What tunes fit a post-apocalyptic society?
For NBC's freshman drama Revolution, the answer is Led Zeppelin's Kashmir and Since I've Been Loving You.
The songs will be featured in next week's episode of Revolution, on the same day that Led Zeppelin's Celebration Day album and a companion documentary on DVD will be released.
Corporate synergy led to the deal for the onetime rock band that rarely allows use of its music in Hollywood projects.
Revolution is produced in association with Warner Bros. Television, and Led Zeppelin has a deal with Warner Music Group's publishing arm.
But it was Eric Kripke, creator and executive producer of Revolution, who brought his series and the band together.
When Warner-Chappell Music sent out an email asking if any producers on the studio lot would be interested in using Led Zeppelin songs, Kripke jumped at the chance.
"The speed and overwhelming enthusiasm with which I responded, I think, frankly weirded them out a little," said the self-described "massive Led Zeppelin fan."
His credentials: Between Revolution and Supernatural, the CW drama he created, Kripke said he's probably used Led Zeppelin references in the titles of some 20 episodes.
Revolution, about an American family struggling with the nation's sudden loss of all electricity and all the technology it powered, was in part inspired by the band's music and its sense of "mythic adventure," he said.
Warner made a logical pick with Revolution.
The series benefits from a 10 p.m. Monday berth after NBC's hit singing contest The Voice and started strong in the ratings, especially with the advertiser-favoured young adult demographic.
A Revolution promo spot featuring Kashmir will air throughout this week on NBC, with an extended version available on the network's website, nbc.com.
