The guitar riff was inspired by Eddie Cochran's "Nervous Breakdown." Jimmy Page used a small, miked amplifier to create the "guitar in a shoebox" sound.
This song became an anthem for frustrated youth. It was a popular live song that Led Zeppelin usually used to either open shows or play in an encore.
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. Page said the pounding guitar riff is difficult to play because of the constant, quick downstroke with the pick.
Lyrics
Hey girl stop what you're doin'!
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
It's always the same
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!
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!
Songwriters: John Bonham / John Paul Jones / Jimmy Page
Communication Breakdown lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc