About the song
“Ball and Chain” by Janis Joplin is a soul-stirring blues-rock anthem that showcases Joplin’s raw vocal power and emotional intensity. Originally recorded in 1967 with her band Big Brother and the Holding Company, this song quickly became one of Joplin’s most iconic and enduring performances.
From the moment Joplin’s raspy vocals begin, “Ball and Chain” immerses listeners in its gritty and impassioned atmosphere. The song’s bluesy guitar riffs, driving rhythm, and powerful vocals create a sense of urgency and desperation, evoking a range of emotions in the listener.
Lyrically, “Ball and Chain” explores themes of heartbreak and longing, with Joplin’s lyrics expressing the pain and anguish of unrequited love. The song’s raw and unfiltered emotion resonates deeply with audiences, making it a timeless favorite among fans of blues and rock music.
With its electrifying energy and Joplin’s soulful performance, “Ball and Chain” became a standout track in Joplin’s repertoire, earning critical acclaim and cementing her status as one of the greatest vocalists of her generation. Its enduring popularity is a testament to Joplin’s talent as an interpreter of emotion and her ability to connect with listeners on a visceral level.
Decades after its release, “Ball and Chain” continues to inspire and move audiences around the world, serving as a powerful reminder of the enduring impact of Janis Joplin’s music and her legacy as a pioneering figure in rock and roll.
Video
Lyric
Sittin’ down by my windowHoney, lookin’ out at the rainLord, Lord, Lord, sittin’ down by my windowBaby, lookin’ out at the rainSomethin’ came along, grabbed a hold of meAnd it felt just like a ball and chainHoney, that’s exactly what it felt likeHoney, just dragging me downAnd I say, oh, whoa, whoa, now hon’, tell me whyWhy does every single little tiny thing I hold on goes wrong?Yeah it all goes wrong, yeahAnd I say, oh, whoa, whoa, now babe, tell me whyWhy does every thing, every thingHey, here you gone today, I wanted to love youHoney, I just wanted to hold you, I said, for so longYeah! Alright! Hey!Love’s got a hold on me, babyFeels just like a ball and chainNow, love’s just draggin’ me down, baby, yeahFeels like a ball and chainI hope there’s someone out there who could tell meWhy the man I love wanna leave me in so much painYeah, maybe, maybe you could help me, come on, help me!And I say, oh, whoa, whoa, now hon’, tell me whyNow tell me, tell me, tell me, tell me, tell me, tell me why, yeahAnd I say, oh, whoa, whoa, whoa, when I ask youWhen I need to know why, c’mon tell me why, hey hey heyHere you’ve gone todayI wanted to love you and hold youTill the day I dieI said whoa, whoa, whoa!And I say oh, whoa, whoa, no honeyIt ain’t fair, daddy it ain’t fair what you doI see what you’re doin’ to me and you know it ain’t fairAnd I say oh, whoa whoa now babyIt ain’t fair, now, now, now, what you doI said hon’ it ain’t fair what, hon’ it ain’t fair what you doOh, here you gone today and all I ever wanted to doWas to love youHoney an’ I think there can be nothing wrong with thatOnly it ain’t wrong, no, no, no, no, noSittin’ down by my windowLookin’ at the rainLord, Lord, Lord, sittin’ down by my windowLookin’ at the rain, see the rainSomethin’ came along, grabbed a hold of meAnd it felt like a ball and chainOh this can’t be in vainAnd I’m gonna tell you one just more time, yeah, yeah!And I say oh, whoa whoa, now babyThis can’t be, no this can’t be in vainAnd I say no no no no no no no no, whoa!And I say whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoaNow now now now now now now now now no no not in vainHey, hope there is someone that could tell meHon’, tell me whyHon’, tell me why love is likeJust like a ballJust like a ballBaaaaaaalllllOh daddy, daddy, daddy, daddy, daddy, daddy, daddy, daddyAnd a chainYeah!