About the song
Background:
“Work Me, Lord” is a blues-rock song recorded by Janis Joplin and included on her 1969 album “I Got Dem Ol’ Kozmic Blues Again Mama!” It was written by Nick Gravenites, a friend and collaborator of Joplin’s. The song is a powerful expression of spiritual yearning, vulnerability, and the search for meaning in life’s struggles.
Lyrics (excerpt):
Work me Lord Whoa use me Lord Don’t you know how hard it is Trying to live all alone Every day I keep trying to move forward But something is driving me, oh, back Honey, something’s trying to hold on to me To my way of life
So ah work me Lord, whoa use me Lord Can’t I show how hard it is Trying to live when you’re all alone Every day I keep trying to move forward But something is driving me, oh, back Something’s trying to hold on to me To my way of life
Themes:
- Spiritual Yearning: The song is a plea to a higher power for guidance, purpose, and a sense of belonging. The lyrics express a deep longing for connection and a feeling of being lost and alone.
- Vulnerability and Loneliness: The raw emotion in Joplin’s voice conveys a sense of vulnerability and despair, highlighting the universal human experience of feeling alone and adrift in the world.
- Search for Meaning and Purpose: The repetition of the phrase “work me Lord” emphasizes the desire to be used for a higher purpose and to find meaning in the struggles of life.
- Resilience and Determination: Despite the feelings of loneliness and despair, the song also expresses a determination to keep moving forward and a refusal to give up hope.
“Work Me, Lord” is a powerful and deeply moving song that resonates with listeners on an emotional level. Its themes of spiritual yearning, vulnerability, and the search for meaning continue to speak to people today.