After Led Zeppelin disbanded, Page worked on some critically acclaimed solo material, played in supergroups The Honeydrippers and The Firm, recorded two albums with his Led Zeppelin times buddy Robert Plant and worked as a session guitarist.
Page's past experiences both in the studio and with the Yardbirds were very influential in contributing to the success of Led Zeppelin in the 1970s. As a producer, composer, and guitarist he helped make Led Zeppelin a prototype for countless future rock bands, and was one of the major driving forces behind the rock sound of that era, influencing a host of other guitarists. Allmusic states that "just about every rock guitarist from the late '60s/early '70s to the present day has been influenced by Page's work with Led Zeppelin". For example, his sped up, downstroke guitar riff in "Communication Breakdown" is cited as being the inspiration for guitarist Johnny Ramone to develop his punk-defining, strictly downstroke guitar strumming, while Page's landmark guitar solo from the song "Heartbreaker" has been credited by Eddie Van Halen as being the inspiration for his two-hand tapping technique after he had seen Led Zeppelin perform in 1971. Page's solo in the famous epic "Stairway to Heaven" has been voted by readers of various guitar magazines, including Guitar World and Total Guitar, as the greatest guitar solo of all time, and he was named 'Guitarist of the Year' five years straight during the 1970s by Creem magazine. In 2001 he was voted London's greatest guitarist in Total Guitar magazine's poll of the greatest 12 British guitarists. In 2003, Rolling Stone magazine named him number nine on their list of the "100 greatest guitarists of all time".
Nobody
Jimmy Page Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Trying to save my soul tonight
It's nobody's fault but mine
Devil he told me to roll [Repeat: x 2]
How to roll the log tonight
Nobody's fault but mine
Brother he showed me the ding dong ding dong
How to roll, the log tonight
Oh, it's nobody's fault but mine
Got a monkey on my back. [Repeat: x 2]
Gonna change my ways tonight
Nobody's fault but mine
I will get down rollin' tonight
Nobody's fault
but mine
The lyrics of “Nobody’s Fault But Mine” by Jimmy Page & the Black Crowes have a deep and spiritual meaning. The song addresses the idea of personal responsibility and accountability for our actions. The repetition of “Nobody’s fault but mine” emphasizes the idea that the singer is the only person responsible for their own fate and choices. The opening lines “Trying to save my soul tonight. It’s nobody’s fault but mine” suggest that the singer is struggling with their inner demons and trying to find redemption.
The song continues with the devil tempting the singer to “roll the log tonight,” likely a reference to participating in sinful or immoral behavior. However, the singer acknowledges that it is their own choice to follow the devil and that they alone are responsible for the consequences. The lines “Brother he showed me the gong? Brother he showed me the ding dong ding dong” further emphasize the spiritual struggle of the singer and the internal conflict of choosing between righteousness and temptation.
The final lines of the song suggest that the singer is determined to change their ways, and that they will take responsibility for their actions and their future. “Got a monkey on my back. Gonna change my ways tonight. Nobody’s fault but mine. I will get down rollin’ tonight. Nobody’s fault but mine” implies that the singer is willing to face their personal demons and overcome their struggles, taking ownership of their choices and their destiny.
Line by Line Meaning
Nobody's fault but mine
I take full responsibility for my actions and their consequences.
Trying to save my soul tonight
I am attempting to improve my spiritual well-being.
Devil he told me to roll
I was tempted by evil to engage in sinful activities.
How to roll the log tonight
I was instructed on how to partake in immoral behavior.
Brother he showed me the gong?
Someone close to me introduced me to music or other forms of entertainment.
Brother he showed me the ding dong ding dong
I learned new rhythms or sounds during a musical session.
Got a monkey on my back.
I am struggling to overcome a vice or addiction.
Gonna change my ways tonight
I have come to the realization that I need to make positive changes in my life.
I will get down rollin' tonight
I will engage in immoral behavior tonight, despite the negative consequences.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: NINA SIMONE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind