Whenever I hear this song I think of a story that Dick Cavett told. He said he met Janis in a restaurant and a Janis song was playing on a jukebox while they sat down. Cavett asked Janis what the name of it was…and she said “Down On Me.” Dick said “Wow, I guess that is one you cannot sing on television”…Janis smiled and said “Dick, it’s a gospel song.”
It was a traditional gospel song from the 20s that Janis reworked. The song was on the debut album of Big Brother & the Holding Company featuring Janis and the album had the same name. The song peaked at #43 in the Billboard 100 in 1967. The album was sloppy…Big Brother and the Holding Company were really raw with no polish. On their second album “Cheap Thrills” they would improve but Janis left after the that album to work with better musicians.
This is not the best Joplin song but I do like it.
Down On Me
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!
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Powerful vocal! Interesting contrast to some of the acoustic versions out there like Eric Von Schmidt.
Yea that is something you could always count on with Janis…I love that version by Eric Von Schmidt.
That is a funny story about Dick Cavett and Janis.
It was rumored they were a couple also for a little while.
I straight-up adore Janis Joplin. Learning the origin stories of many of her songs showed me a lot about who she was: a humanitarian who wanted better for everyone around her, because she’d been on the receiving end of bullying by those who wanted the opposite.
I admire her more than about any other. She went through a terrible time in Texas…She did indeed help people and up and coming artists.
I’m just not a huge fan of her music, but this song is alright. She certainly had a good voice for doing traditional southern Gospel material, though it surprises me she went there musically.
Her idol was Bessie Smith so it fit into what she was doing. If she would have lived…you probably would have heard more control in her voice like on Pearl…but I do like the rawness… That is why I like Tanya Tucker and Bonnie Tyler…
I’ve always found Janis Joplin oddly appealing. I think it’s her voice…
I really like the roughness in her voice…she had power…by her last album Pearl…with a help from a producer she was able to harness it better.
I’m surprised that cover was allowed….
Yea it was funny how they picked what would fly or not.
Yes, just working on a blog post from a similar era with a similar issue (but about lyrics).
Found the stage arrangement interesting. You wouldn’t see that today
No you would not see her today. She doesn’t have the Barbie looks.
I meant the semi-circle. Singers these days are out in front. Janis wasn’t a barbie type but she still would have made it in any era. She would have gotten on fine today… don’t you think?
You think so? Maybe it’s because I live in Nashville where to be a singer you have to have “that” look. Sometimes image is too important.
I would like to think her talent would win out.
Personally, I would take her over almost anyone. Her and Arthea are my favorite female singers.
Yeah the look is important these days. But feel confident her talent and uniqueness would win out anywhere, anytime!
I would certainly hope so!
I love me some Janis. Such a voice and such presence. Gone too soon.
I’m with you…she could belt it out with the best of them.
I’m not a Joplin fan but, she has a few pieces that aren’t bad. This is one.
I like the story with Cavett.
That was pretty funny. Did they actually date?
From what I’ve heard yes… it wasn’t publicized…I believe Cavett had an open marriage.
OH!
What a pair though…Cavett the Yale guy and Joplin the Texas broad…and I say that in the best way. I would have loved to known her.
check your email
Okie dokie…