Janis Ian: "Stars". Live on the BBC's Old Grey Whistle Test 1974

Janis Ian (born Janis Eddy Fink; April 7, 1951) is an American singer-songwriter.

"Stars"

"Stars" is the title track on the sixth studio album of American singer-songwriter Janis Ian. The song is a sombre guitar ballad about the pitfalls, fleetingness, and consequences of fame.

Lyrics

I was never one for singing
What I really feel
Except tonight, I'm bringing
Everything I know that's real

Stars, they come and go, they come fast or slow
They go like the last light of the sun, all in a blaze
And all you see is glory
Hey, but it gets lonely there when there's no one here to share
We can shake it away if you'll hear a story

People lust for fame like athletes in a game
We break our collarbones and come up swinging
Some of us are downed, some of us are crowned
And some are lost and never found
But most have seen it all
They live their lives in sad cafés and music halls
They always come up singing
Some make it when they're young before the world has done its dirty job
And later on, someone will say, "You've had your day
And now you must make way"
But they'll never know the pain of living with a name you never owned
Or the many years forgetting what you know too well

That the ones who gave the crown
Have been let down
You try to make amends
Without defending

Perhaps pretending you never saw the eyes
Of grown men of twenty-five
That follow as you walk and ask for autographs
Or kiss you on the cheek
And you never can believe they really loved you
Some make it when they're old
Perhaps they have a soul they're not afraid to bare
Or perhaps there's nothing there
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[Chorus]
Stars, they come and go, they come fast, they come slow
They go like the last light of the sun all in a blaze
And all you see is glory
But most have seen it all
They live their lives in sad cafés and music halls
They always have a story

Some women have a body men will want to see and so they put it on display
Some people play a fine guitar, I could listen to them play all day
Some ladies really move across a stage, and gee, they sure can dance
I guess I could learn how if I gave it half a chance
But I always feel so funny when my body tries to soar
And I seem to always worry about missing the next chord
I guess there isn't anything to put up on display
Except the tune and whatever else I say

But anyway, that isn't really
What I meant to say
I meant to tell a story I live from day to day

Stars, they come and go, they come in fast, they come slow
And they go like the last light of the sun all in a blaze
And all you see is glory
But most have seen it all
Who live their lives in sad cafés and music halls
And we always have a story
[Outro]
So if you don't lose patience
With my fumbling around
I'll come up singing for you
Even when I'm down

Nina Simone version

Jazz and blues singer Nina Simone performed a modified version of "Stars" live at the 1976 Montreux Jazz Festival held in Montreux, Switzerland. Simone's version was played on the piano, included new lyrics, and had a more somber tone then that of Ian's, fitting the mental and financial struggles the artist was facing in the decline of her career.

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