Dazed and Confused (Jake Holmes song)

"Dazed and Confused"
1968 promotional single label
Song by Jake Holmes
from the album "The Above Ground Sound" of Jake Holmes
ReleasedJuly 10, 1967 (1967-07-10)
RecordedEarly 1967
GenreFolk rock[1]
Length3:46
LabelTower
Songwriter(s)Jake Holmes
Audio sample

"Dazed and Confused" is a song written by American singer-songwriter Jake Holmes in 1967. Performed in a folk rock-style, he recorded it for his debut album "The Above Ground Sound" of Jake Holmes. Although some concluded that it was about a bad acid trip, Holmes insists the lyrics refer to the effects of a girl's indecision on ending a relationship.

After hearing Holmes perform the song in August 1967, English rock group the Yardbirds reworked it with a new arrangement. It soon became a centerpiece of their tours, several recordings of which have been released, including on Yardbirds '68, produced by guitarist Jimmy Page.

In 1968 "Dazed and Confused", with new lyrics and vocal line, was recorded by Page's new group for their debut album, Led Zeppelin. It became a signature song and concert staple for much of the group's career. Holmes attempted to contact Page in the 1980s regarding the songwriting credit, but received no response. In 2010, Holmes filed a lawsuit and the matter was settled out of court, with the credit on Led Zeppelin releases being changed to "Jimmy Page, inspired by Jake Holmes".

  1. ^ Unterberger, Richie. "The Above Ground Sound of Jake Holmes – Review". AllMusic. Retrieved April 10, 2014.