Janis Joplin

1943–1970 · American rock and blues singer

Joplin recorded “Cry Baby” in 1970 with the Full Tilt Boogie Band and producer Paul A. Rothchild during the sessions for Pearl, an album she did not live to finish; she died on 4 October 1970 and Columbia released the record the following January. Her performance is one of the great vocal readings in rock, and the reason the song is still in circulation at all. The only thing wrong with the popular story is the chronology — she was covering a seven-year-old hit, not writing a new one.

Who recorded it

Songs credited to Janis Joplin that are covers

Cry Baby

Cover — originally recorded by Garnet Mimms and the Enchanters

Me and Bobby McGee

Cover — originally recorded by Roger Miller

Piece of My Heart

Cover — originally recorded by Erma Franklin

Did they really say it?

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