Help Me
Mitchell (Joni) Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I think I'm falling
In love again
When I get that crazy feeling, I know
I'm in trouble again
I'm in trouble
'Cause you're a rambler and a gambler
And you love your lovin'
But not like you love your freedom
Help me
I think I'm falling
In love too fast
It's got me hoping for the future
And worrying about the past
'Cause I've seen some hot hot blazes
Come down to smoke and ash
We love our lovin'
But not like we love our freedom
Didn't it feel good
We were sitting there talking
Or lying there not talking
Didn't it feel good
You dance with the lady
With the hole in her stocking
Didn't it feel good
Didn't it feel good
Help me
I think I'm falling
In love with you
Are you going to let me go there by myself
That's such a lonely thing to do
Both of us flirting around
Flirting and flirting
Hurting too
We love our lovin'
But not like we love our freedom
In "Help Me," Joni Mitchell sings about falling in love with someone who is a bit of a risk-taker, someone who might not be ready for a committed relationship. She notes that falling in love too quickly can lead to trouble, but also acknowledges the joy that comes with being in love. She contrasts the love of romance with the love of freedom, suggesting that to truly be happy in a relationship, both parties must be willing to balance their love for each other with their love for independence. The lyrics are introspective, with Mitchell examining her feelings and fears and seeking help from the person she loves.
One interesting fact about "Help Me" is that it was a hit single for Joni Mitchell, reaching number seven on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1974. The song appeared on her album "Court and Spark," which remains one of her most popular and acclaimed releases. Another interesting fact is that the song was covered by many other artists, including Seal, k.d. lang, and Elvis Costello. Mitchell herself recorded a new version of the song for her 2000 album "Both Sides Now."
Another fascinating aspect of "Help Me" is the way it blends different musical styles. Mitchell was known for her folk-influenced sound, but "Help Me" incorporates elements of jazz and pop as well, with a catchy chorus and a saxophone solo. The song's lyrics are also notable for their complexity, with Mitchell using vivid imagery and unusual metaphors ("dancing with the lady with the hole in her stocking") to convey her emotions.
Some critics have also noted the feminist undertones of "Help Me," with Mitchell questioning traditional gender roles and expectations in relationships. The line "flirting and flirting, hurting too" suggests that women can be just as emotionally detached as men, and that pursuing love can sometimes lead to pain and heartbreak.
Overall, "Help Me" is a rich and nuanced song that explores the joys and challenges of romantic love. Its lasting popularity is a testament to Joni Mitchell's skill as a songwriter and performer, and its themes continue to resonate with listeners today.
Chords:
Intro: Em - Em7 - Em6 - Em7 x 4
Verse:
Em Em7 Em6 Em7
Help me, I think I'm falling
Em Em7 Em6 Em7
In love again
Em Em7 Em6 Em7
When I get that crazy feeling, I know
Em Em7 Em6 Em7
I'm in trouble again
Em Em7 Em6 Em7
I'm in trouble
Chorus:
Cmaj7 Bm7 Cmaj7 Bm7
'Cause you're a rambler and a gambler
Cmaj7 Bm7 Cmaj7 Bm7
And a sweet-taIking-ladies man
Cmaj7 Bm7
And you love your lovin'
Cmaj7 Bm7
But not like you love your freedom
And so on for the rest of the song.
Line by Line Meaning
Help me
Asking for assistance
I think I'm falling
Feeling like they are becoming emotionally involved
In love again
Having romantic feelings for someone
When I get that crazy feeling, I know
Recognizing the signs of being in love
I'm in trouble again
Knowing that falling in love can be risky
I'm in trouble
Feeling like they might get hurt
'Cause you're a rambler and a gambler
Describing the person they are falling in love with
And a sweet-taIking-ladies man
Describing the person they are falling in love with
And you love your lovin'
Describing the person they are falling in love with
But not like you love your freedom
Describing the person they are falling in love with
Help me
Asking for assistance
I think I'm falling
Feeling like they are becoming emotionally involved
In love too fast
Feeling like their emotions are developing too quickly
It's got me hoping for the future
Thinking about what might come next
And worrying about the past
Concerned about previous experiences
'Cause I've seen some hot hot blazes
Recounting past experiences
Come down to smoke and ash
Expressing the negative outcomes of some past experiences
We love our lovin'
Stating a universal truth about love
But not like we love our freedom
Stating a universal truth about priorities
Didn't it feel good
Recalling a pleasant experience
We were sitting there talking
Recalling a specific experience
Or lying there not talking
Recalling a specific experience
Didn't it feel good
Recalling a pleasant experience
You dance with the lady
Recalling a specific experience
With the hole in her stocking
Describing the lady they danced with
Didn't it feel good
Recalling a pleasant experience
Didn't it feel good
Recalling a pleasant experience
Help me
Asking for assistance
I think I'm falling
Feeling like they are becoming emotionally involved
In love with you
Realizing they are falling in love with this person
Are you going to let me go there by myself
Asking if the other person is going to be there for them
That's such a lonely thing to do
Expressing fear of being alone in their emotions
Both of us flirting around
Acknowledging that they are both showing romantic interest
Flirting and flirting
Repetitive enforcement of that acknowledgement
Hurting too
Acknowledging that there might be negative emotions as well
We love our lovin'
Stating a universal truth about love
But not like we love our freedom
Stating a universal truth about priorities
Lyrics © Songtrust Ave, RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Joni Mitchell
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Knud Sandbæk Nielsen
I love your music so much. And the poetry of your songs.
Your music has made a difference to the better in my life.
I know this a cliche. But it truly has.
Your music is like a flower that never ages.
So full of wisdom and questions,
brought to life in such ekegant poetry!
Of course you'll recognise this as BS,
but I really, really do love
ALL of your music!
You are in fact the only composer
who has yet to produce a song the I don't like.
And I DO know Stevie Wonder's
and just about everyone's music.
I am the one who only
likes good music.
Thomas Greaney
Lyrics:
Help me
I think I'm falling
In love again
When I get that crazy feeling
I know I'm in trouble again
I'm in trouble
'Cause you're a rambler and a gambler
And a sweet taIking ladies man
And you love your lovin'
But not like you love your freedom
Help me
I think I'm falling
In love too fast
It's got me hoping for the future
And worrying about the past
'Cause I've seen some hot hot blazes
Come down to smoke and ash
We love our lovin'
But not like we love our freedom
Didn't it feel good
We were sitting there talking
Or lying there not talking
Didn't it feel good
You dance with the lady
With the hole in her stocking
Didn't it feel good
Didn't it feel good
Help me
I think I'm falling
In love with you
Are you going to let me go there by myself
That's such a lonely thing to do
Both of us flirting around
Flirting and flirting
Hurting too
We love our lovin'
But not like we love our freedom
Rick D.
Have I
I have not come this way to see my own shadow
I have not ventured forth to abandon my faith
I have seen all there is in the heart of the the lowlands
And now wish to find my place in the stars
Beyond the forest and the fields
Fending off subdued alarms
And our preference to weep
A mere madness for the moment
For in truth I am a Prisoner
Along my trail you see the rabble
We are infected with a wanderlust
Our poor condition won't deter
Under your imagination
With your vistas and your influence
Myself so long inside the void
To suffer loss, its own reward
I once loved the near forgotten
Whose caresses I preserved
She is soaring in your garden
And on occasion lends you words
Half world, odd light, secrets
Softly knowing
Half dreams, fragile darkness
Gently glowing
Halfway, being somewhere...
GazAce
I've loved Joni Mitchell for 40 years & I'll never stop loving her 💙
Rick Stephens
In this regard there is no help for any of us!!!
Alison McNee
Me too - 56 years !
GazAce
Female artists.. none.. ever
J Berger
Who's better?? I can't think of anyone...
Teresa Ribeiro
Same!!
Christian Goergen
This song hasn’t aged in any way. Great art.
Sunbird Falls Music
That outro is sweet! I like the whole song a lot but that part is some of the grooviest material I've heard on a Joni Mitchell song
Michael Leo
Yeah totally. Outro’s with a fade out are an art form in and of themselves.
There’s songs I’ll hear at the supermarket or wherever that I may not even like all that much but I know they have a cool outro so I’ll hang about a bit longer and listen to the whole song just to hear the outdo.
David Blackwell
Think I first heard this in 73 on my car stereo, maybe 74. Still have the Court and Spark vinyl I bought the next day! The whole album is so perfect. A beautiful lady. No voice is like hers. Total control.