The first studio recorded was by Judy Collins for her 1967 "Wildflowers" album. The track was released as a single in October 1968 and reached the US singles chart in December that year. Mitchell is said to have disliked Collins' recording of the song, despite the publicity that its success generated for Mitchell's own career.
Mitchell recorded her own version that features on her 1969 album "Clouds" (which was named after a lyric from the song). The song has subsequently been recorded by dozens of artists, including Frank Sinatra, Willie Nelson, Gang of Youths, and Herbie Hancock.
Both Sides Now
Judy Collins Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And feather 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 cloud's illusions I recall
Moons and Junes and Ferris wheels the dizzy dancing way you feel
When every fairy tale comes real, I've looked at love that way
But now it's just another show, you leave 'em laughin' 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 win and lose 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
Schemes and dreams 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
But something's lost but something's gained in living every day
I've looked at life from both sides now
From give and take and still somehow
It's life's illusions I recall
I really don't know life at all
In the song "Both Sides Now," Judy Collins describes her changing perspective on clouds, love, and life. In the first verse, she reminisces about looking at clouds as a child and seeing them as whimsical and magical, with angel hair and ice cream castles. However, as she got older, she realized that clouds can also be obstructive and hindering, blocking the sun and causing rain and snow. She laments that her dreams and aspirations were thwarted by these obstacles.
In the second verse, Collins contrasts her idealized view of love, where it was filled with "moons and Junes and Ferris wheels" and "every fairy tale comes real," to her present experience of it, where it is just "another show." She notes that people often put up a facade in love and advises not to give yourself away too easily. In the final verse, Collins reflects on life and how it can be both inspiring and disappointing. She acknowledges that she has changed, but also has gained a better understanding of the complexities of living every day.
Line by Line Meaning
Bows and flows of angel hair and ice cream castles in the air
The whimsical and imaginary notions of childhood
And feather canyons everywhere, I've looked at clouds that way
The beauty and wonder of observing clouds and nature as a child
But now they only block the sun, they rain and snow on everyone
Adult responsibilities and worries have taken over, leaving little room for childlike wonder
So many things I would have done, but clouds got in my way
The excuses and obstacles she has encountered along the way to achieving her goals
I've looked at clouds from both sides now
She has seen clouds as a child and as an adult
From up and down and still somehow
No matter the perspective, she still experiences the realities of life
It's cloud's illusions I recall
Memories of the idealized joys of childhood
I really don't know clouds at all
Despite her previous perceptions, she acknowledges that she does not fully understand life or the world
Moons and Junes and Ferris wheels the dizzy dancing way you feel
The intense rush of emotion and wonder when experiencing love
When every fairy tale comes real, I've looked at love that way
The idealized and romanticized view of love, like a storybook come to life
But now it's just another show, you leave 'em laughing when you go
The realization that love can be fleeting and superficial, without the depth and emotion she once envisioned
And if you care don't let them know, don't give yourself away
The fear of vulnerability and getting hurt in love
I've looked at love from both sides now
Experiencing love in both its idealized and disillusioned forms
From win and lose and still somehow
Love can bring both joy and heartache
It's love's illusions I recall
Intense and romanticized memories of love remain, despite her changed perspective
I really don't know love at all
Acknowledging that her previous notions of love were incomplete or misguided
Tears and fears and feeling proud, to say, "I love you" right out loud
The intensity of emotion that comes with expressing love openly and honestly
Schemes and dreams and circus crowds, I've looked at life that way
The excitement and thrill of ambition, mixed with the chaos and unpredictability of life
But now old friends are acting strange, they shake their heads, They say I've changed
Others have noticed her changing outlook on life
But something's lost but something's gained in living every day
Despite the changes and losses she has experienced, life still offers opportunities for growth and fulfillment
I've looked at life from both sides now
Experiencing life from the perspective of both youth and adulthood
From give and take and still somehow
Navigating the give-and-take of relationships and experiences, and still finding meaning and fulfillment
It's life's illusions I recall
The idealized and romanticized memories of youth and ambition
I really don't know life at all
Despite her insights and experiences, she acknowledges there is still much to learn and discover in life
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Joni Mitchell
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@sbl420
2 yrs ago, I was diagnosed with breast cancer, and right after that covid. 2 mos before the cancer diagnosis, my gallbladder burst. I thought it was God telling me to get my affairs in order, so I began writing and choosing music for when my day came. I love this song. It makes me cry and always has. It makes me look at every aspect of my life. My life has been hard. I had suffered a lot of loss at a very young age, battled addiction, and was in an abusive family and marriage. However, I've always prevailed because of who I am. I love hard and pray often. I am now a cancer survivor and a survor of many other things. Music has gotten me thru life, and this song just says so much about who I really am. This was the song I chose, as my farewell to life as I knew it. Love life, Ifs truly a precious gift. ❤
@Woofers617
💕💕💕
@keithforeman2180
Hang in there and lean on the lord! You're facing a brick wall, pray hard and you'll come through it unscathed! My father committed suicide while i was sleeping and the gunshot of that .38 still haunts me giving me mild PTSD! That's been over 15 years ago!
@ileensabean8765
I had breast cancer at 41. 20 years ago. Still healthy. You can do it.
@ianfoulkes2114
May you carry on and your health get better. God bless you.
@allencollins6031
SBL420 - Thank you for being be you, for if you were not you, you wouldn't have spoke those words in the comment.
@michaellewter8671
I'm 60 and I remember this song like it was yesterday.
@JohnRoberts-wk6rf
I'm 65 now and if only I could go back to those days...
@nathanielhellerstein5871
Those days are immortal within this song.
@rooky55
People get old but the songs don't. I am 71 but not when I listen to the great songs.