Both Sides Now
Collins Judy Lyrics
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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's illusions I recall
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 'em laughin' 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 win and lose 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
Schemes and dreams 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
But something's lost but something's gained in living every day
I've looked at life from both sides now
From give and take and still somehow
It's life's illusions I recall
I really don't know life at all
Judy Collins' "Both Sides Now" is a song that reflects on a person's changing perception of love, life, and existence. The singer reflects on her encounter with clouds, love, and life from different perspectives. The song's opening lines illustrate a child's innocence and imagination filled with ice cream castles and feather canyons that make her see clouds as mesmerizing. However, as she grows older and experiences life, her view of the clouds changes, and they become a hindrance rather than a source of inspiration. The clouds she once saw as beautiful has become a barrier. The singer then talks about love and the perception of it as a fairy tale. But over time, love turns out to be an illusion that you can't seem to grasp or understand. The singer reflects on how her perception of life has evolved over the years, with some losses and gains. She has come to understand that life is full of illusions, and no matter how much you think you have figured it out, you're still clueless.
The song's refrain "I’ve looked at clouds from both sides now" implies that the singer has been on both sides of life’s experiences and still can't understand it. Similarly, the phrase "It's love's illusions I recall" discusses how love can be deceiving and how a person's perception of love can change over time. The song's final verse focuses on the idea that life is full of challenges, but despite that, one can learn from every loss and gain. It's about moving forward, accepting changes, and embracing what life has to offer.
Overall, "Both Sides Now" is a song about life's ups and downs, and how one’s changing perception of love, life, and existence is informed by personal experiences. It can be perceived as a reminder that people should be open to change and growth in order to truly understand what life really means.
Line by Line Meaning
Bows and flows of angel hair and ice cream castles in the air
I used to see everything with a childlike wonder and imagination.
And feather canyons everywhere, I've looked at clouds that way
I used to see clouds as majestic and awe-inspiring formations of nature.
But now they only block the sun, they rain and snow on everyone
Nowadays, I view clouds as annoying obstacles that get in the way and cause problems.
So many things I would have done, but clouds got in my way
I feel like I missed out on so many opportunities because clouds prevented me from pursuing them.
I've looked at clouds from both sides now
I've seen clouds in both a positive and negative light.
From up and down and still somehow
No matter how I view them, clouds still have a significant impact on my life.
It's cloud's illusions I recall
The way I used to see clouds as mystical and enchanting is just an illusion.
I really don't know clouds at all
Despite all my experiences with them, I don't truly understand the nature of clouds.
Moons and Junes and Ferris wheels the dizzy dancing way you feel
I used to see love and romance as a wonderful and exciting experience full of ups and downs.
When every fairy tale comes real, I've looked at love that way
I used to believe that love could be like a fairy tale come true.
But now it's just another show, you leave 'em laughin' when you go
Nowadays, love seems like an act or performance that people put on for others.
And if you care don't let them know, don't give yourself away
If you're truly invested in a relationship, you have to be careful not to reveal too much or make yourself vulnerable.
I've looked at love from both sides now
I've seen love both as a wonderful experience and as something that can be shallow and insincere.
From win and lose and still somehow
Regardless of whether love has ended in success or failure, it's left a lasting impression on me.
It's love's illusions I recall
The way I used to see love as magical and perfect is just an illusion.
I really don't know love at all
Despite all my experiences with love, I don't fully understand what love truly means.
Tears and fears and feeling proud, to say, "I love you" right out loud
Life is filled with emotional moments where expressing love can be difficult and sometimes scary.
Schemes and dreams and circus crowds, I've looked at life that way
I used to see life as a series of grand events and possibilities.
But now old friends are acting strange,
As I've grown and changed, my relationships with old friends have become strained and difficult.
They shake their heads, They say I've changed
My friends don't understand the person I've become, and they don't know how to relate to me anymore.
But something's lost but something's gained in living every day
Even though I've lost some things along the way, I've also gained a lot from the experiences of daily life.
I've looked at life from both sides now
I've seen life from its highs and lows.
From give and take and still somehow
Life is a give and take, but it's still mysterious and difficult to fully understand.
It's life's illusions I recall
The way I used to see life was based on illusions and misconceptions.
I really don't know life at all
Despite all the experiences and challenges of life, I'm not sure I truly understand what life is all about.
Lyrics © Crazy Crow Music / Siquomb Music Publishing, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Joni Mitchell
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@sbl420
2 yrs ago, I was diagnosed with breast cancer, and right after that covid. 2 mos before the cancer diagnosis, my gallbladder burst. I thought it was God telling me to get my affairs in order, so I began writing and choosing music for when my day came. I love this song. It makes me cry and always has. It makes me look at every aspect of my life. My life has been hard. I had suffered a lot of loss at a very young age, battled addiction, and was in an abusive family and marriage. However, I've always prevailed because of who I am. I love hard and pray often. I am now a cancer survivor and a survor of many other things. Music has gotten me thru life, and this song just says so much about who I really am. This was the song I chose, as my farewell to life as I knew it. Love life, Ifs truly a precious gift. ❤
@Woofers617
💕💕💕
@keithforeman2180
Hang in there and lean on the lord! You're facing a brick wall, pray hard and you'll come through it unscathed! My father committed suicide while i was sleeping and the gunshot of that .38 still haunts me giving me mild PTSD! That's been over 15 years ago!
@ileensabean8765
I had breast cancer at 41. 20 years ago. Still healthy. You can do it.
@ianfoulkes2114
May you carry on and your health get better. God bless you.
@allencollins6031
SBL420 - Thank you for being be you, for if you were not you, you wouldn't have spoke those words in the comment.
@michaellewter8671
I'm 60 and I remember this song like it was yesterday.
@JohnRoberts-wk6rf
I'm 65 now and if only I could go back to those days...
@nathanielhellerstein5871
Those days are immortal within this song.
@rooky55
People get old but the songs don't. I am 71 but not when I listen to the great songs.