Both Sides Now
Melanie C Lyrics

Rows and flows of angel hair
I used to see beauty all around me, in things like the way clouds looked fluffy and white like angel hair.

And ice cream castles in the air
My imagination used to run wild and create castles made of ice cream in the sky.

And feather canyons everywhere
I used to see valleys and hills in the clouds that looked like feathers.

I've looked at clouds that way
This is how I used to view the world, through a childlike, imaginative lens.

But now they only block the sun
But now, rather than letting in light and wonder, clouds just seem to get in the way and obscure my view of the sun.

They rain and they snow on everyone
All clouds do now is bring rain and snow, things that affect everyone.

So many things I would have done
I feel like there are so many things I wanted to do or see but couldn't because of the clouds' interference.

But clouds got in my way
The clouds have become a symbol of obstacles that have prevented me from achieving my goals and desires.

I've looked at clouds from both sides now
I have seen both the beauty and the frustration of clouds and have experienced the shift from one perspective to the other.

From up and down and still somehow
I have looked at them from different angles and viewpoints but they still present the same impediment to me.

It's cloud illusions I recall
The memory of my former, idealistic perspective on clouds is just a fleeting illusion in my mind.

I really don't know clouds at all
The truth is that I do not fully understand the purpose of clouds, nor what they represent in my life.

Moons and Junes and Ferris wheels
I used to see romance and beauty in things like the cycles of the moon, the months of the year, and the excitement of a carnival ride.

The dizzy dancing way that you feel
Those things used to make me feel giddy with excitement and anticipation.

As every fairy tale comes real
I used to believe in the magic of fairy tales and how they could become reality.

But now it's just another show
Now, those same things just seem like a theatrical performance or a pointless spectacle.

You leave 'em laughing when you go
It's easy to make people laugh and entertain them, but it feels empty and meaningless.

And if you care, don't let them know
If you deeply care about something, it's best not to show it or reveal your true feelings.

Don't give yourself away
Don't let anyone take advantage of you or know too much about the real you.

I've looked at love from both sides now
I have experienced both the highs and lows of love and have seen different perspectives on it.

From give and take and still somehow
I have been both a giver and a taker in relationships but still struggle to understand it fully.

It's love's illusions that I recall
I remember the idealistic, unrealistic side of love more than the raw, complex reality of it.

I really don't know love at all
Despite having experienced it, I still don't feel like I fully comprehend what love really is or means.

Tears and fears and feeling proud
Life is full of emotions, including sadness, anxiety, and moments of happiness and triumph.

To say "I love you" right out loud
It takes courage to express your love for someone openly and plainly.

Dreams and schemes and circus crowds
My youth was full of dreams and goals, but they were also tainted by a sense of chaos and uncertainty.

I've looked at life that way
I used to see life as a grand, dizzying adventure with endless possibilities.

Oh, but now old friends are acting strange
As I've grown older, my relationships with friends have changed and some have become distant or unrecognizable.

When they shake their heads
They seem disapproving or judgmental of the path I've taken in life.

And they tell me that I've changed
They notice that I'm not the same person I once was, or that my priorities and values have shifted.

Well, something's lost but something's gained
I may have lost certain aspects of my former self, but I've also gained new experiences and perspectives that have helped me grow.

In living every day
I am reminded that every day presents new opportunities to learn and change.

From win and lose but still somehow
I've experienced both victories and defeats but continue to learn and adapt from them.

It's life's illusions I recall
I remember past illusions and mistaken beliefs about life more than the harsh realities of it.

I really don't know life
Despite having lived for a while, I still don't fully understand what life is or its purpose.

I really don't know life at all
In the end, despite all my experiences and insights, life remains a mystery to me and I remain humble in the face of it.

It's life's illusions I recall
I cling to the illusory beliefs and perspectives about life that make it feel more familiar and manageable to me.

I really don't know life at all
Ultimately, I have to admit that I don't have all the answers, and that life remains an enigma that I will continue to explore and try to make sense of.