Mercedes Benz – Janis Joplin (Cover) – Take Two!

Janis’ influence continues across the globe

I came across this cover of “Mercedes Benz” and was pretty blown away. This woman has an incredible voice. I love finding great covers, especially ones that do the original artist justice.

The cover is done by Marina Costa and Fernando Hideki. They hail from Curitiba, the capital and largest city of the Brazilian state of Paraná. Although these two don’t do many shows, their covers on YouTube prove to get enough attention.

After riding in Bobby Womack’s new Mercedes 600, Womack talks about how impressed Janis was with the new car. After a few blocks, she started singing: “Lord, won’t you buy me a Mercedez Benz...” When they returned to the studio, the band had gone home, but Joplin put down the vocal track.

“Janis Joplin is from Port Arthur, Texas. In the second verse, the line “Dialing for Dollars is trying to find me” refers to a segment the local NBC station ran called “Dialing for Dollars.” The station would announce a password on the air, then call a local phone number at random later on. If whoever answered knew the password, that person would win a cash prize.”

Janis Joplin never got a Mercedes Benz, but she did have a 1965 Porsche that was painted to become a piece of hippie art.

+Mercedes Benz lyrics below+

Oh Lord, won’t you buy me a Mercedes Benz ?
My friends all drive Porsches, I must make amends.
Worked hard all my lifetime, no help from my friends,
So Lord, won’t you buy me a Mercedes Benz ?
Oh Lord, won’t you buy me a color TV ?
Dialing For Dollars is trying to find me.
I wait for delivery each day until three,
So oh Lord, won’t you buy me a color TV ?

Oh Lord, won’t you buy me a night on the town ?
I’m counting on you, Lord, please don’t let me down.
Prove that you love me and buy the next round,
Oh Lord, won’t you buy me a night on the town ?

Everybody!
Oh Lord, won’t you buy me a Mercedes Benz ?
My friends all drive Porsches, I must make amends,
Worked hard all my lifetime, no help from my friends,
So oh Lord, won’t you buy me a Mercedes Benz ?

That’s it!