Is the legacy that Janis Joplin left behind bigger than the legend of Janis Joplin? I will never be able to decide. But I've never stopped being fascinated by the woman that she was, and the music that she created.
When I was first introduced to the musical genius of Janis Joplin, the line that caught my attention was:
Freedom is just another word for nothing left to lose,
Nothing don’t mean nothing honey if it ain’t free, now now.
It made a lot of sense then, and only when I researched the singer later, did I understand its relevance. Rock and Roll's first superstar and Blues queen, Janis Joplin represented an movement that rejected societal norms. She was a rebel who strangely wanted acceptance. However, all she faced was rejection, an emotion that was visibly present in her songs.
Down on me, down on me,
Looks like everybody in this whole round world
They’re down on me.
Love in this world is so hard to find
When you’ve got yours and I got mine.
That’s why it looks like everybody in this whole round world
They’re down on me.
As a youngster, Janis faced the tribulations of most teens. She battled acne and weight gain, and eventually took refuge in her music. She knew deep down in her soul, that she wasn't part of the world that had once rejected her. A complete outsider, even her music was different. Her clear, raspy voice, and her awe-inspiring stage presence, had never been seen before. Coming from a one-time ''ugly duckling'', Janis had helped create a new identity for herself. However, she never stopped craving for acceptance.
I’m a caterpillar
I’m a caterpillar
Crawling for your love
Crawling for your love
Crawling for your love,
For your love.
Well, I’ll be anything that you want me to be.
Baby, I’d even would be climbing up your tree.
Her music came to a shocking halt in 1970, when she was found dead in a hotel room, as a result of a drug overdose. Strangely enough, despite her death, the music she had created kept her legacy alive. And as it is said, ''by dying young, she is frozen at the pinnacle of her success -- brilliant and shimmering in the easy grace of audience acceptance and approval. She is, forever, raw iron soul.''
I couldn't agree more! Decades later, all we have now are her classics. So if you've not heard her, you don't know what you're missing.
My favorite Janis Joplin songs are Ball and Chain , Me & Bobby McGee, and her fun classic Mercedes Benz.
Oh Lord, won’t you buy me a Mercedes Benz ?
My friends all drive Porsches, I must make amends.
Worked hard all my lifetime, no help from my friends,
So Lord, won’t you buy me a Mercedes Benz ?
Oh Lord, won’t you buy me a color TV ?
Dialing For Dollars is trying to find me.
I wait for delivery each day until three,
So oh Lord, won’t you buy me a color TV ?
Oh Lord, won’t you buy me a night on the town ?
I’m counting on you, Lord, please don’t let me down.
Prove that you love me and buy the next round,
Oh Lord, won’t you buy me a night on the town ?
Everybody!
Oh Lord, won’t you buy me a Mercedes Benz ?
My friends all drive Porsches, I must make amends,
Worked hard all my lifetime, no help from my friends,
So oh Lord, won’t you buy me a Mercedes Benz ?
