Sixteen-year-old Janis Ian has a message. But whether its content is reality or fantasy, one theme is predominant—disintegration of the mind, leading to mental destruction of society….

[In a recent live performance, the] recording artist methodically and unemotionally spelled out her message in song. With her crisp voice, she soared to the heights while dousing her audience with her macabre incantations. Insanity, frustration and apathy, Vietnam, poverty and loneliness—she sang them all—each with the same pessimistic view towards destruction. She sang of love, yet the air was fraught with death. She laughed, but there was a morbid echo….

[It] is hoped that she doesn't take all her lyrics to heart. She has the makings of one of this generation's greatest poets.

Hank Fox, "Janis Ian's Messages: How to Succeed by Being Grim," in Billboard (© copyright 1967 by Billboard Publications, Inc.; reprinted by permission), Vol. 79, No. 51, December...