Courtney Love at the Junker Designs 2007 Spring Collection Fashion Show held at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery. Hollywood, California - 19.10.06

The former HOLE star admits she couldn't have played the instrument pal LINDA PERRY sent her as she underwent drug counselling last year (05) even if she wanted to - because music was banned in the facility.

Love tells Billboard.com, "My hand-eye co-ordination was so bad, I didn't even know chords anymore. It was like my fingers were frozen.

"And I wasn't allowed to make noise, so I'd sit there and try to quietly write and struggle. I never thought I would work again. No one is ever going to talk to me. I'm never going to get a record deal. I'm never going to get on stage again. So, I just kept writing."

The results of her frantic rehab writing stint features on her new untitled album, which is produced by former 4 NON BLONDES star Perry, who co-wrote a handful of the tunes.

Perry insists she was blown away by her pal's recovery and songwriting skills: "Courtney Love's name should be right next to BOB DYLAN when they say best lyricist of all time."

Source: WENN