Led Zeppelin Owns 70’s Reggae Scene With “D’yer Mak’er” Track

Jamaica

As one of the few songs that all 4 members of Led Zeppelin shared equal credit on, “D’yer Mak’er” was the band’s attempt to bring a little bit of reggae into their normally bluesy rock groove. In ’72, during a rehearsal, drummer Bonzo started out with doo-wop rip that turned into an off- beat reggae sound and the band ran with it.

Interesting Fact: The title is pronounced “Jamaica,” as spoken by the locals in that country. It is a play on the phrase “did you make her”

Despite guitarist John Paul Jones’ distaste toward the song, “D’yer Mak’er” became one of Zeppelin’s most well- known songs with its funky, dub- influenced style. Reaching #20 on charts in ’73, the band decided not to release the track as a single in the UK, as well as to never play it live. 

From album Houses of the Holy, the song originally set out to be a joke/ play on words, however, it is still played to this day and loved much more than the band members ever anticipated.

+ D’yer Mak’er Lyrics +

Oh oh oh oh oh oh
You don’t have to go oh oh oh oh oh
You don’t have to go oh oh oh oh oh
You don’t Have to go.

Ay ay ay ay ay ay
All those tears I cry ay ay ay ay ay
All those tears I cry ay ay ay ay ay
Baby please don’t go.

When I read the letter you wrote, it made me mad mad mad
When I read the words that it told me, it made me sad sad sad.
But I still love you so, I can’t let you go
I love you- ooh baby I love you.

Oh oh oh oh oh oh
Every breath I take oh oh oh oh oh
Every move I make oh oh oh oh oh
Baby please don’t go.

Ay ay ay ay ay ay
You hurt me to my soul ay ay ay ay ay
You hurt me to my soul ay ay ay ay ay
Darling please don’t go.

When I read the letter you sent me, it made me mad mad mad
When I read the news that it broke, it made me sad sad sad.
But I still love you so, and I can’t let you go
I love you- ooh baby I love ya.
Oh oh oh oh oh oh
You don’t have to go oh oh oh oh
You don’t have to go oh oh oh oh
Aw Baby, babe Please Please Please Please
Ah uh ah uh ah ah baby
Ah Uh I still love you baby
Ooh Ooh, ooh ohh, ooh ooh Darling
Oh Oh-wo Aw baby I still love you so
Aw baby I still love you so oh-wo ooh

Oh oh oh oh oh oh yeah (fire)
Ah ah ah ah ah ah oh (fire)
Ah ah ah ah ah
Ooooh (fire) yeah
Oh Baby, Baby