Piece of My Heart

Welcome to a new feature of The Musical Tree! Occasionally I will publish short musical stories that do not warrant the full Musical Tree experience. I have dubbed these shorter stories Musical Twigs, and the first story is all about the song ‘Piece Of My Heart’, made famous by Janis Joplin!

‘Piece of My Heart’ was a song written by Jerry Ragovoy and Bert Burns that was originally recorded by Erma Franklin in 1967. The writers originally wanted Van Morrison to record the song but he turned it down. Erma’s version would crack the top 10 on the Billboard R&B charts in the US. This would be the only single by Erma that would crack the top 10. Erma’s younger sister, Aretha Franklin, would have no such trouble landing top 10 hits.

In 1967 Jack Casady of the Jefferson Airplane was entertaining members of Janis Joplin’s band, Big Brother and the Holding Company. Jack remarked that he had just bought a single that he thought Janis could sing and played Erma Franklin’s ‘Piece Of My Heart’. The band members agreed, and asked if they could borrow the 45 (That’s a 45 rpm record for all you youngsters). Jack agreed, insisting that they bring it back.

In 1968 Janis Joplin and Big Brother and the Holding Company released ‘Piece of My Heart’, which zoomed up to number 12 on the Billboard Top 100 chart. It became Janis’ biggest selling single up until her death in 1970. The song has been included in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s Top 500 songs that shaped Rock and Roll. It has become synonymous with Janis Joplin and is considered one of her best songs. 

And yes, Jack Casady did get Erma Franklin’s 45 record returned to him.

Erma Franklin ‘Piece Of My Heart’

Janis Joplin ‘Piece Of My Heart’

I hope you liked this new feature called Musical Twigs! Please leave me a comment to let me know.

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