Mitchell began singing in small nightclubs in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, and throughout western Canada, before moving on to the nightclubs of Toronto, Ontario. She moved to the United States and began touring in 1965. Some of her original songs ("Urge for Going", "Chelsea Morning", "Both Sides, Now", "The Circle Game") were recorded by other folk singers, allowing her to sign with Reprise Records and record her debut album, Song to a Seagull, in 1968. Settling in Southern California, Mitchell helped define an era and a generation with popular songs like "Big Yellow Taxi" and "Woodstock". Her 1971 album Blue is often cited as one of the best albums of all time; it was rated the 30th best album ever made in Rolling Stone's 2003 list of the "500 Greatest Albums of All Time", rising to number 3 in the 2020 edition. In 2000, The New York Times chose Blue as one of the 25 albums that represented "turning points and pinnacles in 20th-century popular music". NPR ranked Blue number 1 on a 2017 list of Greatest Albums Made by Women.
Mitchell switched labels and began exploring more jazz-influenced melodic ideas, by way of lush pop textures, on 1974's Court and Spark, which featured the radio hits "Help Me" and "Free Man in Paris" and became her best-selling album. Mitchell's vocal range began to shift from mezzo-soprano to more of a wide-ranging contralto around 1975. Her distinctive piano and open-tuned guitar compositions also grew more harmonically and rhythmically complex as she melded jazz with rock and roll, R&B, classical music and non-Western beats. In the late 1970s, she began working with noted jazz musicians including Jaco Pastorius, Wayne Shorter, Herbie Hancock, and Pat Metheny as well as Charles Mingus, who asked her to collaborate on his final recordings. She later turned to pop and electronic music and engaged in political protest. She was awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 44th Annual Grammy Awards in 2002 and became a Kennedy Center Honoree in 2021.
Mitchell produced or co-produced most of her albums. A critic of the music industry, she quit touring and released her 17th and last album of original songs in 2007. Mitchell has designed most of her own album covers, describing herself as a "painter derailed by circumstance".
Man To Man
Joni Mitchell Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Just pleasurable sensations
Hand in hand
No far reaching plans
No, no (no, no), hand in hand
Well, I keep on trying to understand
Daylight bright
From man to man to man?
Giving my sweet love
Tasting sweet love
Real sweet love, woman to man
Sometimes it's easy
You drift with the empty gladness
Like it all belongs
Sometimes it's low down sadness
Like it's all gone so wrong
When I saw you standing there
I said to myself
Mm, here's a place
I could break down and care
I'll give him my sweet love
Taste his sweet love
Real sweet love
Woman to man
I don't like to lie
But I sure can be phony when I get scared
I stick my nose up in the air
Stoney, stoney when I get scared
When I saw you standing there
I was scared, I thought
Ooh, I hope he can care
I sure hope I can care
I hope we can really care
And share woman to man
(Woman to man to woman to man to woman to man)
'Cause I've been moving
Man to man to man to man to man
(Man to man to man to man to man)
Oh, what am I looking for?
Man to man to man to man
A lot of good guys gone through my door
Man to man to man to man
To man to man to man
Man to man to man to man
Woman to man
The lyrics of Joni Mitchell's song "Man to Man" delve into the complexity of human relationships, particularly those between men and women. The opening lines, "No demands, Just pleasurable sensations, Hand in hand, No far-reaching plans," suggest a desire for a simple, uncomplicated relationship with no pressure to conform to societal expectations or to plan for the future. The repetition of "hand in hand" emphasizes the physical connection between the two individuals, perhaps suggesting a desire for intimacy without the emotional baggage that can come with commitment.
However, the following lines reveal a deeper sadness and confusion: "How come I keep moving from man to man to man? Giving my sweet love, Tasting sweet love, Real sweet love, woman to man." The singer is grappling with the cyclic nature of her relationships, recognizing that while the physical connection is pleasurable ("Tasting sweet love, Real sweet love"), it ultimately leads her back to the same place - alone and searching for something more.
The chorus reveals the singer's hope for finding something different with the current man: "When I saw you standing there, I said to myself Mm, here's a place I could break down and care. I'll give him my sweet love, Taste his sweet love, Real sweet love, Woman to man." There is a sense of vulnerability and the possibility of real emotional connection present in these lines. Mitchell's use of the phrase "break down and care" is particularly poignant, suggesting a willingness to open oneself up emotionally to another person.
The last verse acknowledges the fear that can come with vulnerability and the desire to protect oneself ("I don't like to lie, But I sure can be phony when I get scared... Stoney, stoney when I get scared"). However, ultimately the singer is hopeful that this time things will be different, that she and the man in question can truly care for one another and share a deeper connection.
Overall, "Man to Man" is a reflection on the complexity of relationships and the desire for connection without the pain of heartbreak and disappointment. Mitchell's lyrics capture the vulnerability and fear inherent in opening oneself up to another person, as well as the hope and optimism that can be present when two people truly see and care for each other.
Line by Line Meaning
No demands
There are no expectations, requirements or conditions associated with this situation.
Just pleasurable sensations
This situation is all about experiencing happiness and joy.
Hand in hand
Both parties are equally involved and committed to this situation.
No far reaching plans
There are no long-term goals, objectives or hopes associated with this situation.
No, no (no, no), hand in hand
Both parties have come to an agreement that any future interactions will remain at this level and not progress any further.
Well, I keep on trying to understand
The singer is attempting to come to grips with a personal issue or problem.
Daylight bright
The world seems optimistic, hopeful and positive.
How come I keep moving
Despite wanting to find an answer, the artist seems to be lost or unable to navigate their situation.
From man to man to man?
The artist has experienced multiple relationships with men but has yet to find a fulfilling one.
Giving my sweet love
The artist is willing to give her love to others.
Tasting sweet love
The singer is willing to reciprocate the affection shown to her.
Real sweet love, woman to man
The artist is specifically interested in having this type of affectionate relationship with a man.
Sometimes it's easy
Not every interaction is difficult or challenging for the singer.
You drift with the empty gladness
Some experiences can feel good at the time but are ultimately unsatisfying or unfulfilling.
Like it all belongs
In some cases, a situation can feel normal or comfortable, even if it isn't perfect.
Sometimes it's low down sadness
Not every interaction is positive or uplifting for the artist.
Like it's all gone so wrong
Some experiences can be disastrous or unbearable.
When I saw you standing there
The singer is discussing a specific moment when they met someone new.
I said to myself
The singer is talking about their internal thoughts and emotions.
Mm, here's a place
The artist sees an opportunity to finally experience a fulfilling relationship.
I could break down and care
The artist is willing to open themselves up emotionally, which is a significant step for them.
I'll give him my sweet love
The artist intends to be affectionate and loving towards this specific person.
Taste his sweet love
The singer is hoping to experience love and affection from this specific person as well.
Real sweet love
The artist is looking for something genuine, not superficial.
Woman to man
The singer is clear that this interaction is between a woman and a man, which is significant for them.
I don't like to lie
The singer values honesty and transparency.
But I sure can be phony when I get scared
Despite their best intentions, the singer can struggle with being truthful when they feel threatened or overwhelmed.
I stick my nose up in the air
The artist presents a haughty or aloof demeanor as a defense mechanism.
Stoney, stoney when I get scared
The artist can come across as cold or unfeeling when they feel insecure or in danger.
I was scared, I thought
When the singer saw the new person, they initially felt fearful or unsure about what might come next.
Ooh, I hope he can care
Despite feeling scared, the singer is hopeful that the other person will be understanding, supportive and caring towards them.
I sure hope I can care
The artist also hopes that they can also be emotionally available and supportive towards the new person.
I hope we can really care
The artist is slowing opening up to the idea of having a significant, emotional relationship with someone.
And share woman to man
The artist wants to be equals in the relationship, not simply a follower or a provider.
(Woman to man to woman to man to woman to man)
The singer is reflecting on their past relationships and is hoping to break the cycle of moving from one partner to another.
'Cause I've been moving
The artist acknowledges that they have been the one transitioning from one relationship to another.
Man to man to man to man to man
The singer has only been entering relationships with men, which is becoming problematic for them.
(Man to man to man to man to man)
The singer feels stuck or limited by their current pattern of behavior.
Oh, what am I looking for?
The singer is questioning their own motivations and desires in relationships.
Man to man to man to man
The artist has been looking for a certain type of man, but has yet to find them.
A lot of good guys gone through my door
The artist has had plenty of opportunities to enter into relationships, but they have not been able to find someone who meets their standards or expectations.
To man to man to man
The singer is having trouble connecting with others on an emotional level.
Man to man to man to man
The singer is becoming disillusioned with their current relationship pattern.
Woman to man
The artist is still interested in having a relationship with a man, despite their negative experiences thus far.
Lyrics © Crazy Crow Music / Siquomb Music Publishing
Written by: Joni Mitchell
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind