Dianne came from a very musical family. Her father, who died when she was two years old, was also a singer. Her mother, Vada Swanson, played trumpet. A cousin, George Duke is a well known piano and keyboard player and producer.
Dianne and her sister Sharon were raised by their grandmother in Denver, Colorado. As a child Dianne took piano lessons and sang at every opportunity. When she was 11 years old her interest in music was enhanced by an inspiring teacher who thought that music was the best way to bring students together. Dianne discovered a love of music and that she wanted to be a singer.
Her uncle, Charles Burell, a bass player with the Denver Symphony Orchestra, introduced her to the music of jazz singers, from Ella Fitzgerald to Billie Holiday. She was especially impressed by Sarah Vaughan.
1974
At the age of sixteen she was singing at the George Washington Highschool in Denver, in a highschool bigband. That same year the band played at a music festival (Convention of the National Association of Jazz Educators). Her Band won first place and it was there she met the trumpeter Clark Terry, who after discovering her became her mentor.
1975
A year later she began studying music at the University of Denver, before she moving in 1976 to Los Angeles. In L.A. her interest in Latin-American music grew, and she began experimenting with different kinds of vocal music and finally decided to pursue a career as a singer. She met Eduardo del Barrio, and she toured with his group "Caldera" and sang in Billy Child's jazz band "Night Flights". Later she tour with Sergio Mendes.
From 1983 until 1986 she toured with Harry Belafonte as a lead singer. This period saw her first experiences with world music. In 1987 she became the first vocalist to sign with Blue Note records. She moved back to Denver from Los Angeles in 1992. She sang at the closing ceremony of the 2002 Winter Olympic Games in Salt Lake City.
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Grammy Awards
She has currently won 3 Grammy Awards for "Best Jazz Vocal Performance" for her albums
2001 In the Moment
2002 The Calling
2003 A Little Moonlight
2006 Good Night, And Good Luck (Soundtrack)
She is the only singer to have won this Grammy in three consecutive years.
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Discography
1977 - Welcome to My Love
1987 - Better Days
1988 - I Remember
1990 - Never Too Far
1991 - Dianne Reeves (same as Better Days)
1993 - Art & Survival
1994 - Quiet After the Storm
1996 - The Grand Encounter
1996 - Palo Alto Sessions
1997 - That Day
1997 - New Morning (live)
1999 - Bridges... produced by George Duke.
2000 - In The Moment (live)
2001 - The Calling: Celebrating Sarah Vaughan
2002 - Best of Dianne Reeves
2003 - A Little Moonlight
2004 - Christmas Time is Here
2005 - Good Night, And Good Luck (Soundtrack)
Both Sides Now
Dianne Reeves Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
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 go 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
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 aloud
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 clouds,
I really don't know love,
I really don't know life,
At all
In Dianne Reeves's song Both Sides Now, the artist reflects on her experiences with life, love, and nature. The poetic imagery of the first verse recalls childhood days of innocence, where she viewed the world through a rose-colored lens. However, the chorus reveals a deeper truth about the clouds; they have come to symbolize life's unexpected obstacles that prevent her from achieving her dreams.
The second verse describes the feeling of falling in love - everything seems magical and perfect at first, but in time, people change, and relationships can crumble, leaving only the illusion of love. The language of love here is surrounded by the image of a circus, emphasizing the fleeting nature of romance.
The third verse describes the complexities of life, where the circus has been replaced by real-world struggles. Reeves expresses her resignation to the fact that although she's gained something, she's also lost something, and no matter how much life she experiences, she still doesn't understand it all.
Overall, Both Sides Now is a reflection on the circularity of life, where things that once seemed magical are revealed to be fleeting illusions. Ultimately, the song speaks to the human experience of constantly trying to make sense of the world, despite the fact that life, love, and even nature can be unpredictable and mystifying.
Line by Line Meaning
Bows and flows of angel hair
The soft and delicate nature of a cloud is similar to that of an angel's hair.
And ice cream castles in the air
A cloud can be compared to a castle made of ice cream that exists only in someone's imagination and isn't real.
And feather canyons everywhere
Clouds can create a beautiful landscape in the sky, like canyons made of feathers.
I've looked at clouds that way
I used to admire the beauty of clouds, but now I am disappointed by them.
But now they only block the sun
Clouds no longer have a positive impact on my life since they only obstruct sunlight and prevent warmth.
They rain and snow on everyone
Clouds produce precipitation that falls down on every single person, regardless of their individual preferences.
So many things I would have done
There were things I wanted to do, but the presence of clouds made it difficult to achieve.
But clouds go in my way
Clouds have become an obstacle in the way of my goals.
I've looked at clouds from both sides now
I have experienced clouds in two different perspectives.
From up and down
From above and below.
And still somehow
Despite having seen clouds from different angles, I remain unsure of their true nature.
It's cloud illusions I recall
I remember the beauty and illusion of clouds rather than the reality.
I really don't know clouds,
I am uncertain about my understanding of clouds.
At all
Completely unsure and lacking knowledge.
Moons and Junes and ferris wheels
These things are often associated with romantic imagery.
The dizzy dancing way you feel
The euphoria and excitement of falling in love can be compared to feeling dizzy while dancing.
As every fairy tale comes real
As love becomes real, it feels like a fairy tale come to life.
But now it's just another show
Love has lost its magic and now feels like a performance.
You leave them laughing when you go
When love ends, other people may find it amusing or not take it seriously.
And if you care don't let them know
If you still have feelings for someone, it's best not to let them know because it could be embarrassing or hurtful.
Don't give yourself away
Don't reveal your true feelings or intentions.
From give and take
From taking and giving in a relationship.
It's love's illusions I recall
Love can create illusions or misconceptions, and these are the events that I remember most strongly.
I really don't know love
I am uncertain and confused about what love truly means.
At all
Completely unsure and lacking knowledge.
Tears and fears and feeling proud
Life is filled with a mix of emotions: sadness, anxiety, and happiness or pride.
To say I love you right aloud
To openly express love without any hesitation or fear.
Dreams and schemes and circus crowds
Life also has elements of aspirations and complex plans, as well as chaotic situations and crowds.
But now old friends are acting strange
As life goes on and changes occur, familiar people may behave in ways that feel unfamiliar or confusing.
They shake their heads, they say I've changed
Others may not understand or accept the changes that have occurred in my life.
Well something's lost but something's gained
Aspects of my life have disappeared or become lost, but there have also been gains or positive changes.
In living every day
Through the experience of simply existing and going through each day, life can bring both good and bad situations.
From win and lose
From experiencing both winning and losing in life.
It's life's illusions I recall
What stands out most when thinking about life are the illusions or misconceptions that have occurred.
I really don't know clouds,
I am uncertain about my understanding of clouds.
I really don't know love,
I am uncertain and confused about what love truly means.
I really don't know life,
I am uncertain and confused about what life truly means.
At all
Completely unsure and lacking knowledge.
Lyrics © Crazy Crow Music / Siquomb Music Publishing, Universal Music Publishing Group, RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC
Written by: Joni Mitchell
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind