Communication Breakdown
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"Communication Breakdown" is a song by the English rock band
Led Zeppelin Led Zeppelin were an English rock band formed in London in 1968. The group comprised vocalist Robert Plant, guitarist Jimmy Page, bassist/keyboardist John Paul Jones, and drummer John Bonham. With a heavy, guitar-driven sound, they are ci ...
, from their 1969 self-titled debut album. It was also used as the B-side of the group's first single in the US, "
Good Times Bad Times "Good Times Bad Times" is a song by the English rock band Led Zeppelin, featured as the opening track on their 1969 debut album ''Led Zeppelin''. The song was Led Zeppelin's first single released in the US, where it reached the ''Billboard'' ...
". A promotional video was released, with the group miming to the recording, which is included on the ''
Led Zeppelin DVD ''Led Zeppelin DVD'' is a double DVD set by the English rock band Led Zeppelin, released in the United Kingdom on 26 May 2003, and the United States on 27 May 2003. It contains live concert footage of the band spanning the years 1969 to 1979. The D ...
'' (2003).


Composition

The song is 2 minutes and 26 seconds long. It was one of the first worked on by the band, shortly after formation and before they had played any gigs. It developed from a guitar riff played by
Jimmy Page James Patrick Page (born 9 January 1944) is an English musician who achieved international success as the guitarist and founder of the rock band Led Zeppelin. Page is prolific in creating guitar riffs. His style involves various alternative ...
, while the rest of the band wrote the song around it. Bassist
John Paul Jones John Paul Jones (born John Paul; July 6, 1747 July 18, 1792) was a Scottish-American naval captain who was the United States' first well-known naval commander in the American Revolutionary War. He made many friends among U.S political elites ( ...
later said "This is Page's riffyou can tell instantly". Singer
Robert Plant Robert Anthony Plant (born 20 August 1948) is an English singer and songwriter, best known as the lead singer and lyricist of the English rock band Led Zeppelin for all of its existence from 1968 until 1980, when the band broke up following the ...
could not receive a songwriting credit owing to a previous record contract, and consequently it was credited simply to the other three band members.


Live versions

"Communication Breakdown" was part of the group's initial live set in 1968. It was played at every gig until 1970, after which it was featured as an encore. The group played it on at least one show for all subsequent tours, including their residency at
Earl's Court Earl's Court is a district of Kensington in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea in West London, bordering the rail tracks of the West London line and District line that separate it from the ancient borough of Fulham to the west, the ...
, London in 1975, the second appearance at the 1979 Knebworth Festival, and the band's final tour in 1980. Plant played it on some of his solo tours, while Jones performed it live with
Diamanda Galás Diamanda Galás (born August 29, 1955) is an American musician, singer-songwriter, visual artist, and soprano. She has campaigned for AIDS education and the rights of the infected. Galás's commitment to addressing social issues and her involve ...
in 1994. On the ''
Led Zeppelin BBC Sessions ''BBC Sessions'' is a compilation album featuring studio sessions and a live concert recorded by English rock group Led Zeppelin for the BBC. It was released on 11 November 1997, by Atlantic Records. Disc one consists of material from four differ ...
'', released in 1997, this song was featured three times, each with a slightly different improvisation by the group. Three live versions–taken from performances at the TV program ''Tous en scène'' in Paris in 1969, at ''Danmarks Radio'' in 1969 and at the
Royal Albert Hall The Royal Albert Hall is a concert hall on the northern edge of South Kensington, London. One of the UK's most treasured and distinctive buildings, it is held in trust for the nation and managed by a registered charity which receives no govern ...
in 1970–can also be seen on the ''
Led Zeppelin DVD ''Led Zeppelin DVD'' is a double DVD set by the English rock band Led Zeppelin, released in the United Kingdom on 26 May 2003, and the United States on 27 May 2003. It contains live concert footage of the band spanning the years 1969 to 1979. The D ...
''. The version of "Good Times Bad Times/Communication Breakdown" released on 15 April 2014, on iTunes, is from 10 October 1969 in Paris, on the European Tour of Autumn 1969.


Legacy

The Dictators The Dictators are an American punk rock band formed in New York City in 1973. Critic John Dougan said that they were "one of the finest and most influential proto-punk bands to walk the earth." Origins The band was formed in 1972 by Andy "Ad ...
' bassist
Andy Shernoff Andy Shernoff (born April 19, 1955) is an American musician, songwriter and record producer. He is a founding member of The Dictators, one of the original New York punk bands, in which he wrote nearly all of the songs, played bass guitar and k ...
states that Page's
guitar riff A riff is a repeated chord progression or refrain in music (also known as an ostinato figure in classical music); it is a pattern, or melody, often played by the rhythm section instruments or solo instrument, that forms the basis or accomp ...
of rapid downstrokes in "Communication Breakdown" was an inspiration for the
Ramones The Ramones were an American punk rock band that formed in the New York City neighborhood of Forest Hills, Queens, in 1974. They are often cited as the first true punk rock group. Despite achieving a limited commercial appeal in the United ...
' guitarist
Johnny Ramone John William Cummings (October 8, 1948 – September 15, 2004), better known by his stage name Johnny Ramone, was an American musician who was the guitarist and a founding member of the Ramones, a band that helped pioneer the punk movement. ...
's downstroke guitar style. Ramone stated in the documentary ''Ramones: The True Story'' that he built up skill at his downstroke playing style by playing the song over and over again for the bulk of his early career. The song was used in the American animated sitcom ''
The Simpsons ''The Simpsons'' is an American animated sitcom created by Matt Groening for the Fox Broadcasting Company. The series is a satirical depiction of American life, epitomized by the Simpson family, which consists of Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa, ...
''. In a 2006 episode titled " G.I. (Annoyed Grunt)", a group of soldiers with guitars play the riff during a recruitment drive at a crowded stadium. According to author Jonathan Pieslak, the scene is "clearly satirical... the ending scene references rock music and implies that being in the military is somehow like being at a rock concert".


See also

*
List of cover versions of Led Zeppelin songs Led Zeppelin was an English rock band whose career spanned twelve years from 1968 to 1980. They are considered one of the most successful, innovative, and influential rock groups in history. During the band's tenure and in the years since they ...
"Communication Breakdown" entries


References


Bibliography

* * * * * * {{authority control 1969 songs 1969 singles Atlantic Records singles Led Zeppelin songs Song recordings produced by Jimmy Page Songs written by Jimmy Page Songs written by John Paul Jones (musician) Songs written by John Bonham Songs written by Robert Plant Protopunk songs