Communication Breakdown – English Lyrics

• By: Led Zeppelin
• Album: Led Zeppelin I

Lyrics & Translation

Dive into the raw energy of the 1960s rock scene with 'Communication Breakdown.' This song is a perfect example for learners to explore conversational English related to conflict and relationships, all while experiencing the powerful vocal delivery of Robert Plant.

[English]

作词 : Jimmy Page/John Paul Jones/John Bonham/Robert Plant

作曲 : Jimmy Page/John Paul Jones/John Bonham/Robert Plant

Communication Breakdown

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 let me hold you,

Let me feel your lovin' charms. /* lovin' touch, maybe? */

...

*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 wanna tell you that I love you so.

I wanna 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!

solo～～我的最爱

*Communication Breakdown,

It's always the same,

I'm having a nervous breakdown,

Drive me insane!

I want you to love me all night...

I want you to love me all night

I want you to love me

I want you to love...yeah! I want you to love!

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
communication /kəˌmjuːnɪˈkeɪʃən/ B1	noun - the exchanging of information or news
breakdown /ˈbreɪkdaʊn/ B2	noun - a failure of a system or a mental collapse
ruin /ˈruːɪn/ B2	verb - to destroy or damage something greatly noun - the physical destruction or remains of something
charms /tʃɑːrmz/ B2	noun - qualities that delight or fascinate
nervous /ˈnɜːrvəs/ B1	adjective - anxious or worried
insane /ɪnˈseɪn/ B2	adjective - mentally ill; extremely foolish or irrational
drive /draɪv/ A2	verb - to force someone into a particular state
ought /ɔːt/ B1	verb - used to indicate duty or correctness (ought to)
hold /hoʊld/ A2	verb - to grasp or carry something with one's hands
loving /ˈlʌvɪŋ/ A2	adjective - showing great affection

Key Grammar Structures

• Stop what you're doin'!

  ➔ Imperative form + Relative clause

  ➔ Use "what" as a pronoun representing the thing that the person is doing.

• You'll drive me to ruin.

  ➔ Future tense (will) + Causal verb structure

  ➔ The structure "drive someone to [state]" implies forcing someone into a specific condition.

• I don't know what it is that I like about you.

  ➔ Cleft sentence (it is... that)

  ➔ Used to emphasize "what it is" that causes the feeling of liking.

• I'm having a nervous breakdown.

  ➔ Present continuous for current state

  ➔ Using "having" to describe experiencing a temporary psychological state.

• I think you ought to know.

  ➔ Modal verb of obligation/advice (ought to)

  ➔ "Ought to" is used here as a softer way of suggesting something is necessary to share.

• I'm never gonna let you go.

  ➔ Future intention (be going to) + Adverb of frequency

  ➔ "Gonna" (going to) expresses strong future intent, reinforced by "never".

• It's always the same.

  ➔ Present simple + Adverb of frequency

  ➔ Describes a recurring, habitual situation.

• I want you to love me all night.

  ➔ Verb + Object + Infinitive (want someone to do)

  ➔ The structure "want [person] to [action]" defines the desire for another's behavior.