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Artist/Band: Janis Ian
Lyrics for Song: At Seventeen
Lyrics for Album: Other Songs - Janis Ian



I learned the truth at seventeen
That love was meant for beauty queens
And high school girls with clear skinned smiles
Who married young and then retired.
The valentines I never knew
The Friday night charades of youth
Were spent on one more beautiful
At seventeen I learned the truth.
And those of us with ravaged faces
Lacking in the social graces
Desperately remained at home
Inventing lovers on the phone
Who called to say come dance with me
and murmured vague obscenities
It isn't all it seems
At seventeen.
A brown eyed girl in hand me downs
Whose name I never could pronounce
said, Pity please the ones who serve
They only get what they deserve.
The rich relationed hometown queen
she marries into what she needs
A guarantee of company
And haven for the elderly.
Remember those who win the game
Lose the love they sought to gain
Indebentures of quality
And dubious integrity.
Their small town eyes will gape at you
in dull surprise when payment due
Exceeds accounts received
At seventeen.
To those of us who know the pain
Of valentines that never came,
And those whose names were never called
When choosing sides for basketball.
It was long ago and far away
The world was younger than today
And dreams were all they gave for free
To ugly duckling girls like me.
We all play the game and when we dare
To cheat ourselves at solitaire
Inventing lovers on the phone
Repenting other lives unknown
That call and say, come dance with me
and murmur vague obscenities
At ugly girls like me
At seventeen.


At Seventeen - Janis Ian

Janis Ian's 'At Seventeen' stands as a defining anthem of the folk-rock era, capturing the raw vulnerability and complex emotions of youth. Recorded in the mid-1970s, the track exemplifies Ian's signature style, blending acoustic storytelling with a driving rhythm that propelled her to international fame. The song explores themes of first love, heartbreak, and the fleeting nature of adolescence, resonating deeply with listeners who have experienced similar transitions. As a cornerstone of her discography, 'At Seventeen' remains a powerful representation of the singer-songwriter tradition, showcasing Ian's ability to translate personal narrative into universal musical expression. Its enduring popularity underscores its status as a classic recording that continues to influence contemporary artists and fans alike.


Album Lyrics: Other Songs - Janis Ian


Janis Ian
"Other Songs - Janis Ian"


1. Artist : Janis Ian
2. At Seventeen
3. Bright Lights And Promises
4. Candlelight
5. Fly Too High
6. I Want To Make You Love Me
7. I'll Cry Tonight
8. In The Winter
9. Jesse
10. Let Me Be Lonely
11. Love Is Blind
12. Lover's Lullaby
13. Miracle Row/Maria
14. Party Lights
15. Slow Dance Romance
16. Society's Child
17. Stars
18. Sunset Of Your Life
19. Take To The Sky
20. Tea And Sympathy
21. When Angels Cry
22. When The Party's Over
23. Will You Dance
24. Boy I Really Tied One On
25. Come On
26. Don't Leave Tonight
27. The Last Comeback