About the Song:

“Piece of My Heart,” originally recorded by Erma Franklin in 1967, became an iconic rock anthem when Janis Joplin and Big Brother and the Holding Company released their rendition on the 1968 album Cheap Thrills. The track, which peaked at #12 on the Billboard Hot 100, was instrumental in catapulting Joplin to stardom, showcasing her electrifying vocals and raw emotional delivery.

Janis Joplin’s rendition was more than just a hit; it became a defining moment in her career, celebrated for its explosive energy and unrestrained passion. The song’s success helped the Cheap Thrills album reach #1 on the Billboard 200, solidifying Joplin’s status as a rock legend. In 2004, Rolling Stone ranked it at No. 353 on their list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. It also earned a place among The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s 500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll and was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1999.

As Joplin moved forward with her career, leaving Big Brother and forming the Full Tilt Boogie Band, her focus shifted to live performances and her evolving sound. While working on her final album, Pearl

, Joplin’s dedication to performing often eclipsed her interest in the recording process. Producer Todd Rundgren, reflecting on his early sessions with Joplin, recalled the chaotic yet vibrant environment that surrounded her. Despite the challenges, Pearl became one of Joplin’s most celebrated works, released posthumously after her untimely death at age 27 from a heroin overdose.

“Piece of My Heart” remains an enduring anthem of 1960s rock and a testament to Joplin’s unparalleled ability to channel emotion into her music. The song’s raw intensity and heartfelt delivery continue to captivate audiences, securing its place as a cornerstone of rock history.

Lyric

Oh, come on, come on, come on, come on
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
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
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

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