Robert Plant discusses the most difficult song to sing on his album with Alison Krauss

Robert Plant, renowned for his exceptional vocal abilities, faces a surprising challenge when it comes to singing one particular song. While known for his powerhouse performances on iconic tracks like ‘Whole Lotta Love’, ‘Stairway To Heaven’, and ‘Immigrant Song’, Plant encountered a struggle with a song from his 2007 album ‘Raising Sand’ with Alison Krauss.

The track in question is ‘Polly Come Home,’ originally written by Gene Clark, a co-founder of The Byrds, for his early country-rock duo Dillard & Clark. Initially a soft acoustic ballad, Plant and Krauss opted to slow down the tempo even further, transforming the song into a slow, simmering blues track that posed a vocal challenge for the legendary singer.

Reflecting on the difficulty of singing ‘Polly Come Home,’ Plant shared his insights in 2021, revealing, “It’s just the most difficult piece of music to sing at the tempo that we sang it at,”. He further elaborated on the challenges of the song, emphasizing the poignant nature and slow pace that added complexity to his vocal delivery. The singer admitted to grappling with maintaining the timing and capturing the emotional essence of the song, citing it as a significant vocal challenge comparable to his audition in the Yardbirds.

Despite his struggles, Plant’s rendition of ‘Polly Come Home’ on ‘Raising Sand’ received critical acclaim, earning the album the top spot on the rock charts and reaching No. 2 on the Billboard 200. The collaborative effort with Alison Krauss garnered five Grammy Awards, including Album of the Year and Record of the Year for ‘Please Read the Letter,’ solidifying their musical partnership and artistic success.

Reflecting on the song that posed a unique vocal challenge, Plant humorously acknowledged the disparity between his hard-hitting rock anthems and the delicate, melodic nature of ‘Polly Come Home’. The juxtaposition of his vocal prowess and the song’s languid tempo presented a formidable yet rewarding artistic endeavor that showcased Plant’s versatility as a vocalist.

In conclusion, Robert Plant’s revelation about the difficulties he faced while singing ‘Polly Come Home’ sheds light on the intricacies of vocal performance and the artistry required to interpret a diverse range of musical styles. Despite the challenges posed by the song, Plant’s emotive delivery and commitment to capturing its essence underscore his musical depth and talent as a versatile artist.