Erma’s character on this song is more restrained, less needy, and even stately. She never loses her cool. Really, this is what distinguishes Erma’s version of the song from almost everyone else’s. On Erma’s version, this “woman can be tough”, because her character carries herself above the behaviour of her louse of a lover. A lot of singers have since taken it as gospel. Janis’ character is wilder, angrier, more desperate. But, Janis plays the role differently than the original version by Erma Franklin. I love the Janis Joplin version of “Piece of My Heart” that she performed while fronting Big Brother & The Holding Company, of course. And “Piece Of My Heart” is certainly a spotlight for her unique talents. Despite being related to one of the most game-changing soul vocalists of the 20th Century, elder sister Erma had a sound of her own. This would be one of Franklin’s best known tracks, later to be joined by her version of The Doors’ “Light My Fire”. It would help to shape the way songs were sung in general, in soul music, and in rock music, too. The song would later become something of a late-20th Century standard with versions by Dusty Springfield to Sammy Hagar (?!), Faith Hill, to Joss Stone.īut, Erma Franklin recorded it first, setting the stage for the song’s long life in various annals of the pop charts.Not only would this tune be an R&B hit. The song is by big time R&B writers and producers Jerry Ragovoy and Bert Berns and put out on Shout Records as a vehicle for Erma Franklin. It’s “Piece of My Heart”, a 1967 single that would be more famously associated with Janis Joplin by the next year. Listen to this track by Duchess of Soul and sisterly presence to the Queen (but definitely her own woman), Erma Franklin.
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