Better Times Will Come

artist:Janis Ian

, writer:Janis Ian

Song Info

Title: Better Times Will Come

Artist: Janis Ian

Writer: Janis Ian

Song Types: Folk

Key: C

Info: This silent spring, filled with the loneliness of separation caused by the coronavirus pandemic, has become noisy again with the voices of protesters outraged at the murder of George Floyd and our country's history of police violence against African-Americans. Several classic songs about racial injustice swirl in my head, including Bob Dylan's "The Lonesome Death of Hattie Carroll" and Janis Ian's "Society's Child." Using subtle, understated lyrics, Ian wrote of the pain of a young black man humiliated by his white girlfriend's mother, who objected to their relationship.

Ian's songs are treasures, and have long been on the cutting edge of telling us the truth about people's lives. While it is remarkable that her talent was evident by the age of 14 (when she wrote "Society's Child"), it's now her endurance that is striking. She continues to write songs that expose painful subjects, laying bare her soul and the world's potential for cruelty and kindness.

Ian, who was born in New York and primarily raised in New Jersey, started sharing introspective and revealing songs in the late '60s and continues with "Better Times Will Come," written at her home in Florida in March; she has shared this gorgeous song with NJArts.net's Songs to See Us Through series. The video for it, made by singer-songwriter Christine Lavin, can be seen below.

"Better Times Will Come" resonates for those of us having a hard time during the pandemic. Ian's acknowledgment of her own concerns and fears affirms our stress and also reminds me of her iconic song "At Seventeen," which mirrors the pain young women face growing up in a harsh world that overemphasizes the value of physical attributes.

PETER CUNNINGHAM

JANIS IAN

In "Better Times Will Come," she lifts us by offering hope that we will get past current troubles. For those of us who are losing sleep, worrying about the death count and financial concerns �" and feeling restless from the isolation of social distancing �" the song is a welcome relief.

Ian's voice is as rich as it was in her earlier songs; her lyrics as honest and vulnerable.

Brian Weiland is a music teacher at a small public school in Massachusetts. When quarantine and lockdown began last March, he - like many teachers - suddenly had to learn to present lessons using technology. He says that learning curve helped him create this version of "Better Times Will Come." When he's not teaching, he also plays in a Celtic music group called "Misfits of Avalon". http://www.misfitsofavalon.com The instrument he's playing in this video is called a Celtic mandola - basically an overgrown mandolin that was handmade by a wonderful luthier named Davy Stuart. It's among Brian's most beloved treasures. 
On an unusual note, Brian entered the "Martha's Vineyard Agricultural Society Annual Fair," hoping to place in the "Self-Accompanied Production" category - and won a blue ribbon!  http://marthasvineyardagriculturalsoc...  Sneak hint: If you scroll through the Fair page, you'll see that the blue ribbon winner of 8-16 divison is a young fiddler named Aiden Weiland - that's Brian's son, hopefully joining us here soon.
Follow www.bettertimesproject.com/ for hundreds of downloads by professionals and amateurs - and make your own version, because music is for everyone!
Subscribe to this channel: http://smarturl.it/JanisSub
Visit Janis at https://janisian.com
Janis Ian on iTunes: www.smarturl.it/JanisIan

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Better Times Will Come

artist:Janis Ian

, writer:Janis Ian

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Song Info

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