Why cant you play stairway to heaven

Any musician worth their salt knows that “Stairway to Heaven” is one of the most iconic rock songs of all time.

But there’s one place you’re likely to never hear it played: a guitar store. In fact, many stores have explicit policies against playing the song.

Why is this? There are a few theories.

In this article, I’ll explore the possible reasons why guitar stores don’t allow customers to play “Stairway to Heaven.”

So without further ado, let’s dive in, shall we? 🙂

Stairway to Heaven Breeds Controversy

Stairway to Heaven, the famous rock song by Led Zeppelin, has been at the center of a legal controversy for decades.

The song was allegedly copied from an earlier work by another band, Spirit. The opening melody of Stairway to Heaven is strikingly similar to the opening of Spirit’s song Taurus.

Led Zeppelin denied any wrongdoing, claiming they were not aware of Taurus when they wrote Stairway to Heaven. However, many music experts have disputed this claim, pointing out that the two songs are very similar in both melody and style.

The case is currently being considered by the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. A decision is expected soon. Regardless of the outcome, one thing is clear: Stairway to Heaven remains one of the most popular and iconic rock songs of all time.

Read also: Are Guitar Cables Balanced or Unbalanced?

It Was Stolen

In addition to the above, it’s also widely believed that “Stairway to Heaven” was stolen from another band altogether.

The song is a re-written version of an earlier song called “Taurus” by the band Spirit. The melodies of the two songs are strikingly similar, and many music experts have disputed Led Zeppelin’s claim that they were not aware of the earlier song.

People are tired of hearing it

Despite its iconic status, there’s no denying that “Stairway to Heaven” is overplayed. It’s been used in countless movies, TV shows, and commercials, to the point where many people are simply tired of hearing it.

Guitar stores are likely trying to avoid playing a song that’s so overplayed that it’s become annoying to many people. By not playing “Stairway to Heaven,” they can create a more pleasant shopping experience for their customers.

Pretentiousness And Nothing More

Plain and simple, some guitar stores don’t allow “Stairway to Heaven” to be played because they think it’s too pretentious.

They believe that only truly talented musicians should attempt to play the song and that amateurs should not even bother trying. This may be due to the fact that the song is notoriously difficult to play.

By forbidding customers from playing “Stairway to Heaven,” these stores are likely trying to avoid having their store filled with wannabe rock stars who can’t actually play the song and annoy the living daylights out of everyone else in the store.

The Devil, Dude!

Yes. You read that right. Some people believe that guitar stores don’t allow “Stairway to Heaven” to be played because the song is actually about Satan.

They say the lyrics are filled with hidden messages praising the devil. For example, the line “There’s a sign on the wall, but she wants to be sure” is allegedly a reference to the 666 mark of the beast.

Whether or not this is true, it’s certainly possible that some guitar stores don’t want to be associated with a song with Satanic undertones.

The background behind “Stairway to Heaven”

Originally released in 1971, “Stairway to Heaven” is one of the most popular and iconic rock songs of all time. The song was written by Led Zeppelin frontman Jimmy Page and singer Robert Plant.

The song is widely believed to have been copied from an earlier work by the band Spirit. The opening melody of Stairway to Heaven is strikingly similar to the opening of Spirit’s song Taurus.

Led Zeppelin denied any wrongdoing, claiming they were not aware of Taurus when they wrote Stairway to Heaven. However, many music experts have disputed this claim, pointing out that the two songs are very similar in both melody and style.

The Song Blew Up

“Stairway to Heaven” was an instant success when it was released, and it quickly became one of Led Zeppelin’s most popular songs. The song has been played endlessly on radio stations all over the world and has been covered by countless other artists.

Due to its popularity, “Stairway to Heaven” has become one of the most overplayed songs of all time. It has been used in countless movies, TV shows, and commercials.

The opening riff was even used in a famous scene from the movie Wayne’s World. A truly iconic song.

Wayne’s World

One of the most famous uses of “Stairway to Heaven” in pop culture is in the 1992 movie Wayne’s World. In the movie, the characters Wayne and Garth headbang to the song in their car while driving down the highway.

The scene was so popular that it helped to make “Stairway to Heaven” even more popular than it already was. Wayne’s World is also credited with popularizing the “air guitar”, where people pretend to play an invisible guitar.

If you haven’t seen Wayne’s World, I highly recommend it. It’s a classic!

Is it actually banned in Guitar Stores like Guitar Center?

The answer to this question is a bit complicated. While “Stairway to Heaven” is not technically banned in guitar stores, many stores have informal policies that discourage customers from playing the song.

There are a number of reasons why guitar stores might do this, including the fact that the song is overplayed, pretentious, and possibly even Satanic.

So, if you’re planning on going into guitar shops and playing “Stairway to Heaven,” you might want to think twice. You might just find yourself getting banned from the guitar store.

Let’s dig a little deeper into why Stairway to Heaven is the Forbidden Riff

First and foremost, the song is overplayed in guitar shops and other places. It’s been played on the radio so much that it’s become one of the most overplayed songs of all time. This is likely due to the fact that the song is so popular.

Second, “Stairway to Heaven” is notoriously difficult to play. The song has a lot of complex guitar parts that are difficult to execute. As a result, many people who try to play the song end up sounding terrible.

When we talk about a forbidden riff, we’re talking about the kind of forbidden riff that is so overplayed and so difficult to play that it becomes a turn-off for other guitarists. It’s the kind of forbidden riff that makes you want to roll your eyes and say, “Not this again.”

A forbidden riff is the musical equivalent of an inside joke that has been told so many times that it’s no longer funny. It’s something that you might enjoy if you’re a diehard fan, but it’s not something you want to hear repeatedly.

So keep that in mind when it comes to a forbidden riff like “Stairway to Heaven.” It’s a song that has been played so much and is so difficult to play that it has become a turn-off for many guitarists. If you’re looking to impress other guitarists, you might want to steer clear.

Why do Guitar Store employees hate stairs to heaven?

One of the most iconic symbols of the rock and roll lifestyle is the stairway to heaven, a symbol, and forbidden riff, of excess and indulgence.

However, for guitar store employees, the stairway to heaven is a source of frustration and irritation. This is because the stairway to heaven is the most overplayed and difficult riff to play.

As a result, many guitar store employees have come to resent the song and view it as a symbol of everything that’s wrong with the music industry (why it’s a forbidden riff nowadays).

Why Can’t You Play Stairway To Heaven In A Music Shop?

One of the most iconic rock songs of all time, “Stairway to Heaven” by Led Zeppelin (from Led Zeppelin IV album), is beloved by fans around the world. However, there’s one place where it’s rarely heard: music stores.

There are a number of reasons for this, the first being that the song is simply too long to be played in a retail setting. At over 8 minutes in length, “Stairway to Heaven” would take up a significant amount of time that could be better used promoting other products.

In addition, the song is notoriously difficult to play, and many aspiring guitarists have been known to give up in frustration after only a few minutes. As a result, music store employees often avoid playing “Stairway to Heaven” in order to save themselves the trouble.

Finally, the song has a dark and foreboding tone that doesn’t exactly fit with the cheerful atmosphere of most retail establishments. For all these reasons, “Stairway to Heaven” is rarely heard in music shops – but that doesn’t stop fans from enjoying it in other settings.

Other Rules of Etiquette in Guitar Stores

In addition to the informal ban on “Stairway to Heaven,” there are a number of other rules of etiquette that are generally followed in guitar stores:

Closing doors quietly

In order to avoid disturbing other customers or employees, it’s important to close doors quietly in a guitar store. This includes both the front door and the doors to individual practice rooms.

Turning down the volume

When playing rock music in a store, it’s important to keep the volume at a reasonable level. This will help avoid disturbing other customers and employees and prevent damage to the store’s sound system.

Don’t start blasting amps in a guitar shop

While it’s acceptable to play an electric guitar at a moderate volume, it’s generally not considered polite to start cranking up the amp in the main area of the store. If you want to try out an amplifier, it’s best to do so in one of the store’s practice rooms.

Make sure the amp is turned down before you leave the guitar shop

When you’re finished using an amplifier, it’s important to turn it down before you leave the practice room. This will help avoid disturbing other customers and employees and prevent damage to the store’s sound system.

You’re in a guitar shop – remember where you are

It’s important to remember that you are in a place of business, and as such, you should be respectful of the employees and other customers. This means no swearing, no loud noises, and no disruptive behavior.

Never underestimate employees’ expertise

Guitar store employees are often passionate about music and have a wealth of knowledge about the products they sell. As a result, it’s important to never underestimate their expertise – if they recommend a particular product, it’s likely because they believe it to be the best option for you.

Put things back together

When you’re finished trying out a guitar or other piece of equipment, it’s important to put it back together before you leave. This includes putting the straps back on the guitars and putting the drumsticks back in their rightful place.

My Final Thoughts

While “Stairway to Heaven” may be banned in many guitar stores, that doesn’t stop fans from enjoying the song in other settings. The song is banned in stores due to a number of factors, including its length, difficulty, and dark tone.

However, there are a number of other rules of etiquette that are generally followed in guitar stores – such as closing doors quietly and turning down the volume when playing electric guitars.

By following these rules, you can help ensure a positive experience for everyone in the store.

What do you think about “Stairway to Heaven” being banned in guitar stores?

Do you think there are other songs that should be banned for similar reasons? Let me know in the comments below :)!