About the song
Released in 1968 as part of the groundbreaking album “Cheap Thrills,” “Combination of the Two” is a raw, high-energy track that captures the essence of the late Janis Joplin and her early band, Big Brother & the Holding Company. While Joplin later became known for her deeply soulful, blues-infused solo work, this song reflects her beginnings in the San Francisco psychedelic rock scene—a place where raw power, unfiltered expression, and improvisation reigned supreme.
Background and Release
“Combination of the Two” was written by Sam Andrew, one of the founding members of Big Brother & the Holding Company and the band’s guitarist. The song was included as the opening track on “Cheap Thrills,” which was released on August 12, 1968. The album became a major success, reaching No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart and eventually going multi-platinum. It solidified Joplin’s status as a rock icon and showcased the band’s ability to fuse blues, psychedelic rock, and hard-hitting guitar work into something uniquely electrifying.
Meaning and Musical Style
“Combination of the Two” is an all-out explosion of energy, designed to capture the euphoria and wild abandon of a rock concert or a psychedelic experience. Lyrically, the song speaks of transcendence, excitement, and the electric power of music—a theme deeply tied to the 1960s counterculture. The repeated refrain of “yeah, yeah, yeah!” and the relentless guitar riffs build a feverish momentum, making it a perfect opening track for an album that is all about raw, live-wire energy.
Musically, the song leans heavily into psychedelic rock with its chaotic guitar work, pounding drums, and urgent, almost manic vocal delivery. While Janis Joplin doesn’t take the lead in this track—her voice blends into the background harmonies—the song still carries the unrestrained, rebellious energy that made her one of the most compelling figures of her time.
Cultural Impact and Legacy
Though not the most famous song on “Cheap Thrills”—that honor belongs to “Piece of My Heart” and “Summertime”—“Combination of the Two” remains an essential piece of the album’s magic. It sets the stage for what’s to come, delivering a sense of urgency and joy that embodies the San Francisco sound of the late 1960s.
The song is also a testament to Big Brother & the Holding Company’s musicianship. While many remember Janis Joplin primarily as a solo artist, this track reminds listeners that she first made her mark within a band that thrived on unpolished, raw rock energy.
In retrospect, “Combination of the Two” captures a fleeting moment in time—when San Francisco was the epicenter of the counterculture movement, rock was experimental and free-spirited, and Janis Joplin was on the brink of superstardom. It’s a song that, much like Joplin herself, burns bright with intensity and leaves a lasting impression.
Video
Lyrics
Thank you. The name of this song is The Combination of the TwoYeah, here we go! Alright!Alright! Alright!Whew! Whew!Oh, oh — yeah!Oh, oh — yeah!Oh, oh — yeah!Everybody’s dyin’, everybody’s tryin’To feel more and feel more and feel more.Everybody’s dancin’ and singin’ and romancin’And they feel more, feel more, feel more, alright!Even though you’ve never been that doesn’t mean you’ll never be,You’ll feel more, you’ll feel more, you’ll feel more.See the people coming in another time feeling,‘Cause you feel more, you feel more, you feel more.Alright, yeah.Oh, whoa, whoa, whoa, now mama, mama, mama!Oh, whoa, whoa, whoa.Oh, whoa, whoa, whoaNow baby baby!Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa.That’s right, we’re gonna sock ya, knock yaWe’re gonna sock it to ya now.Oh, alright!Oh, oh — yeah!Oh, oh — yeah!Oh, oh — yeah!Everybody over at the Avalon,Yeah, they feel more, they feel more, they feel more.Everybody’s dancin’, they’re havin’ lots of funAnd they feel more, they feel more, they feel more.Even though you’ve never been that doesn’t mean you’ll never be,You’ll feel more, you’ll feel more, you’ll feel more.You’ll sing around and dance around, and sing around and jump around,You’ll feel more, you’ll feel more, you’ll feel more.Alright!Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, oh!Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, yeah!Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, baby, baby!Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa.Yeah, tonight we’re gonna knock ya, rock ya,We’re gonna sock it to ya now!Alright, yeah!Oh, oh — yeah!Oh, oh — yeah!Oh, oh — yeah!Come to San Francisco, dance aroundYeah, you’ll feel more, you’ll feel more, you’ll feel more.Come to san Francisco and hear our sound,Yeah, you’ll feel more, you’ll feel more, you’ll feel more.Everybody’s dancin’, they’re havin’ lots of funThey feel more, they feel more, they feel more.Even though you’ve never been that doesn’t mean you’ll never beYou’ll feel more, you’ll feel more, you’ll feel more.Alright, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, now mama, mama, mama!Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, hey baby!Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, yeah!Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa.Right, we’re gonna knock ya, rock ya,We’re gonna sock it to ya now!Do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do.