The song's lyrics were written at Vahsen's, a Port Chester, New York bar, on August 8, 1970, during an impromptu poetry jam between Joplin and songwriter Bob Neuwirth.[2] The lyrics were inspired by the first line of a song written by the San Francisco beat poet Michael McClure, "Come on, God, and buy me a Mercedes Benz." Joplin heard it sung by a friend of McClure's, and she began to sing it too.
The song was recorded in one take during a recording session on October 1, 1970. These were the last tracks Joplin ever recorded as she died three days later, on October 4. The song appeared on the album Pearl, released in 1971.
Mercedes Benz
Janis Joplin Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Of great social and political import
It goes like this
Oh Lord, won't you buy me a Mercedes Benz?
My friends all drive Porsches, I must make amends
Worked hard all my lifetime, no help from my friends
So Lord, won't you buy me a Mercedes Benz?
Oh Lord, won't you buy me a color TV?
Dialing For Dollars is trying to find me
I wait for delivery each day until three
So oh Lord, won't you buy me a color TV?
Oh Lord, won't you buy me a night on the town?
I'm counting on you, Lord, please don't let me down
Prove that you love me and buy the next round
Oh Lord, won't you buy me a night on the town?
Everybody!
Oh Lord, won't you buy me a Mercedes Benz?
My friends all drive Porsches, I must make amends
Worked hard all my lifetime, no help from my friends
So oh Lord, won't you buy me a Mercedes Benz?
That's it!
Janis Joplin's song "Mercedes Benz" is a satirical take on consumerism and materialism in America in the 1960s. The song was written and recorded by Joplin just a few days before her death in 1970. Joplin, who was known for her powerful and emotive vocals, delivers the lyrics with a sarcastic and humorous tone. The song is a commentary on the culture of the time where owning a Mercedes or a color TV was a sign of success and status.
The first verse of the song is a parody of the consumerist mentality where Joplin asks God to buy her a Mercedes Benz, a luxurious car brand. The second verse is about her desire for a color TV, which was a new technology at the time and seen as a privilege. The third verse is about Joplin asking for a night out on the town, as a sign of her being on top of the social scene.
The song's irony lies in Joplin's requests to God, as if material possessions are the gateway to true happiness and fulfillment. By asking for these things, she exposes the emptiness of the consumerist culture where people measure success by their possessions rather than their character or values.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh Lord, won't you buy me a Mercedes Benz?
The singer is asking God for material possessions and luxury. They want a Mercedes Benz.
My friends all drive Porsches, I must make amends
The singer feels jealous of their friends' wealth and social standing, and wants to upgrade from their current status.
Worked hard all my lifetime, no help from my friends
The singer acknowledges their hard work and self-reliance, but still wants more and feels they deserve it.
So Lord, won't you buy me a Mercedes Benz?
Repeating the first line for emphasis, the artist pleads with God to grant their wish.
Oh Lord, won't you buy me a color TV?
The artist again asks God for a material possession, this time a color TV, and mentions an existing TV show they enjoy watching.
Dialing For Dollars is trying to find me
The singer is waiting for a TV delivery and possibly a call from a contest show named 'Dialing for Dollars.'
I wait for delivery each day until three
The singer is eagerly anticipating their TV delivery and is willing to wait all morning for it.
So oh Lord, won't you buy me a color TV?
The artist reiterates their request for a color TV, wanting God to fulfill their desire to watch shows in color.
Oh Lord, won't you buy me a night on the town?
Now the artist is asking for an experience, specifically for God to fund an extravagant night out.
I'm counting on you, Lord, please don't let me down
The artist implores God not to disappoint them and to grant their wish for a fun, memorable night out.
Prove that you love me and buy the next round
The singer has faith that God will provide for them, and even suggests God should show their love by buying the next drinks.
Oh Lord, won't you buy me a night on the town?
Repeating the third stanza for emphasis, the artist is eager for God to give them a night of luxury and fun.
Everybody!
The singer is shouting to get everyone's attention and signal that they are about to repeat the chorus.
Oh Lord, won't you buy me a Mercedes Benz?
Repeating the chorus once again, the singer emphasizes their desire for a luxurious car.
My friends all drive Porsches, I must make amends
The singer acknowledges their lower social status compared to their friends and wants to upgrade their car to catch up.
Worked hard all my lifetime, no help from my friends
Again acknowledging their self-sufficiency, the artist wants to be rewarded for their hard work and have the luxury they believe they deserve.
So oh Lord, won't you buy me a Mercedes Benz?
Repeating the final line of the chorus once more, the artist is still pleading for God to buy them a Mercedes Benz.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Royalty Network
Written by: Bob Neuwirth, Janis Joplin, Michael Mcclure
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@OrthodoxGod
Or maybe Band Trash has a different musical taste than you, Donnie.
Im so sick and tired of people making that weird connection you made. "You dont like an old song/singer/band? That must mean you like mainstream pop music". Hell, you even assumed he was young because he did not like the song. How fucking dumb is that?
For all shapes and purposes, Trash might be in his/her 40's and into Finish folk metal. Maybe he is into swamp rock. Maybe he just listens to broadway musicals. Maybe literally listens only to GWAR and t.A.T.u.
That is what a musical taste is. Random as fuck.
Hell, I think Disney has amazing songs (Hellfire is fucking brutal).
Here is an example of how stupid your comment sounds:
I love Sainkho Namtchylak. If you dont like her, that must mean you hate real talent and only listen to nursery rhymes. Shut up and go sing "Baa, baa, black sheep".
See how ridiculous that sounds? You are not special for enjoying a particular band/song/genre of music. Get off your high-horse.
Fucking elitist special snowflakes, dude xD
@kandicejackson-drake3862
This was my Dad's favorite song! He always said that he didn't want us crying when he died, he wanted us to have a party. So when he died at home we brought a case of beer up from the basement, turned this song on on the computer, and did just that. We had a party reminiscing about all the good times. My Dad would have turned 73 today and I miss him dearly.
@joannaedwards6325
Your dad was cool and had great kids. ✌
@littlelemming9688
He’s rocking out somewhere beautiful, surrounded by love.
@damienrowley443
Very very cool story. That’s a good way to celebrate life and love and to continue on, while coping and remembering. I like that.
@julienfarbos
Ton père a tout mon respect et ma considération...
@natenelson7589
same here, my dads favorite song and he passed last year and this has turned into a daily listen for me
@kevinsimpson6097
My dad passed away in 2021. He was a huge Janis Joplin fan. On the day we took his ashes to the church I drove him in his Mercedes coupe. He truly loved that car. Just before I pulled into the church this song came on the radio. Almost hard to imagine that this was the way his last ride in his Mercedes would end. I decided to keep dads car and the only cd that has been in the player is a Joplin cd of dads.
@sherrilnichols157
u
@robertbalogh3663
Your story made my eyes wet... Keep your father's car forever! What type of coupe is that Merc?
@kevinsimpson6097
It’s a C Class@@robertbalogh3663