Janis Joplin recorded her famed a capella track “Mercedes Benz” in one take on October 1, 1970. Joplin had written the piece with songwriters Michael McClure and Bob Neuwirth and it was released as part of her posthumous 1971 album “Pearl.” Joplin had written a new version of the song over the course of her 1970 tour and, according to the book “Love, Janis” by Laura Joplin, she contacted McClure to get his permission to use the song. He agreed without thinking to request a cut of the publishing rights but later found that Joplin had, in fact, credited him before her death. During the session Joplin also recorded a rough version of “Happy Birthday” for John Lennon and these marked the last recordings she ever made. Joplin was found dead four days later.