Janis Joplin Closes Out Big Brother’s Debut Album With “The Last Time,” And It’s Amazing

Big Brother Closes Their Debut Album With A Bang

Hot on the heels of their wildly successful appearance at the Monterey Pop Festival, Big Brother and the Holding Company released their debut album Big Brother and the Holding Company in 1967 – an occasion that marked the band’s debut on the world stage, and singer Janis Joplin’s official studio debut. Featured on the album was closing track ‘The Last Time,’ our first real glimpse at Janis’ unique brand of psychedelic soul that was highlighted by the searing guitar work of Big Brother’s Sam Andrew and James Gurley – for being featured an album that turned out to be a minor success, ‘The Last Time’ marked the beginning of the heights Janis would achieve with that massive, massive voice of hers.

Fun Fact: Big Brother was signed immediately following their appearance at Monterey, largely due to the powerhouse performance given by Janis Joplin that day.

As far as the vocals for ‘The Last Time’ are concerned, they’re a little rough around the edges; but according to Big Brother bandmate Sam Andrew, it took Janis nearly a year following the band’s debut album to develop the voice that would later belt out songs like ‘Little Girl Blue’ and ‘Piece Of My Heart,’ the result of finally learning how to sing with an electric band. Funny, though, how even Janis at the very beginning of her career could outshine nearly anyone who dared share a stage with her!

+ The Last Time lyrics +

Make it the last time, make it the last time
Make it the last time, oh darling please.
But I don’t understand why you always pick the time
When I’ve just talked to you with your love on my mind.
To see a distant light, to hear a far-off horn
To leave me one more time, I can’t stand no more
Say no more, well no more,
Well no more, darling, please.
And every time you leave I make the very same vow
That when you come back I ain’t gonna love you no how.
But when you return you look so fine to me
I can’t stand no more, my darling, it’s just got to be
I said the last time, oh the last time,
Oh the last time, darling, please.
Don’t you understand me, don’t you understand me ?
Honey, don’t you understand my word ?
Well, you told me that you love me, I believed you, darling,
But you lied, you know it’s true.
Hold on to my heart, I’ll believe it till you’re leaving
Then I’ll cry.
Oh darling, oh darling,
Oh darling, make up your mind
Oh, I can’t stand your loving, honey, it’s tearing me apart,
You done got my soul, but now you’re after my heart.
Well, don’t hurt me, darling, now you know how to do it so well
I just got one consolation, I just wail
It was the last time
It was the last time
It was the last time, darling, please.
When you told me that you love me I believed you, darling,
But you lied, you know it’s true.
Hold on to my heart, I’ll believe it till you’re leaving
Then I’ll cry.
Well no more, well no more,
Well no more without you, please!
If you wanna love me, honey, please stay home,
If you don’t wanna love me, baby, please stay gone.
Don’t you understand me, don’t you understand me ?
Don’t you understand my words ?
Say no more, oh no more,
Well no more, oh, darling, oh!
You told me that you love me I believed you, darling,
But you lied, you know it’s true.
Hold on to my heart, I’ll believe it till you’re leaving
Then I’ll cry, yeah.