Soul Rock

McClure and singer-songwriter Bob Neuwirth. “Mercedes Benz” makes fun of materialistic consumer culture, as the singer asks God for a Mercedes-Benz, a color TV, and a night on the town. She also refers to the TV show Dialing for Dollars, where you have to be next to your phone to receive your prize — should they call you. (Ironically, Janis herself drove a Porsche.)

Shortly after the song was written, Joplin performed it at the Capitol Theater in Port Chester, New York. She then went to Los Angeles and recorded “Mercedes Benz” for her album Pearl. Those were the last tracks she recorded, as she died three days later of a heroin overdose. She was 27 years old. The song was issued as a single in 1971 with the hit “Cry Baby” on the B-Side. Pearl has gone 4x platinum. The song has been covered by more than 30 artists, and Mercedes-Benz has used it in car ads.

Here are the lyrics to “Mercedes Benz” by Janis Joplin:

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!

If you would like to read about and listen to other songs by Janis Joplin, please click here for “A Piece of My Heart” and “Me and Bobby McGee.”

Check Out The Groove Pad for More 1960s Music

The Pass the Paisley Groove Pad is a resting stop, a place to chill out and listen to the featured song on the stereo. If the mood strikes you, click on the juke box to access and listen to the 50+ free online songs there. The TV has several channels, with selections updated twice a week. Every now and then, Pass the Paisley hosts an all-request of 1960s and 1970s songs for a Be-In at the juke box in the Groove Pad. Keep on truckin’. Hope you enjoyed “Mercedes Benz” by Janis Joplin.