Single by Ja… Read Full Bio ↴https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Down_on_Me_(traditional_song)
Single by Janis Joplin with
Big Brother and the Holding Company
Released: 1967
Format: 7" single
Recorded: 1967
Genre: Psychedelic rock
Length: 2:08
Writer: traditional, arr Joplin
"Down on Me" is a traditional freedom song from the 1920s or earlier that became popular following its remake by Janis Joplin and Big Brother and the Holding Company. "Going down" is a phrase for cunnilingus and this song meant Janis liked having her pussy eaten.
Down on Me
Janis Joplin Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Looks like everybody in this whole round world
They're down on me
Love in this world is so hard to find
When you've got yours and I got mine
That's why it looks like everybody in this whole round world
They're down on me
Saying they're down on me, down on me
Looks like everybody in this whole round world
Down on me
When you see a hand that's held out toward you
Give it some love, someday it may be you
That's why it looks like everybody in this whole round world
They're down on me, yeah
Lord, they're down on me, down on me, oh!
Looks like everybody in this whole round world
Is down on me
Believe in your brother, have faith in man
Help each other, honey, if you can
Because it looks like everybody in this whole round world
Is down on me
I'm saying down on me, oh, down on me, oh
It looks like everybody in this whole round world
Down on me
The lyrics of Janis Joplin's song "Down on Me" discuss the singer's feeling of isolation and persecution in the world. The opening lines, "Down on me, down on me/Looks like everybody in this whole round world/They're down on me," suggest that Joplin feels like everyone is against her. The repetition of the phrase "down on me" emphasizes her feeling of being weighed down by the opinions and negativity of those around her.
The second verse speaks to the difficulty of finding love in the world, and the frustration that comes from seeing others happy when you are not. Joplin suggests that this feeling of envy may be why everyone seems to be against her. The chorus repeats the sentiment of the intro, with Joplin expressing her feeling of being oppressed and judged by the world.
The third verse offers a glimmer of hope, however, when Joplin suggests that offering love to those around you might change their perceptions of you. She sings, "When you see a hand that's held out toward you/Give it some love, someday it may be you." This suggests that Joplin feels like she's not receiving love or kindness from others, but that she's trying to offer it to them anyway. The song ends by reiterating the feeling of being "down on me" before concluding with a message of hope: "Believe in your brother, have faith in man/Help each other, honey, if you can/Because it looks like everybody in this whole round world/Is down on me."
Line by Line Meaning
Down on me, down on me
I feel like everyone is against me and looking down on me
Looks like everybody in this whole round world
It seems like every person in the world is against me
They're down on me
People are criticizing and judging me
Love in this world is so hard to find
It is difficult to find true love in this world
When you've got yours and I got mine
When people are only concerned with their own happiness and not others'
Saying they're down on me, down on me
People are verbally expressing their negative opinions about me
When you see a hand that's held out toward you
When someone offers to help you
Give it some love, someday it may be you
Help others when given the opportunity because you might need help someday too
Lord, they're down on me, down on me, oh!
I feel like people are attacking me and it is causing me pain
Believe in your brother, have faith in man
Trust and have hope in humanity
Help each other, honey, if you can
Do as much as you can to assist others
I'm saying down on me, oh, down on me, oh
I keep feeling like everyone is against me and thinking negatively of me
It looks like everybody in this whole round world
I am perceiving that everyone is thinking negatively of me
Down on me
People are bringing me down emotionally and mentally
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Janis Joplin
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@johnhoey1616
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@jerrykautz6572
Down on me, down on me,
Looks like everybody in this whole round world
They're down on me.
Love in this world is so hard to find
When you've got yours and I got mine.
That's why it looks like everybody in this whole round world
They're down on me.
Saying they're down on me, down on me.
Looks like everybody in this whole round world
Down on me.
When you see a hand that's held out toward you,
Give it some love, some day it may be you.
That's why it looks like everybody in this whole round world
They're down on me, yeah.
Lord, they're down on me, down on me, oh!
Looks like everybody in this whole round world
Is down on me.
Believe in your brother, have faith in man,
Help each other, honey, if you can
Because it looks like everybody in this whole round world
Is down on me.
I'm saying down on me, oh, down on me, oh!
It looks like everybody in this whole round world
Down on me!!
@shivani41
She never knew she was a princess. I saw her face to face when she was only several years older than me, back when she was 26 and I was 18. She and her band stopped walking through the San Francisco park where we were strolling, directly in front of me and two friends, then set up and performed, new music she said ( humbly) that she just wanted to try out and see how people liked her new sound, new band mates. She went on for at least an hour,, spontaneously and unannounced to any press. Ka-boom!! I already loved her, had from the start, so this was and stays a dream come true on earth. Janis Joplin. Cosmic. Shook up heaven and hell with one wail.
Janis, you could see her tender heart, her courage. And you could see her pain. God bless the child. There was a tentativeness about her faith in herself, and it showed in her wonderful face, along with her voice. What raw beauty! No wonder she had to split young. She gave us so much. Thanks to her
@nilsonpompeo3322
yes, agree ,..
@williammendes253
Best version !
@Staggo_L
I saw her at Woodstock. She still ranks as the greatest female singer.
@sherozkayani6569
You're so lucky that you got to experience woodstock
@JEANNEBOLEYN
There was nobody like Janis!! Pure energy! I love this song
@Wisconsin222
Christ the world couldn't handle something that epic today.
@lcarole3131
That is Soo how I feel about Jim Morrison. Btw,I saw them both live in concert_ I cried after Janis' performance,it was that amazing! To see Jim in person was to get a glimpse into some other universe🤯
@kurtrhoney6811
She knew how to lay it all on the line when she sang! One of my favorite from her.
@Susie196921
I was lucky enough to see her perform live in concert a year before she passed away and it's one show that I've never forgotten! They don't make them like Janis anymore!