This song is a classic- someone should do a present day remix as much of the message still pertains to today's pressures. Altho it shouldn't, but it still does, sadly some things never change. I'm happy to see renown companies are pro-active about these issue w/ our kids these days. Janis hit it on the head w/ this one.
@jaywestfall1517....I understand exactly where you're coming from.....I say to my kids all the time that I wish they lived in our times. The music was so beautiful, people were more compassionate, everything was more slowed down, calmer and innocent.....I don't know....just so grateful for the time I was born into. I was born in 62' just turned 50 myself.
She should have been much bigger than she was. She was a child prodigy who, from a very young age wrote with great poetry and empathy and wisdom. And she wrote about real stuff. My ex-girlfriend was like the person in this song and she never really recovered from it.
Always loved the song but only just noticed how good her voice is - just perfect. It must have been instantly obvious in the studio that a great song was born.
I remember the first time I ever heard this song. I was a teenager, but I understood immediately how powerful the talent of Ms. Ian was. I immediately set about to memorize the lyric, and at almost 62, I still remember every single word. It is an exquisite, if poignant, song, and I am grateful for this posting.
One of the most amazingly beautiful; songs I have ever heard. The shame is, that in the pathetic facade of the Kardashian musical landscape of the world in which we find ourselves, Janis could'nt even get past the front door in today's music studios.
@yipeokia1 The Kardashians??? In 30 years WHO will remember them? They couldn't carry a note between them, unless it was a fart out of their big asses
One of many artists during my teen growth years that now arrests my thoughts when I hear these songs again now at the ripe old age of 50! Back then we were much more closer to these musicians and there songs reflected that. Too bad our kids were robbed of that....
@jaywestfall1517 I remember this from my teenage years also! Difference is that they were only a few years back. I must say that we need more music like this nowadays though and agree with you.
There are times when something is just right this song was on the airwaves back in my high school days I challenge the musicians out there to bring us perfection like this again. We could use it today even more.
how beautiful. as a fat (male) kid, I, too resonated with her lyrics. And seeing this video with her and her gorgeous silver hair makes me feel even more in step. Beautiful version.
I've heard this song being played on the radio for years, but had no idea what Janis Ian looked like. I thought she was probably very homely after hearing this song, but in fact she's quite attractive.
This song makes me cry. Janis Ian showed us all true treasure with these lyrics, this melody, and this rhythm. It is equally valid to both men and women. Seventeen is never an easy age for the sub-average members of society. Thank you, Janis Ian. <3
@TheRobertsharp lol I meant that people who are generally "better off" in life, like children of loving parents or, in more material ways, rich people, have a slightly easier life.
I felt so much like this around that age. Not that I cared for a boyfriend; I just felt awkward and thought I was scrawny and out of place. It seemed I didn't make friends. I was the horse crazy girl, who cared more for horses than boys, and didn't know popular singers and movies from a rock. I sitll played pretend and collected stuffed animals...other girls seemed to know what to do, what was popular and fun and current. It took me a long to realize that the "cliche", be yourself, was true.
@NewYorkerForGood Pretty sure the character Janis Ian was named as a tribute to the original Janis Ian :) At least, I hope so if they play this song in it! Where in the movie is it?
I always had respect for Janice's ability as a musician. Ah, the days when people wrote their own songs, played instruments, and could actually sing. This song is deep.
i'm thankful for the compassion that was taught to me by my mother and father. i was lucky that i was a gifted athelete and i understood very early there were the kids that were not very good but always eager to play. i was pretty much always the captain, i always picked the kids first that would have been picked last. i did not care about winning but hoping these friends would be happy. recently i came across one of my team mates. he remembered my intentions and he thank me.i won
i'm thankful for the compation that was taught to me by my mother and father. i was lucky that i was a gifted athelete and i understood very early there were the kids that were not very good but always eager to play. i was pretty much always the captain, i always picked the kids first that would have been picked last. i did not care about winning but hoping these friends would be happy. i'am 49 now and recently i came across one of my team mates. he remembered my intentions and he thank me.i won
@1762mp If memory serves me right, I wrote "bless you" for helping the underdogs, the uncoordinated, the unpopular, and sometimes the unwanted. I was not one of them. I was more like you but unlike you, I confess I did not do as much for them as did you. So Bless You. BTW, I routinely delete my postings now and then. Peace be upon you.
@H1delta thank you for your reply. when i saw removed i thought i had offended someone and i was worried.
we are alike for the reason you are aware. many people would never stop and realize who they were and what they did. it is never to too late to reach out and help someone which i think you already have. thank you for your blessing and same to you.
@DictatorOfTheFree You obviously were one of the kids that would've teased and bullied the ugly ducklings and introverts in school. Hmmmm, what makes me think that? :0P
I was told repeatedly by my family how ugly and awkward I was. I was born in 1980 I really could have used this song,it would have gotten me thru some really tuff times. Now that I am an adult I grew into a beautiful women and I just love running into all of those girls who were considered beautiful back then because they arent now and I love the look on their faces when they see me. Their fat with kids usually unmarried and struggling. Not me, Ive got a huge rock on my finger and no kids......
I used to hear this on the radio a lot as a child, around 6 or 7 . Always loved the song 'cos it was just so relaxing. It had resurfaced in my head a few days ago. So nice to hear it again after so many years. Sounds so good. Songwriting is definitely a lost art. This is up there with Joni Mitchell.
She was no ugly dukling at all. The very pretty girls can be brutal to the "regular" girls. And the super good looking boys can be true azzholes most of the time. not easy at all being a teenager...
Inner beauty is a nice thing, but when woman is not beautiful, she can have all the inner beauty of the world and she wont be happy....because every woman wants to feel disired by men, no matter what she says or pretends to feel....I know what I am talking about...I have posed like a woman that doesnt care much about love since I was like 14, because by that time I realized that I am not one of those girls that are admired by girls and adored by boys....It is a way of protecting myself..
I can't think of a better song, that is musically so perfect, lyrically so eloquent and compelling! This is truly great songwriting, most of all she gives her soul to the piece. A superior song in every measurable way. In my humble opinion. Thanks Janis for putting it out there!!! You are much loved.
To 18, I was a pretty girl with my nose in a book, mostly Edgar Allan Poe...something real....I thought I was the ugly duckling. I found out I was a swan, just like the story. Still am, Loobs, even though I got fat although that's a relative term. Sorry about the chick from your school....testosterone can be a bad thing in the wrong body.
The most popular girl our at school wasn't exactly the prettiest... but like chief Wiggum, she got fat and got a gun.... then had a sex change and went on a rampage in Norway.
I'm 18 and this song hits me hard. I dream of the day when I guy will look me in the eye with affection. When a guy will make me feel beautiful, not only outside but in.
@gadzoink He is out there waiting to meet you...I know he is! Just wait for him!! Don't rush into the arms of the wrong one! You seem like a jewel that the right would treasure!
@gadzoink I don't usually go for giving advice via comments, but your's caught my eye. Don't rely on someone to make you feel good about yourself. Love yourself, and everything will fall into place. Because we respond to confident girls, similarly to how they respond to us.
@gadzoink The trick is to not think of yourself as the way you THINK others think/feel ABOUT you.It may not be correct & as a result of thinking that way,mind over matter takes over & VOILA! - U get the end result physically of the way you think about yourself mentally.When I was 18 I thought this an impossible concept but now that I'm muchOlder I realize from many trials & errors that it is an absolute TRUE concept,it friggin works! I learned it from a conceited person.Think Yourself Beautiful!
This comment was in reply to @recruiter 40. I can relate to what you say. It is a very worthwhile comment. It must relate to a lot of men as well as girls. Previous post was a gaffe!
Wow! The first time I heard this song on the radio in my car, I was mesmerized and immediately bought the album. My younger sister turned 17 a few days later and I sat her down next to the stereo and told her she 'had' to hear this song. She teared up so much I thought I had made a mistake, but she told me it was 'so, so beautiful!'. I teared up just telling that. Anyway, here's to all the 'ugly' ducklings out there. There is love in the world.
This song always makes me cry. It's simply beautiful. It is a welcome antidote to all those songs that celebrate seventeen as being when every young woman is supposed to blossom into some sort of goddess...it just doesn't always happen that way. I went to a school reunion a few years back, and many of the 'goddesses' I envied at school had since become fat and frumpy and now I was getting all the male attention. I couldn't help feeling smug about that!
@TeynGal , Truly beautiful song. I was 12-13 when it came out & I always assumed she was ugly like me, but she's so pretty. I went to a 25th reunion and was a bit overwhelmed w/flattering compliments by the same women who never would talk to me back then. I wouldn't say I feel smug about it, but it beats having a girl say "you're ugly" to your face
some men go through this too, specially those of us that weren't athletic, had awkward home lives. few friends, even though life gets better the shadows of the past do tend to be clingy
The first time I heard this song I was watching Janis on my black and white TV when I lived in the Tenderloin of San Francisco and I've been a fan of hers ever since.This rap infested generation hasn't a clue of what music is.
@celaya101mtz I lived in the tenderloin up until 2006 on Hyde Street.. I had a chance to meet Janis in Amsterdam,Holland of all places back in 2000. She was polite and very lovely.
I am crying, like I usually do when I listen to this. I was one of "those" girls too. Somehow, I blossomed into a swan and eventually turned heads. I'm close to 50 and still get carded on occasion. I modeled locally and am now considered pretty, but never lost sight of my humble beginnings. It still hurts and probably always will. I will never treat people the way I was treated as a child and teenager.
50 something and i still cry to this song... the time lost because of this feeling...is the true sorrow. Live your life don't let them steal your life...love will come don't try to over compensate or be other then who you are... your brain is still yours and those who never had it will never... respect what you have!
there is only one comm out of all these that actually fits this song - the rest of em are all ... i was pretty but i was shy... and, i was ugly but i'm good looking now - you just don't get it - some things stay with you all your life,and sometimes confidence never comes...it's a sad story ..but some of us never lose our highschool face
I was always pretty, but depression always made me feel ugly. This song made me feel like times would get better. The worst part is that I am a proven genius, supposedly, but I never felt like one. And I feel like when guys hear me talk, they're thinking I'm too smart for them. That's their loss.
@courtneylawhorn You just have to find an intelligent guy. I've always admired my wife's intelligence, rather than feeling threatened by it, and I like to talk to women with doctorates.
All my life I felt that way but it was just me being shy and never taking chances at anything...I didnt start growing and enjoying life as a young adult until I was in my twenties...my "prince" came to me when I wasn't even looking and he thinks I'm beautiful still today after 17 yrs.
I was an ugly duckling girl who was always last to get picked for kickball...turned into an attractive but socially awkward teen and then settled as a shy, quiet, loner adult. This song speaks to me in a very deep place.
@SomethingReal1119 Though it may get better later, there is this endless anger at the past that follows you around: a demon sitting in your neck. That and the memories do the most damage.
I agree with that statement about there is endless anger at the past that follows you around just like me a demon sitting in your neck and our bad memories does damage in our lives. Personally for me I suffer mental illness because of flashback of my child hood past witch is hard to shake off. At 17 years of age of senior year in high school I graduated and I did not get in the 1988 senior yearbook because nobody told me until it was too late.
@SomethingReal1119. Am I correct in understanding that you would prefer not to be a "shy, quiet, loner"?
If yes, then know that while your personality may be the result of your past. You can change it & are free to live a different life in the future. Much of it depends on how you perceive events & translate it into your self worth.
Try reading the book "How to win friends & influence people" by Dale Carnegie. If it speaks to you, consider attending one of his courses. They are amazing.
@SomethingReal1119. Am I correct in understanding that you would prefer not to be a "shy, quiet, loner"?
If yes, then know that while your personality may be the result of your past. You can change it & are free to live a different life in the future. Much of it depends on how you perceive events & translate it into your self worth.
Try reading the book "How to win friends & influence people" by Dale Carnegie. If it speaks to you, consider attending one of his courses. They are amazing.
@SomethingReal1119 Two questions my American cousin. What is kickball and are you still a shy, quiet, loner adult? I always loved this song and I fear that I too have grown up with these same qualities as you. Such is life!
@broadband0118 If I remember, it's like a less formal version of soccer? Either that or you actually had to aim/kick a ball at members of the opposing team with the intention of hitting them and getting them "out". This was back when we actually played semi violent games like that in gym class...and if you got hurt, well, you just sucked it up instead of have your parents sue the school board. lol And yes, I am truly the poster child for what lifelong damage can be done by bullying, sadly.
@ahutchon: You're right about Janis being pretty damned fine in her day, but completely wrong about the song not being about her. She's on record saying the exact opposite.
Being the coolest best looking kid in school in school with loads of friends I can't relate to the lyrics or any of your whiny bitch comments about how shit you were when you were younger but damn she can sing.
@ahutchon The lyrics to this song are not related to Janis Ian's life whatsoever (her being a good-looking girl) but about shy girls in general being abused by coward boys and airhead girls. Now, I was 12th grade class president by popular vote but I wouldn't express myself in those terms about a woman, which betrays you as just pretensious, lying trailer trash! :)
I love this song, because it was the opposite for me. That's when I knew how great life was and got together with my first love
DixieLouH 2 days ago
Sublime *****Karine
thefrench261 4 days ago
She was ahead of her time. A talented beauty with a gifted voice.
TheChutrit 5 days ago
This song is a classic- someone should do a present day remix as much of the message still pertains to today's pressures. Altho it shouldn't, but it still does, sadly some things never change. I'm happy to see renown companies are pro-active about these issue w/ our kids these days. Janis hit it on the head w/ this one.
caraliny 1 week ago
quality melody, quality lyrics, exceptional song.
Winelighter 1 week ago 2
@jaywestfall1517....I understand exactly where you're coming from.....I say to my kids all the time that I wish they lived in our times. The music was so beautiful, people were more compassionate, everything was more slowed down, calmer and innocent.....I don't know....just so grateful for the time I was born into. I was born in 62' just turned 50 myself.
This song was one of my absolute favorites btw!
60sAmethyst 2 weeks ago
She should have been much bigger than she was. She was a child prodigy who, from a very young age wrote with great poetry and empathy and wisdom. And she wrote about real stuff. My ex-girlfriend was like the person in this song and she never really recovered from it.
CaptainLightning1 2 weeks ago
I remember. . One of my all time favourites, still brings tears to my eyes.thank you Janis.
ansapphiregael8 3 weeks ago
thumb up if you're here because of the simpson
mcatouga 3 weeks ago
This song is pretty chill.
bucknut248 3 weeks ago
Always loved the song but only just noticed how good her voice is - just perfect. It must have been instantly obvious in the studio that a great song was born.
RPPOZZ 1 month ago
Extraordinarily beautiful recording/version.
btannam 1 month ago
brings back memories of long ago ,,this song is so pure and perfect
rockyroadblues100 1 month ago 2
Got this off the Simpsons :)
KogasGurl13 1 month ago
@KogasGurl13 Same here the insanity peppers episode :D
Iwanttoleavecomments 3 weeks ago
Of COURSE Janis Eeyin is wonderful, she's Jewish!
Jews invented God, Jesus & Blue Jeans!
LerfaMu1 1 month ago
hai che dolor
MrWhitedogo 1 month ago in playlist Liked videos
I love, simply love this song! It makres me crytears of joy for yesterday! God bless Janis for recording this song.
spunkyswagger1 1 month ago
Perfecta canción.
Rodriakri 1 month ago
I remember the first time I ever heard this song. I was a teenager, but I understood immediately how powerful the talent of Ms. Ian was. I immediately set about to memorize the lyric, and at almost 62, I still remember every single word. It is an exquisite, if poignant, song, and I am grateful for this posting.
kenhamlett1 1 month ago 7
One of the most amazingly beautiful; songs I have ever heard. The shame is, that in the pathetic facade of the Kardashian musical landscape of the world in which we find ourselves, Janis could'nt even get past the front door in today's music studios.
Peace.
yipeokia1 1 month ago 2
@yipeokia1 The Kardashians??? In 30 years WHO will remember them? They couldn't carry a note between them, unless it was a fart out of their big asses
19111ellyc 1 month ago
Janis, I always thought you were beautiful......from a guy who.did ok in h.s.....i can relate
mightybeeb 2 months ago
I will allways think of you as the best,because you are!
mike4asianwoman 2 months ago
One of many artists during my teen growth years that now arrests my thoughts when I hear these songs again now at the ripe old age of 50! Back then we were much more closer to these musicians and there songs reflected that. Too bad our kids were robbed of that....
jaywestfall1517 2 months ago 2
@jaywestfall1517 I remember this from my teenage years also! Difference is that they were only a few years back. I must say that we need more music like this nowadays though and agree with you.
thaizascythosaskand 2 months ago
your not stupid
no i am actually
freakahurt 2 months ago
There are times when something is just right this song was on the airwaves back in my high school days I challenge the musicians out there to bring us perfection like this again. We could use it today even more.
ajushi10 2 months ago 2
i remember this song from when the simpsons was good
ishouldplayzelda 2 months ago
Don't wait for anyone to make you "feel beautiful". God took care of that when he created you.
spunkyswagger1 2 months ago
@spunkyswagger1 he didn't with rosie o' donnel
ishouldplayzelda 2 months ago
how beautiful. as a fat (male) kid, I, too resonated with her lyrics. And seeing this video with her and her gorgeous silver hair makes me feel even more in step. Beautiful version.
jdpjr1962 2 months ago
WOW, What a sad song!
Loretta7718 2 months ago
"i learned the truth at seventeen, that love mean't for beauty queens"
Munch180 2 months ago
i really like the guitar part in the middle those chords are something
elvispresley718 3 months ago
I've heard this song being played on the radio for years, but had no idea what Janis Ian looked like. I thought she was probably very homely after hearing this song, but in fact she's quite attractive.
ridgerunner721601 3 months ago
@ridgerunner721601 yeah but she's losing her hair
elvispresley718 3 months ago
@elvispresley718 Well, she can always get a wig somewhere.
ridgerunner721601 3 months ago
@ridgerunner721601 you're rigth about that
elvispresley718 2 months ago
This songs is beautiful...says it all about the teen years where the world is Marching left- right and I somehow could not help marching right- left.
ansapphiregael8 3 months ago
Note to all ugly 17 year old women: fire out 5 different kids to 5 different council estate fathers, and the Daily Mail will honour you forever!
Loobs666 3 months ago in playlist Favorite videos
@99Blondie Pretty sure too. :) And it's during the part where Karen is about to show Cady how she can fit her whole fist in her mouth.
NewYorkerForGood 3 months ago
This song makes me cry. Janis Ian showed us all true treasure with these lyrics, this melody, and this rhythm. It is equally valid to both men and women. Seventeen is never an easy age for the sub-average members of society. Thank you, Janis Ian. <3
99Blondie 3 months ago
@99Blondie sub average! To quote the great Phil Daniels in Quadrophenia 'whats normal then eh,eh'?.
TheRobertsharp 3 months ago
@TheRobertsharp lol I meant that people who are generally "better off" in life, like children of loving parents or, in more material ways, rich people, have a slightly easier life.
99Blondie 1 month ago
ME HACE LLORAR , ME ACUERDO CUANDO TENIA MIS 17 AÑITOS Y ERA TODA UNA ADOLESCENTE MALCRIADA
gabrielasanchez2 3 months ago
Can equally pertain to men.
calalilygirl 3 months ago
TENGO 25 AÑOS DE ANDAR BUSCANDO ESTA CANCIÓN. no se quien eres pero gracias.
Billesco7 4 months ago
I felt so much like this around that age. Not that I cared for a boyfriend; I just felt awkward and thought I was scrawny and out of place. It seemed I didn't make friends. I was the horse crazy girl, who cared more for horses than boys, and didn't know popular singers and movies from a rock. I sitll played pretend and collected stuffed animals...other girls seemed to know what to do, what was popular and fun and current. It took me a long to realize that the "cliche", be yourself, was true.
TXRider 4 months ago
I didn't like this song when it was popular and I was a kid. But now...I love a song with a sweet melody in a minor key. This is awesome.
johnsoncm65 4 months ago
I don't mean to take anything away from the meaning of this song, but they play this song in the movie Mean Girls.
Janis Ian.
Hello irony.
NewYorkerForGood 4 months ago
@NewYorkerForGood Pretty sure the character Janis Ian was named as a tribute to the original Janis Ian :) At least, I hope so if they play this song in it! Where in the movie is it?
99Blondie 3 months ago
I always had respect for Janice's ability as a musician. Ah, the days when people wrote their own songs, played instruments, and could actually sing. This song is deep.
Beatles0223 4 months ago 14
Comment removed
Shareheya 4 months ago
I was an ugly duckling...who turned into a swan. Not a swan as beautiful as you.
MissGusaroo 4 months ago
good singer, good music.
I stopped being worried about being popular year ago. I understand the pain.
rutabagasteu 4 months ago
This has been flagged as spam show
i'm thankful for the compassion that was taught to me by my mother and father. i was lucky that i was a gifted athelete and i understood very early there were the kids that were not very good but always eager to play. i was pretty much always the captain, i always picked the kids first that would have been picked last. i did not care about winning but hoping these friends would be happy. recently i came across one of my team mates. he remembered my intentions and he thank me.i won
1762mp 4 months ago
i'm thankful for the compation that was taught to me by my mother and father. i was lucky that i was a gifted athelete and i understood very early there were the kids that were not very good but always eager to play. i was pretty much always the captain, i always picked the kids first that would have been picked last. i did not care about winning but hoping these friends would be happy. i'am 49 now and recently i came across one of my team mates. he remembered my intentions and he thank me.i won
1762mp 4 months ago
Comment removed
H1delta 4 months ago
@H1delta
what did you say?why was it removed.
1762mp 4 months ago
@1762mp If memory serves me right, I wrote "bless you" for helping the underdogs, the uncoordinated, the unpopular, and sometimes the unwanted. I was not one of them. I was more like you but unlike you, I confess I did not do as much for them as did you. So Bless You. BTW, I routinely delete my postings now and then. Peace be upon you.
H1delta 4 months ago
@H1delta thank you for your reply. when i saw removed i thought i had offended someone and i was worried.
we are alike for the reason you are aware. many people would never stop and realize who they were and what they did. it is never to too late to reach out and help someone which i think you already have. thank you for your blessing and same to you.
1762mp 4 months ago
I cant believe I turned 49 last month.. i have always loved Janis.. and I just had to take a trip back to this beautiful song... but when I was 17?
I was busy trying my best to NOT fit in... (at 17 I was the stoned out, guitar playing, black guy who drove a Harley)
anyshitt 4 months ago
@DictatorOfTheFree You obviously were one of the kids that would've teased and bullied the ugly ducklings and introverts in school. Hmmmm, what makes me think that? :0P
SomethingReal1119 4 months ago
This is really soothing. Music stopped being sweet at the turn of the new millienium.
boru25 5 months ago
note reminds me of hewey louis and the news critique in american psychoi LOL are you holding an ax?
rustblack2011 5 months ago
Fascinating note Nocaro. Thanks for its content and the upload.
Warmly,
Al
atimtambaby 5 months ago in playlist Smooth Tunes 14
49 years old and I still feel it.
Hanklebury 5 months ago
Deeeeeeeep!
mrgradyjackson 5 months ago
I was told repeatedly by my family how ugly and awkward I was. I was born in 1980 I really could have used this song,it would have gotten me thru some really tuff times. Now that I am an adult I grew into a beautiful women and I just love running into all of those girls who were considered beautiful back then because they arent now and I love the look on their faces when they see me. Their fat with kids usually unmarried and struggling. Not me, Ive got a huge rock on my finger and no kids......
Sweetface80 5 months ago
I used to hear this on the radio a lot as a child, around 6 or 7 . Always loved the song 'cos it was just so relaxing. It had resurfaced in my head a few days ago. So nice to hear it again after so many years. Sounds so good. Songwriting is definitely a lost art. This is up there with Joni Mitchell.
truthaintpretty 5 months ago
i <3 this song
lovetimekisses 5 months ago
memories.....Was there with you!
jwiwood 5 months ago in playlist Liked
She was no ugly dukling at all. The very pretty girls can be brutal to the "regular" girls. And the super good looking boys can be true azzholes most of the time. not easy at all being a teenager...
poeavor 5 months ago
1976年か!!～～ｼﾞｬﾆｽ･ｲﾔﾝ～～衝撃の傑作～～17歳の頃～ﾍﾞｰｽがﾘﾁｬｰﾄﾞ･ﾃﾞｲヴｨｽには驚いた
blackandtanful 5 months ago
Inner beauty is a nice thing, but when woman is not beautiful, she can have all the inner beauty of the world and she wont be happy....because every woman wants to feel disired by men, no matter what she says or pretends to feel....I know what I am talking about...I have posed like a woman that doesnt care much about love since I was like 14, because by that time I realized that I am not one of those girls that are admired by girls and adored by boys....It is a way of protecting myself..
Ferbbie 5 months ago
A man was not brave enough in the 1970s to sing a song like this. A woman as brave as she, was.
gayforlife2020 5 months ago 14
Beautifully sung, wonderfully melancholic, and great musical arrangement.
sgtpepperize 5 months ago
I only wanted to comment on how beautiful she actually was to so many of us, and today, we still remember.
fubar50cat 5 months ago 3
I can't think of a better song, that is musically so perfect, lyrically so eloquent and compelling! This is truly great songwriting, most of all she gives her soul to the piece. A superior song in every measurable way. In my humble opinion. Thanks Janis for putting it out there!!! You are much loved.
rhernandez1324 5 months ago 7
To 18, I was a pretty girl with my nose in a book, mostly Edgar Allan Poe...something real....I thought I was the ugly duckling. I found out I was a swan, just like the story. Still am, Loobs, even though I got fat although that's a relative term. Sorry about the chick from your school....testosterone can be a bad thing in the wrong body.
OrionSX 5 months ago
The most popular girl our at school wasn't exactly the prettiest... but like chief Wiggum, she got fat and got a gun.... then had a sex change and went on a rampage in Norway.
Loobs666 5 months ago
I'm 18 and this song hits me hard. I dream of the day when I guy will look me in the eye with affection. When a guy will make me feel beautiful, not only outside but in.
gadzoink 5 months ago 18
@gadzoink He is out there waiting to meet you...I know he is! Just wait for him!! Don't rush into the arms of the wrong one! You seem like a jewel that the right would treasure!
JEFFANDKIRS 2 months ago
@gadzoink I don't usually go for giving advice via comments, but your's caught my eye. Don't rely on someone to make you feel good about yourself. Love yourself, and everything will fall into place. Because we respond to confident girls, similarly to how they respond to us.
shithead486 2 months ago
@gadzoink I rarely say this, but listen to shithead's advice :)(down this page).
jackdav34 2 months ago
Don't wait for anyone to make you feel beautiful. God already did.
spunkyswagger1 2 months ago
@gadzoink --- he will, and it will be worth the wait. =)
dcp8nts 2 months ago
@gadzoink The trick is to not think of yourself as the way you THINK others think/feel ABOUT you.It may not be correct & as a result of thinking that way,mind over matter takes over & VOILA! - U get the end result physically of the way you think about yourself mentally.When I was 18 I thought this an impossible concept but now that I'm muchOlder I realize from many trials & errors that it is an absolute TRUE concept,it friggin works! I learned it from a conceited person.Think Yourself Beautiful!
IsItEarthYet 1 month ago 2
This was the songtrack of my high school life!
pamlabeltran 6 months ago 10
@pamlabeltran mine too
jennygsmithful 2 months ago
she is Beautiful
pitbullman77 6 months ago
she is Beautiful
pitbullman77 6 months ago
wow, the simpsons got kinda deep with thi song...
girl2h4u 6 months ago in playlist o
@girl2h4u lol true that
MBLAQbby 6 months ago
Why does this song remind me of "The Girl From Ipanema?
loufalce 6 months ago
@loufalce sam kind of feel and those jazzy chords too
elvispresley718 3 months ago
I was so in love with this girl in high school who looked like Janis Ian it was scary...and I agree with recruiter40 100%
drtydawg51 6 months ago
My father was a DJ, and when he asked me if I understood this song, I told him no, but I did.
MrCaustic 6 months ago
0:01
AaronZarateify 6 months ago
0:08
minkrobe 6 months ago
0:09
minkrobe 6 months ago
09
minkrobe 6 months ago
Lots of memories with this song. Thank you for the share....
ladystorm61 6 months ago
This comment was in reply to @recruiter 40. I can relate to what you say. It is a very worthwhile comment. It must relate to a lot of men as well as girls. Previous post was a gaffe!
dorothyparker100 6 months ago
Superb she is, I remember this song back in the 70's and she was hottie back then as she is now.
Zippertheslipper 6 months ago
Wow! The first time I heard this song on the radio in my car, I was mesmerized and immediately bought the album. My younger sister turned 17 a few days later and I sat her down next to the stereo and told her she 'had' to hear this song. She teared up so much I thought I had made a mistake, but she told me it was 'so, so beautiful!'. I teared up just telling that. Anyway, here's to all the 'ugly' ducklings out there. There is love in the world.
fergusof 6 months ago 20
This song always makes me cry. It's simply beautiful. It is a welcome antidote to all those songs that celebrate seventeen as being when every young woman is supposed to blossom into some sort of goddess...it just doesn't always happen that way. I went to a school reunion a few years back, and many of the 'goddesses' I envied at school had since become fat and frumpy and now I was getting all the male attention. I couldn't help feeling smug about that!
TeynGal 6 months ago 5
@TeynGal , Truly beautiful song. I was 12-13 when it came out & I always assumed she was ugly like me, but she's so pretty. I went to a 25th reunion and was a bit overwhelmed w/flattering compliments by the same women who never would talk to me back then. I wouldn't say I feel smug about it, but it beats having a girl say "you're ugly" to your face
1223baddad 5 months ago 2
I can't see in any way that she describes herself ugly (?)
quesapa 6 months ago
Beautiful lyrics...being an ugly duckling, I truly understand.
catymacca 6 months ago 2
Great!
ynnkun88 7 months ago
We all know the types that didn't get enough rejection to shape their lives. Count your blessings as you could be one of them.
miles581 7 months ago
To those of us who know the pain of Valentines that never came... God I can relate to that :(
2emma1 7 months ago
some men go through this too, specially those of us that weren't athletic, had awkward home lives. few friends, even though life gets better the shadows of the past do tend to be clingy
recruiter40 7 months ago 51
@recruiter40
dorothyparker100 6 months ago
The first time I heard this song I was watching Janis on my black and white TV when I lived in the Tenderloin of San Francisco and I've been a fan of hers ever since.This rap infested generation hasn't a clue of what music is.
celaya101mtz 7 months ago 4
@celaya101mtz I lived in the tenderloin up until 2006 on Hyde Street.. I had a chance to meet Janis in Amsterdam,Holland of all places back in 2000. She was polite and very lovely.
MrVeesworld 7 months ago
I was just sent this song by God to remind me of why it's been so hard...
Thank you Janis Ian, who I never heard of until today...
babyfacekannon 7 months ago
What an amazing song from an absolutely amazing socially aware songwriter.
G-d bless you, Janis....always #1 on my list....even now, in 2011 alice
TheAlyson1101 7 months ago 2
What an amazing song from an absolutely amazing socially aware songwriter.
G-d bless you, Janis....always #1 on my list....even now, in 2011
TheAlyson1101 7 months ago
Thank you Simpsons for sending me here
LoveHata 7 months ago 2
@LoveHata SAME HERE! it just went off! :-O
Supersaiiyin 7 months ago
I am crying, like I usually do when I listen to this. I was one of "those" girls too. Somehow, I blossomed into a swan and eventually turned heads. I'm close to 50 and still get carded on occasion. I modeled locally and am now considered pretty, but never lost sight of my humble beginnings. It still hurts and probably always will. I will never treat people the way I was treated as a child and teenager.
gmtfootcd 7 months ago
@gmtfootcd Well you got the last laugh and I am not surprised. Keep your chin up..pretty lady.
MrVeesworld 7 months ago 2
Poor audio quality on this upload
CaptainHurricane 7 months ago
50 something and i still cry to this song... the time lost because of this feeling...is the true sorrow. Live your life don't let them steal your life...love will come don't try to over compensate or be other then who you are... your brain is still yours and those who never had it will never... respect what you have!
cherdawnsosa 7 months ago
Liz Lemon sent me here
chrish262 7 months ago 2
there is only one comm out of all these that actually fits this song - the rest of em are all ... i was pretty but i was shy... and, i was ugly but i'm good looking now - you just don't get it - some things stay with you all your life,and sometimes confidence never comes...it's a sad story ..but some of us never lose our highschool face
iampunitan 7 months ago
I learned the truth when I was like 12. lol
AbsinthDoll 7 months ago
really good moving accurate song
bernardmeyre 7 months ago
at 17...at 18...at 19...at 20...at 25... at 30
doobeedoo58 7 months ago
At the side bar it say :"Celine Deon-Seventeen" okay...she should NOT be aloud to sing that.
beatlebob101 7 months ago
I was always pretty, but depression always made me feel ugly. This song made me feel like times would get better. The worst part is that I am a proven genius, supposedly, but I never felt like one. And I feel like when guys hear me talk, they're thinking I'm too smart for them. That's their loss.
courtneylawhorn 7 months ago 2
@courtneylawhorn You just have to find an intelligent guy. I've always admired my wife's intelligence, rather than feeling threatened by it, and I like to talk to women with doctorates.
RogerKovaciny 7 months ago
@RogerKovaciny if only people knew ..... :)
m1kewithaone 7 months ago
@courtneylawhorn you got that right honey, it is their loss! ... can i have your phone number? lol : )
m1kewithaone 7 months ago
thumbs up for simpsons
pb4lyf 7 months ago
All my life I felt that way but it was just me being shy and never taking chances at anything...I didnt start growing and enjoying life as a young adult until I was in my twenties...my "prince" came to me when I wasn't even looking and he thinks I'm beautiful still today after 17 yrs.
proudtexun 8 months ago 3
I was an ugly duckling girl who was always last to get picked for kickball...turned into an attractive but socially awkward teen and then settled as a shy, quiet, loner adult. This song speaks to me in a very deep place.
SomethingReal1119 8 months ago 44
@SomethingReal1119 ...a wonderful statement of faith. I honor it.
bharfarar 6 months ago
@SomethingReal1119 Though it may get better later, there is this endless anger at the past that follows you around: a demon sitting in your neck. That and the memories do the most damage.
Ironcabbit 6 months ago 2
I agree with that statement about there is endless anger at the past that follows you around just like me a demon sitting in your neck and our bad memories does damage in our lives. Personally for me I suffer mental illness because of flashback of my child hood past witch is hard to shake off. At 17 years of age of senior year in high school I graduated and I did not get in the 1988 senior yearbook because nobody told me until it was too late.
FRANKFRANKFRANK42 6 months ago
@FRANKFRANKFRANK42 Me too: definitely social anxiety disorder, a bit of ADD, and probably even a little shell shock.
Ironcabbit 6 months ago
@SomethingReal1119 lol
LoveHata 6 months ago
@SomethingReal1119. Am I correct in understanding that you would prefer not to be a "shy, quiet, loner"?
If yes, then know that while your personality may be the result of your past. You can change it & are free to live a different life in the future. Much of it depends on how you perceive events & translate it into your self worth.
Try reading the book "How to win friends & influence people" by Dale Carnegie. If it speaks to you, consider attending one of his courses. They are amazing.
registerme2 5 months ago
This has been flagged as spam show
@SomethingReal1119. Am I correct in understanding that you would prefer not to be a "shy, quiet, loner"?
If yes, then know that while your personality may be the result of your past. You can change it & are free to live a different life in the future. Much of it depends on how you perceive events & translate it into your self worth.
Try reading the book "How to win friends & influence people" by Dale Carnegie. If it speaks to you, consider attending one of his courses. They are amazing.
registerme2 5 months ago
@SomethingReal1119 Me too. I virtually didn't exist in HS. I don't blame anybody, just the way I am.
gcord21 5 months ago
@SomethingReal1119 Two questions my American cousin. What is kickball and are you still a shy, quiet, loner adult? I always loved this song and I fear that I too have grown up with these same qualities as you. Such is life!
broadband0118 4 months ago
@broadband0118 If I remember, it's like a less formal version of soccer? Either that or you actually had to aim/kick a ball at members of the opposing team with the intention of hitting them and getting them "out". This was back when we actually played semi violent games like that in gym class...and if you got hurt, well, you just sucked it up instead of have your parents sue the school board. lol And yes, I am truly the poster child for what lifelong damage can be done by bullying, sadly.
SomethingReal1119 4 months ago
At 17 I wasn't popular and guess what? At 37 ..Still a failure!
iw32 8 months ago
@iw32
You're not a failure....you have survived.
fmacfan 8 months ago
@fmacfan Thank you for your kind words.
iw32 8 months ago
@ahutchon: You're right about Janis being pretty damned fine in her day, but completely wrong about the song not being about her. She's on record saying the exact opposite.
sgtipb 8 months ago
long ago and far away dreams was all they gave fro free to ugly duckling girls like me
jacquelinesuzann 8 months ago
Sorry , I was wrong . It was Phoebe Snow , I was thinking about .
johnhharley48 8 months ago
Comment removed
johnhharley48 8 months ago
@johnhharley48 ....But she's alive
MovieRatIan 8 months ago
She wasn't ugly at all!
monemori 8 months ago 4
@monemori I agree, she is not bad looking at all!
himsy555 8 months ago
This song is on simpsons when homer looks for his soulmate after having the hallucination from the chilly!
13scott31 8 months ago 3
@13scott31 Was just looking for it myself after hearing it when Homer was searching! :)
Stokiekris 8 months ago
what a beautiful song. And boy, she aged gracefully!...
Nema30 9 months ago
Being the coolest best looking kid in school in school with loads of friends I can't relate to the lyrics or any of your whiny bitch comments about how shit you were when you were younger but damn she can sing.
ahutchon 9 months ago
@ahutchon The lyrics to this song are not related to Janis Ian's life whatsoever (her being a good-looking girl) but about shy girls in general being abused by coward boys and airhead girls. Now, I was 12th grade class president by popular vote but I wouldn't express myself in those terms about a woman, which betrays you as just pretensious, lying trailer trash! :)
Managuense1 9 months ago
With This Song Janis Won A Grammy in 1975...
Teens are cruel & "put others down" because they are so insecure with their place in Peer Order.
It's only when we are finished with our Education that we can finally feel comfortable with "Who We Are".
It's when we are working & feel that we are a productive part of Society know matter how unique & different we are from others.
The Best thing any of us can do is to get away from our High School "so called" Friends & starting making other Friends.
RomanticBob59 9 months ago 3
Janis hit #3 in Billboard, 9-13-75. God bless ya, for postin' it. Thanx! Shalom, Janis.
DaveWollenberg 9 months ago
Beautiful. Sad, but beautiful. It took a deep reflection to accomplish something so beautiful and haunting too. Janis was genius!
boomerang905 9 months ago 3
By the way guys, it's so much fun to share things here so we can learn from each other and help each other on whatever we can!
Managuense1 9 months ago
But Janis was a beauty ...internally as well as externally, though not tall and blonde...great song of my high school days.
buddyfreeluv 9 months ago