John Paul Jones Kills “When The Levee Breaks” But Wait Until You See What He Plays It On!

Is There Anything This Man Can’t Do?!

We were so excited when we saw the great John Paul Jones KILLING it, but not with a strap around his neck, but a table at his fingers, a lap steel guitar table.

This incredible guitarist has a knack for all things strung, as he is known to play bass (Led Zeppelin) violin, ukulele, sitar, cello, mandolin, organ and more! This special man has such an amazing talent and we love that he is still sharing with the world, especially through the form of “When The Levee Breaks“, which may be our favorite Zeppelin song ever.

“If it keeps on rainin’, levee’s goin’ to break. If it keeps on rainin’, levee’s goin’ to break. When the levee breaks I’ll have no place to stay.”

Playing live at the Hard Rock in Japan, 2004, Jones brings the heat in the form of a lap steel guitar, along with musician Paul Gilbert, heavy metal guitarist of Mr. Big. 

Fun Fact: Since “When The Levee Breaks” was recorded in the studio, Zeppelin rarely performed it live.

Although we would love to hear Plant’s vocals in this again, bassist John Paul Jones really rocks the house with his impressive ability to nail the lap steel with ease.

+ When The Levee Breaks Lyrics +

If it keeps on rainin’, levee’s goin’ to break
If it keeps on rainin’, levee’s goin’ to break
When the levee breaks I’ll have no place to stay

Mean old levee taught me to weep and moan
Mean old levee taught me to weep and moan
It’s got what it takes to make a mountain man leave his home
Oh, well, oh, well, oh, well

Don’t it make you feel bad
When you’re tryin’ to find your way home
You don’t know which way to go?
If you’re goin’ down South
They got no work to do,
If you don’t know about Chicago

Cryin’ won’t help you, prayin’ won’t do you no good
Now, cryin’ won’t help you, prayin’ won’t do you no good
When the levee breaks, mama, you got to move

All last night sat on the levee and moaned
All last night sat on the levee and moaned
Thinkin’ about my baby and my happy home

Going, going to Chicago…
Going to Chicago…
Sorry but I can’t take you…
Going down… going down now… going down….