Communication Breakdown
Dread Zeppelin Lyrics


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Hey girl, stop what you're doing
Hey girl, you'll drive me to ruin
I don't know what it is that I like about you, but I like it a lot
Won't let me hold you, let me feel your loving charms

Communication breakdown
It's always the same
I'm having a nervous breakdown
Drive me insane

Hey girl, I got something I think you ought to know
Hey babe, I wanna tell you that I love you so
I wanna hold you in my arms, yeah
I'm never gonna let you go, 'cause I like your charms

Communication breakdown
It's always the same
I'm having a nervous breakdown
Drive me insane

Communication breakdown
Communication breakdown
Communication breakdown




Communication breakdown
Communication breakdown

Overall Meaning

Dread Zeppelin's "Communication Breakdown" seems to be a lament of a man who is unable to effectively communicate with the girl he desires. The lyrics "Hey girl, stop what you're doing / Hey girl, you'll drive me to ruin" suggest that the girl is perhaps emotionally or physically distancing herself, causing the singer great distress. The following line "I don't know what it is that I like about you, but I like it a lot" speaks to the singer's confusion about his own feelings, as if he is drawn irresistibly to this girl, despite his inability to communicate with her.


The repetition of "Communication breakdown" throughout the song underscores the central theme of the song: a breakdown in communication between the two parties. The image of the singer having a "nervous breakdown" and being driven "insane" by the confusion and frustration of not being able to connect with the girl is a powerful one, suggesting that this inability to communicate may be causing the singer significant emotional pain.


Overall, the song conveys a sense of intense longing and desire, mixed with confusion and frustration, as the singer tries to connect with a girl who remains just out of reach. The repeated use of strong, emotive language (ruin, nervous breakdown, insane) in the lyrics underscores the intensity of the singer's feelings, even as they remain unexpressed and unresolved.


Line by Line Meaning

Hey girl, stop what you're doing
Addressing a girl to interrupt whatever she's doing and direct her attention towards the singer


Hey girl, you'll drive me to ruin
The singer expresses that the girl's actions or presence may negatively affect or destroy him


I don't know what it is that I like about you, but I like it a lot
The singer acknowledges their attraction towards the girl, although doesn't know exactly what it is that draws them to her


Won't let me hold you, let me feel your loving charms
The artist is denied physical affection from the girl, presumably due to a lack of communication or understanding between them


Communication breakdown
The repeated phrase serves as a reminder of the central theme of the song: a lack of effective communication between the artist and the girl


It's always the same
The singer conveys that their interactions with the girl result in the same issue of communication difficulties


I'm having a nervous breakdown
The singer suggests that the negative pattern of communication is causing them distress, possibly even mental instability


Drive me insane
The artist conveys that the communication breakdown is reaching a level that may cause him to lose control or worse


Hey girl, I got something I think you ought to know
The artist attempts to convey something important to the girl


Hey babe, I wanna tell you that I love you so
The artist attempts to express their feelings of love for the girl


I wanna hold you in my arms, yeah
The singer desires physical affection from the girl


I'm never gonna let you go, 'cause I like your charms
The artist expresses their attachment to the girl, despite the communication difficulties they face




Contributed by Hailey H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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