About the song
Background
- Written by Janis Joplin: While she’s most often recognized for her incredible vocal performances, Joplin also wrote and co-wrote several songs throughout her career. “Move Over” is one of them.
- Released on Pearl: “Move Over” was included on Joplin’s critically acclaimed album Pearl, released posthumously in 1971 after her tragic death.
- Blues-rock Powerhouse: The song is a classic example of Joplin’s blues-rock style, with her raw, powerful vocals and a driving rhythm section.
Lyrics
The lyrics tell the story of a woman fed up with a man who’s stringing her along without committing:
- Frustration with indecision: The speaker is tired of the man’s “maybe” attitude and dangling the carrot of a potential future without taking real action.
- Wanting clarity: She wants him to either fully commit (“be my loving man”) or move on and let her live her life. (“let me be”)
- Feeling toyed with: The repeated chorus of “Move over” emphasizes how he’s taking up space in her life and blocking her path without providing true companionship.
Themes
- Female Agency: The song embodies a sense of female assertiveness that was uncommon in its time. The speaker is not passively waiting around for a man to make up his mind.
- Rejecting Manipulation: The lyrics highlight the toxicity of manipulative relationships where one partner is deliberately kept in a state of uncertainty.
- Demand for Respect: At its core, the song is a demand for respect – respect for her time and emotional well-being.
Legacy
“Move Over” has become a blues-rock anthem for many and a testament to Joplin’s ability to tap into raw emotion and translate it into powerful music.
Video
Lyrics
You say that it’s over baby, LordYou say that it’s over nowBut still you hang around me, come onWon’t you move over
You know that I need a man, honey LordYou know that I need a manBut when I ask you to you just tell meThat maybe you can
Please don’t you do it to me babe, no!Please don’t you do it to me babyEither take this love I offerOr just let me be
I ain’t quite a ready for walking, no no no noI ain’t quite a ready for walkingAnd what you gonna do with your lifeLife all just dangling?
Oh yeahMake up your mind, honeyYou’re playing with me, hey hey heyMake up your mind, darlingYou’re playing with me, come on nowNow either be my loving manI said-a, let me honey, let me be, yeah
You say that it’s over, baby, noYou say that it’s over nowBut still you hang around me, come onWon’t you move over
You know that I need a man, honey, I told you soYou know that I need a manBut when I ask you to you just tell meThat maybe you can
Hey! Please don’t you do it to me, babe, noPlease don’t you do it to me babyEither take this love I offerHoney let me be
I said won’t you, won’t you let me beHoney, you’re teasing meYeah, you’re playing with my heart, dearI believe you’re toying with my affections, honey
I can’t take it no more babyAnd furthermore, I don’t intend toI’m just tired of hanging from the end of a string, honeyYou expect me to fight like a goddamned muleWah, wah, wah, wah, honey