Piece Of My Heart
Janis Joplin Lyrics
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Didn't I make you feel like you were the only man? Yeah
And didn't I give you nearly everything that a woman possibly can?
Honey, you know I did
And each time I tell myself that I, well I think I've had enough
But I'm gonna show you, baby, that a woman can be tough
Take another little piece of my heart now, baby (whoa, break it)
Break another little bit of my heart now, darling, yeah, yeah, yeah (whoa, have a)
Have another little piece of my heart now, baby
You know you got it if it makes you feel good
Oh, yes indeed
You're out on the streets looking good
And baby, deep down in your heart, I guess you know that it ain't right
Never, never, never, never, never, never hear me when I cry at night
Babe, and I cry all the time
But each time I tell myself that I, well I can't stand the pain
But when you hold me in your arms, I'll sing it once again
I said come on, come on, come on, come on and take it
Take another little piece of my heart now, baby
Break another little bit of my heart now, darling, yeah
Have another little piece of my heart now, baby
Well, you know you got it, child, if it makes you feel good
I need you to come on, come on, come on, come on and take it
Take another little piece of my heart now, baby (whoa, break it)
Break another little bit of my heart, now darling, yeah, c'mon now (whoa, have a)
Have another little piece of my heart now, baby
You know you got it, whoa
Take it
Take another little piece of my heart now, baby (whoa, break it)
Break another little bit of my heart, now darling, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah (whoa, have a)
Have another little piece of my heart now, baby, hey
You know you got it, child, if it makes you feel good
"Piece of My Heart" is one of Janis Joplin's most popular and enduring songs. It was originally recorded by Erma Franklin, but Joplin's powerful and emotional version made it a hit. The lyrics address the idea of a woman giving everything she has to a man, but still wanting to give more despite the pain it causes. The repeated refrain of "come on and take it" shows the woman's desire to be loved and wanted, even if it means sacrificing her own well-being.
The song's emotional intensity is driven by Joplin's raspy, soulful voice and the backing of the Full Tilt Boogie Band. The powerful guitars and driving drums create a driving, rock-infused sound that perfectly matches the song's message. The lyrics are simple but powerful, speaking to anyone who has ever given their heart to someone who didn't deserve it.
Overall, "Piece of My Heart" is a powerful and emotional song that has resonated with audiences for decades. Its enduring popularity is a testament to Joplin's talent as a singer and the song's universal appeal to anyone who has ever loved and lost.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh, come on, come on, come on, come on
Encouraging the listener to take action or participate in something.
Didn't I make you feel like you were the only man? Yeah
Asking if the listener felt special in the relationship, and confirming that they did.
And didn't I give you nearly everything that a woman possibly can?
Honey, you know I did
Reminding the listener of all the effort and sacrifice put into the relationship to make it work, and asserting that they know it's true.
And each time I tell myself that I, well I think I've had enough
But I'm gonna show you, baby, that a woman can be tough
Acknowledging the struggle of the relationship but affirming the singer's determination to push through and prove their strength.
I want you to come on, come on, come on, come on and take it
Take another little piece of my heart now, baby (whoa, break it)
Break another little bit of my heart now, darling, yeah, yeah, yeah (whoa, have a)
Have another little piece of my heart now, baby
You know you got it if it makes you feel good
Oh, yes indeed
Offering the listener more of the singer's heart, with the condition that it brings them happiness.
You're out on the streets looking good
And baby, deep down in your heart, I guess you know that it ain't right
Observing that the listener may have superficial qualities but they also have a sense that their actions are wrong.
Never, never, never, never, never, never hear me when I cry at night
Babe, and I cry all the time
Feeling unheard and neglected in the relationship, causing frequent tears.
But each time I tell myself that I, well I can't stand the pain
But when you hold me in your arms, I'll sing it once again
Admitting that the relationship is painful but the physical comfort of the listener can make her forget her struggles.
I said come on, come on, come on, come on and take it
Take another little piece of my heart now, baby
Break another little bit of my heart now, darling, yeah
Have another little piece of my heart now, baby
Well, you know you got it, child, if it makes you feel good
Repeating the offer of the singer's heart and reminding the listener that they can have it as long as it makes them happy.
I need you to come on, come on, come on, come on and take it
Take another little piece of my heart now, baby (whoa, break it)
Break another little bit of my heart, now darling, yeah, c'mon now (whoa, have a)
Have another little piece of my heart now, baby
You know you got it, whoa
Insisting that the listener takes more of the singer's heart, adding a sense of urgency.
Take it
Take another little piece of my heart now, baby (whoa, break it)
Break another little bit of my heart, now darling, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah (whoa, have a)
Have another little piece of my heart now, baby, hey
You know you got it, child, if it makes you feel good
Repeating the offer one more time, emphasizing that the listener can have a piece of the singer's heart only if it brings them joy.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Reservoir Media Management, Inc., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Bert Berns, Jerry Ragavoy
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@perennialxennial
No machines, no electronic dubbing, no synthesizers, no crap lyrics, just pure soul and raw talent. RIP Janis...
@emilhawking8504
Yes Yoda 👍👍👍
@Deeenne
I love Janis Joplin, and this is a hit that I keep coming back to.
I completely agree with you that this is so much more authentic, pure-raw-talent, and far less computerized music that I absolutely love, as a 29 year old Millenial who grew up listening to 50s, 60s, and 70s music.
However, this music IS synthesized, it IS multi-tracked, it IS mixed, I'm sad to say it myself. Not a lot, but at least a little bit, as all music was even back then, which we know and which no one has ever questioned or refuted, certainly none of the studios or music artists themselves who were the talent of the 60s. With Janis Joplin, who wanted as little mixing as possible, this is among the most authentic, real pure-raw- talent as anything recorded at the time.
But hey, one can take solace in the fact that technology in the 60s and throughout the 70s was not anything near what it is today, and it wasn't even remotely close to the capabilities of what current synthesizers and mixers have sadly done to today's music, which just sounds like incomprehensible noise.
@marilynhudson9879
You're exactly right💯🔥🔥🔥💥
@kelliewaring9158
Yessss indeed!!
@ocenshorebreak9140
Fuckin right on Yoda back at you bruth
@Kevin-hn6wp
50 years later I still get goose bumps , we'll never forget Janis ! Mozart must share a cloud !
@lisalopez7488
Absolutely 💯
@thecelt4807
very true ...beth hart is one to have a listen to if you havent i asked my self when i heard beth hart why she is not world wide known she is a talent
@tarronirvin4419
I'm 39 and black and I learned of this song 3 years ago, and it's an all time classic and I'm from Detroit/Motown and I said that