Houses of the Holy|rowheader=true|accessdate=July, 8 2023}}
|-
{{Album chart|Scotland|16|date=20141102|rowheader=true|accessdate=July, 8 2023}}
|-
{{Album chart|Sweden|15|artist=Led Zeppelin|album=Houses of the Holy|rowheader=true|accessdate=July, 8 2023}}
|-
{{Album chart|Switzerland|20|artist=Led Zeppelin|album=Houses of the Holy|rowheader=true|accessdate=July, 8 2023}}
|-
{{Album chart|UKRock|3|date=20141102|rowheader=true|accessdate=July, 8 2023}}
|}

{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|+2024 weekly chart performance for ''Houses of the Holy''
! Chart (2024)
! Peak<br />position
|-
! scope="row"| Greek Albums ([[IFPI Greece|IFPI]])<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ifpi.gr/charts_el.html |title=Official IFPI Charts Top-75 Albums Sales Chart (Combined) – Εβδομάδα: 47/2024 |publisher=[[IFPI Greece]] |access-date=27 November 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241127084533/https://www.ifpi.gr/charts_el.html |archive-date=27 November 2024 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
| 3
|}

{{col-2}}

===Year-end charts===
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|+Year-end chart performance for ''Houses of the Holy''
! scope="col" | Chart (1973)
! scope="col" | Position
|-
! scope="row"| US Top 100 Albums (''Cash Box'')<ref>{{cite magazine|date=March 31, 1973|title=Top 100 Albums of 73|url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Cash-Box/70s/1973/Cash-Box-1973-12-29.pdf#page=58|magazine=[[Cashbox (magazine)|Cash Box]]|location=New York|publisher=The Cash Box Publishing Co. Inc.|volume=XXXV|issue=33|page=58|issn=0008-7289}}</ref>
| 2
|-
! scope="row" | West German Albums Chart<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.offiziellecharts.de/charts/album-jahr/for-date-1973|title=Top 100 Album-Jahrescharts|date=1973|publisher=[[GfK Entertainment Charts]]|language=de|access-date=2 April 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210523114401/https://www.offiziellecharts.de/charts/album-jahr/for-date-1973|archive-date=23 May 2021}}</ref>
| 16
|}
{{col-end}}

==Certifications==
{{Certification Table Top|caption=Certifications for ''Houses of the Holy''}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Argentina|title=Houses of the Holy |artist=Led Zeppelin|type=album|award=Gold|relyear=1970|certyear=1993|certref=<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.capif.org.ar/Default.asp?PerDesde_MM=0&PerDesde_AA=0&PerHasta_MM=0&PerHasta_AA=0&interprete=Led+Zeppelin&album=&LanDesde_MM=0&LanDesde_AA=0&LanHasta_MM=0&LanHasta_AA=0&Galardon=O&Tipo=1&ACCION2=+Buscar+&ACCION=Buscar&CO=5&CODOP=ESOP|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110531193333/http://www.capif.org.ar/Default.asp?PerDesde_MM=0&PerDesde_AA=0&PerHasta_MM=0&PerHasta_AA=0&interprete=Led+Zeppelin&album=&LanDesde_MM=0&LanDesde_AA=0&LanHasta_MM=0&LanHasta_AA=0&Galardon=O&Tipo=1&ACCION2=+Buscar+&ACCION=Buscar&CO=5&CODOP=ESOP|archive-date=31 May 2011 |title=Led Zeppelin Discos de oro y platino |language=es |access-date=23 February 2023 |publisher=[[Cámara Argentina de Productores de Fonogramas y Videogramas]] |url-status=dead }}</ref>}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Australia|title=Houses of the Holy|artist=Led Zeppelin|type=album|award=Platinum|number=2|certyear=1996|relyear=1973|access-date=21 July 2021}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=France|title=Houses of the Holy|artist=Led Zeppelin|type=album|award=Gold|number=2|certyear=2001|relyear=1973}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Germany|title=House of Holy|artist=Led Zeppelin|type=album|award=Gold|relyear=1973}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Italy|title=Houses of the Holy|artist=Led Zeppelin|type=album|award=Gold|id=10670|certyear=2023|relyear=1973|access-date=20 March 2023}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Spain|type=album|artist=Led Zeppelin|title=Houses of the Holy|relyear=1973|certyear=2000|award=Gold|certref=<ref name="Spanish certifications 1979-1990">{{cite book|url=http://www.mediafire.com/view/x263f6daopkswo8|title=Sólo Éxitos 1959–2002 Año A Año: Certificados 1979–1990|year=2005|publisher=Iberautor Promociones Culturales|language=es|isbn=8480486392}}</ref>|access-date=12 September 2019}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|title=Houses of the Holy|artist=Led Zeppelin|type=album|award=Platinum|relyear=1973|certyear=1988|id=7030-2162-2|accessdate=9 December 2021}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|title=Houses of the Holy|artist=Led Zeppelin|type=album|award=Platinum|number=11}}
{{Certification Table Bottom|streaming=true}}

==See also==
*[[List of best-selling albums in the United States]]
*[[List of Billboard 200 number-one albums of 1973|List of ''Billboard'' 200 number-one albums of 1973]]
*[[List of UK Albums Chart number ones of the 1970s#1973|List of UK Albums Chart number ones of 1973]]

==References==
'''Notes'''
{{notelist}}

'''Citations'''
{{Reflist}}

'''Sources'''
{{refbegin}}
* {{Cite book|first=Dave|last=Lewis|year=1990|title=Led Zeppelin : A Celebration|publisher=Omnibus Press|isbn=978-0-711-92416-1|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/ledzeppelinceleb0000lewi}}
* {{cite book|first=Dave|last=Lewis|year=2012|title=From A Whisper to A Scream: The Complete Guide to the Music of Led Zeppelin|publisher=Omnibus Press|isbn=978-0-857-12788-4}}
{{refend}}

==Further reading==
*{{cite book|title=A Brief History of Album Covers|first=Jason|last=Draper|publisher=Flame Tree Publishing|location=London|year=2008|pages=124–125|isbn=9781847862112|oclc=227198538}}

==External links==
* {{MusicBrainz release group}}
* {{Discogs master}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20071011220722/http://dangerousage.com/householy.html Cover art]
* [http://www.superseventies.com/ac28housesoftheholy.html Cover art&nbsp;– Aubrey Powell]
* [http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00w227m Stefan Gates' Cover Story] (BBC programme about the album cover)

{{Led Zeppelin songs}}
{{Led Zeppelin}}{{Authority control}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2018}}
{{Use British English|date=January 2012}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Houses Of The Holy}}
[[Category:1973 albums]]
[[Category:Albums produced by Jimmy Page]]
[[Category:Albums recorded at Electric Lady Studios]]
[[Category:Albums with cover art by Hipgnosis]]
[[Category:Atlantic Records albums]]
[[Category:Led Zeppelin albums]]
[[Category:Albums recorded at Olympic Sound Studios]]
[[Category:Albums recorded in a home studio]]