Work Me, Lord

Album: I Got Dem Ol' Kozmic Blues Again, Mama! (1969)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Nick Gravenites, a guitar player and songwriter who often collaborated with Joplin and Mike Bloomfield, wrote this track. It's a blues number where Joplin sings to God, letting Him know that she's lonely down here on Earth and asking for a love to take away the pain.
  • It was with her friends, while in high school, that Janis Joplin first began singing blues. She eventually cultivated her own unique whiskey-blues sound, which cut her out and set her safely from the herd. This 1969 recording was from her first solo studio album after she left Big Brother and the Holding Company.
  • Janis performed this song at the Woodstock Music Festival of 1969. The studio version on Kozmic Blues did not quite crystallize for listeners of the album, but the live version was sung with stronger vocals. Many avid fans believe the Woodstock version was one of her greatest live performances during her career. >>
    Suggestion credit:
    Aisha - Regina, Canada

Comments: 2

  • AnonymousShe sang from the bottom of her feet to the top of her head with all she had . Like Joe Cocker and Van Morrison and Jim Croce. Not many like them around!
  • Dee from New York, OrTALK about Passion!!! Janis sweated and sang her heart out!!
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Marc Campbell - "88 Lines About 44 Women"

Marc Campbell - "88 Lines About 44 Women"They're Playing My Song

The Nails lead singer Marc Campbell talks about those 44 women he sings about over a stock Casio keyboard track. He's married to one of them now - you might be surprised which.

Mick Jones of Foreigner

Mick Jones of ForeignerSongwriter Interviews

Foreigner's songwriter/guitarist tells the stories behind the songs "Juke Box Hero," "I Want To Know What Love Is," and many more.

He Hit Me (And It Felt Like A Kiss): A History Of Abuse Pop

He Hit Me (And It Felt Like A Kiss): A History Of Abuse PopSong Writing

Songs that seem to glorify violence against women are often misinterpreted - but not always.

Tony Iommi of Black Sabbath, Heaven And Hell

Tony Iommi of Black Sabbath, Heaven And HellSongwriter Interviews

Guitarist Tony Iommi on the "Iron Man" riff, the definitive Black Sabbath song, and how Ozzy and Dio compared as songwriters.

Daryl Hall

Daryl HallSongwriter Interviews

Daryl Hall's TV show is a hit, and he's been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame - only one of these developments excites him.

Angelo Moore of Fishbone

Angelo Moore of FishboneSongwriter Interviews

Fishbone has always enjoyed much more acclaim than popularity - Angelo might know why.