All nine tracks that she sings on were personally approved and arranged by Joplin. Joplin sang on all tracks except Buried Alive in the Blues, which was actually a backing track in which she had not yet recorded vocals. The song's writer Nick Gravenites was offered the opportunity to sing it as a tribute to Joplin, but he turned it down, and as a result, the song ended up as an instrumental. The recording sessions, starting in early September, ended with Joplin's untimely death on October 4, 1970. Her final session, which took place on Thursday, October 1 after a break of several days, yielded her a cappella Mercedes Benz. It was the last song she recorded before her death.
The album cover, photographed by Barry Feinstein in Los Angeles, shows Joplin reclining on her Victorian era loveseat with a drink in her hand.
Move Over
Janis Joplin Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You say that it's over now
But still you hang around me, come on
Won't you move over
You know that I need a man, honey Lord
You know that I need a man
But when I ask you to you just tell me
That maybe you can
Please don't you do it to me babe, no!
Please don't you do it to me baby
Either take this love I offer
Or just let me be
I ain't quite a ready for walking, no no no no
I ain't quite a ready for walking
And what you gonna do with your life
Life all just dangling?
Oh yeah
Make up your mind, honey
You're playing with me, hey hey hey
Make up your mind, darling
You're playing with me, come on now
Now either be my loving man
I said-a, let me honey, let me be, yeah
You say that it's over, baby, no
You say that it's over now
But still you hang around me, come on
Won't you move over
You know that I need a man, honey, I told you so
You know that I need a man
But when I ask you to you just tell me
That maybe you can
Hey! Please don't you do it to me, babe, no
Please don't you do it to me baby
Either take this love I offer
Honey let me be
I said won't you, won't you let me be
Honey, you're teasing me
Yeah, you're playing with my heart, dear
I believe you're toying with my affections, honey
I can't take it no more baby
And furthermore, I don't intend to
I'm just tired of hanging from the end of a string, honey
You expect me to fight like a goddamned mule
Wah, wah, wah, wah, honey
Janis Joplin's "Move Over" song, from her 1971 "Pearl" album, speaks to a relationship that has gone sour. The verses imply a push and pull between her and her partner where they both want different things. The song's lyrics express her frustration with his indecisiveness and her desire for a committed relationship with him. She tells her partner to "please don't do it to me, babe," pleading with him to either commit to her or leave her alone. The chorus "move over" is a demand for him to move away from her, and let her find the love she desires.
The structure of the song is straightforward, using a bluesy guitar riff and Joplin's powerful, soulful vocal delivery. The song's melody adds to the song's sense of urgency, and frustration-driven energy. Joplin's voice embodies the song's themes with her raw and emotive delivery. The song captures the angst-ridden spirit of the era, giving voice to the restlessness and dissatisfaction of the time.
Line by Line Meaning
You say that it's over baby, Lord
You tell me that our relationship is finished, but you continue to remain in my life.
You say that it's over now
You repeatedly state that our relationship is over, but your actions show otherwise.
But still you hang around me, come on
You continue to be present in my life even though our relationship has ended, please leave.
Won't you move over
Please make space for me to move on, I need to move on with my life.
You know that I need a man, honey Lord
You know I need a partner but you continue to give me false hope.
You know that I need a man
I am searching for a partner who I can build a life with.
But when I ask you to you just tell me
When I try to express my needs, you give me vague and unfulfilling responses.
That maybe you can
You give me hope that our relationship may work out, but this hope is empty and unfulfilling.
Please don't you do it to me babe, no!
Please don't give me false hope or empty promises, it hurts me more in the end.
Either take this love I offer
I am offering you my love, but if you cannot accept it, then let me go.
Or just let me be
If you cannot reciprocate my love, then please let me go and allow me to move on.
I ain't quite a ready for walking, no no no no
I am not quite ready to end our relationship, but I know it must come to an end eventually.
And what you gonna do with your life
What are your plans for the future, and how do I fit into them?
Life all just dangling?
Our future together seems uncertain and unclear.
Make up your mind, honey
Please make a decision about our relationship, instead of stringing me along.
You're playing with me, hey hey hey
Your indecisiveness and mixed signals are causing me emotional pain and distress.
Now either be my loving man
Either commit to me and our relationship, or let me go to find someone who will.
I said-a, let me honey, let me be, yeah
If you cannot commit to me or reciprocate my love, then please let me go and allow me to move on.
Hey! Please don't you do it to me, babe, no
Please don't play with my heart and emotions by giving me false hope or empty promises.
Honey let me be
If you cannot accept my love, then please let me go so that I may find someone who can.
I said won't you, won't you let me be
I am asking you to let me go so that I may move on with my life.
Honey, you're teasing me
Your mixed signals and indecisiveness are causing me emotional pain and distress.
Yeah, you're playing with my heart, dear
Your behavior towards me is causing me emotional distress and pain.
I believe you're toying with my affections, honey
I feel like you are using my feelings for you to manipulate and control me.
I can't take it no more baby
I have reached my breaking point and can no longer continue in this relationship.
And furthermore, I don't intend to
I have made up my mind to end this relationship and move on with my life.
I'm just tired of hanging from the end of a string, honey
I am tired of feeling like I am at the mercy of your indecisiveness and mixed signals.
You expect me to fight like a goddamned mule
You are putting me in a position where I feel like I have to fight for our relationship, when it should be a partnership.
Wah, wah, wah, wah, honey
The painful and distressing situation that our relationship has become is making me emotional.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Janis Joplin
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Andre Atteint
on Summertime
Dear Janis