"When the Levee Breaks" is acountry bluessong written and first recorded byMemphis MinnieandKansas Joe McCoyin 1929. The lyrics reflect experiences during the upheaval caused by theGreat Mississippi Flood of 1927. "When the Levee Breaks" was re-worked by English rock group Led Zeppelin and became the final song on their untitled fourth album. Singer Robert Plant used many of the original lyrics. The songwriting is credited to Memphis Minnie and the individual members of Led Zeppelin.