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Society's Child: My Autobiography | 
 enlarge | Author: Janis Ian
Publisher: Tarcher
Category: Book
List Price: $26.95
Buy New: $15.60
You Save: $11.35 (42%)
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Avg. Customer Rating:  19 reviews
Sales Rank: 9691
Media: Hardcover
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 384
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.3
Dimensions (in): 9.1 x 6.3 x 1.1
ISBN: 158542675X
Dewey Decimal Number: 782.42164092
EAN: 9781585426751
ASIN: 158542675X
Publication Date: July 24, 2008 (New: Last 30 Days)
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Shipping: International shipping available
Condition: Brand new item. Over 3.5 million customers served. Order now. Selling online since 1995. Order with confidence. Code: B20080817214304T
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Product Description
Grammy Awardwinning singer and songwriter Janis Ians memoir of her more than forty years in the music business.
Janis Ian was catapulted into the spotlight in 1966 at the age of fifteen when her soul-wrenching song Societys Child became a national hit. An intimate portrait of an interracial relationship, Societys Child climbed the charts despite the fact that many radio stations across the country refused to play it because of its controversial subject matter. But this was only the beginning of a long and illustrious career. In this fascinating memoir of her life in the music business, Ian chronicles how she did drugs with Jimi Hendrix, went shopping for Grammy clothes with Janis Joplin, and sang with Mel Torme all the while never ceasing to create unforgettable music.
In Societys Child, Ian shares with readers what it felt like to move in and out of the public eye. In 1975 her legendary song At Seventeen earned two Grammy awards and five nominations. But during the 1980s she made a conscious decision to walk away from the often grueling music business to study ballet and acting. She also struggled through a difficult marriage that ended with her then husbands threat to kill her. The hiatus from music lasted for nearly a decade until, in 1993, Ian returned with the release of Breaking Silence. Rather than risk losing artistic control, she took out a second mortgage on her home to fund the record. It paid off as Breaking Silence gained Ian her ninth Grammy nomination. Now in her fifth decade, Ian continues to draw large audiences around the globe.
Janis Ian has inspired generations of fans and in this moving book she shares the fascinating story of her life in music.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 14 more reviews...
From "wunderkind" to a lifetime of creativity August 19, 2008
Ian's first song, "Hair of Spun Gold," written when she was not even a teenager, describes a girl who feels that her life is "over and done" by the age of 21. Shortly thereafter Ian wrote her 1960s hit, "Society's Child," a song about the toll taken by prejudice on young romance. With her first album a success, and her second album also on the charts, she spent years concerned about writing a new hit. Then that megahit came in the 1970s with "At Seventeen," a brilliant and moving song that describes the anguish of high school outcasts. Among other lines it refers to girls who "married young and then retired."
Ian's extraordinary autobiography shows that indeed life is not over by the teens, the twenties or the thirties. By being honest to her inner voice and caring about conveying true feelings rather than cliches, she has been a model for artists who are more concerned about the emotional impact of their work rather than wealth or fame. She has shown that creativity continues to flower through seeking new avenues for expression rather by focusing on reliving past glories. The irony of the title of her enjoyable new book is that she mentions in it that she didn't perform the song "Society's Child" for decades to prevent herself from becoming a nostalgia act. And indeed she's never been a nostalgia act, but rather, as her autobiography shows, someone who is always looking for creative new opportunities--this inspiring book being its latest mode of expression.
 A Surprising, Delightful Read August 19, 2008
Like many of the reviewers, I was a big fan of Janis's work from Society's Child to Aftertones, and then I moved on when she moved on from the "melancholy college girl music" that sustained me and my friends during many a Tea and Sympathy filled night at our New England women's college. Janis, a fellow Jersey Girl, has been touring near me for the past couple of years but I haven't had a chance to see her perform; thankfully, I'll be seeing her at my local concert venue in November, so in preparation of that evening I purchased Society's Child.
Janis's memoir is suprisingly candid. She tells it like it was, from the highest highs to the lowest lows, from failed business relationships as well as failed affairs of the heart, to openly discussing her illnesses and financial difficulties and life's disappointments. Her openness and honesty make her all the more admirable, and I suspect many will find her story inspirational and therapeutic. By showing us that she's just as vulnerable as anyone else, she has endeared herself even more (if that's possible) to her legions of fans worldwide.
As with Girls Like Us, the popular biography about Joni Mitchell, Carly Simon, and Carol King, one of my favorite aspects of Society's Child was learning the stories behind the songs. Being a non-musician, I naively thought songs were simply plucked from the air; I really enjoyed hearing about the inspiration behind Jesse, Stars, At Seventeen, and many more.
I recently had a conversation with a college music professor. When I asked him who was his favorite female artist of the era--Joni, Carol, or Carly, he smiled and said. "Janis." I replied, "Joplin?" No," he said, still smiling. "Ian." And now I understand why.
Quite a Story To Tell August 13, 2008
I enjoyed reading this book. It comes as no surprise how well-written it is, since Janis Ian has always been a master with words. She shares many physical and emotional hardships that she has overcome during her lifetime and leaves very few unanswered questions.
The photograph section is rather skimpy for a book of this length, and I thought it strange that she did not include a photo of her lover of 19 years. She also said that her "Society's Child" song and other pre-adult earnings were put into a trust fund her mother had access to, but never mentions what happened to those presumably sizable amounts when she was strapped for cash in later years. Probably embezzled by one of her dishonest employees noted in the book.
This book would make for a terrific motion picture, provided the producer and director stick to nothing but the facts.
Triumph over adversity August 9, 2008
Janis and I were both 15 when this waif of a girl came on stage in NYC, after being introduced by Murray The K, and, standing alone in the spotlight, sang Society's Child.
We were stunned, and I admit, I had an adolescent crush on Janis for years.
Honestly, along the way, I lost her music, but always felt a kinship to her. Then, when the book came out, I couldn't wait to read it.
I had no idea how much adversity this beautiful woman overcame. I don't want to reveal "spoilers", but, suffice to say, I don't think 4 people could have overcome what this one person has. She walked through hell, and out the exit door. This book should be required reading for today's "instant celebrities" that don't appreciate what they have, and how fast they can lose it all.
I have nothing but respect (and still love her)for her courage and her talent. I am reacquainting myself to her music, and feel like I've found an old friend. I am totally inspired.
The book unfolds, and each chapter tells another story well. It's unreal; just when you think Janis is back on the road to happiness and success, something new detours her journey. Janis learned that success and happiness are not the same, and happiness is not dependent upon success.
PLEASE read this book. Thanks you, Janis, for sharing your innermost feelings, providing inspiration, and for hanging in. As you said, they can take away anything BUT your talent. May the sun shine on you forever.
I know it's a cliche...but I couldn't put it down. August 9, 2008
So- Janis Ian can write books too. Her big talent, though, is living. That she is still even alive to write about her numerous re-tunings in the music world is the amazing part of this story. If you dropped her off in the middle of a desert with nothing, she'd get back before you and have a great song about the experience up and ready to record. This book is a great read. Buy it.
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