According to the Dazed and Confused Songfacts, it was inspired by an acoustic song that Jimmy Page heard folk singer Jake Holmes perform.
Holmes' version was not about an acid trip, but contained many of the same elements that made their way into the Led Zeppelin version.
Singer-songwriter Jake Holmes wrote and recorded "Dazed and Confused" for his debut solo album "The Above Ground Sound" of Jake Holmes, released in June 1967. Like the other tracks on the album, the song does not include any drums. It was recorded entirely with the trio of Holmes on guitar, keyboard, and vocals; Ted Irwin on guitar; and Rick Randle on bass. The song has been incorrectly labelled as a tale about a bad acid trip. Holmes has confirmed that is not the matter:
"I never took acid. I smoked grass and tripped on it, but I never took acid. I was afraid to take it. The song's about a girl who hasn't decided whether she wants to stay with me or not. It's pretty much one of those love songs."
In August 1967, Holmes opened for The Yardbirds at a Greenwich Village gig in New York. According to Holmes, "That was the infamous moment of my life when Dazed and Confused fell into the hands of Jimmy Page."
When "Dazed and Confused" appeared in Led Zeppelin's album in 1969, Holmes was aware of it but didn't follow up on it at that time. He said: "In the early 1980s, I did write them a letter and I said basically: 'I understand it's a collaborative effort, but I think you should give me credit at least and some remuneration.' But they never contacted me."
In June 2010, Holmes brought suit against Led Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page for copyright infringement, claiming to have written and recorded "Dazed and Confused" two years before it appeared on Led Zeppelin's debut album. In court documents Holmes cited a 1967 copyright registration for "Dazed and Confused" which was renewed in 1995. This court case was "dismissed with prejudice", as the parties settled out of court in January 2012.
In concert, Led Zeppelin would play an extended version of this song which would sometimes run as long as 30 minutes. It was a showcase for the amazing guitar wizardry of Jimmy Page, and they never played it quite the same twice.
DAZED AND CONFUSED
Led Zeppelin Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Wanted a woman, never bargained for you
Lots of people talk and few of them know
Soul of a woman was created below, yeah
You hurt and abuse tellin' all of your lies
Run 'round sweet baby, Lord how they hypnotize
Sweet little baby I don't know where you've been
Every day I work so hard
Bringin' home my hard earned pay
Try to love you baby, but you push me away
Don't know where you're goin'
Only know just where you've been
Sweet little baby, I want you again
Ah, ah, ah, ah
Ah, ah, ah
Ahh, ahh
Ahh, ah
(Ahh)
Oh, yeah, alright, alright
Ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah
Ah, ah, ah, ah
Oh don't leave me so confused, no
Oh, baby
Been dazed and confused for so long, it's not true
Wanted a woman, never bargained for you
Take it easy baby, let them say what they will
Tongue wag so much when I sent you the bill
Oh, yeah, alright
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
Oh, oh, oh, oh
Oh, oh, oh, oh
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
The lyrics of Led Zeppelin's "Dazed and Confused" are open to interpretation, but there are some clear themes that can be identified. The song is about feeling lost and confused in love. The singer has been searching for a woman but instead finds himself tangled up with one who is manipulative and causes him pain. He acknowledges that he doesn't know where she's been, but he keeps coming back to her: "Sweet little baby, I want you again."
The chorus of the song reinforces the feeling of confusion and uncertainty: "Been dazed and confused for so long, it's not true / Wanted a woman, never bargained for you / Take it easy baby, let them say what they will / Tongue wag so much when I send you the bill." The singer is trying to take control of the situation by telling the woman to take it easy and not worry about what others are saying, but he also seems resigned to the fact that the relationship is not going to be easy.
There is also a sense of aggression and frustration in the lyrics, particularly in the line "You hurt and abuse tellin' all of your lies / Run 'round sweet baby, Lord how they hypnotize." The singer is clearly angry at the woman for her manipulations and lies, and yet he is drawn to her in spite of everything.
Overall, the lyrics of "Dazed and Confused" speak to the complicated and often painful nature of love and relationships. The singer is struggling to make sense of his feelings and the situation he finds himself in, and the song captures the confusion and tumult of those emotions.
Line by Line Meaning
Been dazed and confused for so long it's not true
I've been bewildered and uncertain for a long period, it's tough to believe
Wanted a woman, never bargained for you
I was seeking a lover, not the likes of you
Lots of people talk and few of them know
Many folks run their mouths despite a lack of understanding
Soul of a woman was created below, yeah
A female's spirit originates from the underworld, yes
You hurt and abuse tellin' all of your lies
You cause pain and mistreat me whilst spreading falsehoods
Run 'round sweet baby, Lord how they hypnotize
All those chasing you, darling, mesmerize me
Sweet little baby I don't know where you've been
My dear, I'm unaware of your whereabouts
Gonna love you baby, here I come again
I'm returning to offer you my love, sweetheart
Every day I work so hard
I toil all day, every day
Bringin' home my hard earned pay
I bring home the money I worked hard for
Try to love you baby, but you push me away
I endeavor to love you, but you repel me
Don't know where you're goin'
I'm uncertain of your destination
Only know just where you've been
But I am aware of where you've been before
Sweet little baby, I want you again
I desire you again, oh darling
Oh, don't leave me so confused, no
Oh, please don't go and leave me in the dark
Take it easy baby, let them say what they will
Relax, honey, let others say whatever they want
Tongue wag so much when I sent you the bill
They love running their mouths, especially when I'm footing the bill
Oh, yeah, alright
Oh, yes, very good
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
Oh, oh, oh, oh
Oh, oh, oh, oh
Oh, oh, oh, oh
Oh, oh, oh, oh
Oh, oh, oh, oh
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
Lyrics ยฉ Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: James Patrick Page
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@spikespeigel8630
[Verse 1]
Been dazed and confused for so long, it's not true
Wanted a woman, never bargained for you
Lots of people talk and few of them know
Soul of a woman was created below, yeah
[Verse 2]
You hurt and abuse telling all of your lies
Run 'round, sweet baby, Lord, how they hypnotize
Sweet, little baby, I don't know where you've been
Gonna love you, baby, here I come again
[Extra Verse]
If you're going to San Francisco
Be sure to wear some flowers in your hair
If you're going to San Francisco
You're gonna meet a lot of gentle people there
[Verse 3]
Everyday, I work so hard bringing home my hard earned pay
Try to love you, baby, but you push me away
Don't know where you're going, only know just where you've been
Sweet little baby, I want you again
[Instrumental break 1:58-5:25]
[Guitar Solo]
[Verse 4]
Been dazed and confused for so long, it's not true
Wanted a woman, never bargained for you
Take it easy, baby, let them say what they will
Tongue wag so much when I send you the bill
@kieranhanham3059
That bass line gives me chills every time.
@elizabethvaughn5694
Right! I can't listen without making my ugly bass face... If ya know ya know ๐ค lol
@TheGenreman
Iโm glad when ppl check jpj, he underpins Bonham & page brilliantly on the fast section
@KinkadeJohn
The first time I heard it I got chills walking through my old elementary school playground at night. Listening on a ghetto blaster with fellows high as a kite, hell yeah CHILLS.
@johnsrous1616
You are right though, that bass line is so sick. It's just fucking crazy how awesome of a bassist John Paul Jones is and what a compliment to the pounding beat of John Bonham as this piece moves ominously along to its powerful climax. Zep at its worst is light years better than most bands at their best.
@2gwells
Has to be one of if not the most iconic bass lines ever. It's also one of the most simplest. Just shows complexity is not always needed.
@909Films
I was in my room one night, probably 15 years ago, trying to sleep. I was suddenly awoken to the bass opening of this song. I went downstairs and thereโs my dad, sitting at the dimly lit kitchen table, his amp and bass guitar plugged in playing along to Dazed and Confused. He felt like a jam session in the middle of the night. I couldnโt get mad at that. Sometimes, even when your kids are trying to sleep, you just gotta get the Led out!
@gregorybilling4241
Theres a tribute band called get the led out i saw them at a concert last night
@61subsandnovideos
You just gotta Led it out y'know?
@halfandhalfbastard8033
Sounds like you got woken up dazed and confused!