There are few shows out there with as rocking, as badass, and as classic, a soundtrack as Supernatural, with the show playing hit after hit from rock legends, down to both its creator [Erik Kripke] and Dean Winchester having an adoration for the genre. However, one band was notably absent from the fifteen seasons, the rock gods that are Led Zeppelin.
Not only does creator Kripke adore the band, but Dean spoke extensively over the show's fifteen years about his love of the British band. The songs' rights were too expensive to play their incredible catalog, but they were still referenced an immense amount through dialog, Dean and Sam's aliases, and episode titles.
"Houses Of The Holy" (8.1)
Named after not only Zeppelin's fifth studio album but a song on their sixth, "Houses Of The Holy," is definitely a step down from other Led Zeppelin-inspired episodes, probably due to its inconsequential nature.
It is a fun, simple-ish hunt coming in season two, which sees people, including Sam, convinced God spoke to them when in reality, it was the spirit of a pastor. The highlight of the episode is undoubtedly the dynamic between Sam and Dean and the philosophical locking of horns between the two, something that obviously comes up time and time again as more spirituality is introduced to the show.
"Stairway To Heaven" (8.4)
Titled after the song most synonymous with the legendary quartet, "Stairway To Heaven" from their fourth album "Led Zeppelin IV," the episode is the penultimate one of season nine.
Angels are killing themselves in Castiel's name, some are losing faith in Cas, and Metatron seems to be on the front foot as Sam and Dean try and figure out what is going on while Cas just tries to keep things together. It is a solid episode, not as great as other second-to-last episodes of seasons, probably due to the tiresome retreading of the angels at war with one another storyline and angels overall being stale. The episode is redeemed due to the closing scene and Dean with the Mark of Cain as a whole.
"When The Levee Breaks" (8.7)
Named after Zeppelin's blues masterwork, "When The Levee Breaks" is another penultimate episode of a season. This time, season four, going back to the Kripke-era with a great outing that sees the brother's relationship fall to pieces.
With Sam becoming more and more inhuman, he is locked in a bunker by Dean and Bobby to ween him off of demon blood. Of course, he escapes, and the wheels are in motion for the rising of Lucifer from the depths of hell. This episode is pretty heartbreaking, and both Jared Padalecki and Jensen Ackles are fantastic, with the former getting a chance to shine with some brilliant writing.
Special Mention: "Frontierland" (9.0)
Season six, episode eighteen, "Frontierland," gets a special mention due to the fact that the episode was originally titled "Gallows Pole," a song by Led Zeppelin that originated with the blues song "The Gallis Pole," by Leadbelly and has seen many incarnations.
The song comes from Zeppelin's album "Led Zeppelin III" and tells the story of a man attempting to delay his hanging, something seen at the start of this fantastic time travel episode that sees Dean and Sam go back to cowboy times to find ashes of a phoenix.
"Hammer Of The Gods" (9.1)
Coming in the beloved season five, "Hammer Of The Gods" is not named after a Led Zeppelin song, but rather a reference to the lyrics of their iconic "Immigrant Song," with one line simply being "The hammer of the Gods."
It is an apt title for the episode, considering it is a gathering of the Pagan Gods as they deliberate on what to do about the upcoming Christian apocalypse, with Sam and Dean caught in the crossfire, used as bargaining chips. In this episode, the beloved Gabriel makes an appearance to warn the Pagan Gods about Lucifer, with their defiance getting them destroyed by the devil. It is a great episode and one of the best showcases of Lucifer's power and the incredible fear he inspires. It was also nice to see the always fantastic Gabriel.
"The Song Remains The Same" (9.1)
Dean was not the only Winchester who adored Led Zeppelin, with Mary having agreed to date John because he knew the lyrics to every Zepp track. The three of them are together in this episode named after a song from the band's album "Houses Of The Holy."
This episode is another classic from season five, and it sees Castiel send Sam and Dean back in time to prevent rogue angel Anna from killing their parents, with Anna desperately attempting to stop the birth of Sam. Supernatural does time travel episodes incredibly well for the most part, and this is no exception, being a standout installment in a standout season.
"In My Time Of Dying" (9.3)
The very first episode named after a Zeppelin song in the show comes in the first episode of season two, "In My Time Of Dying," shares its name with Led Zeppelin's longest song.
The episode revolves around Dean being on the verge of death, Sam desperately trying to help him, and John cutting the very first demon deal from a central character. It is an incredible episode and the season opener, setting up the events of not only season two but the entire Kripke-era with demon deals and how they impact the grand scheme of the five-season arc.
"What Is And What Should Never Be" (9.4)
Rated just higher than the season two opener is the twentieth episode of that same season, "What Is And What Should Never Be." It's an episode that dives deep into the psyche of Dean, developing his character and relationship with Sam brilliantly.
It sees Dean caught by the Djinn he is hunting, falling under its powers, and transported to a dream state where he is met by a normal life in his hometown of Lawrence, Kansas, away from hunting, with his mother, with a girlfriend, a house, and the whole nine yards. Dean gets faced with the question of whether or not this reality is the best one to be in.
"Swan Song" (9.7)
"Swan Song" will not immediately stick out to fans of the band as a Led Zeppelin hit; that is because the song was never released. It was partially recorded and was fully envisioned by Jimmy Page but never brought to fruition, simply weaved into various other pieces of the band's work with its ambitious instrumentals. It is an urban legend to fans. "Swan Song" is also incorporated into their record label Swan Song Records and is the name of Supernatural's highest-rated and most acclaimed episode.
"Swan Song" marked the end of an era for Supernatural, with this being Erik Kripke's last episode of the series as the final showdown between Lucifer and Michael commences, and the heroes race for a way to stop the end of the world. The episode is pretty much flawless, and many fans wish the show had ended with the initial vision of Sam in hell and Dean at home with Lisa.