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.

In 1968 "Dazed and Confused", with new lyrics and vocal line, was recorded by Page's new group Led Zeppelin and released on their debut album.

[2] The arrangement is a modular dirge in the key of E minor[4] built on a descending chromatic bass line alternating between the 3rd (E-G-F#-F-E) and the 7th (E-D-C#-C-B).

[5] Holmes' singing has been described as "pained",[1] and the lyrics ("you're out to get me/you're on the right track") and ("I'm being abused/I'm better off dead"), coupled with the arrangement led some people to think the song was about a bad acid trip.

[7] According to Holmes, "That was the infamous moment of my life when 'Dazed and Confused' fell into the loving arms and hands of Jimmy Page.

"[8] He was aware of the song appearing on Led Zeppelin's eponymous debut album less than two years later, but did not take any action at the time.

[9] By late 1966, English rock group the Yardbirds had moved away from recording hit singles towards regular touring.

[13] On August 25, 1967, the group headlined at the Village Theater in New York City, with opening acts the Youngbloods and Jake Holmes.

[18][6] The Yardbirds began to develop a new arrangement for "Dazed and Confused" while still on tour in the U.S.[19] Holmes' brooding atmosphere and descending bass line were retained, as well as most of the lyrics.

[21] The song begins with bowed electric guitar phrasings by Page, answered by vocal and harmonica interjections by Relf.

Page attributed the idea of using a violin bow on the guitar to a suggestion from violinist David McCallum, Sr., whom he met in his pre-Yardbirds days as a session musician.

[25] When they returned to England, the group performed a nine-minute version in January 1968, around the time the full quartet recorded their last single, "Think About It".

"[45] The future Led Zeppelin recorded their version in October 1968 at Olympic Studios, London, and the song was included on their self-titled debut album (1969).

[1][50][51] As of 2002, the 1969 promotional EP using "Babe I'm Gonna Leave You" as the A-side track and "Dazed and Confused" as B-side had been one of top ten Led Zeppelin music collectibles.

[53] In June 2010, Holmes filed a lawsuit in US federal court, alleging copyright infringement and naming Page as a co-defendant.

[56] A live version of "Dazed and Confused" recorded July 1973 at New York's Madison Square Garden was featured in the 1976 Led Zeppelin concert film The Song Remains the Same.

[57] Other live recordings are found on the following official releases: (*) designates unordered lists According to Jean-Michel Guesdon and Philippe Margotin:[38] Footnotes Citations References