Caros audiophiles, this week I've chosen one of many many great poetic songs by Canadian songwriter Joni Mitchell. Both Sides Now is an early song in her life and career but the lyrics suggest already a mature reflection on the passage through love and life. From the first romantic dreams of youth, through dealing with disappointments and uncertainties, and how these change your perspective and evolve your personality.
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
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
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
Interestingly, she recorded the song again in 2000. Her voice has deepened to a more textured husky alto range and her interpretation really does reflect a lifetime of experience. And yet, the same uncertainties still exist, life remains a mystery.
A proxima.
PO
So true! Beautiful! Thanks, P. pcp
ResponderEliminarHello pcp! thank you for leaving a comment. PO
ResponderEliminarPS, pcp, I thought her later version would remind you of Barb Jungr. PO
ResponderEliminarYes, it's true, you're right. But BJ is much more dramatic and exaggerated, she is even a bit over the top sometimes (or not....). She's raw, as if she was feeling the melody in her cells, as if she was experiencing the lyrics! JM is much more in control, she's refined. By the way, the Last Waltz is being very much reminded here: I think this is the 4th time that an artist from the Last Waltz is presented here: Dr. John, Neil Diamond (you), Bob Dylan (fq) and this lady. Kind regards from very warm Lisbon. pcp
ResponderEliminarGrande escolha!
ResponderEliminarfq