“Down on Me” is a traditional gospel and blues song that was popularized by Janis Joplin during her time with the band Big Brother and the Holding Company. The song was a part of their debut album, “Big Brother & the Holding Company,” released in 1967.
About The Song
The lyrics of “Down on Me” reflect the call-and-response structure common in gospel music. The singer invokes a spiritual and communal atmosphere, and the repetitive and rhythmic nature of the lyrics adds to the song’s energy.
Musically, Janis Joplin’s rendition of “Down on Me” features a dynamic and intense vocal performance, showcasing her powerful and soulful voice. The song captures the electrifying energy of Joplin’s live performances and became one of the standout tracks on the album.
Janis Joplin’s interpretation of “Down on Me” contributed to her rising fame as a charismatic and influential performer in the late 1960s. The song, along with other tracks from the album, helped establish Joplin as a prominent figure in the psychedelic rock and blues scene of that era.
Video
Lyric
🎵 Let’s sing along with the lyrics! 🎤
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, someday it may be you
That’s why it looks like everybody in this whole round world
They’re down on me, yeah
Oh, Lord, they’re down on me
Down on me, oh
Looks like everybody in this whole round world
They’re down on me
Believe in your brother, have faith in man
Help each other, honey, if you can
‘Cause it looks like everybody in this whole round world
They’re down on me
I’m saying they’re down on me
Oh, down on me, oh
Looks like everybody in this whole round world
Down on me