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 want to 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 ¡ª
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.


Lyrics submitted by annazoff

Turtle Blues Lyrics as written by Janis Joplin

Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing

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Turtle Blues song meanings
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    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.

    FantomeFleuron May 12, 2007   Link

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