| Janis Ian – At Seventeen Lyrics | 2 years ago |
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@[palgup:46469]: Awesome explanation of this verse. I've been looking far and wide to find someone who has a good grip on this verse, and I think you nailed it. I agree with you--this verse is the hardest to interpret; "Win the game, but lose the love they sought to gain"; debentures of quality and dubious integrity, Small town eyes gaping at you when payment due exceeds accounts received". So Janis puts her song into overdrive, casting the seeking of love as an investment in life. I like your term, "instant karma". The girl who thinks she has invested her life into her prince charming finds the relationship shallow, lacking quality and of dubious integrity, her life investment didn't pay off, and she didn't receive the love she sought. (That she invested her life to achieve, and thus accounts received) The realization at seventeen that a girl will spend the rest of her life with financial security, but no love in her marriage, that's the girl from the previous verse: " the rich-relationed hometown queen, who Marries into what she needs, With a guarantee of company, And haven for the elderly". That rich girl has her needs met--but only her material needs. The TRUE needs of her heart--for affection and love--will never be met--unless she has an affair, and risks her entire financial security. It is a lesson for girls not to rush into what seems like financial security at the cost of true love and affection. "Instant Karma" may result, with a very high emotional cost. Great job, palgup, I think that Janis would totally agree with your interpretation of that verse. Thanks for posting, and explaining the fine points--I needed someone to reveal that "instant karma" part to me. ((((((Hugs)))))) :-) |
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