Janis Ian "Jesse"

[harryandsimba]

First time I've heard this version.

Disappointing,after all the plaudits I'd read.She makes it sound so boring,and

the guitar distorts the mood.

[27moonlightlady]

Hadn't heard this song in years, was missing someone tonight and the song came to mind. Beautiful

[TheNikkilada]

i listened to her in the 70s and this song still makes me cry.

[robnijssen]

Beautifull....



[bach2117]

Just a brilliant writer and singer.

[Teknobotz1]

I met her yesterday, she touched my heart again. We talked and hugged; it was magic to me!

[swe50]

She must be the most underrated singer-songwriter in history. She is totally unique and I love her...

[Zeppolino100]

I really love this version. It is played at a pace that matches the pain of loss the song explores so vividly. That was, after all, her forte. She is here at the perfect age, no longer a teenager, but not yet middle aged.

[peopleinsorrow]

Great song. It always makes me want to cry.

[ClemvSt]

@peopleinsorrow Same here exactly. This is the best version of the song i know, and it always makes me cry.

[kbr10001000]

great song, great singer and just a great job

[laarbe]

This song is so hauntingly beautiful. It touches me in such a special place. I love Roberta Flack's Version the Best. But Janis Ian's Version is great as well. Thanks.

[paul56x]

lighten up Janis!!

only joking

the blues and the greens have been recently cleaned and they're seemingly new

It was' our' song a long long time ago

He is dead now

no Im not lonely or scared but always thrilled when I hear this song which takes me to 1975

[dolfyn1963]

can someone help me ,im looking for the song from janis ian and its called "i miss you jealuos lover"".im not that good with internet so if someone knows where i can find this song thanks.

[bbjdutch]

@dolfyn1963 The song you search is called " without you". I hope you will find it soon, maybe even at youtube

[dublinbarterclub]

This song is heart-stopping in its brilliance.

[kenbefound]

There was always something special about the simplicity of Janis' song craft. So glad to have been a fan all these years. "Stars" is another Janis Ian classic that often gets overlooked.

[TheRosetreeme]

Just haunting.....so, beautiful.

[williambill6]

Jackie...I can still see her face

[bbjdutch]

I was 15 or 16 years old when I heard her for the first time singing.No one have ever reached my heart by singing like she did. Thank you and i'm, now 47, still enjoying her like the first time. Thanks from the bottom of my heart and please come to the Netherlands as soon as possible ;-)).

[marujequ]

@bbjdutch

I was 18 and still love her songs and I am 63, so much richdom has she brought. My cat is called Jesse and my other cat Ruby.

[Mellowswan]

And I'm leaving the light on the stairs No I'm not scared; I wait for you Hey Jesse, it's lonely, come home. Jesse the spread on the bed, It's like when you left, I kept it for you. All the blues and the greens have been recently cleaned And are seemingly new; hey Jess, me and you. We'll swallow the light on the stairs I'll fix up my hair, we'll sleep unawares Hey Jesse, it's lonely, come home

[liletskie1]

what a beautiful song........i love this song.

[ReverendLawrence]

Janis Ian: A rare and beautiful woman...

[Argotero]

I discovered this fantastic song in one early Roberta Flack's album and always loved, and I am so happy to find the composer. Thanks so much

[lesliekorshak]

Oh, I knew that forever, the audience didn't however and presupposed it was directed towards a man... to me, it's alwayd going to be my Grand mother... thanks!

[mevanhouten]

All the blues and the greens have been recently cleaned and are seemingly new.

[jazed371]

most artist are just talented, janis is gifted.

[gustrider90]

my dad used to play this on his guitar while I sang...

I recon my english wasn't so good, and a 8 year old singing it must've been a funny sight but... even then, it allways touched me, and I allways admired her bravery and courage on waiting for her Jesse

... I'm tearing up! it's too beautiful!!

[cherrygirl67]

Heartwrenching - very emotional!

[Siany71]

I miss my Jesse xo

[lesliekorshak]

this may well have been written for a man but my grandma's name was Jessie, she played with my hair, kept a light on the stair and even though it's been a lifetime, I still can't make it through this precious gift without sobbing my gratitude.

Thank you!

[LanguorousLass]

@lesliekorshak: actually, it wasn't written for a man. Janis Ian is gay; the love songs she writes are addressed to women.

[RedHeadedBishiesROCK]

TODAY I found a feather when I was cleaning, and all I thought was when Jesse came in he would play, but I realized he is gone. I miss my kitty so much. I have 3 others and a dog but they are not my Jesse.

[vanniebee]

@munch690 - it's not that day for me either. beautiful

[lukechapter5]

my fave.

[bluekranky]

Just played this for my mum Jessie at her funeral. Beautiful song.

[Jon58004]

@bluekranky how old are you and your mom?

[JoshuaTaylor]

IMO, this is one of the most haunting songs ever written. No matter where you are, it can stop you in your tracks.

[alsoomse1]

such a magnificent voice, such a talented woman

[meestersm1]

every time i hear this the tears run down my cheeks

[Evangelander]

Both enchanting and haunting. Bravo, Janis - what a great performance!!!

[RedHeadedBishiesROCK]

To all the cat lovers and the sadness of my Jesse, Buddah is like a Jesse Spirit, here to heal my heart, he continues to be a wonderful gift to our family, despite the loss of Jesse. I call him Buddah, My husband calls him Lightning, My daughter calls him Henry!!!!!All in all just love.

[Kaat636]

dublindare, what beautiful!

I love Janis a long time, I think I was 18 when I first heard here,se is great till this day!

[hazelpetal18]

Im 19, and i love Janis Ian!!as a child i grew up listening to her music and learning to sing her lyrics with my dad, who holds Janis as one of his favourite artists :) went 2 c her n dublin with him 2! i think she has such raw talent, that in truth, is very hard 2 find in our generations music 2day!!!i love her!!! :D

[wickedshadow83]

brings back strange old memories of saudi arabia

[cicastle]

Happy Birthday Janis!!! 4-7-2010

[Suteruni]

I love this song, love Janis and love cats.

Im so sorry RedHead *hugs*

[LKennedy777]

I Love you Mac ... and miss you Still.

[veda1954]

Sums up just how it feels when you lose someone you love - but you're not sure whether of not they'll ever come home again . . . . but deep down inside, we know that they never will. So very moving.

[RUPERTBARE1]

Love the song, love Janis, loved Gray.

[RedHeadedBishiesROCK]

I adopted a beautiful cat 8 years ago. When we got to the car to go home "Jesse" by Janis Ian was on the radio. I named him Jesse as it is one of my favorites by Janis. Jesse died today.

[Andrea2354]

@RedHeadedBishiesROCK

Oh God...love Janis Ian, love this song, love cats. I'm so sorry for your loss. Tears for you and Jesse.

[TheChicagotommy]

@RedHeadedBishiesROCK  so sorry

[uummmiforgot]

@RedHeadedBishiesROCK

Sorry for the loss of your "Jesse", I hope you found another one to share

love with.

[RedHeadedBishiesROCK]

@RedHeadedBishiesROCK Though I still miss my Jesse,I adopted a 10+ year old cat who is wonderful, loving, affectionate and caring. My heart is healing, slowly with the love of an abandoned kitty. We named hin Buddah for his wise and serene sense. Thanks for all the comments.

[arthurdonachy]

@RedHeadedBishiesROCK

this song better not be about a cat

[slickerflicker]

VERY moving.......

[SweetJudyBlueEyes777]

Only one who has lost someone can know this pain. Listen and learn!

[bsamson46]

In 1983, I named my son Jesse................because this song is so compelling.....thank you Janis.

[gnathead]

A beautiful song. A wonderful songwriter. Thank you, Janis.

[PeterLMcc]

I just love this song and I loved you Rosaleen Kelly! :-(

[noclouds111]

Janis, your soul speaks (sings) volumes.

[purplezeke]

reminds me of spring awakening

[helenaZZZZirlandaise]

It's like she removes all the drama so you're faced with the raw sentiment.

Very deep. Very talented. Very wonderful.

[noonav]

Beautifully haunting song... I think i prefer the Roberta Flack vocals a bit more for this song though.

Janis Ian is simply brilliant...

[nycbassist]

There's something so deeply personal about her.

[36midnight]

Wow!!..Love her soulfull voice and the lyrics!

[vanniebee]

I have a hard time keeping a dry eye when listening to this song. This version is beautiful

[jayellesee]

Jesus, what a heartbreaking song.

[zazeify]

that spelling is usually male

Jesse

feminine is usually "Jessi" or Jessie" short for Jessica

[punki7793]

Jeese is a name of woman or man?

[LehrBoy]

Doesn't make any difference, it works either way.

Jesse, Dana, Robin, Terry, Julie, Chris, Lee, Sam, Alex...  take your pick.

[mbclev]

My high school choral group did this song in the spring of 1976, before I became a member later that fall. It is a beautiful song.

[noiui]

bitter sweet

[markybe57]

I saw her twice in calif. people thought I was crazy for loving her music soo much. Glad to see there are so many others who feel this too. Finally I'm not alone.

[cowfman]

Plenty of us out there.

[skyntboy1]

JANIS IAN WHAT A GIRL... probably one ofthe bets lyricists ever,,,,

bythe way never try and type when your pisses lol

it takes loger than expected

ooops

[subassie]

Hi, beautiful song! I liked to dance the Slow Waltz to this song...really like being in heaven whilst swaying around the dancefloor on this song!!!

Thanx Janis!

[poipoi0805]

捨てられた経験のある者はこの痛みがわかる。

[dublindare]

i went to see her in dublin,my daughter was named after the song,and she was 5 years old,and she was with us,janis spotted her and came off the stage and asked her what she would like her to play and she said jesse,she then sang the song to her,it was magic,ill always love this song,execellent!!

[dutchbonnet]

@dublindare Isn't that the act of a true star? Typical Janis. There'll never be anybody else like her.

[rufkate2]

When I first became an AVID Janis fan, I was really young, (little) ...... I can't explain it. . But my father had been killed by a frunk driver and he was only 30 years old. This song is my ode to my Daddy because whenever this one came up, my bbrother came up and pushed it to the next song. I told Janis this when I was so HAPPY to meet her !! She is soo gentile and words cannot express how lovely she is, so I will stop here. Just wanna say again and again and again ...... love you Janis !!!

[cowfman]

It's fascinating how her music can touches you. I had been in a relationship for quite some time and one day I was listening to "Tea and Sympathy" when all of a sudden I felt like time had stopped and I realised how much in love I was and for some stupid reason I started to cry like a baby. The same happened, but for the exact opposite reason, when I was listening to the album soon after my mother had died in a car crash. Had to skip the song for quite a while because it's just too emotional.

[markybe57]

I did the same with the song Dance with me, My brother had died in Nam and the song just put me on the ground, was a long time before I could listen to it again.

[rufkate2]

To Cowfman..... I had the very same experience. I have been a fan of Janis since I was 11 years old, believe it or not. My Dad died in a car accident when I was 9... he was killed by a drunk driver. And I just couldn't listen to this song while I was still living at home with my Mom. I'd always just skip it. How about her song Davy ? Another favorite of mine.

[gilliewhipper]

I must be older than everybody here, such a beautiful song, it must be getting on for nearly thirty years ago when I first heard it. How stupid can I get, I thought it was about Jesse James!!!

[laarbe]

I love this song by Janis Ian, but Roberta Flack's version just breaks my heart in a million pieces. This song is so hauntingly beautiful and touching.  Thanks for the post.

[Norman7283]

She's one of the greatest artists in the world. My opinion.

[noiui]

who wrote this song?

[dbdeg88]

Janis Ian wrote it; Roberta Flack made it famous.

[dublindare]

janis ian wrote it??????????

[Terrie1952]

Yes, she most certainly did. She's an amazing songwriter.

[laarbe]

I love this song. Janis Ian and Robert Flack have the best versions of this song that I have ever heard. They do not make beautiful songs like this anymore.

[ultramegadudesupper]

just auwsume!!!!

[akamaiio]

Thank you Janis-san.　This song reminds me Tokyo small jazz club 30 years ago.　A Japanese Lady singer sang this song and it was my first time to listen this great song.

Since then, I never forget this song.

It is just beautiful.

[Argentino246]

Janis Ian herself on the meaning of this song:

"It was really about a missing Vietnam Vet."

[russnrobb]

Janis and Joan Baez sang this song, written by Janise, on Joan's album, and concert, of the same name: Ring Them Bells.

[ArgotMay]

This is for Laurie who played this so well. The only woman of dozens I truly loved.

[wisesatyr72]

This is my all time fave acoustic song..

[kemplerbrave]

I like when a performer doesn't use props and all the other things. Janis just brings her guitar and sings her great songs. I admire that. This is a great song that a lot of people don't know about.

[bbear8]

Janis is one of the best of our generation.

[RICHMOND94114]

i saw janis last night 9-16-08 at YOSHI'S in san francisco. it was one of the most amazing concerts i've ever seen. i've seen pink floyd, david bowie, eagles, linda ronstadt, crosby stills nash and young, jefferson starship just to name a few.

janis had no props, no lasers, no effects. she had her voice, guitars and heartfelt lifetime of stories. she sang and spoke indelibly. she's relevant in what she sings about and speaks of. THANK YOU JANIS...

[vkirkman]

The first time I heard Janis sing this, I cried. I've heard hundreds of times since. I still cry.

I can't say it any better than vanu49. Other have sung it nicely, but Janis is telling a heartbreaking story, and that's the difference

[strfruit]

hauntingly beautiful.

[vanu49]

Joan Baez is singing this song nicely, Janis is telling us an heartbreaking story, thats the difference.

(someone told me that it's about her brother who went to war and didnt come back??????)

[intentionalsound]

this is sooooooooooo amazing.

[Zirolia]

This is Janis Ian`s song and nobody does it better!!

[bearguySF]

Ian's "At 17" is SO relevant to today's obsession w/ beauty.

I wish they'd re-release "17" so young people could hear it.

Pure wisdom!

[plankroad2003]

It took me a long time to appreciate her. I now have a 17 year old daughter, and so want her to listen to this stuff.

[thatwouldbesophie]

Oh boy - What a reminder of my youth. Doesn't get much better than this.

[Pablo668]

Awesome. Just awesome.

[lonelystreet]

well, i dont know anyone named jesse, but boy, does this song make m,e feel sad! she has a great voice, and its still a beautiful song! lonelystreet

[derekam47]

can you hear my heart beating now?

[munch690]

One day i'll be able to listen to this without crying my heart out, today isn't that day.

[timhowe2000]

@munch690 me too

[fjgalle]

Janis keeps giving great interpretations. I love her!. Thanks for uploading this video. Trae muchos sentimientos. Javier (Ceuta, Spain)

[huneyhunters]

Janis does it more with feeling because she wrote the song when she was a very, very young lady for Roberta Flack. Both Roberta's and Janis's versions back then are just as beautiful! amazing woman!

[bearguySF]

I prefer Joan Baez's version, but Janis does it with more feeling and it's hauntingly beautiful. Maybe I like both.

[gubbie2u]

Twenty years ago? More like 30 almost. But talent like hers doesn't age. Fantastic!

[DoctorEspinosa]

Beautifully written and performed. I love it!

[Zirolia]

It`s as beautiful now as it was more than twenty years ago, I really do love her music!!!

[Norman7283]

What a beautiful song...

[PRGBOLDUC]

Unforgettable performance!

[exzellentdriver]

...she is such a fine girl. Ian is a pro.

[marujequ]

Beautifull!!!!

[oceanbound222]

I have not heard this song in 20 years. It is as brilliant now as it was then.

[arabble]

Wish l had a pound for everytime li've shed a tear listening to this song i'd like to dedicaate my last tears to my good friend Kiwi Mike l know Janis won't mind. Oh and to any other sad people out there.

[jan2mblik]

Great, the way she sings without music in the beginning, then slightly comes the music with it. I heared her do this in the theatre once, you didn't realize there was no music with the first few lines! Because the voice itself is music then. This is really remarkable.