The 1966 Folk Masterpiece Rejected by 22 Record Companies That Sold Over 1 Million - Janis Ian and "Society's Child"!

In 1966, Janis Ian, aged just 14-15, saw her revolutionary song 'Society's Child' rejected by 22 record companies before becoming a hit and selling over a million copies! The track talks about interracial relationships at a time when interracial marriage was only legalized in 1967 (Loving vs Virginia case). Atlantic financed the recording, but withdrew for fear of controversy. Janis, inspired by Joan Baez, Bob Dylan and Paul Simon, carried socially conscious folk forward. Verve Records (focused on jazz/R&B) finally released it and the single exploded, reaching #14 on Billboard, especially after the Supreme Court ruling. The song became a counterculture anthem, despite racist resistance in some regions. Ian built a strong career in the 70s. The 22 record companies that refused must regret it to this day! A lesson in courage and vision that changed folk music forever.