Hey Baby
Big Brother and the Holding Company ft. Janis Joplin Lyrics

The song Hey Baby by Big Brother and the Holding Company ft. Janis Joplin is a bluesy and soulful track that features Janis Joplin’s powerful vocals. The lyrics are short and repetitive, but they evoke a sense of longing and desire. The singer is asking their lover to take them in their arms and give them what they want, whether it be a house in the country or just some affection. The repetition of “hey baby” and “child” throughout the song gives it a playful and catchy feel, but Janis Joplin’s raw and emotive delivery adds a layer of depth and intensity.

The first verse of the song sets the tone for the rest of the track, with Janis Joplin singing “Hey baby, baby, hey hey hey hey, hey hey child”. The use of “baby” and “child” in the same line creates a kind of contradiction, which highlights the complexity of the singer’s feelings. They want to be taken care of and loved like a child, but they also want to be treated as an equal and respected as an adult. The chorus of the song is made up of a series of repetitions of “hey, hey, baby, hey hey hey hey, hey hey child”, with slight variations in the melody and rhythm. This repetition creates a hypnotic effect, drawing the listener in and making them feel the singer’s desires.

Overall, Hey Baby by Big Brother and the Holding Company ft. Janis Joplin is a powerful and emotionally charged blues track that showcases Janis Joplin’s incredible voice. The lyrics are simple but effective, conveying a sense of longing and desire through repetition and wordplay. The use of “baby” and “child” throughout the song adds an additional layer of complexity to the lyrics, highlighting the singer’s conflicting desires.