Piece of My Heart Chords

“Piece of My Heart“ is a song written by Jerry Ragovoy (under the pseudonym Bert Berns) and first recorded by Erma Franklin in 1967. The song was famously covered by Big Brother and the Holding Company in 1968. The lyrics tell the story of a woman whose lover left her, and she is trying to make sense of it.

She expresses her pain and anger, but also her understanding that she must move on and find someone who will treat her better. The song has become a classic of soul music, and has been covered by numerous other artists in many different genres. Janis Joplin‘s version, recorded with Big Brother and the Holding Company, is probably the best–known cover.

Joplin‘s vocal performance on the song has become iconic, and the song itself has become symbolic of the 1960s musical era and the power of female singers. The song has also been featured in various films and television shows, such as The Big Chill, American Graffiti, and Grey‘s Anatomy. It has also been used in advertisements and as the theme song for the television show Felicity.

Piece of My Heart Guitar Chords

F#m       A   B C#m        B D         B

B         B7

Oh come on, come on, come on, come on

E          A    B     A

Didn’t I make you feel    like you were my

E   A  B      A

only man.       Yeah and

E                 A              B

didn’t I give you nearly everything that a woman possibly can

SI(2 beats)

Honey you know I did.

C#m                        B

But each night I tell myself that I,  that I think I’ve had enough

D                  B

Well I’m gonna show you baby that a woman can be tough, I want you to

B          B7

come on, come on, come on, come on

E          A                B              A

Take it!     Take another little piece of my heart now baby   Oohhhh

(Men)  (Janis)                                           (Men)

E           A             B                A

Break it!    Break another little bit of my heart now baby    Oohhhh

E          A                B              Bb

Have it!     Have another little piece of my heart now baby

A                  A       G#  F#  E

You know you’ve got it, if it makes you feel good, oh yes it

(Men join in …..)

E       A  B  A

did            You’re

E       A          B      A

out on the street looking good and baby deep down in your

E          A            B     A

heart I guess you know that it ain’t right.    Now you never never

E        A     B                  A    B

hear me when I cry at night.  Babe and I cry all the time.

C#m                         B

But each time I tell myself that I, that I can’t stand the pain,

D                  B

but then you hold me in your arms, and I sing it once again.

B         B7

I sing come on, come on, come on, come on

E A               B               A

Take it!     Take another little piece of my heart now baby   Oohhhh

(Men)   (Janis)                         (Men)

E           A             B            B  A

Break it!    Break another little bit of my heart now baby    Oohhhh

E          A                B          B Bb

Have it!     Have another little piece of my heart now baby

A                       A   G#    F#  E

You know you’ve got it, shout if it makes you feel good.

(Men join in …..)

F#m      A     B F#m      A     B

F#m      A     B F#m      A     B C#m       B

D       B

B        B7

I need you to come on, come on, come on, come on

E           A                B             A

Take it!      Take another little piece of my heart now baby   Oohhhh

(Men)   (Janis)                                           (Men)

E            A             B               A

Break it!     Break another little bit of my heart now baby    Oohhhh

E           A                B          B Bb

Have it!      Have another little piece of my heart now baby

A                         G# F#  E

You know you’ve got it, whoooaaaaa (screams)

E          A                B          B  A

Take it!     Take another little piece of my heart now baby   Oohhhh

(Men)   (Janis)                                           (Men)

E           A             B            B  A

Break it!    Break another little bit of my heart now baby    Oohhhh

E          A                B          B Bb

Have it!     Have another little piece of my heart now baby   Oohhhh

A                      A    G#    F#  E

You know you’ve got it, shout if it makes you feel good.

(Men join in …..)

F#m      A      B

F#m