• Society's Child

  • My Autobiography
  • By: Janis Ian
  • Narrated by: Janis Ian
  • Length: 12 hrs and 7 mins
  • 4.4 out of 5 stars (1,663 ratings)

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Society's Child  By  cover art

Society's Child

By: Janis Ian
Narrated by: Janis Ian
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Interview: 10 Years After Release, Janis Ian's Grammy-Winning Autobiography Is More Relevant Than Ever

'It's unfortunate that it still applies, because there's still so much discrimination.'
-0.00
  • Society's Child
  • 'It's unfortunate that it still applies, because there's still so much discrimination.'

Publisher's summary

Audie Award, Narration by the Author or Authors, 2013

Grammy Award Winner, Best Spoken Word Album, 2013

Booklist Top 10 Biography Audiobooks

Janis Ian was catapulted into the spotlight in 1966 at the age of 15, when her soul-wrenching song "Society's Child" became a hit. An intimate portrait of an interracial relationship, "Society's 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 more than 40 years 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 Tormé, all the while never ceasing to create unforgettable music.

In 1975, Ian's legendary "At Seventeen" earned two Grammy awards and five nominations. Her next two albums brought her worldwide platinum hits. But after seven albums in as many years, she made a conscious decision to walk away from the often grueling music business. During this period, she struggled through a difficult marriage, which ended with her then husband's attempt to destroy her, and a sudden illness that very nearly cost her her life. The hiatus from music lasted for close to a decade until, in 1993, Ian returned with the release of the Grammy-nominated Breaking Silence. Now, as she moves gracefully into her fifth decade as a recording artist and writer, Ian continues to draw large audiences around the globe.

In Society's Child, Janis Ian provides a relentlessly honest account of the successes and failures - and the hopes and dreams - of an extraordinary life.

©2008 Janis Ian (P)2012 Audible, Inc.

Critic reviews

"Each chapter in this mesmerizing memoir begins with an evocative lyric read and sung by Ian, who transports listeners back in time with both words and music." ( Booklist)

Featured Article: Tune In to Our Favorite Music Memoirs


We’ve been finding solace in stories that follow our other favorite thing to listen to: music. We’ve gathered a selection of pitch-perfect memoirs from music legends in a variety of genres and styles. By turns bold, brash, and moving, these listens shed light on the sold-out shows, backstage drama, and sometimes dark underbelly of the recording industry, while highlighting the charisma, energy, and artistry that had us hooked from the first soundwave.

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What listeners say about Society's Child

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

I know why this won the grammy

Like a lot of people, I was a bit surprised to learn this had beaten out some really famous and important works - - but after an hour, I know why. This story is like having the world's best coffee and donuts with your absolute best friend who is finally letting you in on all the secrets of her life. She's an amazing writer - - no kidding, just listen to her music. But just like that music, this is deeply personal, stunningly honest, painful and uplifting. Hearing this one, with Janis singing pieces of the story, allows you to be not a just a witness to her life, but a participant. Love this one.

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69 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Oh my! What a book!

Listening to Janis Ian narrate her autobiography punctuated with her singing her songsfelt like sitting in her living room while she told the story. As she sang, I was transported back to my own youth. If you are a fan, this is a absolute must book to listen to. If you are not yet a fan, listen to this book and you'll become one.

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46 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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I've always loved Jan Ian's music

The minute I saw that Janis Ian had an autobiography out I bought it! Then I saw that she was also performing it, and that made me even more excited to start it. I've been a fan of hers for decades, even meeting her briefly after a concert at the Univ. of Arizona in 1977 or so. I've been learning a lot about her life before becoming famous with "Society's Child" and "At Seventeen", and she even sings snippets of her songs in this great audiobook.
With the world of digital downloads, I've been able to buy some of her older releases and found out that she is coming to town in March!
THIS is the way a great autobiography should be done--read and performed by the author.
Thanks, Janis, and Audible!

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Fascinating story. Couldn't stop listening.

I really didn't know much about Janis Ian or her music. I was familiar with a couple of her hits. I listened to this mainly because it got rave reviews from other listeners. This isn't the typical book I listen to on a regular basis. I am more the business book and self-help type but decided I wanted a break. Her story was extremely fascinating and provided a wonderful glimpse into what it is like to make it and not make it in the music world.

She tells her story, and its a life with wild ups and downs, in such an open and honest way. She is a fantastic story teller/narrator, which makes sense as she is a singer songwriter. This has been one of my favorite audiobooks. Love the fact that in the audiobook you get to hear her music all along the way.

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31 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Wonderful - Highly Recommend

Would you consider the audio edition of Society's Child to be better than the print version?

How can you possibly beat a well-read autobiography about a musician when that artist performs the songs as she tells the story. Well-read, naturally beautifully performed.

Just lovely.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Society's Child?

When she described how she came up with her hit "At Seventeen."

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Janis is still fabulous.

I loved her music as a teenager and love her music now. I was tickled to find this book here, and not even a bit disappointed. Loved every minute of it, and no one else could read it and do it justice. Brava!

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20 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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One of the best books of the year for me.

Janis Ian’s narration is really a performance. She has a wonderful voice for narrating, and whenever she is talking about a particular song, she gives us samples of the song by singing it and accompanying herself with her guitar. It is really a performance. I loved this book and wondered what had happened to Janis Ian. She has had a fascinating life and she's very positive about her life. Awe-inspiring.

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The power of music

Where does Society's Child rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

This is one of the most engaging nonfiction books I've read. Janis tells the story of her life, her music and the music industry. Nicely written, beautifully read. One aspect that really set this one apart for me was the natural way that Janis sings and plays the guitar at the beginning of every chapter and throughout the book. It has the feel of sitting in your living room and having Janis tell you her life story. Amazing!

I've been a fan of Janis Ian's music since 1967. However, I knew precious little about her personal life. Janis lays out key events in her life, good and bad, without whining about the bad or over indulging in her success. Hers is a life lived out loud without regrets. In the end, it is a story about her music (which clearly is in her DNA) the power of the human spirit and the power of music.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Society's Child?

Book opens with Janis telling the story of performing Society's Child in front of an audience with the small number of racial bigots heckling the 15-year-old star.

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19 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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This is in it's own genre

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes: For one credit you get these pearks:

- A liberal history lesson
- Raw gig experience deliverd without polished crap
- Backstage inside
- Gay and female rights
- Drug stories
And you get to hang with Janis Joplin! This is not a book: It is an experience. If you have not heard about Janis Ian you will enjoy it if you like the 60's and 70's music scene. Ian's sexual oriontation does not take up too much space. You get the story bout the man wo attacted her. She is not advating gay rights: To her we who are hetrosexuals are the same. She does an amazing job when it comes to seeing PEOPLE rather than labels. It is worthy every award. This book I mean experience is perfect for a weekend night when you sta home but rather wish you had the bucks for a gig and yes: You will come back to this. T is a feel-good book unlike any other. When you are done you might wan to hear the music. On her website free tracks awaits.

What did you like best about this story?

The fact that she is honest

What does Janis Ian bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Well. It is not possible to read a show.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

When she was being drugged by a stranger in N.Y.

Any additional comments?

This is not my favorite book it is my favorite audio experience. Hopefylly this will be included in "How should I use my first credit?" Section.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Great presentation!

If you could sum up Society's Child in three words, what would they be?

I liked the personal touches in this autobiography, especially the guitar playing and the singing. It was very entertaining.

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