Big Brother & The Holding Company – Turtle Blues

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Ah, I'm a mean, mean woman,
I don't mean no one man, no good, no.
I'm a mean, mean woman,
I don't mean no one man, no good.
I just treats 'em like I wants to,
I never treats 'em, honey like I should.

Oh, Lord, I once had a daddy,
He said he'd give me everything in sight.
Once had a daddy,
Said he'd give me everything in sight.
Yes, he did.
So I said, "Honey, I want the sunshine,
You take the stars out of the night.
Come on and give 'em to me, babe, 'cause I want 'em right now."

I ain't the kind of woman
Who'd make your life a bed of ease, ha ha ha ha!
No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no.
I'm not the kind of woman, no,
To make your life a bed of ease.
Yeah, but if you, if you just wanna go out drinkin', honey,
Won't you invite me along, please.
Oh, I'll be so good to ya babe, yeah!
Whoa, go on!

I guess I'm just like a turtle
That's hidin' underneath its horny shell.
Whoa, whoa, oh yeah, like a turtle
Hidin' underneath its hard-ass shell.
But you know I'm very well protected —
I know this goddamn life too well.

Oh! Now call me mean, you can call me evil, yeah, yeah,
I've been called much worser things around,
Honey, don't ya know I have!
Whoa, call me mean or call me evil
I've been called much worser things, all things around,
Yeah, but I'm gonna take good care of Janis, yeah,
Honey, ain't no one gonna dog me down.
Alright, yeah.

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Lyrics submitted by annazoff

Track duration: 04:21


Turtle Blues song meanings
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5 Comments

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  • 0
    General Comment:By far one of the best blues songs ever! I agree with Baked Potato. This is definitely about how Janis hid herself from others. She tells whomever in this song that she isn't any good and that she is Trouble.
    Flag FantomeFleuron May 12, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:She's sick of it and is finnally looking out for herself. This is my favorite song by her.
    Flag Soul23on April 24, 2007   Link
  • +1
    General Comment:This was one of the few Joplin-penned songs. It really sums up her personality though. Joplin's insecurities were so deep. They floated beneath the surface of Janis's passion and fire. Her insecurities prevented her from being able to open up to lovers and other people in her life without fear. To counter the fear, she adapted an overwhelming personality. The shell Janis (the turtle) is hiding under, is her fears. It's a beautiful song.
    Flag Baked_Potatoon August 02, 2005   Link
  • +1
    General Comment:This was one of the few Joplin-penned songs. It really sums up her personality though. Joplin's insecurities were so deep. They floated beneath the surface of Janis's passion and fire. Her insecurities prevented her from being able to open up to lovers and other people in her life without fear. To counter the fear, she adapted an overwhelming personality. The shell Janis (the turtle) is hiding under, is her fears. It's a beautiful song.
    Flag Baked_Potatoon August 02, 2005   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:i love this song! mean girls rock.
    Flag no0dleon September 02, 2002   Link

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