When you're young, the goal is to have a hit. You get a little older and the goal becomes to get to make another record. Janis Ian goalhitmake Change image and share on social
I had a vague idea of the song's impact in the '60s, but that was tempered by the hate mail and threats I was receiving. It was only about ten years ago, when I finally put it back in my show because so many people were asking for it, that I understood 'Society's Child' real impact. Janis Ian 60sagoback share on social
Of course, I have a different vested interest in the gay community, because I am gay, and I would certainly enjoy the tax advantages that straight people have, and the inheritance advantages, and things like Social Security, but I've always been a civil rights advocate across the board. That's how I was raised. Janis Ian advantageadvocateboard share on social
I gave guitar lessons. I tried to join bands. My mom always said it was obvious that nothing was going to stop me. Janis Ian bandgiveguitar Change image and share on social
I played for anybody and everybody from the time I started playing guitar, when I was 10 or 11. Janis Ian guitarplaystart Change image and share on social
There will always be those people who are just backward and ignorant. There will always be those people. They need somebody to feel superior to. Janis Ian backwardfeelignorant Change image and share on social
At the end of the day, all you can hope for is to go on. The older I get, the more I realize that just keeping on keeping on is what life's all about. Janis Ian dayendhope Change image and share on social
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. Janis Ian beautycleargirl Change image and share on social
It seems to be part of the human condition to need someone you can look down on. I still don't get that one. Janis Ian conditionhumanpart Change image and share on social
'Society's Child' was a real hard record to start with. That's all you want is for you to put your first record out and have people screaming at you in the streets. But it taught me right away that what I was doing was valuable and important. Janis Ian childhardimportant share on social