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Janis Ian Sees The Light at The End of The Line By Sandra Ebejer
Janis Ian was only 14 years old when she penned her first single, "Society's Child (Baby I've Been Thinking)." Though the song, released in 1966, became a hit, its commentary on interracial relationships was enormously controversial for the time. But the backlash didn't stop Ian from releasing new music. In the ensuing years, she continued to write and record some of folk music's most enduring songs, including "Jesse," "Stars," and the Grammy Award-winning "At Seventeen."
Now, at 70, Ian is promoting her final solo studio album, The Light at The End of The Line , and its
accompanying tour. The album offers a brilliantly crafted collection of
songs on aging, identity, and gratitude, and is a bittersweet goodbye of sorts to those fans who have supported her for the last 56 years. Next Avenue recently spoke with Ian. Next Avenue: What made you decide to release this album now? Janis Ian: I decided after Folk is the New Black , which was 15 years ago, that if I made another album, it would be as impeccable as possible. I didn't want to put out an album the way that you have to put them out when you're with a major [label] where, ready or not, here you go. And I didn't want to put it out before I felt like the times made sense for it. Next Avenue: Though it was released in 1965, 'Society's Child' could still be relevant today. Even 'At Seventeen' doesn't feel far off the mark from what a lot of
“A song can pull together an entire movement.” –Janis Ian
young people go through now. What is it like to know that a song you write could stand the test of time for decades? Janis Ian: Certainly with 'Society's Child,' none of us expected it to have the effect it did or the controversy. It's sad to me that both of those songs are still so relevant. It's a sad commentary on our country. I wish somebody like P!nk would cover ['Society's Child'] because I think it could lend some strength to a lot of people.
Read the full interview with Janis Ian at NextAvenue.org
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NEXTAVENUE.ORG
MARCH 2022
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