"[4] Jimmy Page had originally intended the song to be an instrumental piece; he recorded around 14 guitar tracks to overdub the harmony section.
[5] Robert Plant later added lyrics, which are dedicated to an old girlfriend who, ten years earlier, had made him choose either her or his music.
[9] In a contemporary review of Physical Graffiti, Jim Miller of Rolling Stone described "Ten Years Gone" as having a progression reminiscent of the Beatles' "Dear Prudence" that "resolves in a beautifully waddling refrain.
"[10] Miller also believed Plant sounded like Rod Stewart on the track, with Page "scooping broad and fuzzy chords" behind him.
[10] In a retrospective review of Physical Graffiti (Deluxe Edition), Jon Hadusek of Consequence of Sound called "Ten Years Gone" one of Page/Plant's "most sincere compositions".
[11] In another retrospective review of Physical Graffiti (Deluxe Edition), Brice Ezell of PopMatters gave "Ten Years Gone" an extremely positive review, stating the track was one of Physical Graffiti's highlights along with having some of Page's "most enrapturing guitar work, particularly in the way he layers multiple riffs on top of each other.