Lyr Add: My Autobiography (Janis Ian)

Subject: Lyr Add: MY AUTOBIOGRAPHY (Janis Ian)
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 17 May 10 - 02:27 AM

Janis Ian sang this on a PBS special I just watched. I didn't know she did any funny songs, but this one is funny. As a matter of fact she did write an autobiography: Society's Child: My Autobiography (New York: Jeremy P. Tarcher/Penguin, ©2008). It contains these lyrics.

MY AUTOBIOGRAPHY
Janis Ian

I know you and I'll agree:
What this world needs is a lot more me.
Well, I have got the remedy:
Gonna write my autobiography.
I've led a fascinating life.
I've had a husband and a wife,
But you will truly be amazed
Just how humble I have stayed.

Enough about me; let's talk about you.
What do you think of me?
You must feel such gratitude
That you will get to read
My autobiography.

My life doesn't have a very good plot.
I guess I'll have to lie a lot.
Should be easy to make things up.
There's no one left to call my bluff.
A lot of my old friends have passed on.
The rest did drugs and their memory's gone.
So I'll write my own history
In my autobiography.

I'll say I slept with a Kennedy.
I don't remember which one.
They all look the same to me,
Or they did when we got done.

Maybe they'll film it for TV.
I wonder who they'll cast as me?
It should be somebody I look like.
Sigourney Weaver'd be all right.
It's gonna be hard to deal with fame
Once the whole world knows my name,
But I'll stay humble and grateful to
All the little people like you.

A thousand pages more of me,
And all I've seen and done—
It will be my legacy,
And that's just volume one
Of my autobiography.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: My Autobiography (Janis Ian)
From: Beer
Date: 17 May 10 - 07:05 AM

Here is a much younger Janis. Though still beautiful today she was a knock out in her younger years.
Beer (adrien)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VMUz2TNMvL0

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: My Autobiography (Janis Ian)
From: Murray MacLeod
Date: 17 May 10 - 08:37 AM

The most talented singer songwriter of her generation imo, and a funny, feisty lady to boot.

I had the privilege of meeting and talking at length with her before her concert in Miami in 2002 and let me tell you, don't be taken in by the elfin vulnerability which that video exudes. Janis is as tough as nails, swears like a trooper, and is refreshingly free of the "attitude" which some lesbian singers feel the need to assume.

She is also a really fine guitarist, although she plays down her talents , attributing her effectiveness to the electronic wizardry in her custom built guitar. Her guitar is indeed an amazing creation, but she is still one hell of a player.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: My Autobiography (Janis Ian)
From: Beer
Date: 17 May 10 - 06:21 PM

That was an interesting read Murray. Do you know if she tours? Would love to get her up Canada way.
Ad.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: My Autobiography (Janis Ian)
From: GUEST
Date: 17 May 10 - 07:35 PM

Hi: In response to your question about Janis touring, yes, she tours all year and was just in Canada. You can see much more at janisian.com and while you're there, join us on the message board. It's a great group of people.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: My Autobiography (Janis Ian)
From: Beer
Date: 17 May 10 - 08:15 PM

Thanks guest I'll go there now.
Adrien

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: My Autobiography (Janis Ian)
From: Beer
Date: 17 May 10 - 09:34 PM

Hay Guest!! Where in Canada?
ad.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: My Autobiography (Janis Ian)
From: mousethief
Date: 17 May 10 - 11:17 PM

Here is a much younger Janis. Though still beautiful today she was a knock out in her younger years.
Beer (adrien)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VMUz2TNMvL0

Wow, the phrasing she uses (at least before the band kicks in) is VERY different from the radio version! It's almost as if she's interpreting her own song as if it were somebody else's.

The lyrics may seem vulnerable but they're also very sophisticated. Big words skillfully employed (not just tossed in for show), wicked internal rhyme, very evocative and almost cinematic.

I have that album on vinyl; I'll have to dig it out (once the house is put back together) and give it another listen.

I love the line in the "Autobiography" song, "I've had a husband and a wife." Deceptively simple, but packs a punch!

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: My Autobiography (Janis Ian)
From: Beer
Date: 18 May 10 - 12:47 AM

Oooooh mousethief, what a wonderful descriptive phrasing of your thoughts on this great gal.
ad.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: My Autobiography (Janis Ian)
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 19 May 10 - 11:57 PM

I forgot to mention: You can also hear her sing MY AUTOBIOGRAPHY on YouTube.