Oh, Sweet Mary
Janis Joplin · Box Of Pearls: Janis Joplin Collection [1999]
Oh, sweet Mary, child of confusion, she runs the hills to cry
Past the willows or an illusion, Lord, tell me the reason why.
Tell me why, why is it all so hard ?
Breathing in the air Breathe in the air
Anyone to care.
Oh!
(Alright, yeah!)
Oh, sweet Mary, in our story, have we nothing left to give ?
But don't we all know, babe, if we're pressed to, that that's the way we live.
Tell me why, why is it all so hard ?
Breathing in the air Breathing in the air
Anyone to care, oh, yeah!
Hop now, hop now, hop now, hop now, hop now, hop now,
Hop now, hop now, hop now, hop now, hop now, hop now, whoa, yeah!
Oh, Sweet Mary
Oh, Sweet Mary captures Janis Joplin's raw emotional intensity, showcasing the blues-rock power that defined her brief but legendary career. Recorded during her formative years, the track highlights her ability to convey deep vulnerability and longing through a distinctive vocal style that blended country, soul, and rock influences. While often overshadowed by her later commercial hits, this recording remains a testament to her early artistic development and her capacity to transform personal heartache into universal anthems. The song stands as a poignant song in her discography, reflecting the gritty authenticity that would eventually earn her a place among the most influential voices in American music history.