Editing Physical Graffiti

{{good article}}
{{Infobox album
| name         = Physical Graffiti
| type         = studio
| artist       = [[Led Zeppelin]]
| cover        = Led Zeppelin - Physical Graffiti.jpg
| border       = yes
| alt          = The front of a brownstone, New York, tenement block
| released     = {{start date|1975|2|24|df=yes}}
| recorded     = *July and December 1970
*January–March 1971
*May 1972
*January–February 1974
| studio       = 
| genre        = [[Hard rock]]
| length       = 82:59
| label        = [[Swan Song Records|Swan Song]]
| producer     = [[Jimmy Page]]
| prev_title   = [[Houses of the Holy]]
| prev_year    = 1973
| next_title   = [[Presence (album)|Presence]]
| next_year    = 1976
| misc         = {{singles
 | name        = Physical Graffiti
 | type        = studio
 | single1     = [[Trampled Under Foot]]" / "Black Country Woman
 | single1date = 2 April 1975
}}
}}
'''''Physical Graffiti''''' is the sixth studio album by the English [[Rock music|rock]] band [[Led Zeppelin]]. Released as a [[double album]] on 24 February 1975 in the United States and on 28 February 1975 in the United Kingdom,{{sfn|Lewis|1990|p=89}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bpi.co.uk/award/5093-2162-2|title=BPI}}</ref> it was the group's first album to be released under their new label, [[Swan Song Records]]. The band wrote and recorded eight new songs for the album in early 1974 at [[Headley Grange]], a country house in [[Hampshire]], which gave them ample time to improvise arrangements and experiment with recording. The total playing time covered just under three sides of an LP, so they decided to expand it into a double album by including seven previously unreleased tracks from the sessions for the band's earlier albums ''[[Led Zeppelin III]]'' (1970), ''[[Led Zeppelin IV]]'' (1971) and ''[[Houses of the Holy]]'' (1973). The album covered a range of styles including [[hard rock]], [[progressive rock]], [[rock 'n' roll]] and [[Folk music|folk]].{{sfn|Lewis|1990|pp=21,55}} The album was then mixed over summer 1974 and planned for an end-of-year release; however, its release was delayed because the [[Peter Corriston]]-designed [[Die (manufacturing)|die-cut]] album cover proved difficult to manufacture.

''Physical Graffiti'' was commercially and critically successful upon its release and debuted at number one on album charts in the UK and number three in the United States.<ref>{{cite magazine |author=Billboard |title=Top LPs & Tape |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |volume=87 |issue=10 |page=86 |date=15 March 1975 |issn=0006-2510}}</ref> It was promoted by a successful U.S. tour and a five-night residency at [[Earls Court Exhibition Centre|Earl's Court]], London. The album has been reissued on CD several times, including an expansive 40th anniversary edition in 2015. ''Physical Graffiti'' was later certified [[RIAA certification|16× platinum]] in the United States by the [[Recording Industry Association of America]] (RIAA) in 2006, signifying shipments of over eight million copies in the US.

==Recording==
The first attempt by Led Zeppelin to record songs for ''Physical Graffiti'' took place in November 1973 at [[Headley Grange]] in [[Hampshire]], England, where they had previously recorded their [[Led Zeppelin IV|untitled fourth album]]. The recording equipment consisted of [[Ronnie Lane's Mobile Studio]]. Guitarist and producer [[Jimmy Page]] and drummer [[John Bonham]] recorded an instrumental which was later reworked as "[[Kashmir (song)|Kashmir]]" during this visit. However, these sessions came to a halt quickly and the studio time was turned over to [[Bad Company]], who used it to record songs for [[Bad Company (album)|their debut album]].{{sfn|Lewis|1990|pp=17,89}} The press reported that bassist/keyboardist [[John Paul Jones (musician)|John Paul Jones]] was ill and unable to record.<ref name=cameroncrowe>{{cite web |url=http://www.cameroncrowe.com/journalism/articles/crowe_eyesandears_journalism_led.html |title=Cameron Crowe interview Led Zeppelin |access-date=16 September 2018 |date=18 March 1975 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071024124033/http://www.cameroncrowe.com/journalism/articles/crowe_eyesandears_journalism_led.html |archive-date=24 October 2007}}</ref> However, he had become disillusioned with the group and tired of touring, and told manager [[Peter Grant (music manager)|Peter Grant]] he was considering quitting.{{efn|Jones later joked that he had considered becoming the choirmaster at [[Winchester Cathedral]] had he left Led Zeppelin in 1973.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Reiff |first=Corbin |title=20 Things You Didn't Know John Paul Jones Did |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/20-things-you-didnt-know-john-paul-jones-did-227646/ |url-status=live |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] |date=18 March 2016 |access-date=5 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180705234118/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/20-things-you-didnt-know-john-paul-jones-did-227646/ |archive-date=5 July 2018}}</ref>}} Grant asked him to reconsider and to take the rest of the year off to recuperate.{{sfn|Lewis|1990|p=17}}

The group reconvened at Headley Grange in January and February 1974, where they recorded eight tracks engineered by [[Ron Nevison]].{{sfn|Lewis|1990|pp=17–18}} Lead singer [[Robert Plant]] later referred to these eight tracks as "the belters," including "off-the-wall stuff that turned out really nice."{{sfn|Lewis|1990|p=18}} As with previous sessions at Headley Grange, the informal atmosphere allowed the group to improvise and develop material while recording. Sometimes the group would rehearse or record a track several times, discuss what went wrong or what could be improved and then realized they'd worked out an alternative arrangement for it which was better. Bonham was a driving force at the sessions, regularly suggesting ideas or the best ways in which a complicated arrangement could be played successfully. This led to him getting a lead songwriting credit on several tracks.{{sfn|Lewis|1990|p=21}}

The eight songs extended beyond the length of a conventional album, almost spanning three sides of an LP, so the group decided to create a [[double album]], adding material they'd recorded for previous albums but never issued. This included various jam sessions such as "Boogie With Stu," which Page thought would be unsuitable as a track on a single album.<ref name=Schulps>{{cite journal |first=Dave |last=Schulps |url=http://www.iem.ac.ru/zeppelin/docs/interviews/page_77.trp |title=Interview with Jimmy Page |journal=[[Trouser Press]] |date=October 1977 |access-date=17 September 2008 |archive-date=20 August 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110820054853/http://www.iem.ac.ru/zeppelin/docs/interviews/page_77.trp |url-status=dead}}</ref> Additional overdubs were laid down, and the final mixing of the album was performed in July 1974 by [[Keith Harwood]] at [[Olympic Studios]], London. The title "Physical Graffiti" was coined by Page to illustrate the whole physical and written energy that had gone into producing the set.{{sfn|Lewis|1990|p=55}}

==Songs==
[[File:Bron-y-aur - geograph.org.uk - 21107 (cropped).jpg|thumb|right|[[Bron-Yr-Aur]] cottage was the birthplace of "[[The Rover (Led Zeppelin song)|The Rover]]", "Bron-Yr-Aur", and "Down by the Seaside".]]
The album spanned several years of recording and covered a range of musical styles, including hard rock ("Custard Pie", "[[The Rover (Led Zeppelin song)|The Rover]]", "[[The Wanton Song]]", "[[Sick Again]]", "[[Houses of the Holy (song)|Houses of the Holy]]"), eastern-influenced orchestral rock ("[[Kashmir (song)|Kashmir]]"), progressive rock ("[[In the Light]]"), driving funk ("[[Trampled Under Foot]]"), acoustic rock and roll ("Boogie with Stu", "Black Country Woman"), love ballad ("[[Ten Years Gone]]"), blues rock ("[[In My Time of Dying#Led Zeppelin version|In My Time of Dying]]"), soft rock ("Down by the Seaside"), country rock romp ("Night Flight"), and acoustic guitar instrumental ("Bron-Yr-Aur").{{sfn|Lewis|1990|pp=54–56}}<ref name="AllMusic" /><ref name="Rolling Stone Magazine 2">{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/artists/ledzeppelin/albums/album/158693/review/5944206/physical_graffiti|title=Physical Graffiti|magazine=Rolling Stone|date=27 March 1975|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100306030326/http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/ledzeppelin/albums/album/158693/review/5944206/physical_graffiti%3B|archive-date=6 March 2010}}</ref>

Several tracks from the album became live staples at [[Led Zeppelin concerts]]. In particular, "In My Time of Dying", "Trampled Under Foot", "Kashmir", "Ten Years Gone", "Black Country Woman", and "Sick Again" became regular components of the band's live concert [[set list]]s following the release of the album.{{sfn|Lewis|1990|pp=55–56}}{{sfn|Lewis|2010|p=114}}

===Side one===
"Custard Pie" was recorded at Headley Grange in early 1974. The first take was played at a faster tempo than the finished version, with various improvised vocals. After a basic run-through, the group then discussed possibilities for rearranging it.{{sfn|Lewis|1990|p=21}} Page played the guitar solo through an ARP synthesiser, while Jones overdubbed a [[Hohner Clavinet]] part and Plant played harmonica.{{sfn|Lewis|1990|p=55}}

"[[The Rover (Led Zeppelin song)|The Rover]]" was written in 1970 at [[Bron-Yr-Aur]], a cottage near [[Machynlleth]], [[Wales]]. It was first recorded at Headley Grange in May 1970 as an acoustic number for ''[[Led Zeppelin III]]''. It was reworked as an electric number in 1972 for ''[[Houses of the Holy]]'', which formed the basis for the backing track.{{sfn|Lewis|1990|p=19}} Page subsequently added guitar overdubs in 1974 with Keith Harwood engineering.{{sfn|Lewis|1990|p=55}}{{efn|The original sleeve features the credit "Guitar lost by Nevison, salvaged by the grace of Harwood" and refers to the various recording sessions for the track.{{sfn|Lewis|1990|p=55}}}}

"[[In My Time of Dying#Led Zeppelin version|In My Time of Dying]]" is based on a traditional song that [[Bob Dylan]] recorded on his [[Bob Dylan (album)|debut album]] in 1962.{{sfn|Lewis|1990|p=55}} The track was recorded live, with Page later adding further [[slide guitar]] overdubs. The arranging and structuring was led by Bonham, who worked out where the various stop / start sections in the track should be, and how the group would know where to come back in. The very end of the song features his off-mic cough, causing the rest of the group to break down at that point. Bonham subsequently shouted "That's got to be the one, hasn't it?", feeling it was the best take.{{sfn|Lewis|1990|p=22,55}} It was left on the album to show fans that Led Zeppelin were a working band that took care in their recordings.{{sfn|Williamson|2007|p=234}}

===Side two===
"Houses of the Holy" was recorded as the title track for the album of the same name in May 1972 at [[Olympic Studios]] with [[Eddie Kramer]] engineering. It was left off that album because of its similarity to other tracks such as "Dancing Days", which were felt to be better. Unlike some of the other older material on ''Physical Graffiti'', it required no further overdubbing or remixing.{{sfn|Lewis|1990|p=55}}

"[[Trampled Under Foot]]" developed from a jam session driven by Jones at the Clavinet. The song went through several arrangement changes before arriving at the version heard on the album, with the group rehearsing various different ideas and arguing about the overall style. Bonham decided the track was too "souly" and rearranged it into a funk style, suggesting that Page should play a guitar riff throughout in place of chords.{{sfn|Lewis|1990|pp=21–22}} The lyrics are a series of [[double entendres]] around driving and cars. The song quickly became a popular live piece that was played at every live show from 1975 onwards, and was later revived by Plant for his solo tours.{{sfn|Lewis|1990|p=55}} It was released as a single in the US on 2 April (with "Black Country Woman" as the B-side) and was a top 40 hit.{{sfn|Lewis|1990|p=95}}

"[[Kashmir (song)|Kashmir]]" was an idea from Page and Bonham, and was first attempted as an instrumental demo in late 1973. Plant wrote the lyrics while on holiday in Morocco. Jones played [[Mellotron]] on the track, and arranged strings and brass parts that were played by session musicians. The song was one of the most critically acclaimed on the album, and was played at every gig from 1975 onwards.{{sfn|Lewis|1990|pp=55–56}} Page and Plant played it on their 1994 tour,{{sfn|Lewis|2010|p=342}} and it was reworked in 1998 by [[Sean Combs|Sean "Puffy" Combs]] for his single "[[Come with Me (Puff Daddy song)|Come With Me]]" which featured Page on guitar.<ref>{{cite book|title=Dancing with the Devil: How Puff Burned the Bad Boys of Hip-hop|first=Mark|last=Curry|page=101|publisher=NewMark Books|year=2009|isbn=978-0-615-27650-2}}</ref>

===Side three===
"In the Light" was recorded at Headley Grange in early 1974. It was initially called "In the Morning" and went through several rehearsals and takes to work out a basic structure. A drone/chant introduction was later added to the piece.{{sfn|Lewis|1990|pp=21,56}}

"Bron-Yr-Aur" was a solo acoustic piece by Page, named after the cottage where he had composed and arranged much of ''Led Zeppelin III'' with Plant. It was recorded at Island Studios in mid-1970. The track was later used as background music in the group's film ''The Song Remains the Same''.{{sfn|Lewis|1990|p=56}}

"Down by the Seaside" was originally written as an acoustic track at Bron-Yr-Aur in 1970, and was influenced by [[Neil Young]]. It was reworked as an electric track during sessions for the fourth album the following year. Page and Bonham led the arranging, changing tempo from the slow to fast section and then back again.{{sfn|Lewis|1990|p=56}}

"Ten Years Gone" was mostly composed by Plant about an old love affair, and was combined with an instrumental piece from Page, featuring overdubbed electric and acoustic guitar parts. When the track was performed live, Jones played a triple-neck guitar featuring mandolin, six- and 12-string guitars, in order to try to reproduce the various guitar overdubs on the studio recording.{{sfn|Lewis|1990|p=56}}

===Side four===
[[File:Stargrove - geograph.org.uk - 62433.jpg|thumb|Some older material for ''Physical Graffiti'' was recorded at [[Stargroves]].]]
"Night Flight" was recorded at Headley Grange in 1971 for the fourth album. Besides the usual bass, Jones plays [[Hammond organ]] on the track, and Page plays guitar through a [[Leslie speaker]].{{sfn|Lewis|1990|p=56}} Plant wrote the lyrics after reading a news headline entitled "Nuclear Damage Test Threat" and wondered why there seemed to be little peace and love in the world.{{sfn|Lewis|2010|p=85}}

"The Wanton Song" was built around a Page guitar riff. Unlike some of the other tracks recorded at the 1974 Headley Grange sessions, it was straightforward to arrange, with the group building the song around the riffs.{{sfn|Lewis|1990|p=56}}

"Boogie with Stu" was a jam session with [[Rolling Stones]] pianist [[Ian Stewart (musician)|Ian Stewart]] based around the [[Ritchie Valens]] song "Ooh My Head".{{efn|The track is co-credited to "Mrs. Valens", a reference to Ritchie's mother. The credit came about after the band had heard she never received any royalties from her son's hits.{{sfn|Williamson|2007|p=179}}}} It was recorded in 1971 at Headley Grange during the same session that produced "[[Rock and Roll (Led Zeppelin song)|Rock and Roll]]" for the group's fourth album.{{sfn|Lewis|1990|p=56}} It did not credit Valens or [[Bob Keane]], instead crediting Valens' mother. Eventually a lawsuit was filed by Keane, and half of the award went to Valens' mother, although she was not part of the suit.<ref>{{cite book |last=Lehmer |first=Larry |title=The Day the Music Died: The Last Tour of Buddy Holly, the Big Bopper and Ritchie Valens |publisher=Schirmer |year=2004 |page=166 |isbn=978-0-825-67287-3}}</ref>

"Black Country Woman" was recorded in the garden at Stargroves in 1972 for ''Houses of the Holy'', as part of the group's desire to work in "off the wall" locations outside a traditional studio environment. The track was nearly abandoned when an aeroplane cruised overhead, but it was left on the final recording for effect.{{sfn|Lewis|1990|p=56}}

"Sick Again" was written by Page and Plant about the 1973 tour and their experience with meeting [[groupie]]s. The track was driven by Bonham's drumming and Page's guitar riffs.{{sfn|Lewis|1990|p=56}} The arrangement had been worked out before recording, and was straightforward to put down on tape.{{sfn|Lewis|1990|p=21}}

===Unreleased material===
As ''Physical Graffiti'' collected various out-takes from earlier albums, little was left over from the recording sessions that was not eventually released. An early arrangement of "Custard Pie", different from the final version, was reworked as "Hots on For Nowhere" on the following album, ''[[Presence (album)|Presence]]''.{{sfn|Lewis|1990|p=57}} A number of other outtakes from earlier album sessions that had not been put on ''Physical Graffiti'' were later included on the 1982 album ''[[Coda (Led Zeppelin album)|Coda]]''.{{sfn|Lewis|1990|p=62}}

==Artwork and packaging==
[[File:96 and 98 St. Mark's Place, NYC.jpg|thumb|right|The five-storey 96 and 98 [[8th Street / St. Mark's Place (Manhattan)|St. Mark's Place]] in New York's East Village]]
The album was originally released with a die-cut sleeve design depicting a New York City [[tenement]] block, through whose windows various cultural icons could be interchangeably viewed.{{sfn|Lewis|2012|p=67}} The album designer, [[Peter Corriston]], was looking for a building that was symmetrical with interesting details, that was not obstructed by other objects and would fit the square album cover. He subsequently came up with the rest of the cover based on the idea of people moving in and out of the tenement, with various sleeves that could be placed under the main cover and filling the windows with various pieces of information.<ref name="Led Zeppelin">{{cite news |last=Boland Jr. |first=Ed |title=F.Y.I. |url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9B04E6D6123EF93BA3575AC0A9649C8B63 |url-status=live |work=The New York Times |date=8 September 2002 |access-date=15 March 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080410060458/http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9B04E6D6123EF93BA3575AC0A9649C8B63 |archive-date=10 April 2008}}</ref>

The two five-storey buildings photographed for the album cover are located at 96 and 98 [[St. Mark's Place]] in New York City.{{sfn|Lewis|1990|p=55}} The original photograph underwent a number of tweaks to arrive at the final image. The fourth floor of the building had to be cropped out to fit the square album cover format.<ref name="Led Zeppelin" /> (The front doorway and stoop at 96 St. Mark's Place is also the location used by the Rolling Stones for the music video promoting their single "[[Waiting on a Friend]]", from their 1981 album ''[[Tattoo You]]'').

Eschewing the usual [[gatefold]] design in favour of a special die-cut cover, the original album jacket included four covers made up of two inners (for each disc), a middle insert cover and an outer cover. The middle insert cover is white and details all the album track listings and recording information. The outer cover has die-cut windows on the building, so when the middle cover is wrapped around the inner covers and slid into the outer cover, the title of the album is shown on the front cover, spelling out the name "Physical Graffiti".{{sfn|Lewis|1990|p=55}} Images in the windows touched upon a set of American icons and a range of Hollywood ephemera. Pictures of [[W. C. Fields]] and [[Buzz Aldrin]] alternated with the snapshots of Led Zeppelin.{{sfn|Lewis|2012|p=67}} Photographs of [[Lee Harvey Oswald]], [[Marcel Duchamp]] and [[Pope Leo XIII]] are also featured. Per the liner notes, package concept and design was by AGI/Mike Doud (London) and Peter Corriston (New York). Photography was by Elliott Erwitt, B. P. Fallon, and [[Roy Harper (singer)|Roy Harper]]. "Tinting Extraordinaire": Maurice Tate, and window illustration by Dave Heffernan.<ref>{{cite AV media notes |title=Physical Graffiti |others=Jimmy Page, producer and George Marino, sound engineer |year=1975 |first=Led |last=Zeppelin |page=7 |type=CD booklet liner notes|publisher=Swan Song |id=2-200 |location=New York City}}</ref> In 1976, the album was nominated for a [[Grammy Award]] in the category of [[Grammy Award for Best Recording Package|best album package]].<ref>{{cite book|title=The Encyclopedia of Popular Music|volume=5|first=Colin|last=Larkin|page=141|publisher=MUZE|isbn=978-0-195-31373-4}}</ref>

==Release and critical reception==
{{Album reviews
| rev1 = [[AllMusic]]
| rev1Score = {{Rating|5|5}}<ref name="AllMusic">{{cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/physical-graffiti-mw0000190771|title=Led Zeppelin ''Physical Graffiti''|last=Erlewine|first=Stephen Thomas|website=[[AllMusic]]|access-date=20 May 2015|archive-date=11 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150511214807/http://www.allmusic.com/album/physical-graffiti-mw0000190771|url-status=live}}</ref>
| rev2 = ''[[Christgau's Record Guide: Rock Albums of the Seventies|Christgau's Record Guide]]''
| rev2Score = B+<ref name="CG">{{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=0899190251|chapter-url=https://www.robertchristgau.com/get_album.php?id=2015|chapter=Led Zeppelin: ''Physical Graffiti''|access-date=22 April 2017|via=robertchristgau.com|title-link=Christgau's Record Guide: Rock Albums of the Seventies|archive-date=27 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180827174024/https://www.robertchristgau.com/get_album.php?id=2015|url-status=live}}</ref>
| rev3 = ''[[The Daily Telegraph]]''
| rev3score = {{Rating|5|5}}<ref>{{cite web|last=McCormick|first=Neil|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/rockandpopmusic/10782738/Led-Zeppelins-albums-ranked-from-worst-to-best.html|title=Led Zeppelin's albums ranked from worst to best|work=[[The Daily Telegraph]]|date=23 April 2014|access-date=8 December 2014|archive-date=13 December 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141213142850/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/rockandpopmusic/10782738/Led-Zeppelins-albums-ranked-from-worst-to-best.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
| rev4 = ''[[Encyclopedia of Popular Music]]''
| rev4Score = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref>{{cite book|last=Larkin|first=Colin|author-link=Colin Larkin (writer)|year=2006|publisher=MUZE|title=The Encyclopedia of Popular Music|page=141|isbn=0195313739|edition=4th|volume=5|title-link=The Encyclopedia of Popular Music}}</ref>
| rev5 = ''[[MusicHound|MusicHound Rock]]''
| rev5score = 4.5/5<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=1-57859-061-2|page=[https://archive.org/details/isbn_9781578590612/page/662 662]|url=https://archive.org/details/isbn_9781578590612/page/662}}</ref>
| rev6 = 
| rev6Score = 
| rev7 = ''[[Q (magazine)|Q]]''
| rev7score = {{Rating|5|5}}<ref>"Led Zeppelin ''Physical Graffiti''", ''[[Q (magazine)|Q]]'', November 2000, p. 106.</ref>
| rev8 = ''[[The Rolling Stone Album Guide]]''
| rev8Score = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/artists/led-zeppelin/albumguide |title=Led Zeppelin: Album Guide |magazine=[[Rolling Stone|rollingstone.com]] |access-date=8 December 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140301030118/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/artists/led-zeppelin/albumguide |archive-date=1 March 2014 }}</ref>
| rev9 = ''[[Tom Hull – on the Web]]''
| rev9Score = B+<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>
| rev10 = ''[[The Village Voice]]''
| rev10score = B<ref>{{cite news|last=Christgau|first=Robert|date=12 May 1975|url=https://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/cg/cgv5-75.php|title=Christgau's Consumer Guide|newspaper=[[The Village Voice]]|access-date=22 April 2017|archive-date=22 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170422213316/https://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/cg/cgv5-75.php|url-status=live}}</ref>
}}<!--List Automatically Moved by DASHBot-->
''Physical Graffiti'' was Led Zeppelin's first release on their own [[Swan Song Records]] label, which had been launched in May 1974. Until this point, all of Led Zeppelin's albums had been released on [[Atlantic Records]], who would distribute Swan Song. The album was first announced to the press on 6 November with a planned release date of 29 November and an [[Led Zeppelin North American Tour 1975|accompanying US tour]] (the band's tenth) starting in January.{{sfn|Lewis|1990|p=89}} Delays in the production of the album's sleeve design prevented its release prior to the commencement of the tour.{{sfn|Welch|1994|p=73}} It was finally released on 24 February 1975.

[[File:LedZeppelinChicago75 2 (cropped).jpg|thumb|left|Led Zeppelin touring the US shortly before the release of ''Physical Graffiti'']]

The album was a commercial and critical success, having built up a huge advance order following the delayed release date, and when eventually issued it reached No. 1 in the UK charts. In the US, it debuted at No. 3 on the ''[[Billboard charts|Billboard]]'' Pop Albums chart, rising to No. 1 the following week and staying there for six weeks.{{sfn|Lewis|1990|pp=54,94–95}} ''Physical Graffiti'' has since proven to be one of the most popular releases by the group, shipping 8&nbsp;million copies in the United States.{{Certification Cite Ref|region=United States|title=Physical Graffiti|artist=Led Zeppelin|type=album}} It was the first album to go platinum on advance orders alone.<ref>{{cite web |title=Record Collector: ''Physical Graffiti''&nbsp;– an album under review |url=http://www.recordcollectormag.com/reviews/review-detail/3171 |url-status=live |work=[[Record Collector]] |access-date=12 February 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081004150858/http://www.recordcollectormag.com/reviews/review-detail/3171 |archive-date=4 October 2008}}</ref> Shortly after its release, all previous Led Zeppelin albums simultaneously re-entered the top-200 album chart.<ref>{{cite book |last=Ruhlmann |first=William |title=Breaking Records: 100 Years of Hits |url=https://archive.org/details/breakingrecords100ruhl/page/165 |publisher=Routledge Falmer |location=London |edition=1st |year=2004 |page=[https://archive.org/details/breakingrecords100ruhl/page/165 165]|isbn=0-415-94305-1}}</ref>

The group debuted several songs from ''Physical Graffiti'' live at a warm-up gig in [[Rotterdam]], Netherlands, on 11 January, a week before the US tour, which lasted until 27 March.{{sfn|Lewis|1990|p=90}} The tour was also successful, and was followed up by a [[Earls Court 1975|series of shows]] at [[Earl's Court]], London. Tickets for the shows sold out within four hours, described by promoter Mel Bush as "unprecedented demand in the history of rock music", so a further two dates were added.{{sfn|Lewis|1990|p=90}} The shows attracted rave reviews, and critics noted the band enjoyed playing the new material on ''Physical Graffiti'' more than the older songs.{{sfn|Welch|1994|pp=77–78}}

''[[New Musical Express|NME]]''{{'}}s [[Nick Kent]] reviewed the album three months before it was released. He speculated it could be the group's best work to date, saying "the album's tonal density is absolutely the toughest, most downright brutal I've heard all year".{{sfn|Williamson|2007|p=180}} In March 1975, ''Billboard'' magazine's reviewer wrote: "[''Physical Graffiti''] is a tour de force through a number of musical styles, from straight rock to blues to folky acoustic to orchestral sounds."<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Fishel |first=Jim |title=Review: Physical Graffiti |magazine=Billboard |volume=29 |date=March 1975 |page=89}}</ref> Similarly, Jim Miller stated in ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' that the double album was "the band's ''[[Tommy (The Who album)|Tommy]]'', ''[[Beggar's Banquet]]'' and ''[[Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band|Sgt. Pepper]]'' rolled into one: ''Physical Graffiti'' is Led Zeppelin's bid for artistic respectability".<ref name="Rolling Stone Review">{{cite magazine |last=Miller |first=Jim |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/albumreviews/physical-graffiti-19750327 |title=Rolling Stone Review |magazine=Rolling Stone |date=27 March 1975 |access-date=1 January 2012 |archive-date=23 April 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090423132813/http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/ledzeppelin/albums/album/158693/review/5944206/physical_graffiti |url-status=live}}</ref> ''[[Village Voice]]'' critic [[Robert Christgau]] maintained his long-held ambivalence regarding Led Zeppelin, writing that except for side two, the material often wanders into "wide tracks, misconceived opi, and so forth", and "after a while Robert Plant begins to grate".<ref name="CG"/>

In 2003, ''Rolling Stone'' ranked it at number 70 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/physical-graffiti-led-zeppelin-19691231 |title=Physical Graffiti ranked 70th Greatest Album in 2003 |access-date=19 February 2021 |magazine=Rolling Stone |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110902033813/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/500-greatest-albums-of-all-time-19691231/physical-graffiti-led-zeppelin-19691231 |archive-date=2 September 2011}}</ref> It was re-ranked at number 73 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-physical-graffiti-160865/ |title=Physical Graffiti ranked 73rd Greatest Album in 2012 |access-date=19 February 2021 |magazine=Rolling Stone |archive-date=17 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210117090153/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/500-greatest-albums-of-all-time-156826/led-zeppelin-physical-graffiti-160865/ |url-status=live}}</ref> and re-ranked at number 144 in 2020.<ref name="Rolling Stone">{{cite magazine |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/best-albums-of-all-time-1062063/led-zeppelin-physical-graffiti-2-1063089/ |title=Physical Graffiti ranked 144th greatest album by Rolling Stone magazine |magazine=Rolling Stone |access-date=28 September 2020 |archive-date=25 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201125233954/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/best-albums-of-all-time-1062063/led-zeppelin-physical-graffiti-2-1063089/ |url-status=live}}</ref>

Plant later felt that ''Physical Graffiti'' represented the band at its creative peak, and has since said that it is his favourite Led Zeppelin album.<ref name=plantuncut>{{cite journal |last=Jones |first=Allan |title=Robert Plant: 'We did what we set out to do&nbsp;... |journal=Uncut |date=May 2008 |pages=38–43}}</ref> Page has also said the album was a "high-water mark" for the group, and the creative energy from jamming and gradually working out song structures together led to some strong material.<ref name=williamson>{{cite journal |last=Williamson |first=Nigel |title=Forget the Myths |journal=Uncut |date=May 2005 |page=72}}</ref> Reviewing the album for [[BBC Music]] in 2007, Chris Jones described it as "a towering monument to the glory of Zeppelin in their high-flying heyday".<ref>{{cite web |last=Jones |first=Chris |title=Led Zeppelin Physical Graffiti Review |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/music/reviews/2xrg |url-status=live |publisher=[[BBC Music]] |year=2007 |access-date=20 May 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150925110701/http://www.bbc.co.uk/music/reviews/2xrg |archive-date=25 September 2015}}</ref>

{|class="wikitable sortable"
|+Accolades for ''Physical Graffiti''
|-
! scope="col" | Publication
! scope="col" | Country
! scope="col" | Accolade
! scope="col" | Year
! scope="col" style="text-align:center;"|Rank
|-
| [[Grammy Award]]
| US
| "[[Grammy Award for Best Recording Package]]"<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.super70s.com/Super70s/Music/1975/Grammys.asp | title=Grammy Award for Best Album Package (AGI)&nbsp;– 28 February 1976 | access-date=10 February 2009 | publisher=Grammy | archive-date=10 November 2008 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081110221447/http://www.super70s.com/super70s/Music/1975/Grammys.asp | url-status=live }}</ref>
| 1976
| Nominee
|-
| ''[[Rolling Stone]]''
| US
| "[[Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Albums of All Time|The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time]]"<ref name="Rolling Stone"/> 
| 2020
| 144
|-
| ''[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]]''
| US
| "Top 100 Albums of the 1970s"<ref>{{cite web |title=Top 100 Albums of the 1970s |url=http://pitchfork.com/features/staff-lists/5932-top-100-albums-of-the-1970s |url-status=live |website=[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]] |access-date=23 November 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121125040412/http://pitchfork.com/features/staff-lists/5932-top-100-albums-of-the-1970s/ |archive-date=25 November 2012}}</ref>
| 2004
| 95
|-
| [[AllMusic]]
| US
| "Top Digital Albums"<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/physical-graffiti-mw0000190771/awards|title=Top Digital Albums|website=[[AllMusic]] |access-date=3 November 2013|archive-date=28 May 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130528071135/http://www.allmusic.com/album/physical-graffiti-mw0000190771/awards|url-status=live}}</ref>
| 2012
| 20
|-
| AllMusic
| US
| "Top Pop Catalog"<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/physical-graffiti-mw0000190771/awards|title=Top Pop Catalog|website=[[AllMusic]] |access-date=3 November 2013|archive-date=28 May 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130528071135/http://www.allmusic.com/album/physical-graffiti-mw0000190771/awards|url-status=live}}</ref>
| 2012
| 3
|-
| AllMusic
| US
| "[[Billboard 200]]"<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/physical-graffiti-mw0000190771/awards|title=The Billboard 200|website=[[AllMusic]] |access-date=3 November 2013|archive-date=28 May 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130528071135/http://www.allmusic.com/album/physical-graffiti-mw0000190771/awards|url-status=live}}</ref>
| 2012
| 43
|-
| ''[[Classic Rock (magazine)|Classic Rock]]''
| UK
| "100 Greatest Rock Album Ever"<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.rocklistmusic.co.uk/steveparker/classicrock.htm | title=Classic Rock&nbsp;– 100 Greatest Rock Album Ever&nbsp;– December 2001 | access-date=10 February 2009 | work=Classic Rock | archive-date=10 October 2018 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181010061724/http://www.rocklistmusic.co.uk/steveparker/classicrock.htm | url-status=usurped }}</ref>
| 2001
| 5
|-
| ''[[Mojo (magazine)|Mojo]]''
| UK
| "The 100 Greatest Albums Ever Made"<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.rocklistmusic.co.uk/mojo_p3.htm#albums| title=The 100 Greatest Albums Ever Made&nbsp;– January 1996| access-date=10 February 2009| work=Mojo| archive-date=16 May 2013| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130516020830/http://www.rocklistmusic.co.uk/mojo_p3.htm#albums| url-status=usurped}}</ref>
|1996
|47
|-
| ''[[Q (magazine)|Q]]''
| UK
| "100 Greatest Albums Ever"<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rocklistmusic.co.uk/qlistspage2.html#Jan2003|title=100 Greatest Albums Ever&nbsp;– January 2003|access-date=10 February 2009|work=Q|archive-date=19 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181019101341/http://www.rocklistmusic.co.uk/qlistspage2.html#Jan2003|url-status=usurped}}</ref>
| 2003
| 41
|-
| ''[[Record Collector]]''
| UK
| "Classic Albums from 21 Genres for the 21st century"<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rocklistmusic.co.uk/recordcollector.htm#21%20Genres|title=Classic Albums from 21 Genres for the 21st century: Seventies: From Singer-Songwriter Angst to Glam and the Disco Age&nbsp;– January 2005|access-date=10 February 2009|work=Record Collector|archive-date=6 June 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130606015739/http://www.rocklistmusic.co.uk/recordcollector.htm#21%20Genres|url-status=usurped}}</ref>
| 2005
| *
|-
| Robert Dimery
| US
| ''[[1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die]]''<ref>Dimery, Robert&nbsp;– ''1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die''; page 856</ref>
| 2005
| *
|-
| ''Q''
| UK
| "100 Best Albums Ever"<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pub37.bravenet.com/forum/static/show.php?usernum=3172289350&frmid=0&msgid=620762|title=Best Albums Ever&nbsp;– February 2006|access-date=10 February 2009|work=Q|archive-date=14 April 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120414204625/http://pub37.bravenet.com/forum/static/show.php?usernum=3172289350&frmid=0&msgid=620762|url-status=live}}</ref>
| 2006
| 57
|-
| ''Classic Rock''
| UK
| "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
| 7
|-
| [[Rock and Roll Hall of Fame]]
| US
| "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 (USA) |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080801142627/http://www.rockhall.com/pressroom/definitive-200 |archive-date=1 August 2008 }}</ref>
| 2006
| 93
|}

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

==Reissues==
{{Album ratings
| MC = 97/100<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.metacritic.com/music/physical-graffiti-remastered/led-zeppelin|title=Reviews for Physical Graffiti [Remastered] by Led Zeppelin|website=[[Metacritic]]|access-date=9 May 2015|archive-date=18 March 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150318183548/http://www.metacritic.com/music/physical-graffiti-remastered/led-zeppelin|url-status=live}}</ref>
| rev1 = ''[[Consequence of Sound]]''
| rev1Score = A−<ref>{{cite web|last=Hadusek|first=Jon|date=20 February 2015|url=https://consequenceofsound.net/2015/02/album-review-led-zeppelin-physical-graffiti-reissue/|title=Led Zeppelin – Physical Graffiti [Reissue]|website=[[Consequence of Sound]]|access-date=16 October 2018|archive-date=7 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180807001616/https://consequenceofsound.net/2015/02/album-review-led-zeppelin-physical-graffiti-reissue/|url-status=live}}</ref>
| rev2 = ''[[The Guardian]]''
| rev2Score = {{Rating|5|5}}<ref>{{cite news|last=Hunn|first=Michael|date=19 February 2015|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/19/led-zeppelin-physical-graffiti-remastered-review|title=Led Zeppelin: Physical Graffiti remastered review|newspaper=[[The Guardian]]|access-date=16 October 2018|archive-date=18 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181018043315/https://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/19/led-zeppelin-physical-graffiti-remastered-review|url-status=live}}</ref>
| rev3 = ''[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]]''
|rev3Score = 10/10<ref>{{cite web |url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/19834-led-zeppelin-ivhouses-of-the-holyphysical-graffiti/ |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=20 May 2015 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20150227053925/http://m.pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/19834-led-zeppelin-ivhouses-of-the-holyphysical-graffiti/ |archive-date=27 February 2015 |url-status=live }}</ref>
| rev4 = ''[[Uncut (magazine)|Uncut]]''
|rev4Score = 8/10<ref>{{cite news|last=Mueller|first=Andrew|url=http://www.uncut.co.uk/reviews/album/led-zeppelin-physical-graffiti|date=March 2015|title=Led Zeppelin – Physical Graffiti|work=[[Uncut (magazine)|Uncut]]|page=95|access-date=25 March 2015|archive-date=17 March 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150317165301/http://www.uncut.co.uk/reviews/album/led-zeppelin-physical-graffiti|url-status=live}}</ref>
}}
''Physical Graffiti'' was first issued on CD as a double-disc set in 1987. However, it was done without input from the band, and the first pressing accidentally edited off the studio banter at the end of "In My Time of Dying" (later fixed on repressings). Page was unhappy with his lack of input over the CDs and decided he would produce new versions himself. He booked a week in May 1990 with engineer George Marino to remaster the entire back catalogue.  Eight tracks from ''Physical Graffiti'' appeared on the four-disc ''[[Led Zeppelin Boxed Set|Boxed Set]]'' and three on ''[[Led Zeppelin Remasters|Remasters]]'', both in 1990;{{sfn|Lewis|1990|pp=85,95}} the remainder appeared on ''[[Led Zeppelin Boxed Set 2|Boxed Set 2]]'' in 1993, while the album was properly reissued in 1994.<ref name=CD>{{cite AV media notes|title=Physical Graffiti|publisher=Swan Song|year=1994|id=7567-92442-2}}</ref>

An extended remastered version of ''Physical Graffiti'' was reissued on 23 February 2015, almost exactly forty years after the original album was released. The reissue comes in six formats: a standard two-CD edition, a deluxe three-CD edition, a standard two-LP version, a deluxe three-LP version, a super deluxe three-CD plus three-LP version with a hardback book, and as high resolution 24-bit/96k digital downloads. The deluxe and super deluxe editions feature bonus material containing alternative takes and arrangements of songs. 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=12 January 2014|url=http://www.mojo4music.com/18416/led-zeppelin-mark-physical-graffitis-40th-anniversary-reissue/|title=Led Zeppelin Mark Physical Graffiti's 40th With Reissue|work=[[Mojo (magazine)|Mojo]]|access-date=14 January 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150115050859/http://www.mojo4music.com/18416/led-zeppelin-mark-physical-graffitis-40th-anniversary-reissue/|archive-date=15 January 2015}}</ref>
{{clear}}

==Track listing==
===Original release===
{{Track listing
| headline = Side one<ref name=CD/>
| all_writing = [[Jimmy Page]] and [[Robert Plant]], except where noted
| extra_column = Date and location
| title1 = [[Custard Pie]]
| extra1 =  January–February 1974, [[Headley Grange]], [[Hampshire]]
| length1 = 4:13
| title2 = [[The Rover (Led Zeppelin song)|The Rover]]
| extra2 =  May 1972, Stargroves {{small|(''[[Houses of the Holy]]'' outtake)}}
| length2 = 5:36
| title3 = [[In My Time of Dying#Led Zeppelin version|In My Time of Dying]]
| writer3 = {{hlist|Jones|Page|Plant|Bonham|[[Blind Willie Johnson]]}}
| extra3 =  January–February 1974, Headley Grange
| length3 = 11:04
| total_length = 20:53
}}
{{Track listing
| headline = Side two
| extra_column =  Date recorded
| title1 = [[Houses of the Holy (song)|Houses of the Holy]]
| extra1 =  May 1972, [[Olympic Studios]], London {{small|(''Houses of the Holy'' outtake)}}
| length1 = 4:01
| title2 = [[Trampled Under Foot]]
| writer2 = {{hlist|Jones|Page|Plant}}
| extra2 =  January–February 1974, Headley Grange
| length2 = 5:35
| title3 = [[Kashmir (song)|Kashmir]]
| writer3 = {{hlist|Bonham|Page|Plant}}
| extra3 =  January–February 1974, Headley Grange
| length3 = 8:37{{efn|The running times listed for "Kashmir" and "Ten Years Gone" on original LP pressings, and some compact disc versions, of the album were significantly in error; "Kashmir" was listed at 9:41, "Ten Years Gone" at 6:55.<ref>{{cite AV media notes|title=Physical Graffiti|publisher=Swan Song|year=1975|id=SSK89400}}</ref>}}
| total_length = 18:13
}}
{{Track listing
| headline = Side three
| extra_column =  Date recorded
| title1 = [[In the Light]]
| writer1 = {{hlist|Jones|Page|Plant}}
| extra1 =  January–February 1974, Headley Grange
| length1 = 8:44
| title2 = Bron-Yr-Aur{{efn|Some cassette and 8-track versions of the album place "Bron-Yr-Aur" immediately after "Kashmir"<ref>{{cite AV media notes|title=Physical Graffiti|publisher=Swan Song|year=1975|id=TP2 200}}</ref><ref>{{cite AV media notes|title=Physical Graffiti|publisher=Swan Song|year=1975|id=SK 489400}}</ref>}}
| writer2 = Page
| extra2 =  July 1970, Island Studios, London {{small|(''[[Led Zeppelin III]]'' outtake)}}
| length2 = 2:06
| title3 = [[Down by the Seaside]]
| extra3 =  February 1971, Island Studios, London {{small|(''[[Led Zeppelin IV]]'' outtake)}}
| length3 = 5:14
| title4 = [[Ten Years Gone]]
| extra4 =  January–February 1974, Headley Grange
| length4 = 6:31
| total_length = 22:35
}}
{{Track listing
| headline = Side four
| extra_column =  Date recorded
| title1 = Night Flight
| writer1 = {{hlist|Jones|Page|Plant}}
| extra1 =  January 1971, Headley Grange {{small|(''Led Zeppelin IV'' outtake)}}
| length1 = 3:36
| title2 = [[The Wanton Song]]
| extra2 =  January–February 1974, Headley Grange
| length2 = 4:06
| title3 = Boogie with Stu
| writer3 = {{hlist|Bonham|Jones|Page|Plant|[[Ian Stewart (musician)|Ian Stewart]]|[[Ritchie Valens]]}}
| extra3 =  January 1971, Headley Grange {{small|(''Led Zeppelin IV'' outtake)}}
| length3 = 3:51
| title4 = Black Country Woman
| extra4 =  May 1972, Stargroves {{small|(''Houses of the Holy'' outtake)}}
| length4 = 4:24
| title5 = [[Sick Again]]
| extra5 =  January–February 1974, Headley Grange
| length5 = 4:43
| total_length = 20:40 (82:59)
}}

===Deluxe edition (2015)===
{{Track listing
| headline = 2015 deluxe edition bonus disc
| title1 = Brandy & Coke
| note1 = "Trampled Under Foot") (Initial/Rough Mix
| length1 = 5:38
| writer1 = {{hlist|Jones|Page|Plant}}
| title2 = Sick Again
| note2 = Early Version
| length2 = 2:20
| writer2 = {{hlist|Page|Plant}}
| title3 = In My Time of Dying
| note3 = Initial/Rough Mix
| length3 = 10:45
| writer3 = {{hlist|Bonham|Jones|Page|Plant}}
| title4 = Houses of the Holy
| note4 = Rough Mix with Overdubs
| length4 = 3:51
| writer4 = {{hlist|Page|Plant}}
| title5 = Everybody Makes It Through
| note5 = "In the Light", Early Version/In Transit
| length5 = 6:29
| writer5 = {{hlist|Jones|Page|Plant}}
| title6 = Boogie with Stu
| note6 = Sunset Sound Mix
| length6 = 3:36
| writer6 = {{hlist|Bonham|Jones|Page|Plant|Stewart|Valens}}
| title7 = Driving Through Kashmir
| note7 = "Kashmir", Rough Orchestra Mix
| length7 = 8:33
| writer7 = {{hlist|Bonham|Page|Plant}}
| total_length = 41:29
}}

==Personnel==
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
'''Led Zeppelin'''
*[[Robert Plant]]&nbsp;– vocals, harmonica
*[[Jimmy Page]]&nbsp;– electric, acoustic, [[lap steel guitar|lap steel]] and [[slide guitar]]s, production
*[[John Paul Jones (musician)|John Paul Jones]]&nbsp;– bass guitar, keyboards, [[mandolin]], acoustic guitar
*[[John Bonham]]&nbsp;– drums, percussion

'''Additional musicians'''
*[[Ian Stewart (musician)|Ian Stewart]]&nbsp;– piano on "Boogie with Stu"
*Uncredited session musicians&nbsp;– strings and horns on "Kashmir"

'''Production'''
*[[George Chkiantz]]&nbsp;– [[recording engineer|engineering]] at Olympic (1972)
*[[Keith Harwood]]&nbsp;– engineering at Olympic (1974)
*[[Andy Johns]]&nbsp;– engineering at Island (1970 & 1971) and Headley Grange (1971)
*[[Eddie Kramer]]&nbsp;– engineering at Stargroves (1972)
*[[Ron Nevison]]&nbsp;– engineering at Headley Grange (1974)
*[[Peter Grant (music manager)|Peter Grant]]&nbsp;– [[executive producer]]
*[[George Marino]] and Jimmy Page&nbsp;– remastered CD release

{{col-2}}
'''Artwork'''
*[[Peter Corriston]]&nbsp;– artwork, design, cover design
*Mike Doud&nbsp;– artwork, design, cover design
*[[Elliot Erwitt]]&nbsp;– photography
*[[BP Fallon|B. P. Fallon]]&nbsp;– photography
*[[Roy Harper (singer)|Roy Harper]]&nbsp;– photography
*Dave Heffernan&nbsp;– illustrations
{{col-end}}

==Charts==
{{col-start}}
{{col-2}}

===Weekly charts===
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders"
|+1975 weekly chart performance for ''Physical Graffiti''
! scope="col"| Chart (1975)
! scope="col"| 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"| 2
|-
{{Album chart|Austria|2|artist=Led Zeppelin|album=Physical Graffiti|rowheader=true|refname=AUT1|accessdate=July, 8 2023}}
|-
{{Album chart|Canada|1|artist=Led Zeppelin|album=Physical Graffiti|chartid=3945a|rowheader=true|accessdate=July, 8 2023}}
|-
{{Album chart|Netherlands|7|artist=Led Zeppelin|album=Physical Graffiti|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"| 5
|-
{{Album chart|Germany4|4|artist=Led Zeppelin|album=Physical Graffiti|id=6639|refname=GER1|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"| 17
|-
!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"| 13
|-
{{Album chart|New Zealand|3|artist=Led Zeppelin|album=Physical Graffiti|rowheader=true|refname=NZ1|accessdate=July, 8 2023}}
|-
{{Album chart|Norway|4|artist=Led Zeppelin|album=Physical Graffiti|rowheader=true|refname=NOR1|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"|2
|-
{{Album chart|UK2|1|date=19750309|rowheader=true|accessdate=July, 8 2023}}
|-
{{Album chart|Billboard200|1|artist=Led Zeppelin|rowheader=true|accessdate=July, 8 2023}}
|}

{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders"
|+2015 weekly chart performance for ''Physical Graffiti''
! scope="col"| Chart (2015)
! scope="col"| Peak<br />position
|-
{{album chart|Australia|13|artist=Led Zeppelin|album=Physical Graffiti|rowheader=true|access-date=3 March 2022}}
|-
{{album chart|Austria|7|artist=Led Zeppelin|album=Physical Graffiti|rowheader=true|access-date=21 January 2023}}
|-
{{album chart|Flanders|13|artist=Led Zeppelin|album=Physical Graffiti|rowheader=true|access-date=3 March 2022}}
|-
{{album chart|Wallonia|9|artist=Led Zeppelin|album=Physical Graffiti|rowheader=true|access-date=3 March 2022}}
|-
{{album chart|Denmark|31|artist=Led Zeppelin|album=Physical Graffiti|rowheader=true|access-date=3 March 2022}}
|-
{{album chart|Finland|6|artist=Led Zeppelin|album=Physical Graffiti|rowheader=true|access-date=3 March 2022}}
|-
{{album chart|France|23|artist=Led Zeppelin|album=Physical Graffiti|rowheader=true|access-date=3 March 2022}}
|-
{{album chart|Germany4|4|id=6639|artist=Led Zeppelin|album=Physical Graffiti|rowheader=true|access-date=3 March 2022}}
|-
{{album chart|Hungary|3|year=2015|week=9|rowheader=true|access-date=3 March 2022}}
|-
{{album chart|Italy|20|artist=Led Zeppelin|album=Physical Graffiti|rowheader=true|access-date=3 March 2022}}
|-
{{album chart|New Zealand|6|artist=Led Zeppelin|album=Physical Graffiti|rowheader=true|access-date=21 January 2023}}
|-
{{album chart|Norway|12|artist=Led Zeppelin|album=Physical Graffiti|rowheader=true|access-date=21 January 2023}}
|-
{{album chart|Portugal|5|artist=Led Zeppelin|album=Physical Graffiti|rowheader=true|access-date=3 March 2022}}
|-
{{album chart|Sweden|7|artist=Led Zeppelin|album=Physical Graffiti|rowheader=true|access-date=3 March 2022}}
|-
{{album chart|Switzerland|8|artist=Led Zeppelin|album=Physical Graffiti|rowheader=true|access-date=3 March 2022}}
|-
!scope="row"|US ''Billboard'' 200<ref name="US billboard 200 chart 2015">{{cite magazine| url =http://www.billboard.com/charts/billboard-200/2015-03-14| title =The Billboard 200&nbsp;– 14&nbsp;March&nbsp;2015| magazine =Billboard| access-date =5 March 2015| archive-date =9 March 2015| archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20150309014459/http://www.billboard.com/charts/billboard-200/2015-03-14| url-status =live}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|11
|}
{{col-2}}

===Year-end charts===
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders"
|+1975 year-end chart performance for ''Physical Graffiti''
! scope="col"| Chart (1975)
! scope="col"| Position
|-
!scope="row"|Austrian Albums (Ö3 Austria)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://austriancharts.at/year.asp?cat=a&id=1975|title=Jahreshitparade Alben 1975|website=austriancharts.at|access-date=3 March 2022}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|7
|-
{{album chart|Canada|3|chartid=6489a|rowheader=true|access-date=6 January 2025|refname=CA_YE}}
|-
!scope="row"|Dutch Albums (Album Top 100)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://dutchcharts.nl/jaaroverzichten.asp?year=1975&cat=a|title=Jaaroverzichten – Album 1975|website=dutchcharts.nl|access-date=3 March 2022}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|43
|-
!scope="row"| German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.offiziellecharts.de/charts/album-jahr/for-date-1975|title=Top 100 Album-Jahrescharts|date=1975|publisher=[[GfK Entertainment Charts]]|language=de|access-date=2 April 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211129003943/https://www.offiziellecharts.de/charts/album-jahr/for-date-1975|archive-date=29 November 2021}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;" | 47
|-
!scope="row"| US ''Billboard'' 200<ref>{{cite web|url=https://bestsellingalbums.org/year-end/Billboard_Top_Albums_1975|title=Top US Billboard 200 Albums - Year-end 1975|website=BestSellingAlbums.org|access-date=6 January 2025}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;" | 10
|}
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders"
|+2015 year-end chart performance for ''Physical Graffiti''
! scope="col"| Chart (2015)
! scope="col"| Position
|-
!scope="row"|Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ultratop.be/nl/annual.asp?year=2015&cat=a|title=Jaaroverzichten 2015|publisher=Ultratop|access-date=3 March 2022}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|173
|-
!scope="row"|Belgian Albums (Ultratop Wallonia)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ultratop.be/fr/annual.asp?year=2015&cat=a|title=Rapports Annuels 2015|publisher=Ultratop|access-date=3 March 2022}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|130
|}
{{col-end}}

==Certifications==
{{Certification Table Top|caption=Certifications for ''Physical Graffiti''}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Argentina|title=Physical Graffiti|artist=Led Zeppelin|type=album|award=Gold|relyear=1975|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=Physical Graffiti|artist=Led Zeppelin|type=album|award=Platinum|number=2|certyear=1996|access-date=21 July 2021}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=France|title=Physical Graffiti|artist=Led Zeppelin|type=album|award=Gold|relyear=1975|certyear=1977|source=infodisc|access-date=July 20, 2022}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Germany|title=Physical Graffiti|artist=Led Zeppelin|type=album|award=Gold|relyear=1975}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Italy|title=Physical Graffiti|artist=Led Zeppelin|type=album|award=Gold|relyear=2009|certyear=2020|access-date=3 May 2020|note=sales since 2009|id=1639}}
{{Certification Table Entry|type=album|region=Japan|relyear=1975|certyear=1976|award=Gold|certref=<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.juliensauctions.com/en/items/668227/led-zeppelin-warner-pioneer-gold-sales-award-for-the-album-physical-graffiti|date=May 15, 2025|title=Warner Pioneer "Gold" Sales Award for the Album "Physical Graffiti"}}</ref>}}
{{Certification Table Entry|type=album|relyear=1975|region=New Zealand|award=Platinum|number=2|certyear=1975|certref=<ref>{{cite book|first=Dean|last=Scapolo|title=The Complete New Zealand Music Charts: 1966–2006|publisher=Maurienne House|year=2007|isbn=978-1-877443-00-8}}</ref>}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|title=Physical Graffiti|artist=Led Zeppelin|type=album|award=Platinum|number=2|id=5093-2162-2|certyear=2005}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|title=Physical Graffiti|artist=Led Zeppelin|type=album|award=Platinum|number=16|multidisc=2}}
{{Certification Table Bottom|streaming=true}}

==See also==
*[[List of best-selling albums in the United States]]

==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=2010|title=Led Zeppelin: The 'Tight But Loose' Files|publisher=Omnibus Press|isbn=978-0-857-12220-9}}
* {{cite book|first=Dave|last=Lewis|year=2012|title=Led Zeppelin: From a Whisper to a Scream; The Complete Guide to the Music of Led Zeppelin |publisher= Omnibus Press |isbn= 978-1-78038-547-1}}
* {{cite book|first=Nigel|last=Williamson|year=2007|title=The Rough Guide to Led Zeppelin|url=https://archive.org/details/roughguidetoledz0000will|url-access=registration|publisher=Rough Guides|isbn=978-1-848-36226-0}}
* {{cite book|first=Chris|last=Welch|year=1994|title=Led Zeppelin|publisher=Orion Books|isbn=1-85797-930-3}}
{{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=140–141|isbn=9781847862112|oclc=227198538}}

==External links==
*{{Discogs master|type=album|4392|name=Physical Graffiti}}

{{Led Zeppelin songs}}
{{Led Zeppelin}}{{Authority control}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2020}}
{{Use British English|date=January 2012}}

[[Category:1975 albums]]
[[Category:Albums produced by Jimmy Page]]
[[Category:Albums recorded at Electric Lady Studios]]
[[Category:Led Zeppelin albums]]
[[Category:Swan Song Records albums]]
[[Category:Albums with cover art by Peter Corriston]]
[[Category:Albums recorded at Olympic Sound Studios]]
[[Category:Albums recorded in a home studio]]