Nobody's Fault But Mine
Led Zeppelin Lyrics
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Nobody's fault but mine
Trying to save my soul tonight
Oh, it's nobody's fault but mine
The devil he told me to roll
The devil he told me to roll
How to roll the log tonight
Brother he showed me the gong?
Brother he showed me the ding dong ding dong
How to keep that gong alive
Oh, it's nobody's fault but mine
Got a monkey on my back
Got a mo, mo, mo, mo, monkey on my back, back, back, back
Gonna change my ways tonight
Nobody's fault but mine
I will get down rollin' tonight
No-no-no-no-no-no-nobody's fault
Led Zeppelin's song "Nobody's Fault But Mine" is a blues-rock song that presents a narrative of a man struggling with his dependence on alcohol and drugs as he tries to save his soul. The repeated refrain "Nobody's fault but mine" suggests a kind of resignation, a recognition that ultimately the responsibility for his actions lies with him alone. The devil is portrayed as a seductive force, tempting the singer to indulge in his vices, symbolized by rolling a log, while his brother appears to offer more benign guidance, teaching him how to play a gong. The image of the monkey on his back is a common one in music, representing the burden of addiction, but the singer expresses a desire to change his ways and take control of his life.
The song draws from the blues tradition in its use of call-and-response style vocals and its reliance on a simple, repetitive structure. However, Led Zeppelin's version also showcases their characteristic virtuoso musicianship, with Jimmy Page's blistering guitar solos and John Bonham's thunderous drumming. The song is notable for its use of a variety of instruments, including harmonica, mandolin, and a Middle Eastern oud, creating a layered and dynamic sound.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh, nobody's fault but mine
I'm taking full responsibility for the situation I'm in.
Nobody's fault but mine
Everyone else is blameless, this is solely my own doing.
Trying to save my soul tonight
I'm in a difficult place and trying to come out of it.
Oh, it's nobody's fault but mine
Once again reiterating that I am solely responsible for my actions and consequences.
The devil he told me to roll
I blame my faults on external factors or temptations.
The devil he told me to roll
I blame my faults on external factors or temptations.
How to roll the log tonight
I'm trying to justify my actions with something external.
Nobody's fault but mine
Reiterating that everyone else is blameless and it's solely my own doing.
Brother he showed me the gong?
I received guidance from someone on how to get through a difficult situation.
Brother he showed me the ding dong ding dong
This advice was valuable and helped me overcome a hurdle.
How to keep that gong alive
I learned how to keep things going and come out stronger.
Oh, it's nobody's fault but mine
Again, taking full responsibility for my actions and decisions.
Got a monkey on my back
I have some burdens or bad habits that are driving me down.
Got a mo, mo, mo, mo, monkey on my back, back, back, back
The weight of these burdens is heavy and persistent.
Gonna change my ways tonight
I'm committed to making some changes to improve my situation.
Nobody's fault but mine
Still repeating that everyone else is blameless, and it's my own decisions that brought me here.
I will get down rollin' tonight
I'm ready to take on this challenge and come out stronger from it.
No-no-no-no-no-no-nobody's fault
No one is to blame but myself, again reinforcing the idea of self-responsibility.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: ROBERT ANTHONY PLANT, JAMES PATRICK (JIMMY) PAGE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind