17 is an intersting age, In some ways it is neither one thing nor the other. You have passed through the magical coming of age of 16 and yet have not reached 18 the current marker of adulthood. In the UK you can drive a car but still cannot buy a drink in a pub. So near and yet so far – perhaps the songs in today’s collection will reflect that.
“At Seventeen” is a song by American singer-songwriter Janis Ian from her seventh studio album Between the Lines. Columbia released it in July 1975 as the album’s second single. Ian wrote the lyrics based on a ‘New York Times’ article with a samba instrumental, and Brooks Arthur produced the final version. A ballad, the song is about a social outcast in high outcast. Critics have regarded “At Seventeen” as a type of anthem. Despite her initial reluctance to perform the single live, Ian promoted it at various appearances.
“Edge of Seventeen” is a song by the American singer and songwriter Stevie Nicks from her debut solo studio album Bella Donna (1981), released as the third single from the album in February 1982. The lyrics were written by Nicks to express the grief resulting from the death of her uncle Jonathan and the assassination of John Lennon during the same week of December 1980. The song features a distinctive, chugging 16 note guitar riff, drum beat and a simple chord structure typical of Nicks’ songs. The song’s title for the single release was “Edge of Seventeen (Just Like the White Winged Dove)“. In the United States, “Edge of Seventeen” just missed out on the top 10 of the Billboard, peaking at No. 11. Despite this, it became one of Nicks’ most enduring and recognizable songs.
“17 Days” is the B-side of When Doves Cry, it is the cult fan favourite which was originally intended for Apollonia 6’s self titled album. A 12 inch single issued in the UK included “17 Days” and two tracks from Prince’s previous album, 1999. The entire title of “17 Days (the rain will come down, then U will have 2 choose, if U believe, look 2 the dawn and U shall never lose)” is now the longest-titled flip side of a Hot 100 No. 1, with 85 letters and/or numbers.
“17 Again” is a song by Eurythmics from their eighth studio album, Peace (1999). It was released as the album’s second single in January 2000. Peace was the first new album released by Eurythmics in a decade and the lyrics to “17 Again” find the duo reminiscing about their long-standing career in pop music. The song mentions “fake celebrities”, “vicious queens”, “the stupid papers and the stupid magazines” and makes the conclusion that “sweet dreams are made of anything that gets you in the scene“. The closing of “17 Again” contains an interpolation of 1983’s “Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)”. “17 Again” peaked at number 27 in the UK.
“Seventeen” is a song by English group Ladytron. It was released as the first single from their second album Light & Magic (2002). The song is known for its minimalistic lyrics, that consist only of: “They only want you when you’re seventeen / When you’re twenty-one, you’re no fun / They take a Polaroid and let you go / Say they’ll let you know, so come on”.
“17” is a track from Avril Lavigne the self-titled fifth studio album by Canadian singer Avril Lavigne. It was released in November 2013, through Epic Records. Avril Lavigne received generally positive reviews from music critics, with many praising its carefree, feel-good vibe while others criticized its “rebellious” attitude in some tracks, calling it forced and unnatural.