Ball And Chain Song

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Ball and chain song. Ball and chain is a hit song by social distortion a southern california punk rock band written by mike ness in 1987 featured on their self titled album released in 1990 as well as on live at the roxy 1998. In this song thornton relates the image to her man who is keeping her down. 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. The band currently consists of vocalist and guitarist mike ness guitarist jonny wickersham bassist brent harding and drummer david hidalgo jr.

Social distortion is an american punk rock band formed in 1978 in fullerton california. The ball and chain is an image associated with prisoners as a weighted ball attached to a chain would be shackled to an inmate s leg to keep him from escaping. Ball and chain ball and chain you are no downfall ball and chain ball and chain you hold me down like an anchor in a wavy ocean ball and chain maybe. Social distortion temporarily disbanded in 1985 due to frontman ness drug addiction and troubles with the law which resulted in extended stints in various.

In the words of lead singer writer mike ness ball and chain is a hard luck story a forceful cry a lament a plea a folk. Ball and chain also ball n chain or ball chain is a blues song written and recorded by american blues artist big mama thornton.