Hey Hey What Can I Do is a classic folk-blues track by Led Zeppelin from their 1970 album Coda , a fan favorite for its raw energy and simple strumming vibe. Guitarists love it for straightforward chords that capture Jimmy Page's loose, acoustic style—perfect for jamming around a campfire or in a garage band setup.

Main Chords

The song sits comfortably in A major (or G# for the original recording key), using open chords that beginners can nail quickly. Core progression revolves around these:

Section| Chords| Strumming Tip 13
---|---|---
Intro/Verse| A - G - D (x4)| Down-down-up, loose feel
Verse cont.| A - E - G - D| Add hammer-ons on A (6th str)
Chorus| A - G - D - E| Punchy, with F# passing note
Outro| A - G - D - E (fade)| Upstrokes for pocket groove

Play the intro riff like this: On A chord, pick low E (6th str) 6h8p6, then A string open—keeps that bouncy Zeppelin swing.

Full Lyrics with Chords

Here's a reliable breakdown synced to lyrics, pulled straight from top tabs— capo optional at 1st fret for easier reach if you're transposing down.

A                G             D
Wanna tell you 'bout the girl I love...
A                G          D
My, she looks so fine...
A               G             D
She's the only one that I been dreamin' of...
A                  G                D
Maybe someday she will be all mine.

[Chorus]
A             G             D         E
I got a woman, wanna ball all day...
A             G             D         E
I got a woman, she won't be true...
Hey, hey, what can I do? [Repeat/Fade]

Verse 2 keeps the same A-G-D flow: "Sunday morning when we go down to church..." Chorus hits harder with E for lift.

Playing Tips

  • Tempo & Feel: Around 100 BPM—loose, not rigid. Use thumb for bass notes on acoustic.
  • Variations : Some tabs shift to G# for authenticity (G# barre at 4th fret), but A works great for singalongs. Add bluesy bends on D chord end.
  • Common Mistakes : Don't rush the chorus; let "Hey hey" breathe. Video lessons show Page's upstroke magic.

Trending Context

As of early 2026, this tune trends on guitar forums like Reddit's r/LedZeppelin for "easy Zep songs"—spiking with covers from TikTok virals and acoustic challenges. Forum chatter loves debating capo vs. barre, with most agreeing open A crushes live sets.

"Love this riff—simple but endless fun. Capo 2 for vocals!" – Forum post

TL;DR : Grab your guitar, strum A-G-D-E pattern, sing the woes of a cheating lover, and channel Zep magic. Easy win for any player.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.