Janis Joplin – Flower in the Sun

About the song

“Flower in the Sun” by Janis Joplin is a lesser-known yet powerful song that showcases her raw vocal energy and emotional depth. Though it was never officially released as a single during her lifetime, the song has since become a cherished piece of her legacy. Originally recorded during her time with Big Brother and the Holding Company, the song captures the essence of late 1960s psychedelic rock and blues, two genres that defined Joplin’s musical identity.

Release and Background

The song was recorded in 1968 during sessions for Big Brother and the Holding Company’s classic album “Cheap Thrills,” but it did not make it onto the final tracklist. However, it was later included in posthumous releases and live recordings, notably appearing in collections such as “Janis” (1975) and “Live at Winterland ’68.” While many of Joplin’s most famous tracks like “Piece of My Heart” or “Cry Baby” gained widespread recognition, “Flower in the Sun” stands as a hidden gem that embodies her unique blend of vulnerability and power.

Meaning and Lyrics

Lyrically, “Flower in the Sun” explores themes of love, longing, and fleeting romance. The song’s narrator passionately expresses a desire to be loved and cherished, symbolizing her emotions through vivid imagery of the sun and nature. The lyrics suggest both deep yearning and an acceptance of the impermanence of love, which resonates deeply with Joplin’s personal life and artistic persona. Much of her music carried a theme of searching for connection while being fully aware of the heartbreak that often followed.

Musically, the track is built on psychedelic blues rock, featuring electrifying guitar work, dynamic rhythms, and Joplin’s signature, emotionally charged vocals. Her ability to convey both tenderness and ferocity within a single performance is on full display in “Flower in the Sun,” making it an unforgettable listen for fans of classic rock and blues.

Impact and Cultural Significance

Although “Flower in the Sun” did not receive the same level of commercial success as Joplin’s biggest hits, it remains an important piece in understanding her artistry. The song represents the experimental and free-spirited energy of the late 1960s counterculture, where love, passion, and music intertwined in an era of change. Joplin’s voice in this song, as in all her music, carries an authenticity that has made her an enduring figure in rock history.

Even decades after her passing, Janis Joplin continues to be celebrated as one of the greatest vocalists of all time. “Flower in the Sun” may not be as widely recognized as her more famous songs, but for those who explore her deeper catalog, it serves as a brilliant example of her immense talent and emotional depth. It’s a song that deserves appreciation—not just for its historical significance, but for the raw and genuine artistry that Joplin brought to every note she sang.

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Lyrics

Oh please don’t you think baby that I am wrong to cry, yeah.
You loved me, too,
So how come you just sit there and laugh
And laugh and laugh and laugh?
Things just can’t be this way
And not for very long
No no no no no no no no no no no no no no.
Our love affair said it’s just history, yes it is.

And I tried to love you in my own way,
I think that you know I did.
But to have you here, to see you living,
Oh so near to me, yeah, yeah, yeah.
Oh but you are distant and so it’s dead
And so often people are glad to be old, yeah yeah,
Our love affair is just history, yes it is.

Once in a green time a flower
Oh, fell in love with the sun.
The passion lasted for an hour
And then she wilted from her loved one.

Once in a green time a flower
Oh, fell in love with the sun.
The passion lasted for an hour
And then she wilted from her loved one.

And I see you looking up at the sky, how high it is, yeah.
You wonder if there is, whoa another me
Now how can that be, how can it be?
Well, I sit here and I ask you, why all this?
I just got toni-ni-ni-night
Our love affair said it’s just a history
But baby, baby, I said it’s over, Charlie,
I can’t stand another lo-lo-lonely,
I’m never too lonely.

It’s over baby,
Where were you when I wanted ya
And needed ya right by my side?
I said-a, baby, baby, don’t you feel me moving,
Baby, don’t you hear me cry?
I know I hurt you, but Lord don’t you know I cried,
I know I hurt you, but babe don’t you know I tried,
Oh baby, oh babe, whoa.