About The Song
Janis Joplin’s “Ball and Chain,” released in 1968, is a soulful and powerful blues-rock anthem that showcases her raw talent and emotional depth as a vocalist. Originally written and recorded by Big Mama Thornton, Joplin’s rendition of the song became one of her signature performances.
With her raspy, soulful voice and impassioned delivery, Joplin pours her heart and soul into “Ball and Chain,” channeling the pain and longing expressed in the lyrics. The song’s slow-burning intensity builds to a cathartic climax, capturing the essence of love’s struggles and heartaches.
Upon its release, “Ball and Chain” became a standout track in Joplin’s repertoire, showcasing her dynamic range and ability to infuse emotion into every note. The song’s raw power and emotional resonance resonated with audiences, solidifying Joplin’s status as one of the greatest vocalists of her generation.
As we revisit “Ball and Chain,” we celebrate Janis Joplin’s enduring legacy and the lasting impact of this iconic song. Its timeless message of love, pain, and redemption continues to resonate with listeners, reminding us of the transcendent power of music to touch the soul.
Video
Lyric
Sittin’ down by my window,
Honey, lookin’ out at the rain.
Oh, lord, lord, sittin’ down by my window,
Baby, lookin’ out at the rain.
Somethin’ came along, grabbed a hold of me, honey,
And it felt just like a ball and chain.
Honey, that’s exactly what it felt like,
Honey, just dragging me down.
And I say, oh, whoa, whoa, now hon’, tell me why,
Why does every single little tiny thing I hold on to go wrong?
Yeah it goes wrong, yeah.
And I say, oh, whoa, whoa, now babe, tell me why,
Does every thing, every thing.
Hey, here you gone today, I wanted to love you,
I just wanted to hold you, I said, for so long,
Yeah! alright! hey!
Love’s got a hold on me, baby,
Feels like a ball and chain.
Now, love’s just draggin’ me down, baby,
Feels like a ball and chain.
I hope there’s someone out there who could tell me
Why the man I love wanna leave me in so much pain.
Yeah, maybe, maybe you could help me, come on, help me!
And I say, oh, whoa, whoa, now hon’, tell me why,
Now tell me, tell me, tell me, tell me, tell me, tell me why, yeah.
And I say, oh, whoa, whoa, whoa, when I ask you,
When I need to know why, c’mon tell me why, hey hey hey,
Here you’ve gone today,
I wanted to love you and hold you
Till the day I die.
I said whoa, whoa, whoa!
And I say oh, whoa, whoa, no honey
It ain’t fair, daddy it ain’t fair what you do,
I see what you’re doin’ to me and you know it ain’t fair.
And I say oh, whoa whoa now baby
It ain’t fair, now, now, now, what you do
I said hon’ it ain’t fair what, hon’ it ain’t fair what you do.
Oh, here you gone today and all I ever wanted to do
Was to love you
Honey you can still hear me rock and roll the best,
Only it ain’t roll, no, no, no, no, no.
Sittin’ down by my window,
Lookin’ out at the rain.
Lord, lord, lord, sittin’ down by my window,
Lookin’ out at the rain, see the rain.
Somethin’ came along, grabbed a hold of me,
And it felt like a ball and chain.
Oh this can’t be in vain
And I’m gonna tell you one more time, yeah, yeah!
And I say oh, whoa whoa, now baby
This can’t be, no this can’t be in vain,
And I say no no no no no no no no, whoa,
And I say whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa
Now now now now now now now now now no no not in vain
Hey, hope there is someone that could tell me
Hon’, tell me why love is like
Just like a ball
Just like a ball
Baaaaaaalllll
Oh daddy, daddy, daddy, daddy, daddy, daddy, daddy, daddy
And a chain.
Yeah.