Both Sides Now
Euson Lyrics


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Bows and flows of angel hair
And ice cream castles in the air
And faded 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 clouds illusions I recall
I really don't know clouds at all

Moons and June's and Ferri's 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 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

Overall Meaning

The song "Both Sides Now" by Euson is a reflective song that delves into the changing perceptions we have about life, love, and the world around us with experiences that shape our understanding of reality. The use of metaphorical language is prominent in the song. In the opening lines of the song, the singer describes the beauty and majesty of clouds and creates the image of angel hair and ice cream castles in the air. The singer's initial perception towards clouds are positive and it seems as if he is looking at life optimistically. However, he then talks about how the clouds have started to block the sun and hinder his view. He reflects on how clouds have forced him to change his perception towards them and how they are no longer a source of beauty, but rather a barrier that has prevented him from doing things he wanted to do.


Line by Line Meaning

Bows and flows of angel hair
Delicate and ethereal strands of hair, resembling the wings of angels.


And ice cream castles in the air
Fantastical structures made of ice cream, existing only in the imagination.


And faded canyons everywhere
Canyons that have lost their vibrancy and are no longer impressive or remarkable.


I've looked at clouds that way
I have viewed the world through a lens of wonder and magic, where even clouds can hold great meaning and beauty.


But now they only block the sun
The same clouds that once inspired awe and wonder are now a nuisance, blocking out the necessary light and warmth of the sun.


They rain and snow on everyone
The clouds have become a source of hardship and pain, bringing precipitation that affects all people equally.


So many things I would have done
There were many dreams and aspirations I once had, but these have been hindered by the obstacles in my life.


But clouds got in my way
The very same clouds that once fueled my imagination and sense of wonder have now become the obstacles and challenges that prevent me from achieving my goals.


I've looked at clouds from both sides now
I have experienced the clouds in two contrasting ways, initially seeing them as magical and inspiring, but later as a hindrance and obstacle.


From up and down, and still somehow
From various viewpoints and perspectives, but with a lingering feeling of uncertainty and ambiguity.


It's clouds illusions I recall
Perhaps my original view of the clouds was based on an illusion or misperception, as my current experience with them is so different.


I really don't know clouds at all
In light of my experiences with clouds, I now realize that I don't truly understand or know them.


Moons and June's and Ferri's wheels
Classic symbols of romance and idealized love, representing the beauty and excitement of falling in love.


The dizzy dancing way you feel
The sensation of being swept up in the intoxicating experience of love, dizzy with the emotions and excitement it brings.


As every fairy tale comes real
The hope and expectation that love will bring about our greatest dreams and fantasies, like the happy endings of fairy tales.


But now it's just another show
The way I once viewed love has been transformed into something performative and superficial, lacking in real depth or meaning.


You leave them laughing when you go
My experience with love has now led me to often leave others feeling amused or dismissive, rather than moved or touched.


And if you care, don't let them know
If you truly care about someone or something, sometimes it's best not to reveal too much of yourself or your feelings.


Don't give yourself away
Don't reveal too much or share too deeply, as it can lead to vulnerability and potential hurt.


I've looked at love from both sides now
I have experienced love from different angles and perspectives, initially seeing it as magical and idealistic, but later as something performative and lacking in depth.


From give and take, and still somehow
From experiencing the mutual exchange of emotions and affection in a relationship, yet still feeling uncertain and unsure.


It's love's illusions I recall
I now realize that my original view of love may have been based on idealistic expectations and illusions, rather than a true understanding of the complexities and challenges of relationships.


I really don't know love at all
In light of my experiences with love, I now realize that I don't truly understand or know its many nuances and contradictions.


Tears and fears and feeling proud
A range of emotions, including sadness, anxiety, and pride, that are common in the human experience.


To say 'I love you' right out loud
The courage and vulnerability required to express deep emotions like love openly and directly.


Dreams and schemes and circus crowds
The many hopes, aspirations, and distractions that are part of living a full and varied life.


I've looked at life that way
I have viewed life through a lens of idealism and possibility, seeing the world as full of wonder and opportunity.


But now old friends are acting strange
My viewpoint on life may have shifted, leading some of my oldest friends to see me in a different or unexpected way.


They shake their heads, they say I've changed
My friends may perceive my shifting views on life as a negative or undesirable change, creating feelings of confusion and disappointment.


Well, something's lost but something's gained
While there are some things about my changing perspective on life that may feel like a loss, there are also new aspects of myself and my life that are gaining momentum and significance.


In living every day
In embracing the everyday moments of life, both the highs and the lows, and recognizing their value and significance in shaping who we are.


I've looked at life from both sides now
I have viewed life from contrasting perspectives, at times full of wonder and possibility, and at other times feeling challenging and overwhelming.


From win and lose, and still somehow
Through experiences of both triumph and failure, still experiencing a sense of uncertainty and ambiguity about what these experiences truly mean.


It's life's illusions I recall
I now realize that some of my initial views on life may have been built on illusions and misperceptions, rather than a full understanding of its complexities and challenges.


I really don't know life at all
In light of my experiences with life, I now see how much there is to learn and understand about its many shapes and forms, and how much I have yet to experience and discover.




Writer(s): JONI MITCHELL

Contributed by Bentley D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

@davidfirelight6260

And back listening:
to the beauty of his voice with all it's ...melancholic warmth...
In that voice is it all ...maybe his voice doesn't comprehend the both sides ...
but the expression comprehends forgiveness and sadness
both sides are there...
It looks like, that many times, those both sides 'll go together, isn't it?
A grasp of such things:
One of them is love and disappointment, the upside and the downside.
...or friendship and disagreement, or beauty and unhappiness, ...freedom and loneliness
...



@davidfirelight6260

Wat mij drijft om naar deze song te grijpen ...kent persoonlijke redenen. Het is levensbeschouwelijk gerelateerd...en de dood van een jonger broer versterkt dit in grote mate...gezien wij beiden dit nummer al zeer lang op handen dragen.
Ik hou enorm van de vertolking die Julio Bernardo Euson weggaf...al zo vele jaren...Maar ik ben der niet fanatiek in. Hij speelt voor mij in the "premier league". Maar ik weet een aantal andere vertolkingen evenzeer naar waarde in te schatten... En gedurende mijn leven verschoven soms accenten..waardoor andere uitvoeringen dichter bij mij kwamen te liggen. Maar naar Euson 's vertolking keer ik steeds terug...en dat is toch wel bijzonder...En ik vind het bekend maken en verspreiden van Euson's z'n vertolking een "kruistocht" waard.
De singer-songwriter Joni Mitchell dient al evenzeer(bovenal) geëerd voor dit onvergetelijk nummer. En "the match" tussen de "melody and the lyrics" is buitengewoon treffend. En daarenboven is haar vertolking uit 2000 echt bijzonder sterk:
"Begrijpen waarom wij leven ...valt niet te vatten...Wij deinen op de golfslag van liefde, hoop, verlies, verwachtingen en uiteindelijke berusting en dan ... het gelaten afwachten van wat komt...dat verandert/zal veranderen ons allen op een dag wanneer de illusies van onze oneindigheid en het -volzijn van ons eigen wezen - uit elkaar spatten...en wij het belangrijke van het onbelangrijke weten te scheiden"
En wie Joni zegt weet dat Judy Collins niet veraf kan wezen.(alleen al maar omdat ze vele jaren geleden -1967-dit nummer bekendheid gaf) (Judy hoor ik vooral graag, omwille van die kristal heldere stem van haar, en daar aan de piano in 1987 ..was ze op haar best)
Ik heb mijn lijstje van vertolkingen die zeer dicht tegen mijn ziel aanschuren. Recentelijk is "Mary Fahl "aan dit lijstje toegevoegd...Zij voelt het lied aan en brengt met die bronzen diepe stem van haar dit lied op een zeer indringende wijze.
Ik zie het beluisteren van deze vertolkingen als complementair aan elkaar...niet als concurrenten van elkaar....niet als zij die voor een gouden medaille dienen te strijden.
Er zijn der meer die dit lied zeer voortreffelijk wisten te vertolken en mij der mee bekoorden. De leeftijd der vertolkers is mede bepalend voor de gevoelens waarmee zij dit werkstuk brengen..en brachten. En hun eigenheid in de benadering van dit nummer intrigeert me.
Maar naar Euson 's vertolking keer ik met regelmaat steeds terug. Het nummer kent een ongelooflijk lieflijke uitstraling....en die uniek warme stem met dat tikje "tristesse" van hem is er niet vreemd aan...de spons der vergeving is nooit ver weg...Het blijft een beetje goddelijke grootsheid in alle eenvoud.



All comments from YouTube:

@JHors-eh3tb

Dit blijft een zeer mooi nummer, mijn moeder werkte met hem toen hij een tijdje bij de Postcheque en Girodienst werkte. Op haar begrafenis, dit jaar, was dit een mooi afscheid nummer.

@ferrymetz3609

Vertaling nederlands 3:51

@Mo-in2qu

Yesterday I received the terrible news that my stepfather passed away. He listen to this song a lot. when I was a kid. Where this song always brought back beautiful memories, it will now forever be accompanied by a tear. Rip Dad to me you were proof that love can transcend the biological.

@PaulusStoute

Wauw en zoveel keer aan het luiteren levert mij bij elke keer echt kippenvel op wat een enorme stem zoals dit nummer nog nooit is geëvenaard door wie dan ook dit heeft gezongen !

@willembauer9002

Het is natuurlijk geschreven door Joni Mitchell en haar vertolking is prachtig in al z'n ingetogen bescheidenheid, maar deze uitvoering door Euson is fenomenaal en steekt met kop en schouders boven alle andere uitvoeringen uit.

@Patsik

Vind ik ook. En hij staat niet op Spotify! Of wel? 😐

@almodomio

Si es hermosa la versión de Julio Bernardo Euson.

@wimbeek8003

Dag

@juanesimmons4664

Beautiful as ever

@loekiemorales

De mooiste uitvoering/Far most beautiful performance of 'Both Sides Now' met de warmste, prachtigste stem.

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