Born Janis Eddy Fink on 7th April 1951 to a Jewish family in New York City, she was primarily raised in New Jersey, initially on a farm, and attended East Orange High School and the New York City High School of Music & Art. Her parents, Victor (a music teacher) and Pearl, ran a summer camp in upstate New York, and, in that Cold War era, were frequently under government surveillance because of their left-wing politics. (Ian alluded to these years later in her song "God and the FBI"). Young Janis admired the work of folk pioneers such as Joan Baez and Odetta. At the age of twelve, Ian wrote her first song, "Hair of Spun Gold", which was subsequently published in the folk publication Broadside and was later recorded for her debut album.
At the age of thirteen she legally changed her name to Janis Ian, using as her new last name her brother Eric's middle name. Also in that year, Ian wrote and sang her first hit single, "Society's Child (Baby I've Been Thinking)", about an interracial romance forbidden by a girl's mother and frowned upon by her peers and teachers; the girl ultimately decides to end the relationship, claiming the social norms of the day have left her no other choice. Produced by George "Shadow" Morton and released three times between 1965 and 1967, "Society's Child" finally became a national hit on its third release, after Leonard Bernstein featured it in a television special: Inside Pop: The Rock Revolution. The song's content was taboo for some radio stations, and they withdrew or banned it from their playlists; in her 2008 autobiography Society's Child, Ian recalls receiving hate mail and death threats as a response to the song, and mentions that a radio station in Atlanta that played it was burned down. In the summer of 1967, "Society's Child" reached number fourteen on the Billboard Hot 100.
Her most successful single in the United States was "At Seventeen", released in 1975, a bittersweet commentary on adolescent cruelty, the illusion of popularity, and teenage angst, as reflected upon from the perspective of a twenty-four-year-old. It reached number three on the Billboard Hot 100 and number one on the Adult Contemporary chart. It won the 1975 Grammy Award for Best Pop Vocal Performance - Female. The song's album, Between the Lines, reached number one on Billboard's Album chart. It was quickly certified gold, and later earned a platinum certification for sales of over a million copies sold in the U.S.
Ian finally became one of the first "indie artists", resurfacing in 1993, with the worldwide release of Breaking Silence and its title song about incest. She also came out as a lesbian with that release. Her most recent album, Folk Is the New Black, was released in 2006; it is the first in over twenty years for which she did all the songwriting herself.
Bright Lights And Promises
Janis Ian Lyrics
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That's what they pay me to be
Gold lame and diamonds - I am a hometown queen
Honey, would you sing it just for me?
When I was good... then I was bad
I never thought i'd end up this way
with no dreams to hide me - bright lights to guide me
Everywhere I hear a ringing in my ears
Drummer, let the music play
Small-town blues, make it loud, make it do
Listen to the music sway
Bar rails and cocktails - have you got a light?
That's all it pays to keep in sight
Overused and much abused promises of delight
Honey, would you care to spend the night?
Take a little time - some memories and wine
Loosen up the sucker by the bar
And if he wants to hold you, if he wants to know you
Honey, that's what you're here for
Until all I see is them reaching out for me
Drummer, play that old-time melody
Bright lights and promises, that's all it's for
Leave and enter by the service door
Now I'm gold lame and diamonds, even if my gold is worn
Honey, who could ask for more?
In Janis Ian's song Bright Lights And Promises, the lyrics describe the life of a woman who has left her small hometown to become a performer, seeking fame and fortune. The words paint a vivid picture of the glamour of her job, but also illustrate the darker side to her lifestyle. The woman mentions the bright lights and promises, referring to the glitz and excitement of her profession as well as the empty promises that are made to her. She carries a pocket full of dreams, but despite the initial thrill, she ends up feeling drained and unfulfilled.
The song also touches on the idea of being used and abused for one's talents, highlighting the harsh reality of show business. The woman speaks of being a hometown queen and wearing gold lame and diamonds, but ultimately her gold is worn and she is left feeling like a shell of her former self. She turns to alcohol and casual hookups to numb the pain and fill the void.
Line by Line Meaning
Bright lights and promises, a pocket full of dreams
I have hopes and aspirations, and I'm headed towards big cities with countless opportunities.
That's what they pay me to be
I'm a performer, and that's what I get paid for - dreaming and having an aim in life.
Gold lame and diamonds - I am a hometown queen
I'm a star, so people adore me, and I'm shining bright with golden clothes and diamonds like a queen in my hometown.
Honey, would you sing it just for me?
I'm asking you to adore me and drive me with melodies, don't let me down.
When I was good... then I was bad
My life flipped and changed - from being a well-behaved girl, now I'm being naughty.
I never thought i'd end up this way
This is not how I planned my future, but I can't prevent it now.
with no dreams to hide me - bright lights to guide me
I have no plans left, but these bright cities hold endless pathways to proceed.
How long does it take to make the grade?
I'm in the race, but I'm clueless about how to succeed and how long it will take.
Everywhere I hear a ringing in my ears
The noise and sounds of these busy cities are ringing loud in my ears, and it's quite overwhelming.
Drummer, let the music play
I need the music to keep me going and shine on stage.
Small-town blues, make it loud, make it do
I came from a small town, and my blues need to be louder to adjust to city lights and sound.
Listen to the music sway
Just let the rhythm take control - that's all we need.
Bar rails and cocktails - have you got a light?
Everything is expensive here, and I'm only left with a cigarette and a drink.
That's all it pays to keep in sight
Money is the only thing that matters; all other things are secondary.
Overused and much abused promises of delight
I'm promised things that are either not possible or overused, seeking comfort in temporary happiness.
Honey, would you care to spend the night?
Would you want to keep me warm tonight and let me forget about all my worries?
Take a little time - some memories and wine
Let's enjoy the moment and make memories while we drink wine.
Loosen up the sucker by the bar
Let's have some fun and loosen up the guy at the bar.
And if he wants to hold you, if he wants to know you
If he's willing to get closer and be more than just some random guy, let him come close and understand me.
Honey, that's what you're here for
I'm searching from comfort and support, and I'm hoping you'll be that for me.
Until all I see is them reaching out for me
My fans and everyone are trying to grab my attention every moment, day in and day out.
Drummer, play that old-time melody
I need some refreshing music, something that reminds me of the past and makes me happy.
Bright lights and promises, that's all it's for
All of these big cities and the promises they hold are nothing but a facade, most of the time.
Leave and enter by the service door
I go through the back doors most of the time, avoiding the paparazzi and drama.
Now I'm gold lame and diamonds, even if my gold is worn
Even though my clothes, jewelry and expensive things are worn out now, I'm still shining like gold and a queen, nevertheless.
Honey, who could ask for more?
I'm living the dream, and right now, everything seems perfect - nothing more one could ask for!
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: JANIS IAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind