Black Dog
Led Zeppelin (Definitive Collection Mini-LP Replica) Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Hey, hey mama said the way you move
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, I can't keep away

Oh yeah, oh yeah ah, ah, ah ah
Oh yeah, oh yeah ah, ah, ah ah
Oh yeah, oh yeah ah, ah, ah ah
Oh yeah, oh yeah ah, ah, ah ah

I gotta roll I 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 my baby, my pretty baby
Darlin' makes '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 ah
Oh yeah, oh yeah ah, ah, ah ah
Oh yeah, oh yeah ah, ah, ah ah
Oh yeah, oh yeah ah, ah, yeah

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

Oh yeah
Darlin' makes 'em do it now
Yeah-yeah. yeah-yeah. yeah-yeah
Darlin' makes 'em do it now
Babe! babe!
Wooh, keep doin' it babe

(Busted) hey
(Busted) hey
(Busted) hey
(Busted) hey

(Busted) hey, yeah
(Busted) hey, yeah
(Busted) hey, yeah
Oh, yeah

Oh-ah
(Well done)





Darlin' makes 'em do it now
Darlin' makes 'em do it now

Overall Meaning

Led Zeppelin’s song “Black Dog” is a raw and energetic rock song that has been enjoyed by listeners of all generations since it was released in 1971. Some speculate that the lyrics were inspired by a black dog that would walk around the studio while the band was recording. Others suggest that it is a metaphor for a seductive woman. The opening line “Hey, hey mama said the way you move/Gon' make you sweat, gon' make you groove” sets the tone for the rest of the song. The lyrics are talking about the power of a woman’s movements and how it can make someone feel, with lines like “Gon' make you burn, gon' make you sting,” and “Watch your honey drip, I can't keep away.” The chorus is catchy and consists of “oh yeah” repeated four times in a row, with a harmonica playing along.


In the second verse, the focus shifts to the singer, who is “a roll [and] can't stand still.” The singer has a “flaming heart” and “dreams of [the woman] all through [his] head.” The singer is head over heels for this woman and can’t think of anyone else. The bridge of the song is where the lyrics become more ambiguous, with phrases like “Didn't take too long 'fore I found out/What people mean by down and out,” and “I don't know but I been told/A big legged woman ain't got no soul.” These lines do not necessarily connect to the rest of the song, but add to the overall vibe and feel.


Line by Line Meaning

Hey, hey mama said the way you move
Mama warned me about your seductive moves


Gon' make you sweat, gon' make you groove
Your dancing is so hot, it'll make me sweat and groove


Ah ah child way ya shake that thing
The way you move is so childish and provocative


Gon' make you burn, gon' make you sting
Your seduction will leave a burning and stinging sensation


Hey, hey baby when you walk that way
Baby, when you walk like that, you're irresistible


Watch your honey drip, I can't keep away
Your seduction is so strong, I can't resist it


I gotta roll I can't stand still
I'm so moved by your seduction that I can't stay still


Got a flamin' heart can't get my fill
Your seduction has ignited my desire and I can't get enough


With eyes that shine, burnin' red
Your eyes are glowing and burning red with passion


Dreams of you all through my head
I'm constantly thinking and dreaming about you


Hey baby, whoa my baby, my pretty baby
You're so beautiful, baby


Darlin' makes 'em do it now
Your seduction is unstoppable, darling


Move the way you're doin' now
Keep on moving the way you are, baby


Didn't take too long 'fore I found out
It didn't take me long to realize


What people mean by down and out
What it means to be broke and hopeless


Spent my money, took my car
You took everything from me, my money and my car


Started tellin' her friends she gon' be a star
You're already planning on becoming a star with my money


I don't know but I been told
I'm not sure, but I've heard rumors


A big legged woman ain't got no soul
A woman with big legs has no soul (probably a sexist comment)


All I ask for all I pray
All I want, all I pray for


Steady rollin' woman gon' come my way
I hope to find a reliable woman


Need a woman gonna hold my hand
I need a woman to hold my hand and support me


Won't tell me no lies, make me a happy man
I want a woman who will always tell me the truth and make me happy


Oh yeah
Oh yeah!


Wooh, keep doin' it babe
Keep doing what you're doing, baby


Darlin' makes 'em do it now
Your seduction is so strong, it makes people do things


Babe! babe!
You're so hot, babe!


(Busted) hey
(Gotcha) hey


(Well done)
(Good job)




Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JAMES PATRICK (JIMMY) PAGE, ROBERT ANTHONY PLANT, JOHN PAUL JONES

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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