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American Masters

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

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.

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Trace the life and music of “Society’s Child” folk icon and LGBTQ+ advocate Janis Ian.
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