At Seventeen
Janis Ian
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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 Marries into what she needs With a guarantee of company And haven for the elderly So remember those who win the game Lose the love they sought to gain In debentures 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 knew 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 When dreams were all they gave for free To ugly duckling girls like me We all play the game, and when we dare We cheat ourselves at solitaire Inventing lovers on the phone Repenting other lives unknown That call and say - come on, dance with me And murmur vague obscenities At ugly girls like me, at seventeen
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Written by: Janis Ian
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
6 facts about this song
Historical"At Seventeen" was originally written and performed by Janis Ian in 1975 and later covered by artists like Celine Dion and Jann Arden.
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MusicalThe song's melancholic lyrics and haunting melody have made it a timeless classic that resonates with listeners of all ages.
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Cultural"At Seventeen" explores themes of loneliness, insecurity, and the pressures of adolescence, making it a relatable and emotional piece for many listeners.
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ImpactThe song was a critical and commercial success, earning Janis Ian a Grammy Award for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance in 1976.
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CoversCeline Dion and Jann Arden's versions of "At Seventeen" have brought new audiences to the song, showcasing the enduring appeal of Ian's thoughtful and introspective lyrics.
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Legacy"At Seventeen" continues to be a beloved and frequently covered song, reminding listeners of the power of music to capture universal emotions and experiences.
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"At Seventeen Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 26 Sep. 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric-lf/824639/Janis+Ian/At+Seventeen>.
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