Janis Ian is blessing us with “I’m Still Standing”

By Harry Bates

Janis Ian, the beloved American folk and soft rock artist behind classics like “At Seventeen” (1975) and “Jackie Skates” (2006), has returned with a new track to define yet another chapter of our lives. “Im Still Standing” is  an appetizer to Ian’s upcoming album The Light At The End Of The Line set for release in late-January. 

I saw Ian play with Livingston Taylor back in the Summer of ‘18, and her voice is just as authentic and passionate now as it was then. Her voice carries a homelike quality that immediately warms the heart, and “I’m Still Standing” is a brilliant example of this. The first few strums act as a foundation for the subsequent story of resilience and strength -- something that we can all relate to when reflecting on the events of these past few years. We’ve experienced such tragedy and loss in this pandemic and political climate, and Ian’s work responds to this with a story of elasticity: We as a people are much stronger than the challenges we are tasked to overcome. Beyond this, the track has a pull that is irresistible, and it pulls the listener in with its melodic combination of voice and instrument. It’s for songs like this that I’m beyond thankful that Mother Nature gave us ears.

Ian’s lyrics and storylines are truly in a realm of their own, and I honestly cannot wait to see what’s to come with The Light At The End Of The Line (2021). She is set to perform at the Lynn Memorial Auditorium in Lynn, MA -- about an hour train ride from campus -- on April 23, 2021.