About the song
Background
- Album and Musical Shift: “Kozmic Blues” was the title track of Janis Joplin’s 1969 album. This album represented a turning point in Joplin’s career. She moved away from the psychedelic rock sound of her time with Big Brother and the Holding Company and embraced a more blues and soul-infused direction.
- Kozmic Blues Band: Joplin formed the “Kozmic Blues Band” specifically for this album, featuring a horn section alongside the traditional rock instruments. This shift gave her music a richer, more expansive sound.
Lyrics
Here’s a look at some key excerpts and their interpretations:
- “Time keeps movin’ on, friends they turn away / I keep movin’ on, but I never found out why”
- This reflects a sense of isolation and disillusionment, possible themes from Joplin’s often tumultuous personal life.
- “I keep on trying to make it right through another lonely day”
- This speaks to a struggle for meaning and connection.
- “Take it while you can … ’cause someday, baby, you’ll be cryin'”
- This line has a raw urgency about seizing the moment and embracing life’s pleasures while possible.
Themes
- Loneliness and Isolation: A pervasive feeling of loneliness permeates the song. The lyrics suggest a search for belonging that seems perpetually out of reach.
- Desperation and Need: There’s a sense of passionate desire for something, whether it’s love, understanding, or just a deep connection.
- Personal Struggle: Many have interpreted “Kozmic Blues” as a reflection of Joplin’s own inner struggles and emotional turmoil.
- Living in the Moment: Despite the melancholy, there’s also a thread about embracing life’s experiences and living fully in the face of uncertainty.
Legacy
“Kozmic Blues” stands as a powerful example of Joplin’s shift into a more introspective and soulful musical space. Her raw and deeply emotive vocal performance elevates this song as a testament to her powerful voice and the emotional honesty she infused into her music.
Video
Lyrics
Time keeps movin’ on,
Friends they turn away.
I keep movin’ on
But I never found out why
I keep pushing so hard the dream,
I keep tryin’ to make it right
Through another lonely day, whoaa.
Dawn has come at last,
Twenty-five years, honey just in one night, oh yeah.
Well, I’m twenty-five years older now
So I know we can’t be right
And I’m no better, baby,
And I can’t help you no more
Than I did when just a girl.
Aww, but it don’t make no difference, baby, no, no,
And I know that I could always try.
It don’t make no difference, baby, yeah,
I better hold it now,
I better need it, yeah,
I better use it till the day I die, whoa.
Don’t expect any answers, dear,
For I know that they don’t come with age, no, no.
Well, ain’t never gonna love you any better, babe.
And I’m never gonna love you right,
So you’d better take it now, right now.
Oh! But it don’t make no difference, babe, hey,
And I know that I could always try.
There’s a fire inside everyone of us,
You’d better need it now,
I got to hold it, yeah,
I better use it till the day I die.
Don’t make no difference, babe, no, no, no,
And it never ever will, hey,
I wanna talk about a little bit of loving, yeah,
I got to hold it, baby,
I’m gonna need it now,
I’m gonna use it, say, aaaah,
Don’t make no difference, babe, yeah,
Ah honey, I’d hate to be the one.
I said you’re gonna live your life
And you’re gonna love your life
Or babe, someday you’re gonna have to cry.
Yes indeed, yes indeed, yes indeed,
Ah, baby, yes indeed.
I said you, you’re always gonna hurt me,
I said you’re always gonna let me down,
I said everywhere, every day, every day
And every way, every way.
Ah honey won’t you hold on to what’s gonna move.
I said it’s gonna disappear when you turn your back.
I said you know it ain’t gonna be there
When you wanna reach out and grab on.
Whoa babe,
Whoa babe,
Whoa babe,
Oh but keep truckin’ on.
Whoa yeah,
Whoa yeah,
Whoa yeah,
Whoa,
Whoa,
Whoa,
Whoa,
Whoa …