Page developed the riff during the band's first tour in Scandinavia, when they were still playing as The New Yardbirds. It was one of the first songs Jimmy Page and Robert Plant worked on together.
The pounding guitar riff was played by Page through a small, miked Supro amplifier throughout; and ran his Fender Telecaster through a fully closed Vox wah pedal to create the "guitar in a shoebox" sound on the lead. "Communication Breakdown" is also one of the few songs on which Page sang a backing vocal.
For more trivia and info on this song, check out the Communication Breakdown Songfacts.
Communication Breakdown
Led Zeppelin Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
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 you let me hold you
Let me feel your lovin' charms
Communication breakdown
I'm having a nervous breakdown
Drive me insane
Hey girl I got something I think you ought to know
Hey babe I want to tell you that I love you so
I want to 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
It's always the same
I'm having a nervous breakdown
Drive me insane
(Communication breakdown) I want you to love me all night
(Communication breakdown) I want you to love me
(Communication breakdown) I want you to love yeah! I want you to love
The lyrics to Led Zeppelin's song Communication Breakdown are primarily focused on the frustration that arises due to communication breakdowns between two people. The lyrics begin with the singer addressing a girl and asking her to stop what she is doing as it is driving him to ruin. He admits that he doesn't know what it is about her that he likes, but he likes it a lot, and asks her to let him hold her and feel her loving charms. This is followed by the chorus in which the singer expresses his frustration at the communication breakdown that seems to occur frequently, causing him to have a nervous breakdown and driving him insane.
The second verse begins with the singer telling the girl that he loves her and wants to hold her in his arms and never let her go. Here again, the chorus is repeated emphasizing the frustration of this communication breakdown. The bridge is then repeated several times where the singer wants the girl to love him all night and generally wants her to love him.
Overall, the song is about how communication breakdowns can lead to frustration and even insanity. The singer is frustrated with the girl as he cannot express what he wants to say properly, and thus, extensive feelings go unspoken, leading to stress and distress. The song highlights the importance of proper communication in any relationship, be it personal or professional.
Line by Line Meaning
Hey girl stop what you're doin'
The singer is trying to get the attention of the girl and wants her to stop whatever she is doing to listen to him.
Hey girl you'll drive me to ruin
The singer is telling the girl that her actions or behavior are causing him stress and may lead to his downfall.
I don't know what it is that I like about you
The singer is unsure of the exact reasons why he is attracted to the girl.
But I like it a lot
The artist is clear that he enjoys being around the girl despite not knowing the exact reasons why.
Won't you let me hold you
The artist is requesting physical affection from the girl.
Let me feel your lovin' charms
The singer wants to experience the girl's romantic gestures, as he is attracted to her.
Communication breakdown
It's always the same
I'm having a nervous breakdown
Drive me insane
The singer is frustrated at the miscommunication between him and the girl, which is causing him mental distress.
Hey girl I got something I think you ought to know
The artist has information that he wants to share with the girl.
Hey babe I want to tell you that I love you so
The artist is expressing his deep affection for the girl.
I want to hold you in my arms, yeah
I'm never gonna let you go
'Cause I like your charms
The artist wants to physically and emotionally hold onto the girl because he is attracted to her romantic gestures and affection.
(Communication breakdown) I want you to love me all night
(Communication breakdown) I want you to love me
(Communication breakdown) I want you to love yeah! I want you to love
The singer desires for the girl to reciprocate his 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
JJ
Hey, girl, stop what you're doin'
Hey, girl, you'll drive me to ruin
I don't know what it is I like about you, but I like it a lot
Won't you let me hold you, now, let me feel your lovin' touch
Communication breakdown, it's always the same
Havin' a nervous breakdown, a-drive me insane
Hey, girl, I got somethin' I think you oughta know
Hey, babe, I wanna tell ya that I love you so
I wanna hold you in my arms, yeah
I'm never gonna let you go, 'cause I like your charm
Communication breakdown, it's always the same
Havin' a nervous breakdown, drive me insane, ow, suck
Communication breakdown, it's always the same
Havin' a nervous breakdown, a-drive me insane, yeah
Communicate, I want you to love me all night
I want you to love me all night, I want, hey, I want, yeah
I want you to love me, I want you to love, babe
I want you to love, yeah, I want you to love
Hey, I want you to love, yeah, I want you to
Mario Luis Caceres
¡¡¡Espectacularrrr!!!!!!
Fracaso en la comunicación
Hey, chica, para lo que estas haciendo
Hey, chica, me llevaras a la ruina.
No sé que es eso acerca de ti,
Pero me gusta mucho.
Oh, déjame abrazarte,
Déjame sentir tus amorosos brazos.
Fracaso en la comunicación,
Es siempre lo mismo,
Tengo una crisis nerviosa,
Me vuelves loco!
Hey, chica, tengo algo que creo que deberías saber.
Hey, nena, quiero decirte cuanto te quiero.
Quiero tenerte en mis brazos, sí!
Nunca te dejare ir,
Sí, me gustan tus encantos.
Fracaso en la comunicación,
Es siempre lo mismo,
Tengo una crisis nerviosa,
Me vuelves loco!
João carlos Santos
Essa obra prima quando escuto não consigo deixar baixo,tenho que colocar o volume no talo!!...🤘🎸💯
Lorenzo Lelli
I love the fact that they keep their online and YouTube presence strong and the way they take care of their content's quality
mason harris
I swear that Page just gets bored and does this stuff for fun.
Lightnings
mason harris Definitely not him or other band members doing it. There's a whole commercial team behind it, obviously.
You really think these old legends will go on Youtube and upload, edit videos? They have better things to do I'm sure.
mason harris
@Lightnings I almost guarantee that they have a hand in it. They are allegedly are very controlling over their band. Page expessially
Adam Poe
Yep
Dav
And I love the fact that there are italians,like you,(I think,because your is an italian name) Lorenzo Lelli
Дмитрий Harding
Ради такой музыки стоит жить в этом мире! Спасибо, Led Zeppelin!
Daniel Merek
That solo is so hard to pull off... it sounds incredible, but once you learn how to play guitar you gain such an appreciation for the talent of these guys
Joe Liney
Definitely