Janis Joplin’s electrifying vocals aren’t just about raw emotion; they can also carry a powerful message. “As Good As You’ve Been to This World” is a prime example. This lesser-known track from Joplin’s career delves into themes of karma, kindness, and the importance of living a good life.
The song’s central theme revolves around the concept of karma, the idea that what we put out into the world comes back to us. Joplin sings about someone who treats the world and others well, and expresses a desire to reciprocate that kindness: “I said I want to give it right back to you”
“As Good As You’ve Been to This World” isn’t just about cosmic payback, though. It’s a call to action, urging listeners to actively spread kindness. Joplin highlights everyday interactions, singing about treating strangers with respect and offering support to those in need. The repeated line “you good you good you good” emphasizes the positive impact of living a good life.
While Joplin was known for her powerful stage presence and bluesy belting, this song showcases a different side. The music is more subdued, with a soulful groove and a gospel-tinged organ. This allows for a more introspective tone, letting Joplin’s message of positivity shine through.
“As Good As You’ve Been to This World” might not be Janis Joplin’s most famous song, but it offers a glimpse into her depths as an artist. It’s a reminder that kindness and compassion are powerful forces, and a call to make the world a better place, one good deed at a time.
Live your loving life, Live it all the best you can And if you pay no attention darling To what you might ever hear from your man, I think you’re just like a servant
And try to keep it all to yourself. Don’t you know it makes the world go round, You gotta go and honey share everywhere else. Come on, come on, come on!
As good as you’ve been to this world So good I want to be right back to you. As good as you’ve been now, As good as you’ve been to this whole wide world,
So good I want to be. As good as you’ve been now, say, As good as you’ve been to this whole wide world, As good as you’ve been, babe, So good I want to be here.
Ain’t no use in being faithful, I see you look at the sky. I know what’s in it make you happy there, But it only make you cry. I think you got good intentions too,
They don’t manage to show through. Whatever you give to the world outside, I want to give it right back to you, yes I am! Come on, come on, come on!
So you meet somebody on the street, You know you treat him mighty fine, Or you meet somebody on the street And you give him a real hard time.
It’s gonna come on home baby, I said it’s gonna come right back home to you. I said it’s gonna visit you now, Yes it is, oh yes it is.
As good as you’ve been to this whole wide world, As good as you’ve been, babe, So good I want to be here. Oh, good as you’ve been to this whole wide world,
As good as you’ve been, babe, So good I want to be here. Ah, the way you love your mother, The way you love your sister, your brother, The way you love your aunt, your uncle, Anybody now, everybody now.
Good as you’ve been babe, hurrah! Good as you’ve been babe, hey! Good as you’ve been babe, hey! Good as you’ve been babe
‘Cause I’m just gonna show you now And I’m just gonna make you want it now ‘Cause I ‘m just gonna give you a thrill Say, good as you been babe, Hurrah, good as you been babe,
Come on, good as you been babe, I say, good as you been babe, Oh daddy, good as you been babe, My man, good as you been babe, All right, yeah hey.
