Mindy’s debut album, The Sum of All Grace, is the sublime result of this desire. It brings together Mindy’s ethereal voice, rich piano accompaniment and soul-searching lyrics. Such a combination makes this album unlike any other on the market.
Since childhood, Mindy has seen the world through curious, determined eyes. The eclectic entourage of musical influences surrounding her only fed her free spirit.
Raised on the north coast of California, Mindy recalls her grade school music hours with Mr. Lindsay, and the marimba, drums, and flute she played in the school band. She was surrounded by the music of Native American pow-wows and blue grass bands, the Jewish fiddle of her fourth-grade teacher, and her mom singing the classics from the 20s and 30s—even the lullabies from her older sister at bedtime. These are the memories Mindy claims to be the essence of the music she creates.
“There was always music,” Mindy says. “But there was little formal training or discipline.”
Mindy and her family moved to Spain when she was 13. This is where she first began to sing and perform. It also offered the introduction to yet another musical influence.
“Oh, the impact of Spanish music!” Mindy says. “Spaniards are not timid singers. They praise God when they sing and I’ve always wanted to adopt that passion.”
Passion is exactly what drives Mindy’s life. After returning from Spain, she realized she wanted to be serious about music. She dedicated herself to voice lessons and auditioned for every performing opportunity. She always made it to call backs and final heats – but never quite got the part. However, coming so close every time only fed the fire inside.
“A persistent force continued to draw me towards music.” Mindy says. “I learned that my free little spirit had to come down from the clouds for a while and be disciplined in order to handle the competition.”
Mindy had her first breakthrough when she was accepted into Brigham Young University’s School of Music, something she calls “a miracle.” And in September 2002, acclaimed producer and composer Kenneth Cope discovered her at a songwriter’s workshop. Impressed by the depth of her songwriting and the emotion in her voice, Cope offered to produce Mindy’s first album and immediately began to mentor her.
“Kenneth helped me find my voice,” Mindy says. “He taught me how to sing with my soul—to really spill my guts out. I would take him songs every week and he would bring them to life.”
Since that day at the songwriter’s workshop, The Sum of All Grace unfolded . . . in more ways than one. Mindy was named Best New Artist of the Year in 2005 by the Faith Centered Music Association while her album won Best Inspirational Album of the Year. She has recorded on a number of additional projects including Stand in the Light and A More Excellent Way, the 2004 and 2005 Especially for Youth albums for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and most recently was a featured soloist on A Child’s Prayer – Primary Songs for Bedtime, an album which quickly gathered an underground following among young adults and college students for its artistic approach to lullabies.
A highlight of Mindy’s career took place in 2005 when she recorded the song “Emma” under the direction of award-winning producer, Jason Deere on the best-selling album Joseph: A Nashville Tribute. The song won Best Inspirational Recording of the Year at the Faith Centered Music Association’s 2006 Pearl Awards. She performs regularly with Deere and Diamond Rio keyboardist, Dan Truman performing the album for sell-out audiences across the United States. With another solo album planned for 2007, Mindy is quickly becoming an established influence in inspirational music.
“I really believe once I showed God that I was ready to work hard that He showed me the opportunities,” Mindy says. “I don’t completely view this as my music. I am simply the servant.”
Both Sides Now
Mindy Gledhill Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And ice cream castles in the air
And feather canyons everywhere
I've looked at clouds that way
But now they only block the sun
They rain and they snow on everyone
So many things I would have done
But clouds got in my way
From up and down, and still somehow
It's cloud illusions I recall
I really don't know clouds at all
Moons and Junes and Ferris wheels
The dizzy dancing way that you feel
As every fairy tale comes real
I've looked at love that way
But now it's just another show
And you leave 'em laughing 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 give and take, and still somehow
It's love's illusions I recall
I really don't know love
Really don't know love at all
Tears and fears and feeling proud
To say "I love you" right out loud
Dreams and schemes and circus crowds
I've looked at life that way
Oh but now old friends they're acting strange
And they shake their heads
And they tell me that I've changed
Well something's lost but something's gained
In living every day
I've looked at life from both sides now
From win and lose and still somehow
It's life's illusions I recall
I really don't know life at all
It's life's illusions I recall
I really don't know life
I really don't know life at all
Both Sides Now
Both Sides Now
In Mindy Gledhill's "Both Sides Now," the artist reflects on the changes she has experienced in her life and how her perceptions of love, life, and beauty have shifted over time. The first verse describes the artist's youthful view of the world as filled with beauty and wonder. She looked at clouds with awe and saw angel hair, ice cream castles, and feather canyons. However, as she has grown older, she sees those same clouds as a hindrance to her goals, blocking the sun and raining on everyone. This shift in perspective is a reflection of the artist's maturation and the realization that life is not always idyllic.
In the second verse, Gledhill reflects on her changing view of love. At first, love was magical and felt like living in a fairy tale. However, she now sees love as just another show, an illusion that can be easily shattered. She emphasizes the importance of caring for someone but not giving too much away and allowing them to take advantage of you. Love, like life, is not always clear and straightforward.
In the final verse, Gledhill explores her changing view of life. She used to see life as a circus full of dreams, schemes, and crowds. However, her old friends tell her she has changed and she is feeling a mix of emotions - something is lost but something is also gained. Through living every day, she realizes that life is full of illusions, and she admits that she really doesn't know life at all. Overall, "Both Sides Now" is a reflection on the complexities of growing up and seeing the world through different lenses.
Line by Line Meaning
Rows and flows of angel hair
Beautiful, flowing things like angel hair that create a serene, picturesque environment.
And ice cream castles in the air
Similar to the first line, referencing a dreamy, imaginative world where things like castles made of ice cream could exist.
And feather canyons everywhere
More imagery of a picturesque world full of beauty and wonder.
I've looked at clouds that way
The artist used to look at the world with wonder and awe, like a child, where everything was full of limitless possibilities.
But now they only block the sun
However, now the artist sees clouds as something that prevents them from experiencing the beauty and warmth of the sun.
They rain and they snow on everyone
Clouds can also bring about negative emotions like rain and snow that can affect everyone's mood.
So many things I would have done
The singer regrets missed opportunities that they would have taken if they weren't held back.
But clouds got in my way
And they attribute their missed opportunities to the clouds that got in their way, either literally or metaphorically.
I've looked at clouds from both sides now
The artist has come to understand clouds from different perspectives.
From up and down, and still somehow
They have flown above and below clouds, and still can't fully grasp their essence.
It's cloud illusions I recall
When looking back at clouds, the singer realizes they were clouded by illusions and a lack of understanding.
I really don't know clouds at all
Ultimately, the artist admits they don't truly understand clouds and are still searching for answers.
Moons and Junes and Ferris wheels
Other whimsical, romanticized aspects of life, such as moonlit nights, young love, and Ferris wheels.
The dizzy dancing way that you feel
The way you feel in moments of excitement and joy, feeling dizzy and almost euphoric.
As every fairy tale comes real
The idea that everything comes true like it does in fairy tales, where dreams and wishes become reality.
I've looked at love that way
The artist used to view love through this lens of idealization and romanticism.
But now it's just another show
However, they now see love as a facade, something that is put on as a show rather than a genuine connection.
And you leave 'em laughing when you go
The singer feels like they have to put on a show to be accepted, but don't want to leave people feeling hurt or deceived.
And if you care, don't let them know
The singer advises others not to show their true feelings and vulnerabilities, as it could lead to pain and disappointment.
Don't give yourself away
They caution against giving too much of themselves away, as it places them at risk of being hurt.
I've looked at love from both sides now
The artist has come to understand love from different perspectives.
From give and take, and still somehow
They have experienced love's ups and downs, and are still searching for a greater truth.
It's love's illusions I recall
Looking back, they realize that many of their ideas about love were nothing more than illusions and misconceptions.
I really don't know love
Ultimately, the artist admits they don't truly understand love and are still searching for answers.
Really don't know love at all
And they believe that they may never fully understand love.
Tears and fears and feeling proud
A variety of emotions that come with living life to its fullest, including sadness, fear, and pride.
To say "I love you" right out loud
One of life's greatest moments, the confession of love, being said out loud.
Dreams and schemes and circus crowds
The aspirations and plans that drive us, as well as the people we surround ourselves with.
I've looked at life that way
The artist used to view life as full of limitless opportunities and wonder.
Oh but now old friends they're acting strange
However, as the singer has grown older, they've noticed that their old friends are becoming different and distant.
And they shake their heads
Their friends seem to have trouble understanding their perspective or direction in life.
And they tell me that I've changed
Friends tell them that they've changed, likely due to the artist's evolving perspective on life.
Well something's lost but something's gained
The artist feels that they've lost something by changing, but have also gained something new in their perspective and understanding of life.
In living every day
Every day, the artist is constantly learning and growing, and this change is just a part of the process.
I've looked at life from both sides now
The singer has come to understand life from different perspectives.
From win and lose and still somehow
They've experienced both winning and losing, and understand that each outcome can offer valuable lessons.
It's life's illusions I recall
Looking back at past experiences, the singer realizes that their perspective was clouded by illusions and a lack of understanding.
I really don't know life at all
Ultimately, the singer admits they don't truly understand life and are still searching for answers.
Both Sides Now
The repeated refrain, indicating the singer's continued search for greater understanding and enlightenment.
Writer(s): JONI MITCHELL
Contributed by Dominic M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.