Both Sides Now
Jeanette Lindstrom & Steve Dobrogosz Lyrics

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Rows and floes of angel hair
And ice cream castles in the air
And feather canyons evrywhere
Ive looked at clouds that way

But now they only block the sun
They rain and snow on evryone
So many things I would have done

But clouds got in my way
Ive looked at clouds from both sides now
From up and down, and still somehow
It′s cloud illusions I recall
I really dont know clouds at all

Moons and junes and ferris wheels
The dizzy dancing way you feel
As evry fairy tale comes real
Ive looked at love that way

But now its just another show
You leave em laughing when you go
And if you care, dont 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 loves illusions I recall
I really dont 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 Ive changed
Well somethings lost, but somethings gained
In living evry day

I′ve looked at life from both sides now
From win and lose and still somehow
It′s lifes illusions I recall
I really dont know life at all
Ive looked at life from both sides now
From up and down, and still somehow

It's lifes illusions I recall
I really dont know life at all

Overall Meaning

The song Both Sides Now by Jeanette Lindström & Steve Dobrogosz is a reflection on the different perspectives one can have on life, love, and even the clouds. The opening lines about "angel hair" and "ice cream castles" represent the innocent and whimsical way one can view the world in their youth, while "feather canyons" may symbolize the lightness and freedom of that time. However, as the singer grows older, they now see the clouds as things that get in their way and block out the sunshine. This shift in perspective mirrors the way that adulthood often brings with it a realization of the difficulties and challenges of life.

The second verse explores a similar shift in perspective with love. The initial view of love as something magical and miraculous is followed by the realization that it's sometimes just a show or a game. The idea of not giving yourself away may indicate a sense of emotional protection that comes with time and experience. The final verse speaks to the broader concept of life, with the singer reflecting on how some things are gained and others are lost as time goes on. The line "somethings lost, but somethings gained" suggests that although the singer has become more aware of the complexities of life, they have also gained wisdom and experience.

Line by Line Meaning

Rows and floes of angel hair
I've seen the delicate beauty of clouds, as they resemble light strands of hair.

And ice cream castles in the air
I've imagined extravagant, imaginary castles that float in the sky like clouds.

And feather canyons evrywhere
I've envisioned puffy canyons composed of feathers, lining the sky.

Ive looked at clouds that way
I've viewed clouds as wondrous and magical, and not just ordinary weather patterns.

But now they only block the sun
Now, clouds are simply an obstruction to the sun, blocking out its light.

They rain and snow on evryone
Clouds can bring about rain and snow, affecting everyone beneath them.

So many things I would have done
There are many things I would have accomplished, but clouds halt my plans.

But clouds got in my way
Clouds have physically impeded my actions and thwarted my goals.

Ive looked at clouds from both sides now
I've seen clouds from different perspectives, including above and below, and experienced a range of emotions towards them.

From up and down, and still somehow
Regardless of how I've viewed clouds, it seems their nature and impact are not easily understood.

It′s cloud illusions I recall
I recall the fantastical illusions and images that clouds can instill in one's mind.

I really dont know clouds at all
Despite having observed clouds from diverse perspectives, I still feel like I don't fully comprehend them.

Moons and junes and ferris wheels
I've seen the beauty in the whimsical quality of different cycles and experiences, such as the phases of the moon, the seasons, and carnival rides.

The dizzy dancing way you feel
The way one can get caught up in feelings of euphoria is akin to enjoying a playful dance.

As evry fairy tale comes real
I've anticipated real-life events and situations to mirror the magical moments that are present in fairy tales.

But now its just another show
However, what was once enchanting is now just a mundane act, devoid of any magic.

You leave em laughing when you go
When you lose the whimsy and fascination with love or a relationship, it may appear as entertainment to others.

And if you care, dont let them know
If you truly care about someone, it's not wise to reveal your feelings to them.

Don't give yourself away
Do not let others manipulate your emotions or thoughts.

I′ve looked at love from both sides now
I've experienced love from both positive and negative viewpoints and understand the complexities of the emotion.

From give and take, and still somehow
Even though love involves sacrifice and compromise, it's still a challenge to fully comprehend.

It's loves illusions I recall
I look back on the illusions and expectations that came with love, rather than the reality of it.

I really dont know love at all
Despite having experienced love from different angles, I still don't have a complete understanding of it.

Tears and fears and feeling proud
I've felt a range of emotions, including sadness, fear, and pride.

To say I love you right out loud
I've found it empowering to express love vocally and in a straightforward manner.

Dreams and schemes and circus crowds
I've been moved by the desires, visions, and faces of people hoping to achieve their goals.

But now old friends are acting strange
As I mature, I've noticed that my relationships with friends have changed or become distant.

They shake their heads, they say Ive changed
Friends and family may notice changes in me and express concern or criticism.

Well somethings lost, but somethings gained
While there have been losses, there have also been gains and positive experiences in my life.

In living evry day
By living and experiencing each day, I am able to grow and learn from all that life has to offer.

From win and lose and still somehow
Having won and lost experiences in life, I still have difficulty fully comprehending it all.

It's lifes illusions I recall
I remember the expectations and fantasies that life can offer, rather than the reality of it.

I really dont know life at all
Despite having lived and gained wisdom, it still feels like I don't fully understand the complexities of life.

Ive looked at life from both sides now
Having experienced a range of events and emotions, I have viewed life from different angles and perspectives.

From up and down, and still somehow
Despite having experienced life from different viewpoints, it still feels like something is missing or unexplainable.

It's lifes illusions I recall
Again, I remember the myths and illusions associated with life, even though the reality can be quite different.

I really dont know life at all
Despite all of my experiences, understanding the intricacies of life is still a challenge.

Writer(s): Joni Mitchell

Contributed by James A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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