Both Sides Now
Anne Murray Lyrics
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And ice cream castles in the air
And feather canyons everywhere
I've looked at clouds that way.
But now they only hide the sun
They rain and snow on everyone
So many things I might have done
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
When every fairy tale comes real
I've looked at love that way.
But now it's just another show
You leave them 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 my friends are acting strange
They shake their heads, they say I've changed
Well, somethings lost, but somethings gained
In living every day.
I've looked at life from both sides now
Win and lose and still somehow
It's life's illusions I recall
I really don't know life at all.
The song Both Sides Now by Anne Murray, originally written and performed by Joni Mitchell, is a reflective song that explores the different perspectives and illusions we can have in life. The first verse sets up the imagery of clouds and how they can appear different depending on the angle they are viewed from. At first, the singer sees them as beautiful "angel hair" and "ice cream castles" but now they only serve as obstacles, "They rain and snow on everyone". This metaphor for clouds is then applied to the singer's own life, "So many things I might have done, But clouds got in my way", suggesting that the singer's own illusions may have prevented them from achieving certain things.
The second verse talks about love, and how the singer’s perspective of it has changed. Before it was something magical, like "fairy tales", but now it's become more of a performance, "But now it's just another show, You leave them laughing when you go". The final verse reflects on the illusions of life, with the singer acknowledging that there are both losses and gains in living. The line "It's life's illusions I recall, I really don't know life at all" emphasizes that life is not always as it seems, and while the singer has experienced different perspectives, they still don't fully understand what it all means.
Overall, the song suggests that our perceptions of life can be clouded by illusions, and that true understanding requires seeing things from different perspectives. It's a complex and nuanced exploration of life, love, and self-discovery.
Line by Line Meaning
Rows and floes of angel hair
Imaginative and dreamy visions.
And ice cream castles in the air
Fanciful and unrealistic ideas.
And feather canyons everywhere
Light and fragile environment.
I've looked at clouds that way.
I saw things in an idealistic and romanticized view.
But now they only hide the sun
The clouds serve as an obstacle to the sun (happiness).
They rain and snow on everyone
The clouds affect everyone in a negative way.
So many things I might have done
Regret over missed opportunities.
But clouds got in my way.
Obstacles prevented me from achieving my goals.
I've looked at clouds from both sides now
I have seen the clouds from different perspectives.
From up and down and still somehow
Regardless of the angle, clouds still affect everything.
It's cloud illusions I recall
The memories of idealistic views that were unrealistic.
I really don't know clouds at all.
I didn't know how the clouds could impact my life until I experienced them.
Moons and Junes and Ferris wheels
Romantic and whimsical imagery.
The dizzy dancing way you feel
Excited and euphoric emotions.
When every fairy tale comes real
The idealistic dreams become a reality.
I've looked at love that way.
I've viewed love in a romanticized and idealistic way.
But now it's just another show
Love is now just an act or a performance.
You leave them laughing when you go
Leaving people unaware of how you truly feel.
And if you care don't let them know
Keep your emotions hidden.
I've looked at love from both sides now
I've seen love from different perspectives.
From give and take and still somehow
Regardless of the effort put in, love can still be a performance.
It's love's illusions I recall
Remembering the unrealistic and idealistic view of love.
I really don't know love at all.
I realized that I didn't truly understand love.
Tears and fears and feeling proud
Emotions associated with significant moments in life.
To say I love you right out loud
To openly express love.
Dreams and schemes and circus crowds
Ideas and ambitions, and a busy and exciting life.
I've looked at life that way.
I used to see my life in a positive and exciting way.
But now my friends are acting strange
Friends and family have changed their opinion of me.
They shake their heads, they say I've changed
People around me do not recognize who I am anymore.
Well, somethings lost, but somethings gained
Although some things have been lost, new things have also been gained through the experience.
In living every day.
Through daily life and experiences.
I've looked at life from both sides now
I have experienced different perspectives on life.
Win and lose and still somehow
No matter the outcome, the experience itself is valuable.
It's life's illusions I recall
Memories of unrealistic and idealistic views on life.
I really don't know life at all.
Realizing that I still have a lot to learn about and experience in life.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Capitol CMG Publishing, Songtrust Ave, RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC
Written by: Joni Mitchell
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Jimmy Lee
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
travis7310
Anne Murray's cover was the first version I heard of "Both Sides Now" and it's still my favorite!
David R.W.
I'm a rock musician, but nonetheless this version of Both Sides Now gives me chills, it's so beautiful. Thanks for posting it!
Osang The Wanderer
Me too i love it ❤
The Ingenious
I'm a a heavy metalist singer but my fav song is this song!
todd canton
Anne can sing anything and she does in her own unique way,
strawberryseason
I love how she enunciates every word very well.
Jimmy Lee
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
Yubin Hong
I've finally found this version of 'both sides now'!! Your voice is so attractive and I love this song😀
maneewan manee
I love this version.....thank you.
이병호 지옥에서온
I think this version is best of best at least on every youtube cover songs. . . .