About the song
Janis Joplin, a powerhouse of emotion and raw talent, brings her electrifying presence to the song “Try (Just a Little Bit Harder).” Released in 1969 on the album I Got Dem Ol’ Kozmic Blues Again Mama!, this track showcases Joplin’s incredible vocal prowess and her ability to convey deep, heartfelt emotion.
“Try (Just a Little Bit Harder)” is a spirited and soulful plea for love and perseverance. Joplin’s gritty, passionate voice captures the essence of longing and determination, making each lyric resonate with intensity. The song’s message is universal: giving your all in the pursuit of love and not settling for less. Joplin’s delivery turns this simple theme into a powerful anthem of emotional strength and resilience.
Musically, the track features a robust arrangement with driving horns, dynamic rhythm sections, and bluesy guitar riffs that complement Joplin’s vocals perfectly. The energetic instrumentation underscores the urgency and fervor of her performance, creating a sound that is both raw and polished.
For long-time fans, “Try (Just a Little Bit Harder)” is a testament to Janis Joplin’s unique ability to blend rock, blues, and soul into a sound that is unmistakably her own. For new listeners, the song serves as a potent introduction to Joplin’s remarkable talent and the emotional depth she brought to her music. “Try” remains a classic example of why Janis Joplin is remembered as one of the most influential and soulful voices in rock history.
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Lyric
Try, try, try just a little bit harderSo I can love, love, love him, I tell myself‘Cause I’m gonna try, oh yeah, just a little bit harderSo I won’t lose, lose, lose him to nobody else, yeahHey, I don’t care how long it’s gonna take yaBut if it’s a dream I don’t want No I don’t really want itYeah if it’s a dream I don’t want nobody to wake meYeah I’m gonna try, oh yeah, just a little bit harderSo I can give, give, give, give him every bit of my soulI’m gonna try, oh yeah, just a little bit harderSo I can show, show, show him love with no control, yeahHey! I don’t care how long it’s gonna take yaBut if it’s a dream I don’t wantNo I don’t really want itYeah if it’s a dream I don’t want nobody to wake meHey, dig it! Yeah! Yeah yeah yeah!Yeah, yeah, yeah, all rightTry oh yeah, hey, try oh yeah, Lord, Lord, LordTry oh yeah, try oh yeah, Lord, Lord, LordTry oh yeah yeah, try, whoa, try oh yeah, Lord, Lord, Lord,Push, work, push, work, oh yeah, try, oh yeah hey!Try oh yeah, hey try oh yeahTry Lord, try, try, you ain’t trying manYou’re not trying out man, come up with itCome on, that’s a wanker that listens to words, manHey you gotta work all nightHey little girl, gotta push onYou gotta needWork a little more, hey, try a little moreNeed a little moreYeah, work on, push on, move on, move onYou gotta work for it, you gotta work on itPush on, need on, move onMove on, hey hey heyWork it daddyWork it daddyCome on, work it daddy, ohYeah, yeah, you better try, try, try, try a little moreYou ain’t never gonna get any man if that’s the sort of thing you can doShit, there’s lot more talent around than that manTry, try, try, try try tryYou’ve gotta try, try, try, tryTry, try, try, try, try, try…You gotta try, try, try, try…Lord, try, try, try, tryLord, try, try, try, tryHey, try, try, try, tryHey, try oh yeah, try oh yeah, Lord, Lord, LordTry oh yeah, hey, try whoa, try oh yeahTry oh yeah, Lord, Lord, Lord, try oh yeahTry oh yeah, hey, hey, heyTry oh yeah, try oh yeahLord, Lord, Lord, oh Lord