Good Times Bad Times

"Good Times Bad Times" featured as the opening track on Led Zeppelins 1969 debut album Led Zeppelin I. It is one of four songs from the album that appear on their compilation album Mothership.

Info

For the lead guitar solo, Jimmy Page passed his Fender Telecaster through a Leslie speaker to create a swirling effect This type of speaker contains a rotating paddle and was designed for a Hammond organ.

Other info

This punchy opening track from the band's debut album set the stage for Zeppelin's juggernaut conquest of the world of hard rock. Page octave-doubles John Paul Jones' nimble, angular bass line on his slinky-strung Fender Telecaster, adding shimmering finger vibrato at just about every opportunity. The guitarist's scorching, Leslie-effected lead licks, with their gut-wrenching bends and tumbling triplets, convey a man on fire and poised to win the West.

Lyrics

In the days of my youth
I was told what it means to be a man
Now I've reached that age
I've tried to do all those things the best I can
No matter how I try
I find my way to the same old jam

Good times, bad times
You know I've had my share
When my woman left home
For a brown-eyed man
Well I still don't seem to care

Sixteen I fell in love
With a girl as sweet as could be
It only took a couple of days
'Till she was rid of me

She swore that she would be all mine
And love me 'till the end
But when I whispered in her ear
I lost another friend, oh

Good times, bad times
You know I've had my share
When my woman left home
For a brown-eyed man
Well I still don't seem to care

Good times, bad times
You know I've had my share
When my woman left home
For a brown-eyed man
But I still don't seem to care

I know what it means to be alone
I sure do wish I was at home
I don't care what the neighbors say
I'm gonna love you each and every day
You can feel the beat within my heart
Realize, sweet babe, we ain't ever gonna part