CFNN Rock Correspondent Dana Murray

Janis Joplin has had a profound impact on my life. She is one of the first artists that I connected with when I began delving into rock. When I first heard her voice, I was blown away. It was so powerful and raw. Even though 11 year old me had never experienced the heartbreak Janis was singing about, I could feel it through her music. After listening to her, I knew music was my calling, whether I would be performing it or writing about it like I am now. 

Pearl is Janis’ best and most well known album. It hit number one on the Billboard Top 100 upon its release in 1971 after her untimely death in October of 1970. It’s listed on Rolling Stone’s list of the 500 greatest albums of all time at #259. It also helped set her apart from her previous career with Big Brother and the Holding Company and established her as a star in her own right. It cemented Janis’ status as an icon of the 1960s despite her short career. 

“Move Over” starts out subtle with Janis being accompanied by some drums and a little bit of guitar. As the song moves toward the chorus, it keeps layering with more guitar, the addition of an organ, and more drums. The chorus is pure psychedelic, bluesy goodness! While Janis’ technique isn’t perfect, it works with her voice; it adds personality and soul. The guitar’s part here reminds me of Peter Frampton and the buzzy tone he often employed. Overall, this song is a great way to start the album.

“Cry Baby” is a ballad that slows down the energy of the album from the previous song, but keeps the power. The organ intro is simple but iconic. The raw talent and soul Janis has is on full display. Her vocal riffs are superb. I like that the verses are slower, the pre chorus builds up the energy more, then the chorus lets the energy fly. The best part of the song is the bridge where Janis is telling her former lover how to find the “end of the road” he’s looking for. She says that “all you ever gotta do / is be a good man one time to one woman / and that’ll be the end of the road.” That section is amazing. It’s one of Janis’ most popular for a reason. 

Janis continues the trend of slower blues numbers with “A Woman Left Lonely.” It’s a style that fits her untrained, yet polished voice. It’s a beautiful song while being autobiographical at the same time. Janis was constantly drifting from person to person trying to find a long lasting love, which she was never able to attain in her short life. She truly was a woman left lonely. This song leans into gospel, which reflects Janis’ roots from growing up singing in her church’s choir. The use of the organ and piano here work with the emotions she’s conveying. It continues the same sort of vibe that “Cry Baby” has.  

My favorite song of Janis’ is “Half Moon.” I love the use of cosmic imagery throughout. The guitar riff is groovy and fits the vibe of the lyrics. It shares some similarities with “Move Over,“ but is faster throughout the song instead of just fast on the chorus. I love the sections where it’s just Janis, a piano, and drums. This song is underappreciated, which is a shame because it has a great vibe. 

“Buried Alive In The Blues” is a blues instrumental piece. The blues were a major influence on Janis when she was a teenager, which is where much of the sound of this album and song came from. It has a danceable feel to it. The guitar is fuzzy sounding, like the original version of “You Really Got Me” by The Kinks. The combination of psychedelic rock and blues is amazing. The song serves as an interlude between side one and two of the album. 

Side two starts with “My Baby.” The soul in Janis’ voice is at the forefront. It’s a slower number that combines the emotions and vibes from “Cry Baby” and “Half Moon.” The guitar solo is my favorite on the album. It reminds me of “Since I’ve Been Loving You” by Led Zeppelin. The blues influence here is strong. It’s a solid song. 

“Me and Bobby McGee” is Janis’ most well known song. It was written by Kris Kristofferson, who was part of the country supergroup The Highwaymen with Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash, and Waylon Jennings. The Nashville sound is very evident. It reminds me of “Rhinestone Cowboy” by Glen Campbell in a way. This has one of the most famous lyrics in rock and roll: “freedom’s just another word for nothin’ left to lose.” It speaks to the free-spirited souls of the counterculture scene. It’s truly iconic. I love that the song itself builds in intensity as the story between Janis and the fictional Bobby McGee builds too. This song is great to listen to while staring out of the car window while on a road trip. Janis’ voice is beautifully sorrowful here. The jam section towards the end is a great touch. You can picture Janis dancing and twirling around to it on stage. This song is a lasting testament to Janis’ artistry.

“Mercedes Benz” is a beat poetry piece. I love that it is an acapella song, which shows off her vocal talent. You can also hear a hint of her Texan accent. It gives a glimpse into how she was as a person. The cackle she does at the end shows the bubbly and fun personality that she had. It may have been meant to have music behind it but Janis died before it could be finished. 

“Trust Me” is a great transition from “Mercedes Benz.” This song reminds me of Amy Winehouse. This song has a similar structure and sound to some of the songs on Back to Black. This song is one of the songs that made me fall in love with Janis’ music. It has a great vibe and it feels like summer. 

“Get It While You Can” is a phenomenal way to close the album. It leans into the peace and love message that’s so prevalent in the 1960s counterculture movement Janis is so ingrained in. It’s another song that describes Janis’ life. She was always trying to get the most out of life, but it was cut short. In that short period of time, her career made a huge impact on the rock scene. She did indeed get it while she could.
Pearl is a landmark album in the history of rock. While it was released at the end of the hippie era of San Francisco, it is one of the albums that defined it. It will continue to inspire future musicians, just like it inspired me. Thanks to this album, Janis Joplin will be remembered forever.