Janis Ian - American songwriter, singer, musician, author and multiple Grammy-winning writer of "At 17," "Jesse" and "Society's Child": Listening Room: Night Rains

1979

The Basics: Produced by Janis Ian & Ron Frangipane; recorded late 1978-early 1979 in New York; released 1979 (Columbia). "Fly Too High," produced by Giorgio Moroder for the Adrian Lyme movie Foxes (Jodie Foster), gave Janis her international career, reaching #1 and going platinum in England, Ireland, Scandinavia, Holland, Belgium, South Africa, Israel, and Australia, as well as going top 20 in the US. The follow-up, "The Other Side of the Sun," reached top ten in England, Ireland, Holland, Belgium, Scandinavia, Israel, and Australia. The album also contains a piano duet with Chick Corea and soundtrack songs from the film The Bell Jar (Julie Harris).

Personnel: Musicians: Gloria Agostini, Mats Bjoerklund, Ron Carter, Clarence Clemons, Chick Corea, Richard Crooks, John Crowder, Joe d'Elia, Sal DiTroia, Gordon Edward, Harold Faltermeyer, Frank Floyd, Keith Forsey, Ron Getman, Gordon Grody, Gary Herbig, Les Hurdle, Janis Ian, Neil Jason, Bob Kulick, Steve Love, Steve Madaio, Jim Maelen, Mike Mainieri, Frank Owens, Alan Schwartzberg, Solera, Scott Zito. Vocalists: Jocelyn Brown, John Crowder, Ron Getman, Gordon Grody, Lani Groves, Janis Ian, Lisa Roberts, Stephanie Spruill.

Inside Scoop: After much argument, the record company finally decided to allow Janis to produce her album and control her budget. She brought in Ron, who'd done the arranging on Between the Lines, and engineer Leanne Unger, who'd worked with her on Miracle Row. She begged for a chance to work with Giorgio, whose work she'd admired, and with Albert Hammond. (The song they wrote together, "The Other Side of the Sun," was also a huge hit throughout South America - in Spanish!)

Says Janis, "I felt like for the first time, I was recording the music I heard in my head."

The Other Side Of The Sun

Janis Ian/Albert Hammond

Leaving on a boat
for beyond the other side of the ocean
Bet you in the morning
you won't even know I'm gone
Tired of living here
in the middle of a mixed emotion
Might as well be living
on the other side of the sun

Leaving with the feeling
I don't know how I'm dealing
with loving you, though once I knew
the special way, and what to do
to make you stay forever and ever
Even as I'm leaving,
I'll never stop believing
you are the one who can make me laugh
and can bring me back
from beyond the other side of the sun

Rolling down the river
I hope I can deliver the morning
Wishing on a star
for the sun to come out and play
Funny, when it's over
you really don't remember the warnings
Might as well be living
out beyond the Milky Way

Even as I'm leaving, I'll never stop believing
you are the one who can make me laugh
and can bring me back
from beyond the other side of the sun
Beyond the other side of the sun
Beyond the other side of the sun

Fly Too High (Written/recorded for the motion picture Foxes)

Janis Ian/Giorgio Moroder

Anonymous autonomous
will likely get the best of us yet
Before you disappear
if you can lend me half an ear I'll regret
If i treat you like a number
it's because i can't remember your name
so have another cigarette
and help me to forget why I came

Run too fast, fly too high
Run too fast, fly too high

On dark & lonely nights
I'm only right
when things are bright on the floor
Dancing & romancing
Gallivanting with a handsome I score
If you don't believe me you should
see me when I'm ready to score
I'll lose my concentration
on a new infatuation I'm sure

Run too fast, fly too high
Run too fast, fly too high
Got no past, no goodbye
Run too fast, fly too high

Hanging around on the infield,
what do you steal
but another feel at the top
Making believe in the long run
when a shotgun
is the way to get out of the shop
Hang tail in a new jail
Go bail, you can dance until you drop
There's no fool like an old fool
in a new school – you just can't stop

Run too fast, fly too high
Run too fast, fly too high
Got no past, no goodbye
Run too fast, fly too high

Memories

Janis Ian

Tomorrow is the birthday
of a lady dressed in blue
She don't have much to look forward to,
and nor do you

We live alone though we sleep
in the same old bed together
This is the home we built
before we lost forever

There are memories
within the walls and tapestries
There are memories...
Sitting alone at the station,
waiting for a train that never comes

The nights are cold
The days just fade away
Tomorrow never comes
Nothing to say but yesterdays

Do you remember my name?
I don't remember you
We live alone though we live
in the same old home
with the same old truth

There are memories
within the walls and tapestries
There are memories...
Sitting alone at the station
Waiting for a train that never comes

Night Rains

Janis Ian

I have seen the starlight fading
into echoes on the floor
and I dreamed the stars parading
like tin soldiers on the shore
The city casts no shadow now
At midnight, all the whores
come out and dance with darkness
and the night rains pour

Moonbeams gather dust
The cobwebs rust into the ground
Windows stare at the open air
and the sparrows dare to drown
Death becomes a debutante
Stranded in her gown
Branded like a leper
and the night rains down

By morning all the debutantes
and the virgins have their fill
It's a signal to the vagabonds
who come in for the kill
Me, I must be lucky now,
for the sky is with me still
It's written on the wind
that the night rains chill

I dreamed the sun was falling
Into darkness, and i ran
into the night was endless,
slipping through my famished hand
And the sky was like a furnace
I could not see to stand
Committed to its emptiness,
the night rains sand

Here Comes The Night (Theme from The Bell Jar)

Janis Ian

Touch in the tenderest night
before the feelings take flight
Touch and you make everything new
Everything bright, shiny and true
Before the dawn and the light,
here comes the night

Here in the heart, I still breathe,
longing, a part of me I can't see
And if the heart cannot redeem
one soul apart, one separate dream

Before the dawn and light,
here comes the night

Here we are waiting and longing
Crying out "I am more than just a man"
Building castles in the sand
All of us needing and leaving
long before the break of day
So little time to say
I am - I know the way

And I want to be somebody
who can see forever
Want to be somebody
who can see forever

Here in the heart, I still dream
Here in the heart of life I seem
somebody light, somebody new
Somebody bright, shiny and true
Somebody light, somebody new
Somebody bright, shiny and true
I want to be somebody
who can see forever

Before the dawn and the light
here comes the night
Before the dawn and the light
here comes the night

Day By Day

Janis Ian/Giorgio Moroder

Day by day, my heart
right from the start
tearing us apart
Hour by hour, my soul
love takes its toll
more than you can know

Loving like i never wanted to
Now we're here
I don't know what to do
Loving love isn't loving you
but nothing looks the same
when you're calling out my name

Hour by restless hour
I tell the dark--
It's only just a spark
Night after longing night
'til there's no more wrong or right
and nothing's worth the fight

of loving in the shadow of desire
Caught between the fury and the fire
Day by day until we've satisfied
the longest night, side by side
Love won't be denied

Day by day, we steal
all that is real
from everything we feel
Hour by hour, the heart
learns how to start again
calling you friend

Captured by the shadows of desire
Living in the fury and the fire
Higher and higher
Day by day

Have Mercy, Love

Janis Ian

Don't say goodbye, love
I've waited such a long, long time
If you could see the evil days
I've fallen upon
Have mercy, love
Don't say goodbye, love
I've fallen away from the sun
I'm calling and there's no one
Below or above
Don't leave me, love

Have mercy, love
I only ask a kindness
I've fallen into darkness
And I cannot find the sun
Have mercy, love
Remember for a moment
Remember me in roses
Remember me to God

I've lost the heavens
I don't remember how or when
I do not think to gaze again
Help me stand alone, love
My God, it's lonely here
I cannot feel, my heart is gone
I'm all alone, I touch no one
Help me love, I'm fading

Have mercy, love
I only ask a kindness
I've fallen into darkness
and I cannot find the sun
Have mercy, love
Remember for a moment
Remember me in roses
Remember me to God
Remember me to God
Remember me to God

Lay Low

Janis Ian

When you go away, it tries my patience
I ain't got a whole lot of time
I always seem to end up standing at the station,
crying to the end of the line

I know you don't own nothing of me, or want to
but ain't I got a right to say --
Baby don't go,
or the wind and the world slip away
And I end up

standing in circles again
and spinning my whole world around
I can't find a friend on whom I can
depend or defend, and I'm down
I've been spending all my time in limbo
You know, but you go on,
so lay low - no show until it's gone

Empty bed mornings sure get lonely
Ain't got a whole lot of speed
I always seem to wake up feeling homely
Begging like a dog on a very short lead

I know it don't mean that you don't want to love me,
but ain't I got a right to shout
Baby don't go,
or the wind turns the world upside down
And I end up

Spending all my time in limbo
You know, but you go on
so lay low
No show until it's gone
Until it's gone
Until it's...

Photographs

Janis Ian

Photographs of long ago
The colors fade, the wrinkles show
I loved you then. I love you still.
I guess I always will

Aging hearts and shaking knees
Aching parts still bend with ease
I loved you young, and age improves
the song I feel for you

You grow more beautiful
each passing day
The lines that time withstood
You grow more beautiful
I hate to say "I told you so"
but I knew you would

Close the light, still the flames
Candles light the empty frames
A photograph can never be
the song you are to me

Jenny (Iowa Sunrise)

Janis Ian

Jenny don't waste no time
Morning's drawing nigh
Spirit needs to fly

Did I see you weaving
wide circles 'round the sun
like a silo sleeping
when the haying's done

Could have been most anyone
Like the earth
around the sun

And oh, those city lights
outshine the stars at night,
though they're half as bright

Oh, that awful fight
to keep the spirit bright
when the planet's taking flight

Oh, those city lights
outshine the stars at night

Oh, that awful fight
to keep the spirit bright
when the planet's taking flight

If you enjoyed listening to this music and having access to these lyrics, please consider making a donation to The Pearl Foundation. Click the button below to find out how even a small amount can make a big difference in someone's life.

click on any date for full information
click again to close that date

All tour dates updated on January 24, 2020

Wednesday February 26th

Memorial Hall, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA

Memorial Hall

Cincinnati, Ohio, USA

Phone: (513) 977-8838

Visit the venue's website

An evening with Janis, some new songs, some old songs, some funny stories and some heart-wrenching moments! Expect a shout out to the science fiction community of Cincinnati, and of course, Janis plans to stay after the show to greet people and sign whatever they may buy or bring!!
Friday February 28

E. J. Thomas Hall, Akron, Ohio

E. J. Thomas Hall

Akron, Ohio

Phone: 330-972-7570

Visit the venue's website

With Livingston Taylor.
Sunday, March 1

Buskirk-Chumley Theater, Bloomington, IN

Buskirk-Chumley Theater

Bloomington, IN

Phone: 812.323.3020

Visit the venue's website

With Livingston Taylor.
Tickets available via OvationTix.
Monday, March 2nd

Monroe County Public Library, Bloomington, IN

Monroe County Public Library

Bloomington, IN

Phone: 812-323-3020

Visit the venue's website

Note!!! This class is free but because of limited space you must get tickets. 7:00PM start.
Janis Ian has given master classes in conventional and unconventional settings; she's studied with such luminaries as Stella Adler, Chao Shao Lin of the Peking Opera Company, Dora Krannig of the Royal Ballet, and Bart the Garage Mechanic from down the street. Illustrated with live song performances, you'll hear her take on the history of music ("from the cavemen to syphilis and its effect on the arts"), personal anecdotes based on her five decades of experience as a writer, performer, and business person. There'll also be a free-wheeling Q&A, no holds barred. This class is for anyone interested in the arts, musical or otherwise. In fact, it's for anyone interested in humans. As Janis says, "What have I got to lose at this point in life?"
Our gratitude to the sponsors of this event, The Stone Age Institute, through a grant from the Kaman Foundation!!!
Monday June 29 to Friday July 3

Swannanoa Gathering, Warren Wilson College, Swannanoa, North Carolina, USA

Swannanoa Gathering, Warren Wilson College

Swannanoa, North Carolina, USA

Phone: N/A

Visit the venue's website

For the first time, Janis will be giving her 5-day series "A Master Class In Artistry" during each of the Swannanoa Gathering weeks. Time of her classes is TBA; please check the website for more information. The 5 day class covers everything from the origins of artists to physicalization, songwriting for profit and not so much, performance, the need to be brave, how to survive as an artist in the modern world, and why bother. Points are illustrated with songs and playing as she takes us on a journey that begins with the first caveman to tell a story and continues through the myth of the artist as "crazy", the need for silence, and why she believes "art saves". Drawing on her 55 years of experience in the entertainment industry and her ten years with Stella Adler, presented with humor and grace, brutally honest, and a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for her students.
Monday July 6 to Friday July 10

Swannanoa Gathering, Warren Wilson College, Swannanoa, North Carolina,

Swannanoa Gathering, Warren Wilson College

Swannanoa, North Carolina,

Phone:

Visit the venue's website

For the first time, Janis will be giving her 5-day series "A Master Class In Artistry" during each of the Swannanoa Gathering weeks. Time of her classes is TBA; please check the website for more information. The 5 day class covers everything from the origins of artists to physicalization, songwriting for profit and not so much, performance, the need to be brave, how to survive as an artist in the modern world, and why bother. Points are illustrated with songs and playing as she takes us on a journey that begins with the first caveman to tell a story and continues through the myth of the artist as "crazy", the need for silence, and why she believes "art saves". Drawing on her 55 years of experience in the entertainment industry and her ten years with Stella Adler, presented with humor and grace, brutally honest, and a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for her students.
Monday July 13 to Friday July 17

Swannanoa Gathering, Warren Wilson College, Swannanoa, North Carolina, USA

Swannanoa Gathering, Warren Wilson College

Swannanoa, North Carolina, USA

Phone:

Visit the venue's website

For the first time, Janis will be giving her 5-day series "A Master Class In Artistry" during each of the Swannanoa Gathering weeks. Time of her classes is TBA; please check the website for more information. The 5 day class covers everything from the origins of artists to physicalization, songwriting for profit and not so much, performance, the need to be brave, how to survive as an artist in the modern world, and why bother. Points are illustrated with songs and playing as she takes us on a journey that begins with the first caveman to tell a story and continues through the myth of the artist as "crazy", the need for silence, and why she believes "art saves". Drawing on her 55 years of experience in the entertainment industry and her ten years with Stella Adler, presented with humor and grace, brutally honest, and a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for her students.
Monday July 20 to Friday July 24

Swannanoa Gathering, Warren Wilson College, Swannanoa, North Carolina, USA

Swannanoa Gathering, Warren Wilson College

Swannanoa, North Carolina, USA

Phone:

Visit the venue's website

For the first time, Janis will be giving her 5-day series "A Master Class In Artistry" during each of the Swannanoa Gathering weeks. Time of her classes is TBA; please check the website for more information. The 5 day class covers everything from the origins of artists to physicalization, songwriting for profit and not so much, performance, the need to be brave, how to survive as an artist in the modern world, and why bother. Points are illustrated with songs and playing as she takes us on a journey that begins with the first caveman to tell a story and continues through the myth of the artist as "crazy", the need for silence, and why she believes "art saves". Drawing on her 55 years of experience in the entertainment industry and her ten years with Stella Adler, presented with humor and grace, brutally honest, and a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for her students.
Monday July 27 to Friday July 31

Swannanoa Gathering, Warren Wilson College, Swannanoa, North Carolina, USA

Swannanoa Gathering, Warren Wilson College

Swannanoa, North Carolina, USA

Phone:

Visit the venue's website

For the first time, Janis will be giving her 5-day series "A Master Class In Artistry" during each of the Swannanoa Gathering weeks. The final week will also feature a second, more interactive class tentatively titled "War Stories". Time of classes is TBA; please check the website for more information. The 5 day class covers everything from the origins of artists to physicalization, songwriting for profit and not so much, performance, the need to be brave, how to survive as an artist in the modern world, and why bother. Points are illustrated with songs and playing as she takes us on a journey that begins with the first caveman to tell a story and continues through the myth of the artist as "crazy", the need for silence, and why she believes "art saves". Drawing on her 55 years of experience in the entertainment industry and her ten years with Stella Adler, presented with humor and grace, brutally honest, and a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for her students.
Wednesday August 5

The Kate, Old Saybrook, CT

The Kate

Old Saybrook, CT

Phone: (860) 510-0473

Visit the venue's website

Janis returns to The Kate a scant year later, at their insistence. She's sure it's too soon, they're sure it's not. She's writing furiously so she can present some new material, and looking forward to visiting one of her all-time favorite venues again! Expect some good, relaxed fun, some tears, an after-show appearance for signing things you've brought and things you may purchase at the "merch table"!!