| "Ball and Chain Part 1" | |
|---|---|
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| Single by Big Mama Thornton | |
| from the album Ball and Chain | |
| B-side | "Wade in the Water" |
| Released | 1968 |
| Genre | Blues |
| Length | 2:25 |
| Label | Arhoolie |
| Songwriter(s) | Willie Mae Thornton a.k.a. Big Mama Thornton |
"Ball and Chain" (also "Ball 'n' Chain" or "Ball & Chain") is a blues song written and recorded by American blues artist Big Mama Thornton. Although her recording did not appear on the record charts, the song has become one of Thornton's best-known, largely due to performances and recordings by Janis Joplin.