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.
Women Is Losers
Big Brother & The Holding Company Lyrics
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Women is losers
Women is losers, oh,
Say honey women is losers.
Well, I know you must have heard it all,
And everywhere
Men always seem to end up on top.
They'll come around by your door.
Whoa I say they'll hurt you, they'll desert you,
They'll leave you and never be here for more.
Oh yeah!
Women is losers
Women is losers
Women is losers, Lord, Lordy, Lord!!!
So now I know you must-a heard it, Lord, it's true,
Men always seem to end up on top.
They wear a nice shiny armor
Until there is a dragon for to slay.
Any day now,
Course with men beggin' to pay 'em
Then they'll turn and run away, oh!
Women is losers
Women is losers
Women is losers, Lord, Lord, Lord, Lord!!!
So I know you must have heard it, Lord,
Everywhere
Men always seem to end up on top, oh!
The song "Women is Losers" by Big Brother & The Holding Company is a powerful commentary on the societal role of women and gender inequality. The lyrics lament the fact that despite their intelligence, strength and resilience, women are often relegated to inferior positions in a male-dominated society. The song makes a strong statement about the plight of women - who have historically been subjected to mistreatment and abuse, and who continue to face discrimination and marginalization.
The song begins with the repeated line "Women is losers" which is then echoed by the chorus. This repetition drives home the message that women have been relegated to second-class status in society, and that this is a sad reality that they have to live with. The verses go on to detail how men often treat women badly, hurting and leaving them, and how they only come back when they want something. The chorus is then repeated again, with increasing urgency, before the song finishes off with the suggestion that it is only when women start fighting back that things will change.
Overall, "Women is Losers" is a powerful song that highlights the struggle of women in a patriarchal society. The lyrics focus on the theme of gender inequality and drive home the message that women deserve better.
Line by Line Meaning
Women is losers
The world exploits, mistreats, and undervalues women.
Women is losers
Women are constantly reminded of their inferior status.
Women is losers, oh,
The phrase is stated with realization and acknowledgement.
Say honey women is losers.
Addressing a woman as a term of endearment and conveying the message that they are oppressed.
Well, I know you must have heard it all,
Acknowledging that the reality of women being undervalued is well known.
And everywhere
This is a global phenomenon, affecting women in all parts of the world.
Men always seem to end up on top.
Men always seem to gain more power and privilege at the expense of women.
Oh, if they told you they want you
Be wary of men who make false promises and flattery to manipulate women.
They'll come around by your door.
They may initially show interest, but soon abandon women when they lose value in their eyes.
Whoa I say they'll hurt you, they'll desert you,
The actions of men towards women are often emotionally and physically hurtful.
They'll leave you and never be here for more.
Men often use women as disposable objects, abandoning them when they are no longer useful.
Oh yeah!
An expression of agreement.
Women is losers
Repeated for emphasis.
Women is losers, Lord, Lordy, Lord!!!
The pain caused to women is lamented.
So now I know you must-a heard it, Lord, it's true,
The singer acknowledges the truth of the oppression of women as a universal experience.
Men always seem to end up on top.
The unfair advantage men have over women is restated.
They wear a nice shiny armor
Men may appear to be valiant and honorable, but their actions reveal their true nature.
Until there is a dragon for to slay.
When the going gets tough, men tend to flee instead of facing adversity head on.
Any day now,
Men are not reliable and their loyalty can never be guaranteed.
Course with men beggin' to pay 'em
Men may pay women for their time but it doesn't equate to respect or equality.
Then they'll turn and run away, oh!
Men only value women when there is something to gain, and abandon them when there is nothing left to take.
Women is losers
Restating the message of the song.
Women is losers, Lord, Lord, Lord, Lord!!!
The cycle of oppression of women is deplored.
So I know you must have heard it, Lord,
Addressed to a higher power and acknowledging the universality of the issue.
Everywhere
This song speaks on behalf of all women, who are oppressed and undervalued across the world.
Men always seem to end up on top, oh!
Men's unearned privilege is highlighted as a major factor in women's oppression.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JANIS JOPLIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind