Both Sides Now
Claudine Longet Lyrics

Bows and flows of angel hair
Beautiful and delicate things that seem almost otherworldly.

And ice cream castles in the air
Imaginary or impossible things that we build in our minds, like castles made of ice cream that will never exist.

And feather canyons everywhere
Scenic landscapes and beautiful vistas that can make us feel light and free, like we have wings.

I've looked at clouds that way
The beauty I once saw in the clouds has diminished, and all I see now are the obstacles and problems they create.

But now they only block the sun
The clouds no longer bring beauty or inspiration; they block our path and obstruct our vision.

They rain and snow on everyone
The clouds bring unpleasant experiences and hardships for everyone, regardless of who they are or what they have done.

So many things I would have done
There were so many things I wanted to experience and accomplish, but my plans were changed by the clouds.

But clouds got in my way
The obstacles created by the clouds prevented me from realizing my full potential or achieving my dreams.

I've looked at clouds from both sides now
I have seen the beauty and the pain that clouds can bring, and I understand their full impact on a situation.

From up and down, and still somehow
No matter where or when I observe the clouds, I cannot escape their effects on the world around me.

It's clouds' illusions I recall
The illusions and false promises created by the clouds are what stick in my mind when I think of them.

I really don't know clouds at all
Despite having observed the clouds from every angle, I still cannot fully comprehend their true nature and purpose.

Moons and Junes and Ferris wheels
Romantic and whimsical things, like moonlit walks, the month of June, and Ferris wheel rides at carnivals.

The dizzy dancing way you feel
When you are in love and everything feels magic and alive, like your head is spinning with excitement.

As every fairy tale comes real
The feeling that your dreams and fantasies are finally coming true, just like in a fairy tale.

I've looked at love that way
I have experienced love as a magical and almost mythical force that can make our wildest dreams come true.

But now it's just another show
Love has lost its luster and become something performative, like a show that we put on for others.

You leave them laughing when you go
Even though love has become a joke, we still put on a happy face and pretend that everything is okay when it ends.

And if you care, don't let them know
In order to save face and protect ourselves from more hurt, we hide our true feelings and pretend to be unbothered by love.

I've looked at love from both sides now
I have seen the highs and lows of love, and how it can both inspire us and leave us feeling shattered.

From give and take, and still somehow
Love can be a complex and constantly evolving thing, with its own set of rules and requirements for each partner involved.

It's love's illusions I recall
Despite having experienced love in multiple ways, the false promises and illusory nature of it are what stay with me the most.

I really don't know love at all
No matter how many times I have experienced love, I still cannot fully understand or predict its behavior.

Tears and fears and feeling proud
The wide range of emotions that come with living a meaningful and expressive life.

To say "I love you" right out loud
The bravery and vulnerability it takes to express your feelings and tell someone you love them.

Dreams and schemes and circus crowds
Our wildest dreams and the plans we make to achieve them, often in the face of overwhelming opposition and distraction.

I've looked at life that way
I have always seen life as an adventure, full of endless possibility and surprise.

But now old friends are acting strange
As we grow and change, our old relationships and friendships may no longer feel as comfortable or familiar as they once did.

They shake their heads, they say I've changed
Others may judge us for our choices or the paths we have taken, especially when those paths diverge from theirs.

But something's lost but something's gained
As we grow and change, we may lose certain things or people in our lives, but we also gain new experiences and memories to cherish.

In living every day
Every day we have the opportunity to learn and grow, to make new connections and deepen existing ones, and to experience all that life has to offer.

I've looked at life from both sides now
I have learned that life is a complex and multifaceted thing, full of both joy and pain, love and loss, hope and despair.

From win and lose and still somehow
Life often feels like a game that we are both winning and losing simultaneously, with no clear way to keep score or determine a winner.

It's life's illusions I recall
Despite living a full and meaningful life, there are many illusions and false promises that cloud our vision and prevent us from seeing the true nature of existence.

I really don't know life at all
Despite all my experiences, learning, and growth, there is still so much about existence that I do not understand or comprehend.