Both as a standalone and as part of the DSOTS album, you can take this lyric as read. As a matter of public record, Jourgensen's drug intake was legendary even in the 1980s. By the late 90s, in his own words, he was grappling with massive addiction issues and had lost almost everything: friends, spouse, money and had nearly died more than once. "Dark Side of the Spoon" is a both funny & sad title for an album made by a musical genius who was losing the plot; and this song is a message to his fans & friends saying he knows it. It's painful to listen to so I'm glad the "Keith Richards of industrial metals" wised up and cleaned up. Well done sir.
I learned the truth at seventeen
Love was meant for beauty queens
And high school girls with clear skin smiles
Who married young and then retired
The valentines I never knew
Friday night charades with you
Were spent on one more beautiful
At seventeen I learned the truth
Those of us with ravaged faces
Lacking in the social graces
Desperately remained at home
Inventing lovers on the phone
Who called to say come dance with me
And murmured their obscenities
Isn't all it seems
At seventeen
A brown eyed girl in hand-me-downs
Whose name I never could pronounce
Said pretty please to the ones who served
Who only get what they deserve
And the rich relation hometown queen
Married into what she needs
With a guarantee of company
And a haven for the elderly
Never those who win the game
Those who love assault and gain
Endebted us in quality
And dubious integrity
The small town eyes will gape at you
And act surprised when payment due
And see accounts received
At seventeen
To those of us who know the pain
Of valentines that never came
Those whose names were never called
When choosing sides for basketball
It was long ago and far away
The world was younger than today
And dreams were all that came for free
To ugly duckling girls like me
We all play the game and when we dare
To cheat ourselves at solitaire
Inventing lovers on the phone
Repenting other lives unknown
To call and say come dance with me
And murmur their obscenities
To ugly girls like me
At seventeen
Love was meant for beauty queens
And high school girls with clear skin smiles
Who married young and then retired
The valentines I never knew
Friday night charades with you
Were spent on one more beautiful
At seventeen I learned the truth
Those of us with ravaged faces
Lacking in the social graces
Desperately remained at home
Inventing lovers on the phone
Who called to say come dance with me
And murmured their obscenities
Isn't all it seems
At seventeen
A brown eyed girl in hand-me-downs
Whose name I never could pronounce
Said pretty please to the ones who served
Who only get what they deserve
And the rich relation hometown queen
Married into what she needs
With a guarantee of company
And a haven for the elderly
Never those who win the game
Those who love assault and gain
Endebted us in quality
And dubious integrity
The small town eyes will gape at you
And act surprised when payment due
And see accounts received
At seventeen
To those of us who know the pain
Of valentines that never came
Those whose names were never called
When choosing sides for basketball
It was long ago and far away
The world was younger than today
And dreams were all that came for free
To ugly duckling girls like me
We all play the game and when we dare
To cheat ourselves at solitaire
Inventing lovers on the phone
Repenting other lives unknown
To call and say come dance with me
And murmur their obscenities
To ugly girls like me
At seventeen
Lyrics submitted by manprettys_panties
At Seventeen Lyrics as written by Janis Ian
Lyrics © Kanjian Music, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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How come no-ones commented on this, This is an amazing song and the way Tara sings it stirs so much emotion.
This song is what it's like to be an "ordinary girl" as a Teen, And I can totally relate to the song, I'm not the most beautiful or the most inteligent or the most talented girl in the world and there will always be people better than me at things but, almost everyone feels that way and that's why this sng is so great!
beautiful cover by tara (the original is by janis ian). it's one of the best covers i've ever heard; there is so much emotion ... there was a time in my life when i could relate to this song so much. it still means a lot to me.