Communication Breakdown
Iron Maiden Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Hey girl, what you doin'?
Hey girl, you'll drive me to ruin
I don't know what it is about you
But I like it a lot
Oh, why don't you let me hold you?
Let me feel your lovin' touch

Communication breakdown, it's always the same
Having a nervous breakdown, drive me insane

Hey girl, I got something I think you wanna know
Hey girl, I wanna tell you that I love you so
I wanna hold you in my arms and feel your love tonight
Oh, I'm never gonna let you go 'cause I like your charms

Communication breakdown, it's always the same
Having a nervous breakdown, drive me insane

Communication breakdown, it's always the same
Having a nervous breakdown, drive me insane

Communication breakdown
Communication breakdown
Communication breakdown
I wanna feel your love all night
Communication breakdown
Communication breakdown




I'm gonna make your telephone work tonight
Communication breakdown

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Iron Maiden’s song “Communication Breakdown” can be interpreted as a man’s desperate plea to a woman he is infatuated with. The verses express the singer’s strong attraction to the woman, as he acknowledges that he does not know exactly what it is that he likes about her but that he likes it a lot. He wants to hold her and feel her “lovin’ charms”, yet the communication breakdown between them prevents him from doing so. The chorus, “Communication Breakdown, it’s always the same, I’m having a nervous breakdown”, highlights the frustration and desperation he feels with the repeated breakdown in communication. He wants the woman to know that he loves her and wants to hold her in his arms all night, but the communication gap between them is preventing him from doing so.


Line by Line Meaning

Hey, girl, stop what you're doin'!
The singer wants the girl to give him her attention and focus on him.


Hey, girl, you'll drive me to ruin.
The singer is infatuated with the girl and is worried that she has the power to ruin him.


I don't know what it is that I like about you, But I like it a lot.
The singer is attracted to the girl, but doesn't know why. Despite not knowing, their feelings are strong.


Won't let me hold you, Let me feel your lovin' charms.
The girl is rejecting the artist's advances and not allowing him to get close to her.


Communication Breakdown, It's always the same, I'm having a nervous breakdown, Drive me insane!
The lack of communication between the artist and the girl is causing him distress and frustration, to the point where it's affecting his mental health.


Hey, girl, I got something I think you ought to know. Hey, babe, I want to tell you that I love you so.
The singer has something important to tell the girl, and that's that he loves her.


I want to hold you in my arms, yeah! I'm never gonna let you go, 'Cause I like your charms.
The singer desires physical contact with the girl and is determined to keep her close to him, as he finds her attractive.


I want you to love me all night
The artist desires sexual intimacy with the girl, and he wants it to go on all night.


I want you to love me
The artist is desperate for the girl to love him back.


I want you to love, yeah! I want you to love!
The artist emphasizes his desire for the girl's love and affection.




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: John Bonham, John Paul Jones, Jimmy Page

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found
Comments from YouTube:

TheAdam159

I love Maiden. I love Zeppelin. Some of my fave bands. This doesn't quite sound right for Maiden's style, but Bruce still gives it his all 

Daniel Heflin

Never thought i would hear a metal version of it lol

pickitupdlux

three or four years earlier Bruce would have hit the notes on "nervous breakdown" and "insane" without any trouble

Mike Calak

The notes zeppelin version sucks sounds like he shit his pants what notes?

TheAdam159

Maiden were influenced by a lot of bands. Harris was inspired by UFO, Rush, Yes, Black Sabbath, Thin Lizzy, Deep Purple, The Who, Wishbone Ash, Jethro Tull, and yes...Led Zeppelin.

Agoraphobic News

I just realised how good Robert Plant is.

rocker3321 yo

good cover!

Johnknight1

Zep is too damn good to top. Bruce is no Plant, and isn't as flexible voice-wise. But he's still got a damn impressive voice, and this is still a great cover of an incredible song.

tyrpamplona

Excellent!!!!!!!

ulises poblete

great cover

More Comments

More Versions