Help Me
Joni Mitchell Lyrics
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I think I'm falling
In love again
When I get that crazy feeling, I know
I'm in trouble again
I'm in trouble
'Cause you're a rambler and a gambler
And you love your lovin'
But not like you love your freedom
Help me
I think I'm falling
In love too fast
It's got me hoping for the future
And worrying about the past
'Cause I've seen some hot hot blazes
Come down to smoke and ash
We love our lovin'
But not like we love our freedom
Didn't it feel good
We were sitting there talking
Or lying there not talking
Didn't it feel good
You dance with the lady
With the hole in her stocking
Didn't it feel good
Didn't it feel good
Help me
I think I'm falling
In love with you
Are you going to let me go there by myself
That's such a lonely thing to do
Both of us flirting around
Flirting and flirting
Hurting too
We love our lovin'
But not like we love our freedom
In Joni Mitchell's song Help Me, the singer expresses her fear of falling in love, presumably with a man who is not ready to commit to a serious relationship. She acknowledges her attraction to him despite the knowledge that he is a "rambler and a gambler" who prioritizes his freedom over his love life. She fears that she is moving too quickly and worries about what the future may hold. Nonetheless, she recalls the good times they had together, such as "sitting there talking" and "dancing with the lady with the hole in her stocking," and the feeling that came with those moments.
The song's refrain "We love our lovin' but not like we love our freedom" is a reflection on modern love in a complex society that values independence and self-expression over commitment and responsibility. It's clear that the singer desires a lasting relationship, but acknowledges that the freedom that comes with being single is something that's hard to give up.
Overall, Help Me is a poignant song that captures the difficulties of modern love. The singer is filled with desire and uncertainty as she navigates a relationship, but ultimately remembers the joys of being with someone special.
Line by Line Meaning
Help me
I need your guidance and assistance.
I think I'm falling
I'm experiencing feelings of attraction and infatuation.
In love again
I'm experiencing a romantic attachment to someone again.
When I get that crazy feeling, I know
I recognize the signs of my own emotional instability.
I'm in trouble again
I'm concerned that my feelings will cause problems.
'Cause you're a rambler and a gambler
You have a restless nature and take risks.
And a sweet-talking-ladies man
You're charming and smooth with women.
And you love your lovin'
You enjoy physical intimacy.
But not like you love your freedom
You value independence and autonomy more than romantic attachment.
I think I'm falling
My feelings of attraction are intensifying.
In love too fast
I'm worried that I'm becoming emotionally attached too quickly.
It's got me hoping for the future
I'm optimistic about the possibilities of a romantic relationship.
And worrying about the past
I'm concerned that past experiences will interfere with the present.
'Cause I've seen some hot hot blazes
I've witnessed intense emotional experiences that ended in disappointment.
Come down to smoke and ash
Those intense emotional experiences ended in destruction and loss.
We love our lovin'
We enjoy physical intimacy.
But not like we love our freedom
We value independence and autonomy more than romantic attachment.
Didn't it feel good
We enjoyed each other's company and the physical experience.
We were sitting there talking
We had a comfortable and intimate conversation.
Or lying there not talking
We were comfortable with silent physical proximity.
You dance with the lady
You enjoyed the company of a woman.
With the hole in her stocking
You appreciated the imperfections of someone you found attractive.
I think I'm falling
My feelings of attraction are intensifying.
In love with you
I'm emotionally attached to you.
Are you going to let me go there by myself
Will you support and accompany me in my emotional attachment?
That's such a lonely thing to do
It would be difficult and isolating to pursue my emotional attachment alone.
Both of us flirting around
We're both engaging in playful romantic behavior.
Flirting and flirting
We're enjoying the fun and excitement of potential romantic attachment.
Hurting too
We're also experiencing emotional pain and uncertainty.
We love our lovin'
We enjoy physical intimacy.
But not like we love our freedom
We value independence and autonomy more than romantic attachment.
Lyrics © Reservoir Media Management, Inc.
Written by: Joni Mitchell
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Knud Sandbæk Nielsen
I love your music so much. And the poetry of your songs.
Your music has made a difference to the better in my life.
I know this a cliche. But it truly has.
Your music is like a flower that never ages.
So full of wisdom and questions,
brought to life in such ekegant poetry!
Of course you'll recognise this as BS,
but I really, really do love
ALL of your music!
You are in fact the only composer
who has yet to produce a song the I don't like.
And I DO know Stevie Wonder's
and just about everyone's music.
I am the one who only
likes good music.
Thomas Greaney
Lyrics:
Help me
I think I'm falling
In love again
When I get that crazy feeling
I know I'm in trouble again
I'm in trouble
'Cause you're a rambler and a gambler
And a sweet taIking ladies man
And you love your lovin'
But not like you love your freedom
Help me
I think I'm falling
In love too fast
It's got me hoping for the future
And worrying about the past
'Cause I've seen some hot hot blazes
Come down to smoke and ash
We love our lovin'
But not like we love our freedom
Didn't it feel good
We were sitting there talking
Or lying there not talking
Didn't it feel good
You dance with the lady
With the hole in her stocking
Didn't it feel good
Didn't it feel good
Help me
I think I'm falling
In love with you
Are you going to let me go there by myself
That's such a lonely thing to do
Both of us flirting around
Flirting and flirting
Hurting too
We love our lovin'
But not like we love our freedom
Rick D.
Have I
I have not come this way to see my own shadow
I have not ventured forth to abandon my faith
I have seen all there is in the heart of the the lowlands
And now wish to find my place in the stars
Beyond the forest and the fields
Fending off subdued alarms
And our preference to weep
A mere madness for the moment
For in truth I am a Prisoner
Along my trail you see the rabble
We are infected with a wanderlust
Our poor condition won't deter
Under your imagination
With your vistas and your influence
Myself so long inside the void
To suffer loss, its own reward
I once loved the near forgotten
Whose caresses I preserved
She is soaring in your garden
And on occasion lends you words
Half world, odd light, secrets
Softly knowing
Half dreams, fragile darkness
Gently glowing
Halfway, being somewhere...
GazAce
I've loved Joni Mitchell for 40 years & I'll never stop loving her 💙
Rick Stephens
In this regard there is no help for any of us!!!
Alison McNee
Me too - 56 years !
GazAce
Female artists.. none.. ever
J Berger
Who's better?? I can't think of anyone...
Teresa Ribeiro
Same!!
Christian Goergen
This song hasn’t aged in any way. Great art.
Sunbird Falls Music
That outro is sweet! I like the whole song a lot but that part is some of the grooviest material I've heard on a Joni Mitchell song
Michael Leo
Yeah totally. Outro’s with a fade out are an art form in and of themselves.
There’s songs I’ll hear at the supermarket or wherever that I may not even like all that much but I know they have a cool outro so I’ll hang about a bit longer and listen to the whole song just to hear the outdo.
David Blackwell
Think I first heard this in 73 on my car stereo, maybe 74. Still have the Court and Spark vinyl I bought the next day! The whole album is so perfect. A beautiful lady. No voice is like hers. Total control.