About the song
“As Good as You’ve Been to This World” by Janis Joplin is a soulful, blues-infused masterpiece that reflects the raw power, emotional depth, and fearless artistry that defined her brief but unforgettable career. Released on September 11, 1969, as part of the album “I Got Dem Ol’ Kozmic Blues Again Mama!”, this track showcases Joplin’s unparalleled vocal prowess and her ability to channel deep, universal emotions through music.
This song is a standout piece on an album that marked Joplin’s transition to a solo artist, following her departure from the psychedelic rock band Big Brother and the Holding Company. “I Got Dem Ol’ Kozmic Blues Again Mama!” was her first studio album with the Kozmic Blues Band, and it reflected a deliberate shift toward a richer, more soulful sound inspired by rhythm and blues traditions. “As Good as You’ve Been to This World” exemplifies this evolution with its lush horn arrangements, driving rhythm, and Joplin’s searing vocal performance.
Lyrically, the song carries a message of reciprocity and mindfulness, urging listeners to reflect on their actions and how they impact others. The idea of treating others well in the hope of receiving the same kindness is at the heart of the song, making it both introspective and universal. Joplin’s delivery of these themes feels deeply personal, as if she’s preaching from her own life experiences—experiences often marked by both incredible highs and heartbreaking lows.
The arrangement of “As Good as You’ve Been to This World” is nothing short of captivating. It begins with a hypnotic groove, anchored by the Kozmic Blues Band’s impeccable rhythm section, before Joplin’s voice enters like a force of nature. Her raspy, impassioned vocals soar above the instrumental backdrop, making every lyric resonate with intensity. The use of horns adds a rich, brassy texture that elevates the song’s soulful essence, while the dynamic shifts in the arrangement keep the listener fully engaged.
The song’s release in 1969 placed it squarely in a tumultuous era marked by social upheaval, political protest, and a growing countercultural movement. “As Good as You’ve Been to This World” spoke to the spirit of the times, encouraging empathy and accountability at a moment when such messages were both urgent and necessary. For Joplin’s fans, it became another example of her ability to connect with her audience on a profound emotional level.
In the years since its release, “As Good as You’ve Been to This World” has remained a testament to Joplin’s remarkable talent and her unique place in the history of music. Her ability to blend blues, soul, and rock into something entirely her own is on full display in this track. More than five decades later, it continues to inspire listeners with its raw honesty and timeless message of human connection. For those who wish to understand the essence of Janis Joplin, this song is an essential piece of the puzzle.
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Lyrics
Live your loving life,Live it all the best you canAnd if you pay no attention darlingTo what you might ever hear from your man,I think you’re just like a servantAnd try to keep it all to yourself.Don’t you know it makes the world go round,You gotta go and honey share everywhere else.Come on, come on, come on!As good as you’ve been to this worldSo good I want to be right back to you.As good as you’ve been now,As good as you’ve been to this whole wide world,So good I want to be.As good as you’ve been now, say,As good as you’ve been to this whole wide world,As good as you’ve been, babe,So good I want to be here.Ain’t no use in being faithful,I see you look at the sky.I know what’s in it make you happy there,But it only make you cry.I think you got good intentions too,They don’t manage to show through.Whatever you give to the world outside,I want to give it right back to you, yes I am!Come on, come on, come on!So you meet somebody on the street,You know you treat him mighty fine,Or you meet somebody on the streetAnd you give him a real hard time.It’s gonna come on home baby,I said it’s gonna come right back home to you.I said it’s gonna visit you now,Yes it is, oh yes it is.As good as you’ve been to this whole wide world,As good as you’ve been, babe,So good I want to be here.Oh, good as you’ve been to this whole wide world,As good as you’ve been, babe,So good I want to be here.Ah, the way you love your mother,The way you love your sister, your brother,The way you love your aunt, your uncle,Anybody now, everybody now.Good as you’ve been babe, hurrah!Good as you’ve been babe, hey!Good as you’ve been babe, hey!Good as you’ve been babe‘Cause I’m just gonna show you nowAnd I’m just gonna make you want it now‘Cause I ‘m just gonna give you a thrillSay, good as you been babe,Hurrah, good as you been babe,Come on, good as you been babe,I say, good as you been babe,Oh daddy, good as you been babe,My man, good as you been babe,All right, yeah hey.