Janis Ian-Society's Child (1967)

Janis Ian on The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour November 26,1967.

[@loralieisa]

Janis Ian was clearly gifted. To think she wrote this haunting song at age 14. A prodigy.

[@MarcoG999]

Agreed @Loralieisa M And she still is...at 70 years old.

[@davidchamberlain5425]

13 years and 259days🎶🎵👍

[@dbbdvm]

I'm Janis age. She sang these words for so MANY of us in the late 60s, having very similar life experiences like hers. We saw and experienced what She; it was all around us.

[@ModGirl-nu1xk]

Astounding, really.

[@lewisc215]

duh

[@salchaos]

She got hell for this. But she had amazing guts. Truly an amazing woman. Great song.

[@dcarman686]

The mother has a point. She is worried about her child. The inner cities are a mess, you can't help but noticed what happened in Chicago last weekend. Would you not be worried about your daughter's safety? Sorry Sal but the stats are the stats. The mother has a a point to be concerned. She loves her daughter

[@austinhust09]

@@dcarman686 love is love man, you sound like an idiot

[@dcarman686]

Austin for a mother to Ignore her daughter safety is idiotic

[@woobiefuntime]

Her mom doesn't have a point because it goes beyond keeping her save. There is racist undertones to it.

[@lindyprimo9025]

woobiefuntime THE word is SAFE NOT "save" AND THAT wasn't her mothers problem BTW

[@circusitch]

Great song. And kudos to the Smothers Brothers. They were at the cutting edge of everything at the time.

[@tonyharden7159]

They were so daring that it got them canceled. I am not saying they were wrong, but they pushed the envelope too far for the time.

[@circusitch]

@@tonyharden7159 That they did. But if they didn’t, they would be long forgotten.

[@tonyharden7159]

@@circusitch Agreed!

[@james-pierre7634]

The Smothers Brothers was my favorite show. They were cutting edge with all the critical issues of the day. They had the balls to give the true story of what was happening.

[@james-pierre7634]

@@tonyharden7159 This was censorship by the US government. No different than any dictatorship!

[@lutdesimpelaere2947]

The most underrated singer songwriters of all time. I saw her live a few years ago. She’s still amazing and a fantastic guitar player too.

[@AndyPhCriel]

Very underrated, I agree. Until last year I only knew her hits from the radio. Than I bought an album in a second hand store...and I was sold. I hope the opportunity arises to see her perform live in Belgium or the Netherlands.

[@keythdanielsen5533]

Lucky you.

[@harrylupo9489]

For 90 !!!

[@lewisc215]

Wrong: she won a Grammy, Dork.

[@custodianfile]

this song is 100 years ahead of its time.

[@kindnessfirst9670]

Actually it was very topical. And now that science has debunked the concept that there are different races of humans this song will likely seem odd to people living in the year 2067.

[@sharon7382]

From your lips to God’s ear ❤

[@KansaiTeacher]

Not at all. It was very much of it’s time.

[@tonytune4342]

I was only 16yo at the time , I loved the song then , and still do .

[@doneestoner9945]

Me too. I think I was about 13 or 14. Loved it. Makes me cry.

[@MrSteve280]

A song where the story behind it is as fascinating as the song itself. In her own words, "she conceived the song when she was 12, wrote it at 13, published it at 14, became known at 15, and was a has-been at 16"(the age she is in the video). Radio stations and others were so successful in suppressing the song that it took almost 2 years to chart. The Smothers Brothers caught a lot of heat for letting Janis sing this (some of it from a 30 year-old Bill Cosby no less) and advertisers threatened to walk. An interesting time to be alive. And a courageous and talented woman.

[@bebetigre1252]

I remember them playing this all the time on the radio,not suppressed at all.

[@Ron_the_Skeptic]

@@bebetigre1252, perhaps you should see this: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qZmYcnSmhdKfgLM

[@Oldschool123able]

Leadership. Guts. Style. Beauty

[@patriciafrino5919]

Loved this then n still do...has much really changed...15 when I first heard this....

[@alfv.terzane8695]

She wasn't a has-been. Have you listened to "Between the Lines"?

[@arcturusbbqsausagemaking2435]

It totally fascinates me that a young girl of 14 could write a song of this magnitude, A musical Genius !!

[@keithninesling6057]

One of the greatest songs of the 1960s. And, she had such a haunting and beautiful voice...

[@connix69]

She still does...

[@TreenaBeena]

Keith Ninesling I wholeheartedly agree.

[@johnrobbins917]

Leonard Bernstein singles out this composition by ian...

[@mariashields8754]

That's the word I was looking for, HAUNTING so awesome 😎

[@t.j.payeur739]

No one has guts like this these days..boy, what bravery..beautiful..

[@SallyWallach]

The Chicks, once Dixie Chicks. But they're fighting their way back.

[@deborahmoore8023]

Janis Ian was wise and way ahead of her time. Brave, multitalented, courageous and more power to her for writing this song and singing it with passion and conviction! What 16 year old could write a song with such a powerful message like this one today? She was absolutely amazing! 👍👍👍

[@karenshutts5314]

Right on!!! I always loved this song. A Golden oldie in my book.

[@sheriaugustyniak]

She was 13!

[@joltinjac]

Yes, she was 13 when she wrote this song and she played it in front of other campers at a summer camp that her parents ran, before it was published.

[@Ione1916]

I remember this song and Janis like it was yesterday. So glad to have been born in 1952. I came of age in the 60s and 70s. What a time…

[@janicetotten8427]

That voice ! It has built in heart break. I still have my parents vinyl. (I'm 64) Just saw her in concert a few weeks ago. The voice is still the same, yet more mature. It was pure magic !

[@wahigal]

Clearly, Janis Ian was wise beyond her years. Such a thoughtful, meaningful lyrics.

[@lauramarzz2220]

YOU'RE TOTALLY CORRECT ! THIS PIECE OF MUSIC WAS A "BAROQUE MUSIC" , 'CANTADA ' (NOT A FOLK SONG) A WORK OF TRUE GENIUS . = MARZZY

[@veronicaalleyne]

maybe an old soul?

[@dcarman686]

Marginal at best

[@janicerogers6946]

I've been thinking of this song much recently. White men are now much marrying women of color where they weren't like white women have been for years! Leave it to us women to start the change!

[@dcarman686]

Janice Rogers Who the F cares? What we are dealing with is poverty it was this song promotes is poverty. She should’ve sang The following. 1. Graduate from high school 2 Don’t Marry till you’re 25 3 do not have children until you’re married You do those three things And you will eliminate poverty and prejudice.

[@ianson3]

Still overwhelmingly powerful 50+ years later. This woman had guts.

[@berrybell2296]

Still like this song 50 odd years later....

[@kevinmorris6309]

This song is so absolutely amazing in many ways. The eerie melody, the odd tempo changes that actually go together all so well, or the brilliant way of protesting an injustice, but the most fascinating feat was Janis was only 13 when she wrote this very special song. This song only made it to #14 but would have made it so much higher if not for the closed minds of so many radio stations who would not play it. In my humble opinion one of the best songs ever!!!!!!

[@A_Pa-Plainjane]

powerful song, especially for that era, and still remarkedly relevant today. For those who heard it and really listened to it, it probably had a profound affect. Most folks nowadays do not remember how strong the color lines were still drawn at that time, and how much a lot of us wanted to change the racism of that time. Now we still have that racism because many do not realize our true history and how much we have tried to eradicate that kind of stupidity from our behavior. Obviously, we still have a long way to go.

[@lemurianchick]

ONLY #14?! It must have been a smash hit then! The Top 20 was in heavy rotation back in the day. "Society's Child" is cited in the history of '60s music during a magical renaissance that extended into the 'mid-70s. The melody/composition is sophisticated, which makes #14 even more amazing. It was probably banned in various markets, which may have also suppressed its ascent.

[@JannetteRoadsStevens]

she was 12 when she wrote it!! wow

[@gilliansl]

It was banned from Ga radio stations, but it did get some play here and there. I understood the songs so well, as a wonderful guy I worked with (I was a candy striper, he was an orderly at the nursing home) asked me out and my mother was aghast that he was black. I said I'd noticed that, but she refused to let me go out with him.

[@Wardads1]

That this beautiful woman ever considered herself ugly as in her song "at 17 " amazes me .

[@SailorBarsoom]

Maybe she wrote it for a less beautiful friend?

[@stevecasey1037]

Janis said she was inspired to write the single after reading a The New York Times article about a young woman who believed her life would improve after a debutante ball and her subsequent disappointment when it did not. She was also uncertain about writing about high school when she had never experienced a homecoming or a prom. Janis was living with her mother at the time she wrote it.

[@SailorBarsoom]

@@stevecasey1037 So it was for somebody else, though not somebody she knew personally. Thanks. I knew nothing about the background of the song, though I would hear it on the oldies station from time to time.

[@loralieisa]

Yes she thought she was unattractive. She was not one of the tall blond cheerleaders she said in another video. We see that she is a beauty, but society told her otherwise.

[@vondahe]

Loralieisa M That never tickled my fancy. She’s a natural beauty IMO.

[@proudcynophile1901]

Janis is as beautiful now as she was then! I always loved her songs and her talent. How could anyone call her an ugly duckling?

[@bevcarrigan701]

This song has had a strong influence on my life and the world in a good way. Thank you Janis Ian.

[@HoIlowtree]

I picked Janis Ian for my school presentation this week shes awesome.

[@ferreestudios]

Janus Ian, is ONE of a kind , and this particular recording, Society's Child, is on my top ten list of 1967 hits. I fell in love with this song in 1967 from the very first time I heard it. Given the FACT that 1967 was chocked full of amazing music, in my mind, she stood out shining bright. Thank GOD, for this WONDERFULLY talented artist. Her song lives in my heart to this day.

[@nene3857]

I have an AMAZING 60s playlist I put together on Spotify. Every great song I could think of. Hundreds of them.

[@canuckyukyuk9164]

Janis

[@stevemuldoon9451]

You are right about the music of 1967. Something special in the air, in the times.

[@JannetteRoadsStevens]

i only discovered this song today ..26.12.2023!!!

[@salchaos]

Beautiful, brilliant, brave song for the time. Love it immensely. Always have.

[@kevinmorris6309]

Amazing song! She started writing this song at 13, finished writing it at 14, recorded it at 15, and became a hit at 16. Probably would have been a top 10 hit if not so many radio stations refused to play it.

[@TreenaBeena]

The production on this song is amazing. It’s so unique. I love the tremolo guitar effects, the organ, harpsichord, tambourine, and the beautiful blend of acoustic and electric guitars. Very nice song! One of my favorites.

[@AirborneAirAssault6565]

I met her a few years ago and spent some time with her as well. A very lovely lady with a good heart! Talented and worth seeing her if you get a chance. She signed records until everyone who was in line had them all signed and pictures taken.

[@galindaf]

Only 16 years old here. Wow.

[@gshockaddict]

That's nothing. She wrote it when she was only 13 years old

[@donaldzahnke2123]

I was 13 when. Jamice was on smothers brothers show

[@niccoarcadia4179]

It's still to this day one of the rarer played 1960s oldies. It's true!..'you just don't see this on any of those 1960's compilation CDs.

[@donnamarks4103]

That's one of the best songs ever recorded! 🙏🙏🙏😭😭😭🌹🌹🌹🥰🥰🥰🌟💕💕

[@PuppyPetite]

I think even at 16 she was a Legend for breaking down the barriers of interracial relations and having the guts to go on stage and face in audience, not knowing what to expect from them

[@jitterpigjen3219]

One of my heroes! My dad used to play this album for me when I was 7 or 8 years old. Still love her today. And yes she was very brave and ahead of her time.

[@dashriprock5720]

Incredible guts

[@carolwestmoreland2856]

I'm 65 now & still feel & understand he pàin... This song had incredible affect in my life! Thànk you Janice Ian for your insight!!

[@markwlambert5314]

One of the most talented from the 1960's, I loved her then and still do many years later.

[@ivanmay7890]

Society’s Child was a great debut single for Janis Ian.

[@dougeaton4297]

I was 15 yrs old when this song came out in '65. I really resonated with it but didn't exactly know why. That realization came much later. Times were fast changing in the mid late 60's and thank goodness for Janis, Tom and Dick at this time of my life.

[@crlhr123]

I'm standing with fists, I love your music. Thank you

[@lindyprimo9025]

carol H DANCES WITH WOLVES... LOVES standing with fists... TWO SOCKS

[@jayczpe]

Love you Janis and thank you for the music that makes us all look into our souls...You are simply Amazing!!!!

[@williamlarson3623]

Never heard this before, but wow, how great, what a great singer, musician, songwriter. Love it. Love her!

[@marialewis6432]

Wow...it was QUITE the firestorm back then...a hell of a time to be alive

[@elliotgoldberg5657]

It's pretty safe to say the song is fantastic, prolific, and completely unique.

[@bobhess7434]

What a sad, sad song. Her youth makes it twice as moving. Wow. The transition into that last line "I won't see you anymore" in which the singer makes the decision makes my eyes well up with tears.

[@stevefisher8323]

One of the greatest pop songs ever written and sung. It came on the radio (and tv) at a very important time in our history.

[@michillene]

This song was playing constantly when I was a young teen.Beautiful and so meaningful.Janice had a a beautiful voice.

[@robintaylor9310]

An incredible singer/songwriter. Loads of talent!!! 👏

[@ginachiodo3178]

I have always loved Janis Ian. She rocks.

[@CaliStateAMind]

“When we’re old things may change...”. How profound these lyrics are.

[@stevensobota6638]

One of the most powerful songs of the era

[@johnjarou2357]

remember it like it was yesterday.

[@user-nd7hb9nj2k]

I was 16th years old in 1976. I heard this song. It is very sweet song for me now.

[@jamieminsky9436]

I was born in 1957: and when this came out..I sang it and played it on my guitar..with understanding and feeling..so thank you..Janis

[@FIONA21ful]

16yrs old. Janis is a golden child. 💛

[@formerrocker]

Wow! Still hauntingly great. Way ahead of her time. What talent and insight.

[@suburban60sKid]

An amazingly talented and very brave lady at 14 who didn't need to lip sync this song like most performers were forced to do back then. She's singing "live-to-track" here, no auto tune either!

[@kevinblake7078]

i was a confused teenager back in the bronx when i first heard this wonderful song and beautiful voice, still know the words at 70yo

[@raylopez9653]

I remember when this song came out 1967 fantastic song the song was banded in the South keyboard is great

[@michaelstone4763]

A beautiful song, with lyrics many people even all these many years later still don't like

[@melissamccullers6701]

My Step Dad played this song for me when he started to realize I was gay before even I did... It's been a favorite of mine since I was a child. I found out today that he passed a few years ago we lost touch long after my my died in 1994 when I was 15, and just hearing it again as an adult and realizing the powerful mean and the time it was written in and my connection with him has brought tears to my eyes and made me feel closer to him and the fact that he understood that I was going to be in for a rough go of it as a gay youth before it was socially acceptable. She is an amazing person I have followed for years.

[@HidingFromFate]

Wow, touching story. All the best to you.

[@boraxsopanic2670]

Peace to you.

[@lisacolavito8319]

Melissa, thank you for sharing a very personal, beautiful story. I am so sorry for your loss. I, too, LOVE this song.

[@emailcrissi]

I think the issue she was dealing with was one of race not of sex,but I may be wrong..

[@noramowat5756]

It deals with universal issues I think.

[@laynawaidelich6439]

I've always loved this song 🤍🤍🤍

[@bernhardstepanek3008]

until a few weeks ago i only knew the spooky tooth version of this song, then i stumbled across the original version and was speechless!! such a great voice, great talent, great woman!!

[@ritchleone6232]

This song spoke to the guys just as well. At 75, I still well up. When I hear this song.

[@donnamarks4103]

This is one of my all time favorite songs. Just phenomenal! 🙏🙏🥰😍💕💕❤️🌹🌹🤟

[@robertwindedahl4919]

What a beautifully haunting song Janice your songs epitomide the 1960s you're absolutely brilliant

[@stacywilliams1710]

Beautiful Lady. Beautiful Song

[@bluesky4591]

JUST BEAUTIFUL!

[@jimearnest4342]

I didn't appreciate her beauty when I was a young man but,when I look at her now,all I can say "wow" she was beautiful!

[@valuecalc]

Jim Earnest , I can see why.

[@jaytee2642]

I had no idea that she was so young when she started performing. Incredible talent and heart.

[@jocelynesurdin2833]

This song makes me cry even now. Things have not changed as much as I had hoped, 42 years later. It's taking too long 😭

[@drewby613]

She's 16 here, unless she's already had her '67 birthday (she was born in '51). She later recorded a song called "Seventeen", in which she referred to herself as an "ugly-duckling" girl. Um, honey, you're gorgeous. Straight up.

[@SailorBarsoom]

She might have written "At Seventeen" for a friend who isn't as gorgeous.

[@valuecalc]

@Dr. killpatient , excellent point. Those other ladies held greater "Hollywood" beauty.

[@loralieisa]

@@valuecalc This society's child is beautiful.The others you mentioned were older ladies and made up in the style of that time.

[@valuecalc]

@@loralieisa , well, beauty is as beauty does.

[@alicetremain7366]

As a teenage composer, she may have been writing about herself or someone else.

[@ShyMoonheart]

This was considered a big nono back then but what a great song and Janis' voice was so beautiful. Thanks for posting!!

[@auriusblancheman9623]

I was trying to think where I was when I first heard the sound and then realized I wasn't born yet..good greif... what a brave and honest woman!!..

[@botpena]

one of the most underdemeciated artist of the century, young, intelligent, beautiful...

[@Jhihmoac]

This tune and _"At Seventeen"_ eight years later... She nailed it twice!

[@seanstuder60]

Such an amazing song and performance

[@veronicaalleyne]

I rember this show, wow, I'm old

[@ResortGeorgian]

I've been watching this for years and this is the best quality and the first I've seen the intro.

[@kac56]

So young, but so amazing...

[@viiilx04]

Always my faforite.

[@chrishartgrove2179]

A beautiful song. What she sang about someday doing my mother and father had done. Interracial marriages weren't easy in the 60s but they stayed married until my father died in 1983. They were an example of how love overcomes all barriers if you have the heart....

[@ferreestudios]

Thanks for sharing Chris, God bless you.

[@ginachiodo3178]

They must of had a wonderful marriage and it sounds like you had wonderful parents as well.

[@Juliaflo]

The year that this song was played many times over--1967--the United States Supreme Court unanimously overturned the remaining statutes against interracial marriage, and the film 'Guess Who's Coming To Dinner' premiered.

[@lauramalek3128]

Much love to your mother and late father. ❤

[@dodismith8438]

We had this song on our home jukebox in the early 70s, it was one of my favorite songs but made me sad. I’m happy as an adult things are different.

[@BrooksEM]

I get tears in my eyes when I hear this song. Every single time.

[@brendaboudinot6431]

It was playing loud and strong in Cleveland Ohio. She was popular and performed at La Cave near Leo's Casino in 1967.

[@KroovyMonsoon]

Powerful song and amazing performance. Sadly it's message is still as relevant today as it was then.

[@JorgeRodriguez-be5md]

Still beautiful

[@rkgk1517]

Brave young girl.

[@johnvinga5446]

And probably only the Smothers Brothers had the courage to allow her to sing this song on their show at the time. Ed Sullivan certainly wouldn't have done it.

[@lindyprimo9025]

John Vinga YOU got that RIGHT... LOOK what Ed Sullivan TOLD jim MORRISON... "WE couldn't GET MUCH higher"... LMAO...!!

[@valuecalc]

Young and beautiful. Magical Mystery Tour was around the corner. Psychedelic music through the airwaves put the 60s in orbit.

[@chrisbacos]

I was just a little boy but at this time I was starting to make sense of the world around me. It was an exciting time in American history.

[@valuecalc]

@chrisbacos , I wish I had seen your comment earlier, but I am glad I came back. And you are absolutely about right how incredible this time was in US history. Johnson was in the White House, and Nixon was making his bid to run.

[@andirosenthal2410]

One of these days I’m gonna raise my glistening wings and fly...

[@ERON616]

Even though they don't interact, it's still surreal seeing Janis Ian and Jimmy Durante in the same segment. Two outstanding performers from two very different generations.

[@andrewaway]

Brilliant song.

[@magneto7930]

How pretty she was here, and what a bold statement! Unfortunately, it was a little too bold for the 60's. A lot of stations refused to play the song.

[@maxwashingtonmusic7000]

Cool song by the great Janis Ian. She did a very interesting interview on the Howard Stern show a long time ago. She did a great version of At Seventeen with Fred on guitar lol

[@BanginAwayMusic]

always and still amazing, thank you Janis.

[@jvargas454]

Hauntingly beautiful song. I remember it well even though I haven't heard it in over 50 years. Janis is beautiful too.

[@willdrucker4291]

Janis Ian was only 15 years old when she made this appearance on TSBCH.....what a talented artist and one incredibly moving song....thanks Tommy and Dickie

[@lutdesimpelaere2947]

One of the most underrated artists of all time. Saw 2 live performances of her. Amazing! Also she’s a fantastic guitar player

[@richardmartinez5938]

She will always be super.

[@ruth3567]

Love the organ at the end of this song, adds a feel ...

[@lauramalek3128]

Exactly! Sort of a church-y "thou shalt not! /love thy brother" dichotomy.

[@williammaroney8591]

Song is incredible on so many levels, I don't know where to start.

[@judyt.5702]

Ahead of her time. Truth warrior.♥️

[@dean5220]

Hello Judy, How are you doing?

[@kevinmorris6309]

Incredible strength and lyrics from such a young lady back then. We have certainly come a long ways since mid 60's

[@SteveEcksteinDouglasDrive]

MY GRAND PARENTS FORBID "DATING " OUTSIDE OUR RELIGION", BUT NOT OUTSIDE OUR RACE. TOOK YEARS, & SOME LEVEL OF GUTS(COLLEGE) TO DATE "OUTSIDE RACE & RELIGION. MARRIAGE , ON THE OTHER HAND, WAS RESERVED FOR " OUR OWN KIND". I FOLLOWED THEIR WISHES, YET NEVER BELIEVED THEIR TENANTS. MY "KIDS" R TRULY "FREE"OF THOSE ARCHAIC PREHISTORIC BELIEFS & PRACTICES. LOVE "JANIS IAN" 4 EVER.

[@thomasschoeppe6178]

Saw her recently in Phoenix at The Rythem Room, still a great voice and guitarist!!!!