© 2025 Michigan State University Board of Trustees
Public Media from Michigan State University
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Why Janis Ian’s song “At Seventeen” was so universally beloved

Season 39 Episode 4 | 2m 05s

Janis Ian wrote “At Seventeen” about the “pain of adolescence” and not fitting in, but the themes of the song spoke to audiences of all kinds and had a universal relevance. The song later won the Grammy Award for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance.

Support for American Masters is provided by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, AARP, Rosalind P. Walter Foundation, Judith and Burton Resnick, Blanche and Hayward Cirker Charitable Lead Annuity Trust, Koo and Patricia Yuen, Lillian Goldman Programming Endowment, Seton J. Melvin, Thea Petschek Iervolino Foundation, Anita and Jay Kaufman, The Philip and Janice Levin Foundation, Kate W. Cassidy Foundation, The Blanche and Irving Laurie Foundation, The Ambrose Monell Foundation, Ellen and James S. Marcus, The Charina Endowment Fund, The Marc Haas Foundation and public television viewers.
Extras
Trace the life and music of “Society’s Child” folk icon and LGBTQ+ advocate Janis Ian.
Photographer Gioncarlo Valentine documents intimacy as a radical act of self-exploration.
Janis Ian was inspired to write “Society’s Child” after observing an interracial couple on her bus.
Janis Ian wrote “Some People’s Lives” with songwriter Kye Fleming.
Follow author Sarah Thankam Mathews as pressure mounts to follow up her acclaimed debut novel.
Follow author Sarah Thankam Mathews as pressure mounts to follow up her acclaimed debut novel.
Follow author Sarah Thankam Mathews as pressure mounts to follow up her acclaimed debut novel.
Follow the Broadway choreographer as she elevates the possible with bold explorations of movement.
The story of George Lee, a pioneering Asian dancer who later became a Vegas blackjack dealer.
Follow the Broadway choreographer as she elevates the possible with bold explorations of movement.