Both Sides Now
Mitchell Lyrics


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Rows and floes of angel hair
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 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 illusions I recall
I really don't know clouds at all

Moons and Junes and Ferris wheels
The dizzy dancing way you feel
As every fairy tale comes real
I've looked at love that way

But now it's just another show
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 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

But now old friends are acting strange
They shake their heads, they say 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

I've looked at life from both sides now
From up and down, and still somehow




It's life's illusions I recall
I really don't know life at all

Overall Meaning

The song "Both Sides Now" by Joni Mitchell talks about how our perceptions of things change over time as we grow and experience life. The first verse talks about clouds and how as a child, they were magical and whimsical, but now as an adult, they seem to only get in the way and cause problems. The second verse talks about love and how it can seem like a fairy tale as a young person, but as we grow older, we see the reality behind it, that it's not always perfect and there's always a give and take. The third verse talks about life as a whole, how we have ups and downs and it's not always what we expect it to be.


The chorus "I've looked at life from both sides now, from up and down, and still somehow, it's life's illusions I recall, I really don't know life at all" is a reflection of the singer's journey and how they've come to realize that the way we perceive things isn't always accurate, and that life is full of illusions and surprises.


Overall, "Both Sides Now" is a song that speaks to the human experience and how we grow and change over time, gaining new perspectives and insights along the way.


Line by Line Meaning

Rows and floes of angel hair
Appreciating the beauty of unconventional things


And ice cream castles in the air
Finding delight in fanciful and impractical ideas


And feather canyons everywhere
Encountering inspiring and mystical encounters in daily life


I've looked at clouds that way
Having a positive outlook on life


But now they only block the sun
Life's challenges overpowering positivity


They rain and snow on everyone
Negativity affecting everyone, regardless of their outlook


So many things I would have done
Regrets on missed opportunities


But clouds got in my way
Obstacles hindering progress


I've looked at clouds from both sides now
Seeing life from both a positive and negative perspective


From up and down, and still somehow
Despite changing perspectives, struggles still persist


It's cloud illusions I recall
Memories of happier times that were overshadowed by present struggles


I really don't know clouds at all
Uncertainty and confusion about how to deal with difficult situations


Moons and Junes and Ferris wheels
Romanticizing love and relationships


The dizzy dancing way you feel
The exhilaration of falling in love


As every fairy tale comes real
Believing in and expecting a happy ending


But now it's just another show
Realizing that love is not always as idealistic as it seems


You leave 'em laughing when you go
Putting on a facade of happiness when leaving a relationship


And if you care, don't let them know
Hiding true feelings to avoid vulnerability


Don't give yourself away
Protecting oneself from the potential pain of love


I've looked at love from both sides now
Having a realistic perspective on love from both positive and negative experiences


From give and take, and still somehow
Despite experiencing love in different ways, it remains complicated


It's love's illusions I recall
Memories of romanticized versions of love that may not be realistic


I really don't know love at all
Feeling uncertain and confused about what true, lasting love really is


Tears and fears and feeling proud
Experiencing a range of emotions throughout life


To say "I love you" right out loud
Being open and honest about one's feelings


Dreams and schemes and circus crowds
Imagining and pursuing unconventional paths in life


But now old friends are acting strange
Feeling disconnected from people who once knew you well


They shake their heads, they say I've changed
Others' perceptions of who you are may not match your own


Well something's lost, but something's gained
Change is inevitable, and while it may come at a cost, there can be personal growth


In living every day
Through the daily struggles and changes, we experience life and grow as individuals


I've looked at life from both sides now
Gaining perspective from different experiences and points of view


From win and lose and still somehow
Despite successes and failures, uncertainty remains


It's life's illusions I recall
Memories of how you thought life would be versus how it has turned out


I really don't know life at all
Acknowledging that even with all life's experiences, there's still so much to learn and understand




Lyrics © Crazy Crow Music / Siquomb Music Publishing
Written by: Joni Mitchell

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

@dunhillan8360

Rows and floes of angel hair
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 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 illusions I recall
I really don't know clouds at all

Moons and Junes and Ferris wheels
The dizzy dancing way you feel
As every fairy tale comes real
I've looked at love that way

But now it's just another show
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 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

But now old friends are acting strange
They shake their heads, they say 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

I've looked at life from both sides now
From up and down and still somehow
It's life's illusions I recall
I really don't know life at all



@ryogahibiki8399

I am drenched in tears with few questionable regrets in life... I'm only 32 yet this song made me realized how valuable is time, and that it should be spent wisely with the right people as much as possible.

I wish we can live for a thousand years. Perhaps it is long enough to understand life and its real meaning. It could be long enough to have plenty of time to heal, to forget, to forgive, to be forgiven, to love, to be love, to be reunited & to make up on our shortcomings.
It could be enough time for us to explain ourselves on why did we do it, why we couldn't do it, why did we have to do it & why did we choose to do it.

Maybe if we can live that long there will be no more words left unspoken, no questions left hanging & no feelings or emotions left completely unexpressed.

I just find our current life time way too short to understand life...

Thank you Joni



All comments from YouTube:

@tosherification

As I face the end of my life, this song means so much to me. I've tasted so much of the song in my life, but I am content. I will miss my wife and my family, but I am at peace. Thanks, Joni!

@SweetPea4EVER

I admire you

@geoffwatford9116

Respect to you bill. Emotions are not easy to grapple with especially for us blokes. Music helps us

@synapticdizorder

❤️

@msmg88

@lindawinings1064

God bless you and keep you Bill.

321 More Replies...

@elizabethrees6765

My father was diagnosed with cancer a year ago. My mother divorced him not long after. He sent me this song when he was having a rough day at radiation. He passed away a few days ago. I'm sobbing uncontrollably. I love you dad 💕

@gaylynwebb7237

Hang in there, your dad would want you to.

@mkdubose

Hugs to you... I just lost my brother. It hurts so much.

@goodyear6300

So sorry

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