Both Sides Now
The Boomtang Boys Lyrics
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And ice cream castles in the air
And feathered 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've done
I've looked at clouds from both sides now
From up and down and still somehow
It's cloud's illusions I recall
I really don't know clouds at all
Moons, and tunes 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 them laughing when you go
and if you care, don't let them go
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 our friends are acting strange
They shake their heads and say I've changed
But Some things lost, and some things gained
In living everyday
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
At all'
The Boomtang Boys' song Both Sides Now is a reflective and introspective track that explores the limitations of perception and the impermanence of emotions. The opening verse details the innocence and wonder of childhood, where the clouds were not mere meteorological phenomena but sources of inspiration. The imagery of angel hair, ice cream castles, and feathered canyons creates a whimsical and dreamy atmosphere that transports the listener to a time of pure imagination. However, the following verse contrasts this idyllic past with a disillusioned present. The clouds now obstruct the sun and bring rain and snow to everyone, symbolizing the hardships and obstacles that can hinder one's aspirations. The line, "So many things I would've done, but clouds got in my way," expresses a sense of regret and frustration about unfulfilled potential.
The chorus, "I've looked at clouds from both sides now, from up and down and still somehow, it's cloud's illusions I recall, I really don't know clouds at all," encapsulates the theme of the song. The singer acknowledges that they have seen the clouds from different perspectives but still cannot fully comprehend them. The "cloud's illusions" could be interpreted to mean the illusions of life in general, where what one sees or experiences does not necessarily reflect reality. The second verse applies the same framework to love, where the singer once believed in fairy tales and magic but now sees it as a superficial performance. The final verse expands the scope to life itself, where the singer has gained and lost things but still feel uncertain about the nature of existence. The chorus repeats with the phrase "love" replaced with "life," emphasizing the interconnectedness of these themes.
Line by Line Meaning
Blows, and flows of angel hair,
Whimsical, delicate strands floating through the air.
And ice cream castles in the air
Imagining grand, fanciful things that are not grounded in reality.
And feathered canyons everywhere
Seeing beauty and wonder in nature's formations.
I've looked at clouds that way
Viewing clouds and their shapes with a sense of awe and wonder.
But now they only block the sun,
Clouds can cast shadows and make it difficult to see the beauty of the world.
They rain and snow on everyone
Clouds can bring precipitation that is not always welcome or convenient.
So many things I would've done
Clouds can hinder our plans and ambitions.
But clouds got in my way
Clouds can be seen as obstacles in life that can prevent us from seeing clearly.
I've looked at clouds from both sides now
Experiencing clouds from different perspectives and viewpoints.
From up and down and still somehow
No matter how many times we see clouds, they still seem mysterious and unpredictable.
It's cloud's illusions I recall
The way clouds can trick us into seeing things that aren't really there.
I really don't know clouds at all
Despite all our experiences with clouds, we still don't truly understand their nature.
Moons, and tunes and Ferris wheels
Romanticizing the excitement and beauty of life.
The dizzy, dancing way you feel
The feeling of being swept up in something magical and enchanting.
When every fairy tale comes real
The belief that love can make all our dreams come true.
But now it's just another show
Love can become routine or mundane over time which can make it feel ordinary.
You leave them laughing when you go
Not taking love seriously or not fully investing in it can lead to hurt feelings for others involved.
And if you care, don't let them know
Hiding one's true feelings and not being vulnerable can prevent others from understanding and connecting with us.
I've looked at love from both sides now
Experiencing love from different perspectives and viewpoints.
From win and lose and still somehow
Whether we succeed or fail in love, the experience remains complicated and puzzling.
It's love's illusions I recall
The way love can make us see things that aren't really there or make us believe in something that may not be true.
I really don't know love at all
Despite experiencing love, we still don't truly understand its nature or how to navigate it.
Tears and fears and feeling proud
The complex emotions that come with living and loving deeply.
To say I love you right out loud
The courage it takes to express our feelings openly and honestly.
Schemes and dreams and circus crowds
The chaos and unpredictability of life.
I've looked at life that way
Viewing life as a grand adventure full of twists and turns.
But now our friends are acting strange
How our changing perspectives on life can lead to shifts in relationships with others.
They shake their heads and say I've changed
Others may not understand or accept the transformations we undergo in our personal growth.
But Some things lost and some things gained
Life is a series of trade-offs and no changes come without some losses and gains.
In living every day
Embracing everyday experiences, even if they are not always grand or exciting.
I've looked at life from both sides now
Experiencing life from different perspectives and viewpoints.
From give and take, and still somehow,
Trying to maintain balance in life while navigating the ups and downs of relationships and situations.
It's life's illusions I recall
The way life can be unpredictable and uncertain, leading us to see things that may not be there.
I really don't know life at all
Despite all our experiences and attempts to understand it, life remains a mystery that we can never fully comprehend.
At all'
A final, emphatic declaration that encapsulates the song's themes of uncertainty and the human struggle to make sense of the world around us.
Contributed by Gabriella B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@trevorshubin
This song is impossible to find still - great jam!
@NevsTechBits
I have been looking for this once since 2005. Right in the feels bro.
@ctmagnus760
Beautiful! Been years since I heard this.
@gabriela.v.mitova
💖
@robertmaxa6631
I've loved this version, since I first heard it. I'm glad I found it. Thanks.
@beevee1713
Absolutely sick😃👍
@sinbadnatas
I figured that there would be more dance versions of this song. So glad you shared this with us. I was actually looking for a trance version, but this is nice.