In 2004 the song was ranked #294 on Rolling Stone's list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.
"Black Dog" is built around a call and response dynamic between the vocalist and band, with its start and stop a cappella verses inspired by Fleetwood Mac's 1969 song "Oh Well", according to biographer Dave Lewis. The title is a reference to a nameless black Labrador Retriever that wandered around the Headley Grange studios during the recording of the album. The song was recorded with recording engineer Andy Johns at Island Studios on Basing Street in London.
Bassist John Paul Jones, who is credited with writing the main riff, was inspired by Muddy Waters' controversial 1968 album "Electric Mud". He added a winding riff and complex rhythm changes, that biographer Keith Shadwick describes as a "clever pattern that turns back on itself more than once, crossing between time signatures as it does." The group had a difficult time with the turnaround, but drummer John Bonham's solution was to play it straight through as if there was no turnaround. In live performances, Bonham eliminated the 5/4 variation so that Robert Plant could perform his a cappella vocal interludes and then have the instruments return at the proper time. For his guitar parts, Jimmy Page used a Gibson Les Paul to record multiple overdubs.
"Black Dog" became a staple of Led Zeppelin's live concert performances. It was first played live at Belfast's Ulster Hall on 5 March 1971, a concert which also featured the first ever live performance of "Stairway to Heaven". It was retained for each subsequent concert tour until 1973. In 1975 it was used as an encore medley with "Whole Lotta Love", but was hardly used on the band's 1977 US concert tour. It was recalled to the set for the Knebworth Festival 1979 and the 1980 Tour of Europe. For these final 1980 performances, Page introduced the song from stage.
In 2004, the song was first ranked number 294 on Rolling Stone's list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time before being ranked at number 300 in 2010. Music sociologist Deena Weinstein calls "Black Dog" "one of the most instantly recognisable Zeppelin tracks".
Black Dog
Led Zeppelin Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Gon' make you sweat, gon' make you groove
Ah-ah, child, way ya shake that thing
Gon' make you burn, gon' make you sting
Hey, hey, baby, when you walk that way
Watch your honey drip, can't keep away
Oh yeah, oh yeah, ah, ah, ah
Oh yeah, oh yeah, ah, ah, ah
I gotta roll, can't stand still
Got a flamin' heart, can't get my fill
With eyes that shine, burnin' red
Dreams of you all through my head
Ah-ah, ah-ah
Ah-ah, ah-ah
Ah-ah, ah-ah, ah
Hey, baby, whoa, baby, my pretty baby
Darlin,' make 'em do it now
Hey baby, oh, my baby, my pretty baby
Move the way you're doin' now
Didn't take too long 'fore I found out
What people mean by down and out
Spent my money, took my car
Started tellin' her friends she gon' be a star
I don't know, but I been told
A big-legged woman ain't got no soul
Oh yeah, oh yeah, ah, ah, ah
Oh yeah, oh yeah, ah, ah, ah
All I ask for, all I pray
Steady rollin' woman gon' come my way
Need a woman gonna hold my hand
Won't tell me no lies, make me a happy man
Ah-ah, ah-ah
Ah-ah, ah-ah
Ah-ah, ah-ah, ah
The lyrics of "Black Dog" by Led Zeppelin seem to be about the overwhelming power of desire and attraction. The song opens with an address to a woman by Robert Plant, who comments on the way she moves (presumably sexually) and the effect that it has. He tells her that she is going to make people sweat and groove. The use of the phrase "gon' make you" is suggestive of inevitability and instinctive behavior, implying that the sexuality is almost out of the individual's control.
The chorus of the song emphasizes the power of the woman's movement, with repeated "oh yeah" and "ah-ah" sounds creating a sense of excitement and anticipation. Plant describes his own emotions in response to this woman, stating that he has to move and can't stand still. The imagery of a "flamin' heart" conveys intense passion and desire. The bridge of the song brings in a more narrative element, describing a woman who seems to have used the singer for fame and success.
Overall, "Black Dog" is a song about the primal power of desire and the way it can overcome rational thought and decision-making. The lyrics are strikingly erotic and vivid, conveying the sense of a physical attraction that is almost irresistible.
Line by Line Meaning
Hey, hey, mama, said the way you move
Mother, your style of movement is so enticing that it will lead to perspiration and motion
Gon' make you sweat, gon' make you groove
This will induce a physical response of sweat and motion
Ah-ah, child, way ya shake that thing
The way you dance is so explosive that it will cause burning and stinging
Gon' make you burn, gon' make you sting
Your movements have the potential to cause pain and discomfort
Hey, hey, baby, when you walk that way
Dear, when you walk with that particular gait
Watch your honey drip, can't keep away
The observer experiences a strong attraction to seeing you walking that way, like nectar dripping from a flower
Oh yeah, oh yeah, ah, ah, ah
The joy and thrill one experiences watching you in motion
I gotta roll, can't stand still
I must move, I am incapable of being stationary
Got a flamin' heart, can't get my fill
My heart is aflame, and I will never be content
With eyes that shine, burnin' red
My eyes are aglow, burning with emotions
Dreams of you all through my head
You occupy my entire being, and I can't stop thinking about you
Hey, baby, whoa, baby, my pretty baby
Oh dear, beautiful woman whom I adore
Darlin,' make 'em do it now
Please don't wait, take action and do it now
Didn't take too long 'fore I found out
It took no time for me to discover
What people mean by down and out
What individuals imply when they say they are struggling
Spent my money, took my car
I exhausted my finances and lost my vehicle
Started tellin' her friends she gon' be a star
She began telling her friends that she will become a celebrity
I don't know, but I been told
I am uncertain, but have heard
A big-legged woman ain't got no soul
Individuals of ample physical proportions lack spirituality
All I ask for, all I pray
All I desire and hope for
Steady rollin' woman gon' come my way
I will soon find a reliable and consistent partner
Need a woman gonna hold my hand
A partner to hold, comfort and support me
Won't tell me no lies, make me a happy man
They must be trustworthy and truthful, and enable me to find happiness
Ah-ah, ah-ah
Admiration for the goddess-like figure
Ah-ah, ah-ah
Commendation for the powerful and strong
Ah-ah, ah-ah, ah
The beauty of femininity and strength in its whole essence
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Songtrust Ave, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: James Patrick Page, Robert Anthony Plant, John Paul Jones
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@IProvideLyrics1924
[Intro]
[Verse 1]
Hey, hey, mama, said the way you move
Gonna make you sweat, gonna make you groove
Ah, ah, child, way you shake that thing
Gonna make you burn, gonna make you sting
Hey, hey, baby, when you walk that way
Watch your honey drip, I can't keep away
[Chorus]
Oh yeah, oh yeah, oh, oh, oh
Oh yeah, oh yeah, oh, oh, oh
[Verse 2]
I gotta roll, can't stand still
Got a flaming heart, can't get my fill
Eyes that shine, burning red
Dreams of you all through my head
[Break]
Ah-ah, ah-ah
Ah-ah, ah-ah
Ah-ah, ah-ah, ahh
[Bridge]
Hey baby, oh baby, pretty baby
Tell me would you do me now
Hey baby, oh baby, pretty baby
Move me while you groove me now
[Verse 3]
Take too long 'fore I found out
What people mean by down and out
Spent my money, took my car
Started tellin' her friend she' gon' be a star
I don't know, but I've been told
A big-legged woman ain't got no soul
[Chorus]
Oh yeah, oh yeah, oh, oh, oh
Oh yeah, oh yeah, oh, oh, oh
[Verse 4]
All I ask for, all I pray
Steady rollin' woman gonna come my way
Need a woman gonna hold my hand
Won't tell me no lies, make me a happy man
[Break]
Ah-ah, ah-ah
Ah-ah, ah-ah
Ah-ah, ah-ah, ahh
[Instrumental]
[Outro]
Hey baby, pretty baby, oh baby
Hey baby, pretty baby, oh baby
Hey baby, pretty baby, oh baby
@Nred9999
Plant a better singer than Lennon and Macca
JPJ a better bass player than Macca and also a better multi instrumentalist
Page a far better guitar player than Harrison
And Bonham Vs Ringo should even be up for a debate.
Beatles just had the advantage of having more pop singles than Zeppelin did and are better lyric writers. That’s that.
@jonathonparis2759
When they were recording this track, there was a black Labrador Retriever that wandered around their house and they would feed it. When it came time to name the song, they couldn’t think of an obvious choice. Lo and behold, this dog wanders in and thus “Black Dog” became its name.
@anglosaxon1622
And that house was Headley Grange, a shrine & temple for the Gods of rock.
@aaronschroder3663
Black dog. Best dog
@rayahermawan6582
@
@ukrainepress8800
i heard a different version when they were recording this song in the studio a few times a dog ran in and interfered with the recording so they called it the black dog)
@sidfiddler2131
Great rock 'n' roll story. Who cares if it's true or not.
@Gabe_05
I never get tired of hearing Led Zeppelin
@genarogonzalez9537
Its real.,me too
@kbobdonahue1966
Get the Led out!!!! Love it!!!!! 🎸👍
@volverina24
The same ❤💥😁