The band was formed by Peter Albin, Sam Andrew, James Gurley (1939 – 2009) and Chuck Jones in San Francisco, in a Victorian mansion/boarding house owned by Peter's uncle at 1090 Page Street in the Haight-Ashbury. That house became the site of Wednesday night jam sessions which were organized by Chet Helms who was the real "Big Brother," naming the band, bringing James Gurley into the fold and later seeing that his old friend Janis Joplin came to sing with them. The first official Big Brother gig was at the Open Theater in Berkeley, January 1966. Within a short time they became the house band for Chet at the Avalon Ballroom and began to develop a loyal following, largely due to the charismatic, pioneering guitarwork of James Gurley. The band had what Sam Andrew called a "progressive-regressive hurricane blues style," playing such tunes as Hall of the Mountain King, Coo Coo, That's How Strong My Love Is, and Down On Me. Janis Joplin made her debut with Big Brother at the Avalon Ballroom in June 1966, and a year later, in June 1967, Big Brother and Janis performed at The Monterey Pop Festival. From that point on, Janis became the main focus of attention, with her high voltage and raw emotional performances, while Big Brother faded into the backgroud and became known for being her back-up band.
At the end of the summer of 1968, just after appearing at the Palace of Fine Arts Festival in San Francisco, Joplin announced that she was leaving Big Brother in the fall of that year. The official reason given was her desire to go solo and form a soul music band. Sam Andrew also left the band to join Janis in her new project. Janis played with Big Brother until December 1, 1968, at a Family Dog Benefit concert in San Francisco. Twenty days later she and Sam played in Memphis for the first time with her new band, later called Kozmic Blues Band.
After Janis left Big Brother, Dave Getz and Peter Albin joined Country Joe and the Fish and toured the U.S. and Europe and played on the Country Joe album Here We Go Again (Vanguard Records 1969). Getz and Albin left Country Joe in May 1969 with the intention of re-forming Big Brother with guitarist David Nelson. They auditioned several singers including Eddie Money, Kathi McDonald and John Herald but the band finally came back together in the fall of 1969 with nearly the same line-up (except Joplin): Albin, Andrew, Getz and Gurley were joined by Nick Gravenites (vocals), Dave Schallock (guitar) and Kathi McDonald (vocals). Be a Brother was released in 1970. Gurley moved to bass guitar while Albin played rhythm, Sam Andrew sang more lead vocals with Kathi McDonald, David Schallock on lead guitar, Dave Getz on drums and occasional keyboards. Nick Gravenites would also produce the album, write and sing on a number of the tracks. They releasad their last studio album, How Hard It Is, in 1971. The same lineup: Kathi and Sam and Nick on vocals joined by organist Mike Finnegan. The band remained with this lineup until 1972 but drugs, loss of management, lack of gigs and internal squabbles caused them to gradually fall apart and disband during that year. During the next 15 years they re-united once to play "The Tribal Stomp" in 1978 at the Greek Theatre in Berkeley.
The latest incarnation began in 1987, and has been touring part-time ever since with most of its original members, including Sam Andrew, Peter Albin, Dave Getz, and James Gurley. James left in 1996 because he did not support his colleagues' idea to hire a female singer to replace Joplin. He was replaced in 1997 by Tom Finch. Big Brother no longer has a fixed lead singer; Michel Bastian, Lisa Battle, Halley DeVestern, Lisa Mills, Andra Mitrovich, Kacee Clanton, Sophia Ramos, Mary Bridget Davies, Chloe Lowery, Jane Myrenget, Lynn Asher, Maria Stanford, Cathy Richardson, and Superfly's Shiho Ochi are among the singers that have played in concerts with them. Ben Nieves is the present guitar player along with Sam Andrew. In 1999 the band released the album Do What You Love, with Lisa Battle as the lead singer. The album contains some new versions of classic tunes like "Women is Loser" and a few new songs. The "Hold Me" album, with Sophia Ramos as lead singer and Chad Quist as guitar player, was recorded live in Germany in 2005, and released in 2006. In 2008 they released the two-CD set The Lost Tapes, with songs recorded at concerts between 1966 and 1967 in San Francisco, and featuring Janis Joplin as lead singer. Some songs had already been unofficial releases, but there are 12 never-before-released songs.
Former guitarist James Gurley died on December 20, 2009 of a heart attack, just two days before his 70th birthday.
Ball and Chain
Big Brother & The Holding Company Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Honey, looking out at the rain
Sitting down by my window, looking out at the rain
All around that I felt it
All I can see was the rain
Something grabbed a hold of me
Feel to me, oh, like a ball and chain
Hey, you know what I mean that's exactly what it felt like
And I say, oh, whoa, whoa, oh, that cannot be
Just because I got oh, your love, please
Why does every
Oh, this can't be just because I got to need you, daddy
Please don't you knock it down now, please
Here you've gone today
What I wanted to love you and I wanted to hold you, yeah, till the day I die
Yes, I did, yes, I did, yeah, hey, hey, alright
Say, whoa, whoa, whoa, honey
This can't be anything I've ever wanted from your daddy tell me now
Oh, tell me, baby
Oh, say, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, honey
This can't be, no, no, no, no, no
Yeah, yeah
I hope there's someone out there who could tell me
Tell me why just because I got to want your love
Honey, just because I got to need, need, need, need your love
I said I understand
Honey, what I'm wanna trying to say hi
Trying, try, try, try, try, try, try
Honey, everybody in the world, also same, baby
When everybody in the world what needs, seem lonely
What I wanted work for your love, daddy
What I wanted trust your love, daddy
I din't understand how come you're gone
I don't understand why half the world is still crying, man
And the other half of the world is still crying too, man
I can't get it together
I mean if you go to ? Oneday, man
I mean, so baby, you want ? Three and sixty five days, right
You ain't gonna within sixty five days, you gonna for one day, man
I tell you, that one day, man, better be your life, man
Because you know, you can stay oh man, you can cry about the other three and sixty four, man I said whoa, whoa, whoa
But you gonna lose that one day, man
That's all you got, you got to call it love, man
That's what it is, man
If you got today, you don't worry about tomorrow, man
Because you don't need it
Because the matter of the fact, as we discovered tat's rain, tomorrow never happens, man
It's all the same fucking day, man
So you gotta when you want to hold someone
You gotta hold them like it's the last minutes of your life
You gotta hold, hold, hold and I say, oh, whoa, whoa, now babe, tell me why
Hold, baby, 'cause some come on your shoulder, baby
It's gonna feel too heavy, it's gonna weigh on you why does every thing, every thing
It's gonna feel just like a ball
Oh, daddy and a chain
The song "Ball and Chain" by Big Brother & The Holding Company is a classic example of the blues-rock genre that emerged in the 1960s. The song begins with the singer sitting by his window, watching the rain fall outside. He feels a sense of confinement, as if he is being weighed down by something heavy and inescapable. The feeling of being trapped is described as "a ball and chain", a common metaphor for the emotional burdens of everyday life. As the song progresses, the singer grapples with the mysteries of love and relationships, wondering why some people seem to hold onto their partners with ease while others struggle to make connections. He ultimately concludes that love must be cherished in the moment, rather than being treated as a commodity that can be acquired and possessed.
Line by Line Meaning
Sitting down by my window
Starting with a description of the environment.
Honey, looking out at the rain
Observing the world, and noticing something not quite right with it.
Sitting down by my window, looking out at the rain
Repeating the description of the environment and action to emphasize the moment.
All around that I felt it
Sensing something not quite right.
All I can see was the rain
Realizing that the thing felt is the rain, which symbolizes the sadness and difficulties of life.
Something grabbed a hold of me
Feeling a sudden, overwhelming force that takes control.
Feel to me, oh, like a ball and chain
Describing the feeling in terms of a heavy weight that restricts movement and causes pain.
Hey, you know what I mean that's exactly what it felt like
Affirming that the feeling is accurately described by the metaphor, implying that others should be able to relate.
But that's way too heavy for you, you can't hold them all
Recognizing that the burdens of life are difficult for anyone to bear, and advising against trying to carry them all at once.
And I say, oh, whoa, whoa, oh, that cannot be
Expressing disbelief at the existence of such heavy burdens, and possibly questioning the fairness of life.
Just because I got oh, your love, please
Suggesting that the love of another person provides some relief from the problems of life.
Why does every
Starting a thought that is completed in the following line.
Oh, this can't be just because I got to need you, daddy
Questioning why love can't solve all problems, especially given how overwhelming the problems seem.
Please don't you knock it down now, please
Pleading to not destroy the hope and comfort that love provides.
Here you've gone today
Observing that the person one relied on for love and comfort is now gone.
What I wanted to love you and I wanted to hold you, yeah, till the day I die
Expressing a desire for a deep, lasting connection with the person who has left.
Yes, I did, yes, I did, yeah, hey, hey, alright
Affirming the intensity of the feeling and trying to maintain a positive attitude.
Say, whoa, whoa, whoa, honey
Starting a new thought, possibly addressing the person who has left.
This can't be anything I've ever wanted from your daddy tell me now
Questioning whether the person who has left was providing what was really needed, or if there was some misunderstanding.
Oh, tell me, baby
Pleading for an answer or explanation.
Oh, say, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, honey
Repeating the plea for an answer in frustration and desperation.
This can't be, no, no, no, no, no
Rejecting the idea that the current situation is acceptable or logical.
Yeah, yeah
Expressing agreement with oneself or others.
I hope there's someone out there who could tell me
Admitting to a lack of understanding and hoping for assistance or clarity.
Tell me why just because I got to want your love
Repeating the question about the role of love in life.
Honey, just because I got to need, need, need, need your love
Emphasizing the importance of love by repeating and elongating the phrase.
I said I understand
Claiming to understand the situation, possibly sarcastically.
Honey, what I'm wanna trying to say hi
Attempting to communicate a thought, but struggling to articulate it clearly.
Trying, try, try, try, try, try, try
Emphasizing one's effort to express oneself, but acknowledging its failure.
Honey, everybody in the world, also same, baby
Observing that everyone struggles with similar problems and feelings, in an attempt to feel less alone.
When everybody in the world what needs, seem lonely
Noticing that even when people have what they think they need, they still feel alone and unfulfilled.
What I wanted work for your love, daddy
Claiming that one has been striving for love and connection, but not receiving it.
What I wanted trust your love, daddy
Describing the kind of love one was hoping for, emphasizing the importance of trust and stability.
I din't understand how come you're gone
Continuing to grapple with the absence of the person who has left and the pain it causes.
I don't understand why half the world is still crying, man
Observing that many other people are experiencing similar struggles and sadness, in an attempt to feel less alone.
And the other half of the world is still crying too, man
Further emphasizing the pervasiveness of sadness and struggles in the world.
I can't get it together
Admitting to feeling overwhelmed and unable to figure out a way to cope with the problems of life.
I mean if you go to ? Oneday, man
Starting a hypothetical scenario in which someone attempts to escape from their problems by going somewhere else.
I mean, so baby, you want ? Three and sixty five days, right
Continuing the hypothetical scenario by questioning how long someone could go without experiencing problems if they went somewhere else.
You ain't gonna within sixty five days, you gonna for one day, man
Asserting that no matter where someone goes or how long they stay, they will eventually have to face the problems of life again.
I tell you, that one day, man, better be your life, man
Encouraging someone to focus on the present moment and value it as if it were their entire life, because it is the only time they truly have control over.
Because you know, you can stay oh man, you can cry about the other three and sixty four, man
Reminding someone that it is pointless to agonize over everything that has happened in the past or what will happen in the future, and that they should focus on the present moment.
I said whoa, whoa, whoa
Pausing to reflect on the weight of the message and to allow it to sink in.
But you gonna lose that one day, man
Warning that if someone continues to worry about the past or future, they will miss out on the only moment they really have control over.
That's all you got, you got to call it love, man
Affirming that the only thing that truly matters and can provide comfort and fulfillment is love.
That's what it is, man
Declaring that love is the essence of life and the only thing that truly matters.
If you got today, you don't worry about tomorrow, man
Reinforcing the message to focus on the present moment and not worry about the future, which is uncertain.
Because you don't need it
Asserting that the future, whatever it holds, is not as important or valuable as the present moment.
Because the matter of the fact, as we discovered tat's rain, tomorrow never happens, man
Making a poetic philosophical observation that time is fleeting and the future cannot be anticipated or controlled.
It's all the same fucking day, man
Simplifying the message to emphasize that all moments are equally valuable and should be appreciated.
So you gotta when you want to hold someone
Returning to the theme of love and connection, and acknowledging the importance of physically holding someone as a way to express love.
You gotta hold them like it's the last minutes of your life
Emphasizing the importance of full presence and attention in the moment, as if it were the last moment of life.
You gotta hold, hold, hold and I say, oh, whoa, whoa, now babe, tell me why
Linking physical holding to emotional holding and questioning why love sometimes feels like a heavy burden.
Hold, baby, 'cause some come on your shoulder, baby
Repeating the message to hold one's beloved tightly and offering a more poetic description of the need for support and comfort in life.
It's gonna feel too heavy, it's gonna weigh on you why does every thing, every thing
Acknowledging the difficulty and weight of the problems of life and questioning why they seem to be so pervasive and relentless.
It's gonna feel just like a ball
Continuing the metaphor of a ball and chain to describe the heavy burden of problems and difficulties in life.
Oh, daddy and a chain
Repeating the metaphor of a ball and chain to emphasize the heavy weight of life's problems and the difficulty of escaping them.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Willie Mae Thornton
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@wizardcat9194
lyrics
Sittin' down by my window
Honey, lookin' out at the rain
Lord, Lord, Lord, sittin' down by my window
Baby, lookin' out at the rain
Somethin' came along, grabbed a hold of me
And it felt just like a ball and chain
Honey, that's exactly what it felt like
Honey, just dragging me down
And I say, oh, whoa, whoa, now hon', tell me why
Why does every single little tiny thing I hold on goes wrong?
Yeah it all goes wrong, yeah
And I say, oh, whoa, whoa, now babe, tell me why
Why does every thing, every thing
Hey, here you gone today, I wanted to love you
Honey, I just wanted to hold you, I said, for so long
Yeah! Alright! Hey!
Love's got a hold on me, baby
Feels just like a ball and chain
Now, love's just draggin' me down, baby, yeah
Feels like a ball and chain
I hope there's someone out there who could tell me
Why the man I love wanna leave me in so much pain
Yeah, maybe, maybe you could help me, come on, help me!
And I say, oh, whoa, whoa, now hon', tell me why
Now tell me, tell me, tell me, tell me, tell me, tell me why, yeah
And I say, oh, whoa, whoa, whoa, when I ask you
When I need to know why, c'mon tell me why, hey hey hey
Here you've gone today
I wanted to love you and hold you
Till the day I die
I said whoa, whoa, whoa!
And I say oh, whoa, whoa, no honey
It ain't fair, daddy it ain't fair what you do
I see what you're doin' to me and you know it ain't fair
And I say oh, whoa whoa now baby
It ain't fair, now, now, now, what you do
I said hon' it ain't fair what, hon' it ain't fair what you do
Oh, here you gone today and all I ever wanted to do
Was to love you
Honey an' I think there can be nothing wrong with that
Only it ain't wrong, no, no, no, no, no
Sittin' down by my window
Lookin' at the rain
Lord, Lord, Lord, sittin' down by my window
Lookin' at the rain, see the rain
Somethin' came along, grabbed a hold of me
And it felt like a ball and chain
Oh this can't be in vain
And I'm gonna tell you one just more time, yeah, yeah!
And I say oh, whoa whoa, now baby
This can't be, no this can't be in vain
And I say no no no no no no no no, whoa!
And I say whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa
Now now now now now now now now now no no not in vain
Hey, hope there is someone that could tell me
Hon', tell me why
Hon', tell me why love is like
Just like a ball
Just like a ball
Baaaaaaalllll
Oh daddy, daddy, daddy, daddy, daddy, daddy, daddy, daddy
And a chain
Yeah!
@dianaruth8143
People who say that Big Brother & the Holding Company were lousy musicians weren't there.
@michaelkucinski4021
I wasn't there. I was too young. But, I know that they were great!
@WolfShenda
Is there anyone ever saying this?...
@lrwguitar
Easily best band she had
@thomasmulroney2065
In Vietnam, we used to listen to this all the time, but especially after s bad mission. Her screams were exactly how we felt
@mmmm-uy2se
Make love not war
@squeezepanda1
Where did you listen (if I may ask) ? I always thought those reconnaissance were a little like hiking trips and you'd sleep out in the jungle....
@rogerhjalmar5770
Thanks for your service.
@rosa7236
@@mmmm-uy2se it wasn't like they had a choice!
@filomenamauti9617
Fake? Fake subman? Fake little fish? Fake. Neanche sa.dov'è il Vietnam. Orrido.