I'll Cry Tonight
Janis Ian · Other Songs - Janis Ian
night is the enemy
Poisons the memory
Martyrs it secretly
Midnight comes too fast
It comes too silently
The moon has no mercy now
to live anymore
One day the rains will come
and wash away the tears
Sunlight will fade the years
Midnight comes too fast
and I don't want
the night to last
Shadows on the glass
Faces in window panes
Old lace and picture frames
rattle their ancient chains
Midnight will surprise
moonlight at the door
The night has a thousand eyes
and i don't know why
to live any more
They told me how you loved me
when I finally got the bravery
to look beyond these prison walls
and shadows hanging over me
I cannot find a way to be
a lover for your life, although
they tell me it comes easily
I somehow cannot let the seasons pass
without demanding that they last
and though I know forever well,
I also know my private hell
Silent voices in the night
They are crying- Sacrifice
One day the rains will come
and wash away the years
Sunlight will fade the tears
Midnight comes too fast
and I don't want
the night to last
I'll Cry Tonight
Janis Ian's 'I'll Cry Tonight' stands as a poignant song in her extensive discography, reflecting the introspective songwriting that defined her early career. Emerging during a period where she blended folk sensibilities with pop accessibility, the track captures the emotional vulnerability characteristic of her work. Ian, known for her distinctive voice and confessional lyrics, often explored themes of heartbreak and personal growth, elements that resonate throughout this recording. While her catalog includes enduring classics like 'At Seventeen' and 'Society's Child,' 'I'll Cry Tonight' offers a quieter moment of reflection, showcasing her ability to convey deep feeling without relying on grandiosity. The song remains a testament to her enduring influence on singer-songwriters and her capacity to articulate the complexities of human emotion through simple, powerful melodies.