One of my first moments of being completely and utterly enthralled with a girl, was hearing ‘both sides now’ by joni mitchell. Her voice. The song. The haunting lyrics. I don’t remember how old I was (I believe probably 7 or 8), but I do remember thinking, ‘this is what sadness sounds like’ (I was an extremely emotionally intelligent child). It’s followed me through life… and maybe that’s part of the reason I have a cynical ideal of love, life and all things in between.
Nevertheless, joni is an incredible song writer. Incredible. And this song just gets it. Speaks the truth about so many things. She has said… “I was reading Saul Bellow's "Henderson the Rain King" on a plane and early in the book Henderson the Rain King is also up in a plane. He's on his way to Africa and he looks down and sees these clouds. I put down the book, looked out the window and saw clouds too, and I immediately started writing the song.”
To write freely and honestly. To write from the heart, and with integrity of inspiration. That’s what joni does. And that’s why I love her.
Nevertheless, joni is an incredible song writer. Incredible. And this song just gets it. Speaks the truth about so many things. She has said… “I was reading Saul Bellow's "Henderson the Rain King" on a plane and early in the book Henderson the Rain King is also up in a plane. He's on his way to Africa and he looks down and sees these clouds. I put down the book, looked out the window and saw clouds too, and I immediately started writing the song.”
To write freely and honestly. To write from the heart, and with integrity of inspiration. That’s what joni does. And that’s why I love her.
Rows and flows of angel hair | And ice cream castles in the air | And feather canyons everywhere | I've looked at clouds that way | But now they only block the sun | They rain and snow on everyone | So many things I would have done | But clouds got in my way | I've looked at clouds from both sides now | From up and down, and still somehow | It's cloud illusions I recall | I really don't know clouds at all | Moons and Junes and Ferris wheels | The dizzy dancing way you feel | As ev'ry fairy tale comes real | I've looked at love that way | But now it's just another show | You leave 'em laughing when you go | And if you care, don't let them know | Don't give yourself away | I've looked at love from both sides now | From give and take, and still somehow | It's love's illusions I recall | I really don't know love at all | Tears and fears and feeling proud | To say "I love you" right out loud | Dreams and schemes and circus crowds | I've looked at life that way | But now old friends are acting strange | They shake their heads, they say I've changed | Well something's lost, but something's gained | In living every day | I've looked at life from both sides now | From win and lose and still somehow | It's life's illusions I recall | I really don't know life at all | I've looked at life from both sides now | From up and down, and still somehow | It's life's illusions I recall | I really don't know life at all
And Rachel. Oh Rachel. rachel yamagata does it oh so well.