This is my unworthy homage to the great Stephen Sondheim, who wrote masterpieces that masqueraded as musical comedy songs. He was a genius of intricate melodies and harmonies, but I kept mine pretty basic (well, mainly because I don't have the talent to be very intricate). There won't be anyone who can write songs quite like Stephen Sondheim. He was one-of-a-kind, and he will be missed.
You are seventeen, just a baby
You will hate that I say that, but you are
You are seventeen, and a dreamer
In your mind there is nothing to prevent you from reaching
the highest star
Because you’re seventeen, because you’re seventeen
You are seventeen, the world’s a mystery
You’re in a rush to unravel everything there is to know
You are seventeen, brave yet uncertain
One minute you’re a child, and the next
you’re much too old
Because you’re seventeen, because you’re seventeen
BRIDGE
Life will happen, and hope may disappear
But only for a moment, don’t abandon all your dreams
When life gets hard, and the path is not so clear
Remember in your heart when you were seventeen
You are seventeen, and on the cusp - not a child, not a grown-up
But exactly who you are
And that’s enough for now, so seize the moment
It’s all you have, just this moment, this wondrous moment
Because you’re seventeen
You are seventeen. You are seventeen.
@bethdesombre Feb 2022
Yes -- even if I haven't read the liner notes, this would have conjured Sondheim for me; I'm impressed! The lyrics and music so nicely describe the complexity of that age (I especially like "the world’s a mystery/You’re in a rush to unravel everything there is to know") and how that's all attributed here to "because you're 17." And the message that "that's enough for now" is reassuring.
@arthurrossi Feb 2022
I like the reflective and contemplative feel that this lovely songs has to it. Beautifully chosen words that do construct a bridge between the emotions, thoughts etc. of a teenager and those ones of an adult, just as Liz already said it so well. You brought these awesome words to life in such a fascinating and fitting way...
@hbusse Feb 2022
I really like this one, Deb! I still hear shades of some Sondheim-esque devices in here. Loving that chord progression on the short “Because you’re seventeen, because you’re seventeen” chorus.
@berni1954 Feb 2022
This definitely is a show tune and a very good one too. Love your vocals and that classic show tune piano accompaniment.
This is a close cousin of Janis Ian's "At Seventeen" - if you don't know that one, check it out.
@oaksnprairie Feb 2022
I can picture the scene — the mother at the front of the stage singing while we see her daughter behind a scrim meeting friends, brushing her hair, writing and daydreaming. It’s a very evocative song.
@kahlo2013 Feb 2022
This does have a wonderful Sondheim feel to the lovely music! And the lyrics really capture the juxtaposition of different emotions, needs, wants, as one transitions from teen years to young adulthood.. really a beautifully written and heartfelt song! Gorgeous vocals!
@skylermf Feb 2022
I think you encapsulate the feeling of being seventeen perfectly. I love your chord choices here, how you have dissonance in both the main chords in the verses. And then the walk up in the bridge! Great stuff