Janis Joplin’s 5 Isolated Vocal Tracks Gives Us A Glimpse Of She Can Really Do

Janis Joplin / Facebook

Anyone marvelous in the annals of music history could all point at Janis Joplin, a true rock hero. Her way of expressing herself is the very definition of what the 1960s counterculture was all about: tie-dye aesthetics, smiling faces that were all peace and love, and a feisty attitude, all ready to march down and change the whole world. Apart from that, she had one of the greatest and unique voices of rock, one thing that was quite impressive of her short-term career. Below, weโ€™ll introduce to you these 5 isolated vocals of Joplinโ€™s to prove to you that she was an outstanding singer that defined a generation.

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โ€œMe And Bobby McGeeโ€ โ€“ Pearl (1969)

This acoustic demo isnโ€™t purely vocals only, but itโ€™s refreshing to hear Joplinโ€™s powerful voice be accompanied by the faint and charming acoustic guitar. You could just hear at this point how remarkable her career would be, albeit short-lived.

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โ€œMercedes Benzโ€ โ€“ Pearl (1971)

Joplinโ€™s vocals in โ€œMercedes Benzโ€ are as passionate as one could imagine it would be. It also hits you differently once youโ€™d found out that this was recorded just 3 days before her devastating death. A sad reality that we all had to endure from this day forward.

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โ€œMove Overโ€ โ€“ Pearl (1971)

The song, as described by the singer, is about a man who broke up with you but at the same time, canโ€™t find the courage to move on. Joplin delivered the vocals for this one like itโ€™s no big deal.

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โ€œCry Babyโ€ โ€“ Pearl (1971)

Like any typical gesture from Joplin, โ€œCry Babyโ€ wasnโ€™t her song but rather a cover of her from Garnet Mimmsโ€™s original. But that didnโ€™t mean that sheโ€™d perform it halfheartedly; in fact, her vocals for this one are on point.

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โ€œPiece of My Heartโ€ โ€“ Cheap Thrills (1968)

โ€œPiece of My Heartโ€ is a defining cover of Janis Joplin, while she was under the Big Brother and the Holding Companyโ€™s band. Truly a timeless classic, it was better known to be her song, rather than Erma Franklinโ€™s.

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