Big Brother and The Holding Company – Piece of My Heart

About The Song

“Piece of My Heart” by Big Brother and the Holding Company featuring Janis Joplin is a classic rock song from 1968. Known for its raw and soulful performance, the song became an iconic representation of the blues-rock and psychedelic sound of the late 1960s.

Facts:

Janis Joplin’s Vocals: “Piece of My Heart” features the powerful and distinctive vocals of Janis Joplin, who was the lead singer of Big Brother and the Holding Company. Joplin’s soulful and emotive delivery became a defining element of the song.
Origin of the Song: The song was originally recorded by Erma Franklin in 1967, but it was Janis Joplin’s rendition with Big Brother and the Holding Company that catapulted it to fame. The band’s bluesy and rock-infused interpretation gave the song a new and dynamic energy.
Chart Success: “Piece of My Heart” was a commercial success, reaching the top 20 on the Billboard Hot 100. The song’s popularity contributed significantly to the recognition of Janis Joplin as a powerhouse vocalist and Big Brother and the Holding Company as a notable band of the psychedelic era.
Woodstock Performance: Big Brother and the Holding Company, with Janis Joplin, performed “Piece of My Heart” at the Woodstock Festival in 1969. The electrifying performance further solidified the song’s place in rock history and is remembered as one of the standout moments of the iconic festival.
Legacy and Covers: “Piece of My Heart” has endured as a classic rock standard, and its influence can be seen in the numerous covers and references in popular culture. The song’s timeless appeal lies in its combination of Joplin’s soulful vocals and the band’s energetic, blues-rock instrumentation.

Video

Lyrics

Oh, come on, come on, come on, come on

Didn’t I make you feel like you were the only man? Yeah
And didn’t I give you nearly everything that a woman possibly can?
Honey, you know I did
And each time I tell myself that I, well I think I’ve had enough
But I’m gonna show you, baby, that a woman can be tough

I want you to come on, come on, come on, come on and take it
Take another little piece of my heart now, baby (whoa, break it)
Break another little bit of my heart now, darling, yeah, yeah, yeah (whoa, have a)
Have another little piece of my heart now, baby
You know you got it if it makes you feel good
Oh, yes indeed

You’re out on the streets looking good
And baby, deep down in your heart, I guess you know that it ain’t right
Never, never, never, never, never, never hear me when I cry at night
Babe, and I cry all the time
But each time I tell myself that I, well I can’t stand the pain
But when you hold me in your arms, I’ll sing it once again

I said come on, come on, come on, come on and take it
Take another little piece of my heart now, baby
Break another little bit of my heart now, darling, yeah
Have another little piece of my heart now, baby
Well, you know you got it, child, if it makes you feel good

I need you to come on, come on, come on, come on and take it
Take another little piece of my heart now, baby (whoa, break it)
Break another little bit of my heart, now darling, yeah, c’mon now (whoa, have a)
Have another little piece of my heart now, baby
You know you got it, whoa

Take it
Take another little piece of my heart now, baby (whoa, break it)
Break another little bit of my heart, now darling, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah (whoa, have a)
Have another little piece of my heart now, baby, hey
You know you got it, child, if it makes you feel good