Who Really Cares: Poems from Childhood and Early Youth

by Janis Ian

Grammy Award-winning singer and songwriter Janis Ian is known throughout the world as the composer of timeless songs such as At Seventeen and Jesse. While still a teenager, however, she published a volume of poetry that sold out fast and became an instant collector'ss item. This revised edition includes several controversial poems omitted by the original publisher, never-before-seen photos and a new introduction and afterword by Janis.

Genres: Poetry

101 pages, Paperback

First published January 15, 2002

About the author

I was was born April 7, 1951, a month and day shared with Billie Holiday. Wrote my first song at 12, was published at 13, made a record at 14, had a hit at 15, and was a has-been at 16. I took a break for 3 years shortly thereafter, and moved to Philadelphia to write and find out if I really could be a great songwriter. "Came back" in 1973 with an album called Stars, and was fortunate enough to have a second career.
I've been lucky enough to have ten Grammy nominations in eight different categories, and two Grammys - most recently for the spoken word edition of my autobiography, "Society's Child".

I love writing - articles, speeches, stories, songs, books. I love reading. For years, my fans brought me used books on tour in lieu of flowers or jewelry. I'm 74 now, and thinking about "retirement", trying to call it "transitioning" instead. Less time a2ay from home, more time to write.

If you want to reach me please email through the contacts page of my website (below). I don't check email on Goodreads very often!
Thanks for reading.
Janis

Reviews

[Joyce · Rating 3 out of 5]

I tagged these poems as Memoir as well as poetry, since they reflect very personal moments. In her forward and afterword, Ian sets the poems in time, affording younger listeners a glimpse into the 60s from a singer/songwriter who lived them to the fullest. The poems may not be wonderful--but then I'm no judge--but her passions shine through and she offers a first-person look at what it was to be a rock star then and how she feels looking back. She does read beautifully and infuses the lines (as well as the expository sections) with a lot of heart and hard-earned wisdom. Ian also composed and played the lovely music that drifts in and out.