Blue
Joni Mitchell Lyrics

Blue
The color blue is often associated with sadness or feeling down, which sets the tone for the rest of the song.

Songs are like tattoos
Songs are indelible marks left on our psyche, like tattoos on the skin.

You know I've been to sea before
The singer has been through difficult times before, suggesting experience and resilience.

Crown and anchor me
The artist is asking to be supported and held down through difficult times like a sailor anchored at sea.

Or let me sail away
Alternatively, the artist could be asking for freedom to leave and be on their own, free from ties that bind.

Hey Blue
The singer is addressing someone or something named 'Blue,' perhaps an embodiment of their emotions or a metaphorical representation of their state of mind.

And there is a song for you
There is a song that encapsulates the feelings and emotions associated with 'Blue.'

Ink on a pin
The song is something tangible and real, like ink on a pin.

Underneath the skin
The song is something deeply personal and internal, hidden beneath the surface of the artist's emotions.

An empty space to fill in
The artist is looking for something to fill the void or emptiness inside them, perhaps through the power of music.

Well there're so many sinking
The singer is acknowledging the difficult world around them, where so many people are struggling and failing.

Now you've got to keep thinking
Despite this, the artist urges the listener to keep thinking and pushing forward, to avoid the same fate as those who are sinking.

You can make it thru these waves
The singer is offering words of encouragement, suggesting that the listener can overcome life's challenges like a sailor navigating rough waters.

Acid, booze, and ass
These vices are alluring but ultimately offer nothing substantial or meaningful.

Needles, guns, and grass
Similarly, these vices are temporary and do not lead to long-term happiness or fulfillment.

Lots of laughs
Despite the above, the artist acknowledges moments of joy and laughter.

Lots of laughs
Repetition of the above line further emphasizes this point, perhaps suggesting a longing for more moments of happiness.

Everybody's saying that hell's the hippest way to go well
The singer is calling out the dangerous trend of glorifying harmful behavior or lifestyles, such as 'living fast and dying young.'

I don't think so, but I'm
The singer does not agree with this trend, but they are open to exploring it further or observing it from a distance.

Gonna take a look around it though Blue
The artist plans to examine this trend more closely, perhaps out of curiosity or in an effort to better understand the world around them.

I love you
The artist expresses love towards 'Blue,' whether this is a person, emotion, or state of mind.

Blue
Repetition of the opening line serves as a bookend, reinforcing the theme of sadness and emotional turmoil throughout the song.

Here is a shell for you
The singer is offering a gift, a symbol of their affection or appreciation for 'Blue.'

Inside you'll hear a sigh
The shell contains a sound, perhaps representing the artist's emotional state or the feeling of the song itself.

A foggy lullaby
This sound is described as a lullaby, soothing and calming, but also 'foggy' or unclear, further emphasizing the ambiguity and complexity of the song's emotions.

There is your song from me
The song referenced earlier is revealed to be a gift, created by the singer for 'Blue.'