Janis was and still is a breath of fresh air. A poet, philosopher and musician who was wise beyond her years. Please keep writing and singing. We love you.
She wrote that damn first song at 13. That's just amazing. And she had the complexity and Theory of Mind insight to not give it a happy ever after ending. Stunning element for a 13-year-old to put into a song.
About 10 years ago. I started humming this at work... by the time I got 1/4 of the way onto it... about 2 dozen people were singing words out loud... took me by surprise. men and women mixed races... but all Baby Boomers...
At Seventeen was the most gut-wrenching description of the teenage years I had ever heard and until Tracy Chapman came along with Fast Car, I thought those kind of songs had disappeared. I own several of Janis's albums and love to put them all on when I am in an introspective mood. Wonderful artist, incredible life. The book is great, by the way.
OK well for opening comments I just re-watched the UA-cam recording of her Society's Child Smothers Brothers Show performance and I sure as hell didn't see any ugly duckling there! When I first heard that one on the radio around then (mid '67) I was just eighteen and could have gone for someone with half her beauty and brains. But nerdy guys like me had to settle for stag clubs and hobbies while the musclebound jocks walked away with the campus queens. I guess it's just a matter of taste but I know real beauty when I see it. So glad I finally got to see a live performance. Well worth the wait.
OMG, such a treat to watch and listen to her perform live. Her voice and those lyrics - esp to Society's Child and At Seventeen - are beautifully and perfectly paired.
I know Janis wouldn't want to hear this but I always looked up & admired her. She seems so approachable & friendly here. She's 1 of the people on my " people I want to meet" bucket list. I always knew she was cool and this video proves it. Love you Janis. You're in my heart & soul. Always 🎇
remember hearing her on WOR-FM in NYC(fm radio was 1st starting)It was on Murray the K's show.This song was a big thing at the time.I had forgotten Janis until I heard 17 on a reaction channel,gave me goose bumps.WOW
This was the first song that hit me with such impact (I think I was about 12), that it gave me the moral and emotional compass to navigate the rest of my life. I'm now 68. Thank you Janis!
I stumbled on this video, following a reference from another song. I loved her voice and soul back in the day. Poetry not often found -- beautiful and accessible by most of us. Looking forward to her US tour. .
a deep message with heart and soul. felt since i first heard it until now. you and those you sing about are the most beautiful people at 17 or 87........ always, in spirit and music, royal hartigan
janis ian is genius incarnate unparalleled artistry soothing to our souls when no one else can a brilliant composition for every conceivable mood. Don't know how heather and i could have survived this long without her. marilynm. "truth is not the enemy" janis ian
STILL THAT GOLDEN VOICE , COMBINED WITH "KILLER" LYRICS & GUITAR PLAYING". YESTERDAYS SUPER STAR, GROUND BREAKER, TODAY SHOULD BE RE-ELEVATED TO HER " THRONE"
I met my first girlfriend in College in 1969. I'm Japanese American and she was White. I grew up in a predominately Hispanic neighborhood, Boyle Heights. She grew up in the San Fernando Valley which was mostly White at the time. The first time her mother saw me, she said "Quick! Get him into the backyard before the neighbors see". After a few months, her mother threw an empty milk bottle at her and said, "I rather see you die in a car accident than go out with him!". Finally, her mother put her foot down and told her she wasn't allowed to see me anymore. My girlfriend told her father what her mother had said. The father told his wife, his daughter could go out with anyone who made her happy. The father was a WWII veteran that had been captured on Bataan and spend the war in a Japanese prison camp in Japan.
After all these years...Her voice is exactly the same! "Society Child"...was a intriguing melody, lyrics and a wonderful vocals! "At Seventeen"...brutaly honest! Beautifuly done! Love you Janis!!
OMG!!! Soul-stirring! So so so SPECIAL! You sound absolutely amazing! What an incredible talent and so courageous at such a young age! LOVE to you ALWAYS Janis Ian! xoxo
Experienced her live in 2002, because it was just that, an experience. I even got to spend some time with her after the show. It was like sitting down with an old friend! A consummate performer!
I was 16 when Society's Child came out on the radio. Back then it was so unheard of relating to an inter racial relationship that a lot of radio stations actually banned it. This song was ahead of it's time in my opinion. I still listen to it every now & then. Thank you Janis Ian.
She is a "TRUE" artist. A legendary composer, singer. I think she's a good actress also. She inhabits her songs like an actor. So look forward to seeing her in concert this FRIDAY, 4/5/13!!!!
FA Barragan I was thinking the same thing. She really does look matronly - a far cry from her 16 year old self. I also recall listening to Society's Child on the radio. Hard to believe that we are not that far apart in age.
Karensimaginarium: Not all 64 year olds look the same. These days, more and more, the boomers are choosing to try and look forever young. Some of the 60+ look as if they are in their 40's. It was simply an observation, not an indictment.
+Danielle Radicanin She has beautiful skin and could easily look younger with haircolor. Nice to see a person choosing to look authentic physically. She could choose differently tomorrow.
As a child she admired the work of folk pioneers such as Joan Baez and Odetta. Starting with piano lessons at the age of six or seven, Ian, by the time she entered her teens, had learned the organ, harpsichord, French horn, flute and guitar.
I very much agree that this woman is a national treasure and incredibly underrated.
Janis was and still is a breath of fresh air. A poet, philosopher and musician who was wise beyond her years. Please keep writing and singing. We love you.
Classic! Janis you've still got it! Cheers ~
The lady has lost nothing over the years - amazingly powerful performance!!!!
"Never half-ass two things. Whole-ass one thing."
She wrote that damn first song at 13. That's just amazing. And she had the complexity and Theory of Mind insight to not give it a happy ever after ending. Stunning element for a 13-year-old to put into a song.
When she sang this song, this time, it brought me to tears. There was so much feeling and pain in her voice.
yeah...timeless. this one is on God's iPod for sure.
About 10 years ago. I started humming this at work... by the time I got 1/4 of the way onto it... about 2 dozen people were singing words out loud... took me by surprise. men and women mixed races... but all Baby Boomers...
At Seventeen was the most gut-wrenching description of the teenage years I had ever heard and until Tracy Chapman came along with Fast Car, I thought those kind of songs had disappeared. I own several of Janis's albums and love to put them all on when I am in an introspective mood. Wonderful artist, incredible life. The book is great, by the way.
OK well for opening comments I just re-watched the UA-cam recording of her Society's Child Smothers Brothers Show performance and I sure as hell didn't see any ugly duckling there! When I first heard that one on the radio around then (mid '67) I was just eighteen and could have gone for someone with half her beauty and brains. But nerdy guys like me had to settle for stag clubs and hobbies while the musclebound jocks walked away with the campus queens. I guess it's just a matter of taste but I know real beauty when I see it. So glad I finally got to see a live performance. Well worth the wait.
I love you forever and beyond and thank you..😘😘❤️❤️👍👍👍🙏🙏☮️☮️☮️
damn, she still sounds amazing!
I have admired this woman since I was 14 and heard Society's Child the first time
Love you Janis ~ thanks for all your great songs. 🎶🖤🎤
Beautiful song. Beautiful human.
you changed my life. don't be so humble. changed the lives of many women and girls. still amazing after all these years.
Thank you, thank you, Janis, for your wonderful voice, your soul. Your book is magnificent.
She did it live! She is a real singer/songwriter/guitarist!
OMG, such a treat to watch and listen to her perform live. Her voice and those lyrics - esp to Society's Child and At Seventeen - are beautifully and perfectly paired.
I know Janis wouldn't want to hear this but I always looked up & admired her. She seems so approachable & friendly here. She's 1 of the people on my " people I want to meet" bucket list. I always knew she was cool and this video proves it. Love you Janis. You're in my heart & soul. Always 🎇
remember hearing her on WOR-FM in NYC(fm radio was 1st starting)It was on Murray the K's show.This song was a big thing at the time.I had forgotten Janis until I heard 17 on a reaction channel,gave me goose bumps.WOW
Beautiful. She brings this amazing song to life with all the verve of the studio version by just her voice and guitar. What a touching performance.
Omg! Autobiography? Sooo great..😂😂🙄and funny
It's almost better now that she's older. I love it! I am sixty nine and grew up with her.
Never stopped loving your words and music!
This was the first song that hit me with such impact (I think I was about 12), that it gave me the moral and emotional compass to navigate the rest of my life. I'm now 68. Thank you Janis!
I stumbled on this video, following a reference from another song. I loved her voice and soul back in the day. Poetry not often found -- beautiful and accessible by most of us. Looking forward to her US tour. .
Janis is so wonderful..........I've loved her work since I first heard "Society's Child" decades ago..........her music, lyrics are a treasure
I still have the 45 of Societys Child that I bought as a young girl at Sam Goody.She still sounds great-very talented. Her music touches the soul.
Janis Ian has been the soundtrack to my life...then AND, especially, now!
A true talent! Almost better just to hear her with nothing but the guitar to accompany her. Her voice still is just right there.
She hasn't lost a step -- her voice might even be better now than it was when she was a teenager. Amazing,
a deep message with heart and soul. felt since i first heard it until now. you and those you sing about are the most beautiful people at 17 or 87........
always, in spirit and music,
royal hartigan
THanks for the Beautiful Music Janis Ian .....Looking forward to SOCIETY"S CHILD Biography!
Her voice is still fantastic.
janis ian is genius incarnate
unparalleled artistry
soothing to our souls when no one else can
a brilliant composition for every conceivable mood.
Don't know how heather and i could have survived this long without her. marilynm.
"truth is not the enemy" janis ian
STILL THAT GOLDEN VOICE , COMBINED WITH "KILLER" LYRICS & GUITAR PLAYING". YESTERDAYS SUPER STAR, GROUND BREAKER, TODAY SHOULD BE RE-ELEVATED TO HER " THRONE"
I haven't heard this gem in quite some time but for some reason it was in my head today. Thanks Janis for bringing us this and to whomever posted.
I met my first girlfriend in College in 1969. I'm Japanese American and she was White. I grew up in a predominately Hispanic neighborhood, Boyle Heights. She grew up in the San Fernando Valley which was mostly White at the time. The first time her mother saw me, she said "Quick! Get him into the backyard before the neighbors see". After a few months, her mother threw an empty milk bottle at her and said, "I rather see you die in a car accident than go out with him!". Finally, her mother put her foot down and told her she wasn't allowed to see me anymore. My girlfriend told her father what her mother had said. The father told his wife, his daughter could go out with anyone who made her happy. The father was a WWII veteran that had been captured on Bataan and spend the war in a Japanese prison camp in Japan.
Rick Uyeda Great story!
That’s an incredible story! Thank you so much for sharing ： ）
thank you for sharing
That’s a truly inspiring story. Those prison camps were more brutal than most . Admire her father so much
What a spectacular artist, songwriter, musician!
Janis's voice and her music move me just as much now and they did when she performed these songs the first time, so many year ago. Always yours.
I love you and this song, I live right across the way where i graduated from 8th graded when your song came out., june 1967... Bless you sweetie....
i just finished listening to her autobiography, and fell in love with her all over again.
What a true shining star she is.
I think her voice is even more beautiful and amazing. love her. loved her always.
After all these years...Her voice is exactly the same!
"Society Child"...was a intriguing melody, lyrics and a wonderful vocals!
"At Seventeen"...brutaly honest! Beautifuly done!
Love you Janis!!
Thank you so much for posting this, it was truly awesome!
Fabulous to listen to even after all these years. High school favorite.
societys child still holds strong today she a great singer
i like the way she speaks. so clear and concise...
OMG!!! Soul-stirring! So so so SPECIAL! You sound absolutely amazing! What an incredible talent and so courageous at such a young age! LOVE to you ALWAYS Janis Ian! xoxo
WHAT A GIRL! SHE'S THE SAME AGE AS ME- LOVED HER SONGS THEN , AND NOW... THANKS FOR THE POST...
She still sings great, and plays guitar fantastic!!
Again to go Janis!!
Absolutely
Experienced her live in 2002, because it was just that, an experience. I even got to spend some time with her after the show. It was like sitting down with an old friend! A consummate performer!
I was 16 when Society's Child came out on the radio. Back then it was so unheard of relating to an inter racial relationship that a lot of radio stations actually banned it. This song was ahead of it's time in my opinion. I still listen to it every now & then. Thank you Janis Ian.
You still have it. Brilliant. Love you.
Love Janis, so good to see her again! What a great talent.
She's just so amazing... cool and awesome
I loved her songs then, and I still love them today. Bravo Janis!
Still gives me chills.........
Imagine going into the studio and witnessing Janis putting these down perfectly in one take.
She is simply awesome and lovely
Love her to death
Right on!
Just amazing. Janis Ian is one of my all time heroes!
Marvelous! What a voice.
She still has it and still headstrong,loved that song in 8th grade, still relevant in many places and to that way of thinking. Go janis
Sounds even better than from when I first heard her. Fantastic live performance!
Janis Ian is a great songwriter and she's still looks amazing. She's a super talented lady. Love this song
Now I get it! What a dope I been. I should have been listening to Janis Ians music or interviews. Not to mention her guitar skill.
Wow she still sound great singing At Seventeen. How I love that song.
'At 17' really touched me, and it's great to see her doing so well now. Awesome.
One of.my very favorite.. 💕🌹
I wore out many of her record albums. she is truly amazing and haunting
Wow, her voice is still so great.
Love you, Janis Ian! Always have.
That's real talent, real singing
Beautiful always touches my heart
She is a "TRUE" artist. A legendary composer, singer.
I think she's a good actress also. She inhabits her songs like an actor.
So look forward to seeing her in concert this FRIDAY, 4/5/13!!!!
this is beautiful.
Wow. Janis looks like a grandma, but then it has been about 47 years since I remember hearing this on the AM radio!
FA Barragan
I was thinking the same thing. She really does look matronly - a far cry from her 16 year old self. I also recall listening to Society's Child on the radio. Hard to believe that we are not that far apart in age.
KarensImaginarium Just a simple observation Miss!
Karensimaginarium:
Not all 64 year olds look the same. These days, more and more, the boomers are choosing to try and look forever young. Some of the 60+ look as if they are in their 40's. It was simply an observation, not an indictment.
+Danielle Radicanin 65 looks very, very good on Ms. Ian.
+Danielle Radicanin She has beautiful skin and could easily look younger with haircolor. Nice to see a person choosing to look authentic physically. She could choose differently tomorrow.
I got chills !
Brilliant woman. Love her humour too.
+eleniki I love her laugh! I've heard it often!
Very good stuff! Great songs...
I love Janis, always have.
So wonderful. So funny, so humble, yet to me she is a National Treasure.
Beautiful!
Have nothing from this lady in my collection,yet have enjoyed her when I hear her. Not often though.x
I feel like I'm 17 again. Me and my girls in High School were huge Janis Ian fans.
Makes me think about someone who I lost. I could have never have told my family-the wrong color.
Lovely voice
Breath taking....
Se certainly is an American Treasure. One of my all time favorite songwriters.
Brilliant.
What a good guitarists, too!
As a child she admired the work of folk pioneers such as Joan Baez and Odetta. Starting with piano lessons at the age of six or seven, Ian, by the time she entered her teens, had learned the organ, harpsichord, French horn, flute and guitar.
Nice voice. Classic.
she sounds great, and one knows that all she went through as a teen has matured her into a confident still great singer of today. she seems happy now
Terrific!
Happy Birthday, Janis Ian!
Timeless
Janis is a national treasure!
She is so lovely :)
shes great