Editing Presence (album)

{{for|the Petit Biscuit album|Petit Biscuit}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2018}}
{{Use British English|date=April 2016}}
{{Infobox album
| name         = Presence
| type         = studio
| artist       = [[Led Zeppelin]]
| cover        = Led Zeppelin - Presence.jpg
| border       = yes
| alt          = A photograph of a family sitting at a dinner table with a black obelisk roughly one foot tall at the centre of the table
| released     = {{Start date|df=yes|1976|03|31}}
| recorded     = November 1975
| studio       = [[Musicland Studios|Musicland]], [[Munich]], West Germany
| genre        = *[[Hard rock]]
*[[blues rock]]
| length       = 44:19
| label        = [[Swan Song Records|Swan Song]]
| producer     = [[Jimmy Page]]
| prev_title   = [[Physical Graffiti]]
| prev_year    = 1975
| next_title   = [[The Song Remains the Same (album)|The Song Remains the Same]]
| next_year    = 1976
| misc         = {{Singles
 | name        = Presence
 | type        = studio
 | single1     = [[Candy Store Rock]]"{{nbsp}}/ "Royal Orleans
 | single1date = 18 June 1976 (US)
 }}
}}

'''''Presence''''' is the seventh studio album by the English rock band [[Led Zeppelin]]. It was released by the band's own label [[Swan Song Records]] on 31 March 1976 in the United States and on 2 April 1976 in the United Kingdom.{{sfn|Popoff|2017|p=181}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bpi.co.uk/award/5197-2162-2|title=BPI}}</ref> While the record was commercially successful, reaching the top of both the British and American album charts, and achieving a triple-platinum certification in the United States by the [[Recording Industry Association of America|RIAA]], it received mixed reviews from critics and is the lowest-selling album by the band, but has received more positive reviews in the years since its release.

The album was written and recorded in the last months of 1975, during a difficult time in the band's history. Singer [[Robert Plant]] was recovering from serious injuries he had sustained earlier that year in a car accident; this led to tours being cancelled and the band booking studio time to record ''Presence'' instead. The entire album was completed in a few weeks, with guitarist [[Jimmy Page]] putting in several long shifts to complete recording and mixing. The title came from the strong presence the group felt as they worked together. The LP's artwork from [[Hipgnosis]] featured several photographs focused on a mysterious black object, called "The Object".

''Presence'' is dominated by compositions by Page and Plant, with only one track credited to the entire group; unlike other Zeppelin albums, it features no keyboards and little acoustic guitar. Because Plant was still ill, the band could not tour to promote the release, and only two tracks were ever performed live. However, the album has been re-appraised in retrospective reviews for its hard rock dynamics and simplicity compared to the group's other work.

==Background==
After touring in support of their previous album, ''[[Physical Graffiti]]'', released in early 1975, Led Zeppelin took a brief break from touring that summer, intending to start a major US tour on 23 August. Critics had said they were at the height of their popularity at this time. However, singer [[Robert Plant]] sustained serious injuries from a car accident on the Greek island of [[Rhodes]] on 4 August,<ref>{{cite web |title=Plant Car Accident, Tour Postponed (Press Release) |url=http://www.ledzeppelin.com/event/august-8-1975 |website=Led Zeppelin - Official Website |access-date=17 October 2018 |date=8 August 1975 |archive-date=25 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181025042447/http://www.ledzeppelin.com/event/august-8-1975 |url-status=live }}</ref> which forced the band to cancel the tour and reschedule their activities.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=SzgDAwAAQBAJ&pg=PT68|page=68|author=Dave Lewis|title=Led Zeppelin: A Celebration|publisher=Omnibus Press|date= 10 Apr 2012|isbn=978-0-85712-819-5 }}</ref>

Because of their status as [[tax exile]]s, Plant was forced to recuperate abroad, initially in [[Jersey]] in the [[Channel Islands]], then in [[Malibu, California]], and wrote several sets of lyrics that reflected on his personal situation and wondering about the future. Guitarist [[Jimmy Page]] joined him in Malibu in September and the pair began to think about plans to make an album instead.{{sfn|Lewis|1990|p=90}} The two prepared enough material to be able to present to the rest of the band. The other two members, drummer [[John Bonham]] and bassist [[John Paul Jones (musician)|John Paul Jones]], joined them at Hollywood's SIR Studio where they rehearsed the material throughout October 1975.{{sfn|Lewis|1990|p=57,90}}

==Recording==
Once they had worked out arrangements, the group were eager to record. Page favoured going to [[Musicland Studios]] in [[Munich]], Germany, which he felt had state-of-the-art recording facilities.{{sfn|Lewis|1990|pp=18,57}} Plant was still recovering from the accident during recording and sang his vocals in a [[wheelchair]], which led to Page assuming most of the responsibilities at the sessions.{{sfn|Lewis|1990|p=18,90}} The album was recorded and mixed with longtime group associate and engineer [[Keith Harwood]], and completed in eighteen days, with the final mixes finished on 27 November.{{sfn|Lewis|1990|p=18}} This was the fastest recording turnaround time achieved by the band since their [[Led Zeppelin (album)|debut album]].{{sfn|Lewis|1990|p=57}}

The rushed recording sessions were in part a result of Led Zeppelin having booked the studio immediately prior to [[the Rolling Stones]], who were shortly to record songs for their album ''[[Black and Blue]]'' (released, like ''Presence'', in the spring of 1976). Page negotiated with the Stones to borrow two days from their recording session time, during which he completed all the guitar overdubs in one lengthy session.{{sfn|Lewis|1990|p=18}} Page and Harwood then worked on the mixes virtually non-stop until they fell asleep; whoever woke up first went back to the desk to carry on. Page later stated he worked around 18–20 hours every day during the sessions.<ref>{{cite journal |first1=Brad |last1=Tolinski |first2=Greg |last2=Di Bendetto |title=Light and Shade |journal=Guitar World |date=January 1998}}</ref>

The recording sessions for ''Presence'' were also particularly challenging for Plant. The studio was in a basement of an old hotel, and the singer felt claustrophobic. He also experienced physical difficulties as a result of his car accident, and missed his family. He later said he was upset about Page and manager [[Peter Grant (music manager)|Peter Grant]] booking the ''Presence'' sessions and began to re-evaluate the priorities in his life.{{sfn|Welch1994|pp=79–81}}

Because the album was completed one day before the American holiday of [[Thanksgiving (United States)|Thanksgiving]], Plant suggested to the record company the album should be called ''Thanksgiving''. This idea was quickly dropped in favour of a title that was thought would represent the powerful force and presence that the band members felt surrounded the group.{{sfn|Lewis|1990|p=57}}

==Songs==
Six of the seven songs on the album are Page and Plant compositions; the remaining song, "Royal Orleans", is credited to all four band members. This is because the majority of the songs were formulated at Malibu, where Page (but not Bonham and Jones) had initially joined a recuperating Plant. With Plant at less than full fitness, Page took responsibility for the album's completion, and his playing dominates the album's tracks.{{sfn|Lewis|1990|p=57}}

Both Page and Plant had planned this album's recording session as a return to hard rock, much like their debut album, except at a new level of complexity. It marked a change in the Led Zeppelin sound towards more straightforward, guitar-based jams. Whereas their previous albums up to and including the previous year's ''[[Physical Graffiti]]'' contain electric hard rock anthems balanced with acoustic ballads and intricate arrangements, ''Presence'' was seen to include more simplified riffs, and is Led Zeppelin's only studio album that features no keyboards,{{sfn|Lewis|1990|p=57}} and with the exception of a rhythm track on "[[Candy Store Rock]]", no acoustic guitar.{{sfn|Popoff|2017|p=199}} The changed stylistic emphasis on this album was a direct result of the troubled circumstances experienced by the band around the time of its recording. Page later said the music came from this spontaneity.{{sfn|Lewis|1990|p=57}} Plant later described it as "a cry of survival" and speculated the group would not make another album like it.<ref name=RS2006>{{cite magazine |last=Gilmore |first=Mikal |title=The Long Shadow of Led Zeppelin |magazine=Rolling Stone |issue=1006 |date=10 August 2006 |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/the-long-shadow-of-led-zeppelin-184055/ |access-date=23 July 2018 |archive-date=24 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180724002319/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/the-long-shadow-of-led-zeppelin-184055/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

The ten-minute opening song, "[[Achilles Last Stand]]", was first recorded on 12 November, when the basic backing track was laid down. Jones played an [[Alembic Inc|Alembic]] [[8 string bass]] on the track, giving it a distinctive tone.{{sfn|Popoff|2017|p=57}} Plant wrote the lyrics based on travelling across Africa in mid-1975 with Page.{{sfn|Lewis|1990|p=57}} Page added six guitars in the marathon overdubbing session at the end of the recording period.{{sfn|Popoff|2017|p=57}}

"For Your Life" was developed mostly in the studio. For the recording, Page used a [[Fender Stratocaster]], provided by former [[Byrds]] guitarist [[Gene Parsons]].{{sfn|Lewis|1990|p=57}} "Royal Orleans" was written about an incident involving Jones at the [[Omni Royal Orleans|Royal Orleans Hotel]] in [[New Orleans]] and includes a reference to soul singer [[Barry White]].{{sfn|Lewis|1990|p=57}} It was the only track on the album credited to the entire band.{{sfn|Popoff|2017|p=191}}

"[[It's Nobody's Fault but Mine#Led Zeppelin rendition|Nobody's Fault but Mine]]", was inspired by the [[Blind Willie Johnson]] song "[[It's Nobody's Fault but Mine]]", first recorded in 1928 and later covered by Nina Simone in 1969. The influence of the old blues song are noticeable in both Page's guitar work in the track, and also in the melody and lyrics.{{sfn|Lewis|1990|p=58}}{{sfn|Popoff|2017|p=196}} "Candy Store Rock" was inspired by 1950s rock 'n' roll. "Hots on for Nowhere" was written about Plant's time in Malibu, while Page played the Stratocaster on the track. The closing number, "Tea For One", was a slow blues written by Plant about the problems he faced being separated from his family, and was an attempt to update their earlier "[[Since I've Been Loving You]]" from ''[[Led Zeppelin III]]''.{{sfn|Lewis|1990|p=58}}

In contrast to earlier albums that contained several tracks that the band chose to play live at [[Led Zeppelin concerts]], only two tracks from ''Presence'' were played in full on stage while the band was active. "Achilles Last Stand" and "Nobody's Fault but Mine" were added to the setlist for the [[Led Zeppelin North American Tour 1977|1977 tour of the United States]] and stayed on it through the band's final [[Tour Over Europe 1980|concerts in 1980]].{{sfn|Lewis|1990|pp=56–57}}{{efn|The lack of live interpretations of the ''Presence'' material is perhaps understandable given that it would be a full year before they would return to the road.{{sfn|Lewis|1990|p=58}}}} "Tea For One" was performed live on the [[Page and Plant]] tour of Japan in 1996, where the main group was backed by an orchestra.{{sfn|Lewis|2010|p=373}} "For Your Life" was played in full by Led Zeppelin for the first (and only) time at the [[Ahmet Ertegün Tribute Concert]] on 10 December 2007.{{sfn|Lewis|2012|p=326}}

==Packaging and artwork==
The cover and inside sleeve, created by [[Hipgnosis]] with [[George Hardie (artist)|George Hardie]], features images of people interacting with a black [[obelisk]]-shaped object. Inside the sleeve, the item is referred to simply as "The Object". It was intended to represent Zeppelin's "force and presence".{{sfn|Lewis|1990|p=57}}{{sfn|Lewis|2010|p=152}} Hipgnosis co-founder [[Storm Thorgerson]] wrote that the obelisk represented the power of Led Zeppelin, saying they were "so powerful, they didn't need to be there".<ref>{{cite journal |first=Storm |last=Thorgerson |author-link=Storm Thorgerson |title=Classic Sleeves |journal=Classic Rock |number=139 |date=November 2009|page=28}}</ref>{{sfn|Calef|2011|p=135}} Both Page and Plant have said that the presence of the object in the photographs made people stop and think about what is real, which reflected the music.{{sfn|Calef|2011|p=135}}

The background in the cover photograph is an artificial marina, installed in London's [[Earls Court Exhibition Centre|Earl's Court arena]] for the annual Boat Show, in the winter of 1974–75. The band played a [[Earl's Court 1975|series of concerts]] at this venue in May 1975, a few months after the boat show. The inner sleeve photographs came from various archive stock pictures, and was designed to resemble a feature in ''[[National Geographic]]''.{{sfn|Popoff|2017|p=193}} The girl on the back cover photo was Samantha Gates, and she had also appeared (with her brother [[Stefan_Gates|Stefan]]) on the cover of ''[[Houses of the Holy]]''.{{sfn|Lewis|2010|p=152}} Hipgnosis and Hardie were nominated for a [[Grammy Award for Best Recording Package|Grammy Award for Best Album Package]] in 1977.{{sfn|Akkerman|2014|p=162}}

==Release and reception==
{{Music ratings
| title = Retrospective professional reviews
| rev1 = [[AllMusic]]
| rev1score = {{Rating|3.5|5}}<ref name="AllMusic">{{cite web |last1=Erlewine |first1=Stephen Thomas |author1-link=Stephen Thomas Erlewine |title=''Presence'' – Led Zeppelin |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/presence-mw0000194594 |publisher=[[AllMusic]] |access-date=21 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210507161759/https://www.allmusic.com/album/presence-mw0000194594 |archive-date=7 May 2021}}</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=089919026X|chapter=Consumer Guide '70s: L|chapter-url=https://www.robertchristgau.com/get_chap.php?k=L&bk=70|access-date=March 1, 2019|via=robertchristgau.com|archive-date=25 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200525112140/https://www.robertchristgau.com/get_chap.php?k=L&bk=70|url-status=live}}</ref>
| rev3 = ''[[The Daily Telegraph]]''
| rev3score = {{Rating|2|5}}<ref name="TDT">{{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 = ''[[The Encyclopedia of Popular Music]]''
| rev4score = {{Rating|3|5}}<ref>{{cite book|last=Larkin|first=Colin|author-link=Colin Larkin|title=The Encyclopedia of Popular Music|year=2007|publisher=[[Oxford University Press]]|edition=4th|isbn=978-0195313734|title-link=The Encyclopedia of Popular Music}}</ref>
| rev5 = ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]''
| rev5score = C+<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=1 January 2012 |archive-date=7 August 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150807033831/http://www.ew.com/article/2003/06/20/recordsled-zeppelin |url-status=live }}</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=https://archive.org/details/isbn_9781578590612|url-access=registration}}</ref>
| rev7 = ''[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]]''
| rev7score = 7.6/10<ref name="Pitch">{{cite web |url=http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/20668-presence-in-through-the-out-door-coda/ |last=Richardson |first=Mark |title=Led Zeppelin ''Presence'' |publisher=[[Pitchfork Media]] |date=28 July 2015 |access-date=31 August 2015 |archive-date=27 August 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150827022335/http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/20668-presence-in-through-the-out-door-coda/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
| rev8 = ''[[Q (magazine)|Q]]''
| rev8score = {{Rating|3|5}}<ref name="Q">{{cite magazine|title=Led Zeppelin ''Presence''|magazine=[[Q (magazine)|Q]]|date=November 1994|page=143}}</ref>
| rev9 = ''[[The Rolling Stone Album Guide]]''
| rev9score = {{Rating|3|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>
}}<!--List Automatically Moved by DASHBot-->

The album was released on 31 March 1976, having been delayed by the completion of the album sleeve.{{sfn|Lewis|1990|p=57}} In Britain it attained one of the highest ever advance orders, shipping gold on the day of release. It entered at {{Numero|2}} and peaked the following week at {{Numero|1}} on the US ''[[Billboard charts|Billboard]]'' Pop Albums chart.{{sfn|Lewis|1990|p=57}} However, the album was the lowest selling of their career as it was overshadowed by the release of the band's movie and soundtrack ''[[The Song Remains the Same (film)|The Song Remains the Same]]''.{{sfn|Lewis|1990|p=57}} "Candy Store Rock" was released as a single in the US, but it failed to chart.{{sfn|Lewis|1990|p=95}}

In a contemporary review for ''[[Rolling Stone]]'', [[Stephen Davis (music journalist)|Stephen Davis]] said ''Presence'' established Led Zeppelin as the premier heavy metal act and featured some exceptional rock music, highlighting the "clean and purifying" guitar riffs. In spite of a few dull blues rock songs, the album was  "another monster in what by now is a continuing tradition of battles won by this band of survivors", in Davis' opinion.<ref>{{cite magazine |author=Davis, Stephen |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/albumreviews/presence-19760520 |title=Rolling Stone Review |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] |date=20 May 1976 |access-date=1 January 2012 |archive-date=9 August 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170809150011/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/albumreviews/presence-19760520 |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Robert Christgau]] was less enthusiastic in ''[[The Village Voice]]'', citing "Hots on for Nowhere" as a "commanding cut" while finding much of the rest consistent but unnecessary in comparison with earlier recordings.<ref name="VV">{{cite news|last=Christgau|first=Robert|author-link=Robert Christgau|date=12 July 1976|url=https://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/cg/cgv7-76.php|title=Christgau's Consumer Guide|newspaper=[[The Village Voice]]|access-date=28 July 2018|archive-date=29 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180729013010/https://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/cg/cgv7-76.php|url-status=live}}</ref>

Neil McCormick of ''[[The Daily Telegraph]]'' claimed it was "Zeppelin at their most blunted", awarding it two stars out of five.<ref name="TDT"/> In a retrospective review, a ''[[Q (magazine)|Q]]'' critic who gave the album three out of five stars wrote, "''Presence'' sounds as rushed as it was."<ref name="Q"/>

According to Dave Lewis, "The direct, hard-hitting nature of the seven recordings failed to connect with a fan base more accustomed to the diversity and experimental edge of their previous work.{{sfn|Lewis|2010|p=45}} Page later acknowledged that, because the album conveys a sense of urgency resulting from the troubled circumstances in which it was recorded, "it's not an easy album for a lot of people to access&nbsp;... [I]t's not an easy album for a lot of people to listen to."<ref name=williamson>{{cite journal|first=Nigel|last=Williamson|title=Forget the Myths|journal=[[Uncut (magazine)|Uncut]]|date=May 2005|page=72}}</ref> Lewis nonetheless believed that ''Presence'' was underrated, as its music "packs a considerable punch", highlighting Page's playing and the production on the album.{{sfn|Lewis|1990|p=57}} Fellow journalist [[Mick Wall]] said it "pulled Led Zeppelin back from the brink of crisis".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.loudersound.com/features/how-presence-pulled-led-zeppelin-back-from-the-brink-of-crisis|title=How "Presence" pulled Led Zeppelin back from the brink of crisis|first=Mick|last=Wall|work=Louder Sound|date=14 July 2017|access-date=23 July 2018|archive-date=23 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180723212314/https://www.loudersound.com/features/how-presence-pulled-led-zeppelin-back-from-the-brink-of-crisis|url-status=live}}</ref>

===2015 reissue===
{{Music ratings
| title = 2015 deluxe edition reviews
| MC = 77/100<ref name="MC">{{cite web |url=http://www.metacritic.com/music/presence-remastered/led-zeppelin |title=Presence [Remastered] – Led Zeppelin |website=[[Metacritic]] |access-date=3 January 2016 |archive-date=8 November 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151108135650/http://www.metacritic.com/music/presence-remastered/led-zeppelin |url-status=live }}</ref>
| rev1 = ''[[Mojo (magazine)|Mojo]]''
| rev1score = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref>{{cite magazine|author=Anon.|magazine=[[Mojo (magazine)|Mojo]]|title=Presence|date=September 2015|page=98}}</ref>
| rev2 = ''[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]]''
| rev2score = 7.6/10<ref name="PF">{{cite magazine|last=Richardson|first=Mark|date=July 28, 2015|url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/20668-presence-in-through-the-out-door-coda/|title=Led Zeppelin: Presence / In Through the Out Door / Coda Album Review|magazine=[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]]|access-date=March 16, 2019|archive-date=19 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180119164254/https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/20668-presence-in-through-the-out-door-coda/|url-status=live}}</ref>
| rev3 = ''[[PopMatters]]''
| rev3score = 7/10<ref name="PM">{{cite magazine|url=https://www.popmatters.com/led-zeppelin-presence-deluxe-edition-2495490060.html|access-date=March 16, 2019|title=Led Zeppelin: Presence (Deluxe Edition)|magazine=[[PopMatters]]|last=Doscas|first=Andrew|date=September 9, 2015|archive-date=30 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190330205616/https://www.popmatters.com/led-zeppelin-presence-deluxe-edition-2495490060.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
| rev4 = ''[[Q (magazine)|Q]]''
| rev4score = {{Rating|3|5}}<ref>{{cite magazine|author=Anon.|date=September 2015|page=121|title=Presence|magazine=[[Q (magazine)|Q]]}}</ref>
| rev5 = ''[[Uncut (magazine)|Uncut]]''
| rev5score = 8/10<ref name="Uncut">{{cite magazine|last=Robinson |first=John |magazine=[[Uncut (magazine)|Uncut]]|title=Presence|date=September 2015|page=93}}</ref>
}}
A remastered version of ''Presence'', along with ''[[In Through the Out Door#2015 reissue|In Through the Out Door]]'' and ''[[Coda (Led Zeppelin album)#2015 reissue|Coda]]'' were reissued on 31 July 2015. The reissue comes in six formats, including CD, vinyl and digital download. The deluxe and super deluxe editions feature bonus material containing alternative takes and one previously unreleased instrumental, "10 Ribs & All/Carrot Pod Pod". The reissue was released with an altered colour version of the original album's artwork as the bonus disc's cover.<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Grow|first=Kory|date=3 June 2015|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/led-zeppelin-announce-final-three-deluxe-reissues-20150603|title=Led Zeppelin Announce Final Three Deluxe Reissues|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]|access-date=3 June 2015|archive-date=4 June 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150604144435/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/led-zeppelin-announce-final-three-deluxe-reissues-20150603|url-status=live}}</ref>

The reissue received generally positive reviews. At [[Metacritic]], which assigns a [[standard score|normalised]] rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream publications, the album received an [[weighted arithmetic mean|average]] score of 77, based on eight reviews.<ref name="MC"/> ''[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]]'' wrote, "It might be their weakest album, but ''Presence'' is among the most special; none of these songs sound like they could have come from another record."<ref name="PF"/> ''[[Uncut (magazine)|Uncut]]'' said the original album is grand "in lyric form and musical scale", while "the discs of 'companion audio,' often short on revelation, here reveal a moment of sheer anomaly. '10 Ribs & All/Carrot Pod Pod (Pod)' is whatever that title may mean, everything the LP is not: a tender piano piece."<ref name="Uncut"/> ''[[PopMatters]]'' was less impressed, saying "like the rest of the re-releases, the bonus material leaves too much to be desired", but concluded, "despite its weak second half, ''Presence'' is too good of an album to be dismissed."<ref name="PM"/>
{{clear}}

==Track listing==
===Original release===
Details are taken from the original UK and US Swan Song albums; all tracks are written by [[Jimmy Page]] and [[Robert Plant]], except where noted.<ref name="sleeve notes">{{Cite AV media notes|title=Presence|publisher=Swan Song|year=1976|type=Album notes|id=SSK59402}}</ref>
{{Track listing
| headline = Side one
| title1 = [[Achilles Last Stand]]
| length1 = 10:26
| title2 = [[For Your Life]]
| length2 = 6:21
| title3 = Royal Orleans
| writer3 = Page, Plant, [[John Paul Jones (musician)|John Paul Jones]], [[John Bonham]]
| length3 = 2:58
}}
{{Track listing
| headline = Side two
| total_length  = 44:19
| title1 = [[It's Nobody's Fault but Mine#Led Zeppelin rendition|Nobody's Fault but Mine]]
| length1 = 6:27
| title2 = [[Candy Store Rock]]
| length2 = 4:10
| title3 = Hots on for Nowhere
| length3 = 4:42
| title4 = Tea for One
| length4 = 9:27
}}

===Deluxe edition bonus disc (2015)===
Includes five tracks identified as "Reference mixes of works in progress".<ref>{{Cite AV media notes|title=Presence: The Companion Disc|type=Album notes|publisher=Swan Song|year=2015|id=8122795573}}</ref>
{{Track listing
| headline = Deluxe edition bonus disc (2015)
| title1 = Two Ones Are Won |note1=Achilles Last Stand
| length1 = 10:28
| title2 = For Your Life
| length2 = 6:28
| title3 = 10 Ribs & All/Carrot Pod Pod (Pod)
| writer3 = Jones and Page
| length3 = 6:49
| title4 = Royal Orleans
| writer4 = Bonham, Jones, Page, and Plant
| length4 = 3:00
| title5 = Hots on for Nowhere
| length5 = 4:44
| total_length = 31:32
}}

==Personnel==
'''Led Zeppelin'''
*[[John Bonham]]&nbsp;– drums
*[[John Paul Jones (musician)|John Paul Jones]]&nbsp;– bass
*[[Jimmy Page]]&nbsp;– guitars, production
*[[Robert Plant]]&nbsp;– vocals, harmonica

'''Production'''<ref name="sleeve notes"/>
*[[Peter Grant (music manager)|Peter Grant]]&nbsp;– executive producer
*[[Keith Harwood]]&nbsp;– engineering, [[audio mixing (recorded music)|mixing]]
*[[Reinhold Mack]]&nbsp;– assistant engineer (uncredited)<ref>{{cite web|title=He Was Music: Reinhold Mack On Working With Freddie Mercury|first=Martin|last=Chilton|date=December 10, 2020|url=https://www.udiscovermusic.com/stories/reinhold-mack-queen-freddie-mercury-interview/|website=udiscovermusic.com}}</ref>
*Jeremy Gee&nbsp;– tape [[audio engineering|engineering]]
*[[George Hardie (artist)|George Hardie]]&nbsp;– [[record sleeve|sleeve design]]
*[[Hipgnosis]]&nbsp;– sleeve design
*George Marino&nbsp;– remastered CD release

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

===Weekly charts===
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders"
|+Weekly chart performance for ''Presence''
! scope="col"| Chart (1976)
! 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"| 4
|-
{{Album chart|Canada|16|artist=Led Zeppelin|album=Presence|chartid=4129a|rowheader=true|accessdate=July, 8 2023}}
|-
!scope="row"| Danish Albums ([[Hitlisten]])<ref name="Danish albums chart">{{cite web | url = http://danskehitlister.dk/?song_id=2359 | title = Top 20/30, April 19, 1976 | access-date = 30 March 2016 | archive-date = 9 April 2016 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160409220815/http://danskehitlister.dk/?song_id=2359 | url-status = live}}</ref>
| align="center"| 13
|-
{{Album chart|Netherlands|5|artist=Led Zeppelin|album=Presence|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"| 6
|-
{{Album chart|Germany4|6|artist=Led Zeppelin|album=Presence|id=6641|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"| 15
|-
!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"| 2
|-
{{Album chart|New Zealand|8|artist=Led Zeppelin|album=Presence|rowheader=true|accessdate=July, 8 2023}}
|-
{{Album chart|Norway|4|artist=Led Zeppelin|album=Presence|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"|7
|-
{{Album chart|Sweden|5|artist=Led Zeppelin|album=Presence|rowheader=true|refname=NOR1|accessdate=July, 8 2023}}
|-
{{Album chart|UK2|1|date=19760418|rowheader=true|accessdate=July, 8 2023}}
|-
{{Album chart|Billboard200|1|artist=Led Zeppelin|rowheader=true|accessdate=July, 8 2023}}
|}

{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders"
|+Weekly chart performance for ''Presence'' reissue
! scope="col"| Chart (2015)
! scope="col"| Peak<br />position
|-
{{Album chart|Australia|21|artist=Led Zeppelin|album=Presence|rowheader=true|accessdate=July, 8 2023}}
|-
{{Album chart|Austria|16|artist=Led Zeppelin|album=Presence|rowheader=true|accessdate=July, 8 2023}}
|-
{{Album chart|Flanders|24|artist=Led Zeppelin|album=Presence|rowheader=true|accessdate=July, 8 2023}}
|-
{{Album chart|Wallonia|8|artist=Led Zeppelin|album=Presence|rowheader=true|accessdate=July, 8 2023}}
|-
{{Album chart|Finland|12|artist=Led Zeppelin|album=Presence|rowheader=true|accessdate=July, 8 2023}}
|-
{{Album chart|France|39|artist=Led Zeppelin|album=Presence|rowheader=true|accessdate=July, 8 2023}}
|-
{{Album chart|Hungary|9|artist=Led Zeppelin|album=Presence|year=2015|week=31|rowheader=true|accessdate=July, 8 2023}}
|-
{{Album chart|Italy|24|artist=Led Zeppelin|album=Presence|rowheader=true|accessdate=July, 8 2023}}
|-
{{Album chart|Portugal|16|artist=Led Zeppelin|album=Presence|rowheader=true|accessdate=July, 8 2023}}
|-
{{Album chart|Scotland|7|date=20150807|rowheader=true|accessdate=July, 8 2023}}
|-
{{Album chart|Spain|40|artist=Led Zeppelin|album=Presence|rowheader=true|accessdate=July, 8 2023}}
|-
{{Album chart|Switzerland|9|artist=Led Zeppelin|album=Presence|rowheader=true|accessdate=July, 8 2023}}
|-
{{Album chart|UKRock|1|date=20150807|rowheader=true|accessdate=July, 8 2023}}
|}
{{col-2}}

===Year-end charts===
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
|+1976 year-end chart performance for ''Presence''
! scope="col" | Chart (1976)
! scope="col" | Position
|-
! scope="row" | UK Albums (OCC)<ref>{{cite magazine |date=25 December 1976 |title=Top 50 Albums of 1976 |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/1976/Music-Week-1976-12-25.pdf |url-status=live |magazine=[[Music Week]] |page=14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210309081449/https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/1976/Music-Week-1976-12-25.pdf |archive-date=9 March 2021 |via=worldradiohistory.com |access-date=30 November 2021}}</ref>
| 33
|-
! scope="row" | US ''Billboard'' 200<ref>{{cite web|url=https://bestsellingalbums.org/year-end/Billboard_Top_Albums_1976|title=Top US Billboard 200 Albums - Year-end 1976|website=BestSellingAlbums.org|access-date=6 January 2025}}</ref>
| 47
|-
|}
{{col-end}}

==Certifications==
{{Certification Table Top|caption=Certifications for ''Presence''}}
{{Certification Table Entry|type=album|region=Canada|award=Platinum|certref=<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Music/Billboard-Index/IDX/1976/1976-10-02-Billboard-Page-0063.pdf#search=%22fragile%20canada%20platinum%22|access-date=20 December 2020|title=Warner /Elektra /Atlantic Sets Canada's AII- Time,12 -Month Sales Record - 44 Gold and Platinum Albums:Platinum-Album|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|date=October 2, 1976|page=63}}</ref>|relyear=1976}}
{{Certification Table Entry|type=album|relyear=1976|region=New Zealand|award=Platinum|certyear=1976|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=Presence |artist=Led Zeppelin|type=album|award=Platinum|id=5197-2162-2}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|title=Presence |artist=Led Zeppelin|type=album|award=Platinum|number=3}}
{{Certification Table Bottom|nosales=yes}}

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

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

'''Sources'''
{{refbegin}}
* {{cite book|first=Greg|last=Akkerman|year=2014|title=Experiencing Led Zeppelin: A Listener's Companion|publisher=Rowman & Littlefield|isbn=978-0-810-88916-3|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=EaHYBAAAQBAJ|access-date=24 July 2018|archive-date=21 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210521204550/https://books.google.com/books?id=EaHYBAAAQBAJ|url-status=live}}
* {{cite book|first=Scott|last=Calef|year=2011|title=Led Zeppelin and Philosophy: All Will Be Revealed|publisher=Open Court |isbn=978-0-812-69776-6|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Ozfg785V0E4C|access-date=24 July 2018|archive-date=27 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170227204900/https://books.google.com/books?id=Ozfg785V0E4C|url-status=live}}
* {{cite book|first=Dave|last=Lewis|year=1990|title=Led Zeppelin : A Celebration|publisher=Omnibus Press|isbn=978-0-711-92416-1|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=GK94QgAACAAJ|access-date=24 July 2018|archive-date=21 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210521204607/https://books.google.com/books?id=GK94QgAACAAJ|url-status=live}}
* {{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|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=jOzTNQk0C48C|access-date=24 July 2018|archive-date=21 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210521204554/https://books.google.com/books?id=jOzTNQk0C48C|url-status=live}}
* {{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|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=LFP_AgAAQBAJ|access-date=24 July 2018|archive-date=21 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210521204642/https://books.google.com/books?id=LFP_AgAAQBAJ|url-status=live}}
* {{cite book|first=Martin|last=Popoff|year=2017|title=Led Zeppelin: All the Albums, All the Songs|publisher=MBI Publishing Company|isbn=978-0-760-35211-3|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=CLcrDwAAQBAJ|access-date=24 July 2018|archive-date=21 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210521204623/https://books.google.com/books?id=CLcrDwAAQBAJ|url-status=live}}
* {{cite book|first=Chris|last=Welch|year=1994|title=Led Zeppelin|publisher=Orion Books|isbn=978-1-85797-930-5}}
{{refend}}

==External links==
* {{Discogs master|type=album|4450|name=Presence}}

{{Led Zeppelin songs}}
{{Led Zeppelin}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:1976 albums]]
[[Category:Albums produced by Jimmy Page]]
[[Category:Albums with cover art by Hipgnosis]]
[[Category:Led Zeppelin albums]]
[[Category:Swan Song Records albums]]