Musical Interlude / Both Sides Now

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 every 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


“Both Sides, Now” was written By Joni Mitchell
some time before November 17, 1966.
It was released in 1969 on her Album “Clouds”.
But before such Clouds even brushed our ears Joni had paid a legion of dues.
Fame and recognition did not happen overnight.

Joni left home to attend  the Alberta College of Art in Calgary  1963.
She was 20.
I found her bio and pic in the College Library Yearbook for that year.
I should have stole it.

I left home to attend the Alberta College of Art in Calgary in 1969.
I was 20.
I knew nothing.
I truly was a blank canvas.
And didn’t even know it.
OH how I wish I could re-win and rewind those lost days.
Long past.

“It’s life’s illusions I recall
I really don’t know life at all”

It seems that there are so few true Artists  these days – music or otherwise.
But Joni has truly been one of them.

I surely detect some Van Gogh don’t I Joni?

Bob 'n' Joni — Joni Mitchell, “Self-Portrait with Bandaged Ear,”...

Indeed.

Joni Mitchell - Miles Davis - paintings
Miles Davis by Joni Mitchell

Among the canvases: Behind the scenes at Joni Mitchell's home | Joni mitchell paintings, Portrait artist, Portrait art

That’s pretty Canuck Joni!

Joni Mitchell - Taming The Tiger | Releases | Discogs

Ahh some.

TOP 25 QUOTES BY JONI MITCHELL (of 264) | A-Z Quotes

I could go on … and on … and on …

Author: jcalberta

Howdy! I love Westerns. ... and the intent of MyFavoriteWesterns.com is to celebrate Western Movies/Film - old and new. This site will eventually show my top 30 favorite Westerns - or more. I will have original graphic work with regular updates. All this - and more ... Yee Haw ... !! - jcablerta / Moderator / Administrator

3 thoughts on “Musical Interlude / Both Sides Now”

  1. When I want to relax and let the world pass me by, I listen to Joni. And of course ‘I looked at clouds from both sides now’ means a great deal to a former paratrooper.

  2. She was and remains one of my favorite EVER singer and songwriters. She still works, too, though mostly writing and background singing. We also have a 50th (I think) anniversary DVD of recent material. A genius then, a genius still.

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