Have you ever walked into a guitar store and wondered why the Beatles’ song “Stairway to Heaven” is always playing? That’s because, in most stores, it is banned. This article will explore the reasons for this ban and offer some tips on how to shop at these stores without getting caught up in all of their rules.
The story behind the ban
Is a strange one: it has to do with the song’s intro and its resemblance, in many people’s minds, to “Taurus” by Spirit. The band sued Led Zeppelin for stealing their riff, but lost because they were not able to prove that Jimmy Page had heard Taurus before writing Stairway to Heaven.
So why are guitar stores always playing this tune? While salespeople would probably never admit it publicly, the song is played as part of an agreement between them—and you! When customers hear Stairway , they naturally think about rock gods like Jimmy Page who used this song as inspiration or practice material. With all that positive energy floating around, no wonder shops want everyone entering their doors stuck on classic rock tunes!
Of course, anyone can understand why a guitar store would want to be associated with an awesome song like Stairway . It’s the perfect track for customers who are looking for inspiration and motivation—and it also makes them think of rock stars! While this might not seem obvious at first glance, playing classics is actually part of many stores’ agreements. This applies especially well to “Stairway”, since people will naturally associate the shop with classic rock tunes after hearing this iconic tune.
So if you see someone smiling as they walk past your local guitar store, no need to wonder what’s up: there’s probably some Zeppelin pouring out through their speakers! And don’t forget that these songs were by real-life musicians just like you. It’s easy to see why stores want customers leaving with such positive associations!
But Is It Actually Banned in Guitar Stores?
While many guitar stores would never come out and say it, they actually appreciate your love of classic rock as much as you do. In fact, there’s a good chance that the song is not banned at all!
That being said, some shops prefer to keep their playlists fairly limited for practical reasons: if everyone hears the same tunes day after day, no one will stay around long enough to discover new bands or styles on their own time. This can be a bit frustrating when you’re hoping to pick up something new — and sometimes even boring! Who wants to listen to Stairway every single day? If this has been an issue in past visits with your local shop, consider asking them about adding songs into rotation.
Why Has the Joke Lasted so Long?
There are many different theories as to why the joke has lasted so long. Some people say that it’s just one of those inside jokes that everyone knows about but no one wants to point out for fear again being singled out again.
The truth is probably much simpler than this: store owners, employees and customers all enjoy having fun with their shared love of music! Whether you’re trying to find your next favorite tune or simply looking for some inspiration, classic rock will always be there waiting for you at local guitar stores.
But what if I want to hear something else? While Stairway might seem like an easy target because of its length (and therefore repeatability), don’t forget that other songs can get stuck in your head after just one listen. If you’re looking for a song that’s just as classic, try “Takin’ Care of Business” by Bachman-Turner Overdrive instead!
Of course, it is possible to imagine why stores might want to ban this particular track… But the reality is much different — sticking with Stairway probably has more to do with its length and ability to get stuck in your head after even short exposure than anything else. Even if there are other tunes on rotation at local shops, it can’t hurt giving them an ask about adding new songs into rotation too!
