Joni Mitchell’s “Both Sides Now” Lyrics Meaning

To proclaim that you’re looking at a matter “from both sides now” is another way of saying that unlike the past, currently you’re able to perceive both the good and the bad of the situation. And in the case of this song, the vocalist goes about alluding to a holistic view of the world she has developed based on experience, now being able to recognize, in a manner of speaking, that all that glitters ain’t gold. And she does so by using three examples to point out a dichotomy present in nature, so to speak.

First Example

The first is by observing clouds. Joni colorfully notes that they are in fact beautiful occurrences, taking on various shapes and forms at our imagination’s will. And she is making this observation from the perspective of someone who is actually soaring above them (i.e. in an airplane). 

Yet by the time all is said and done, she is also lamenting how, with the vocalist now being more earthbound, these same clouds “block the sun” and bring about bad weather that affects “everyone”. And in that regard and as alluded to at the end of the second, they are also meant to serve as a symbol, most simply put, of stifling depression.

Second Example

Next comes Joni’s reflections on love of the romantic variety. And once again she goes about initially noticing that being smitten is a pure thrill. But by the time the relationship climaxes, it has degenerated to the point where the two parties involved are parting ways under less-than-ideal circumstances and in a way having grown further apart than ever.

Third Example

And lastly, she speaks to love in more of a friendly, communal variety, i.e. the affection between top homeys. At first, i.e. in the past, everything is once again depicted as having been all good. But in the here and now, it’s like these selfsame friends are rather shunning the vocalist, claiming that she’s “changed” or what have you. 

And perhaps in this particular instance Joni is speaking to her come-up, i.e. associates having grown jealous of her musical success. But such is not specified and as such reads as if it is based on the general concept of people personalities shifting over time – how even the closest associations at one point may not prove so the next.

What “Both Sides Now” is all about

The ultimate conclusion all of these musings lead to is the vocalist coming to the realization that she doesn’t actually understand life “at all”. Or viewed alternatively, the singer doesn’t seem predispositioned towards trying to make sense out of depression or love lost. 

To her, such inconsistencies define the world we live in. Or viewed differently yet again, the same vehicle which may originally appear as a blessing can later deteriorate into a curse. And whereas Joni is able to recognize this fact, she doesn’t actually comprehend why such, it seems, has to be so.

Release Date of “Both Sides Now”

This is a track that Reprise Records released as part of “Clouds“, Joni Mitchell’s second album, on 1 May 1969. It is noted as being “the first hit song written by… Mitchell”. That is to say that her version did not blow up.

But earlier, in 1967, another singer, Judy Collins, was the first to actually come out with a rendition of “Both Sides Now”. And in that instance the song proved to be a notable hit. Judy’s version broke the top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100 and top 20 of the UK Singles Chart. 

To note a number of other well-known musicians – including the following have also gotten around to covering this tune:

• Frank Sinatra (1968)
• Neil Diamond (1979)
• Natalie Cole (1996)
• Herbie Hancock (2007)
• Melanie C (2012)

However, it is actually Joni Mitchell’s version (perhaps due to the fact that she actually wrote the song) which currently holds a place on Rolling Stone’s “The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time” list. And to note, Mitchell also produced her recording of this track.

Writing and Recording

Joni Mitchell had penned “Both Sides Now” circa the mid-1960s. It seems she first performed it in late 1966 (i.e. prior to Judy Collins’ dropping). Her initial inspiration to write came from a segment of a novel entitled Henderson the Rain King (1959).

Joni Mitchell got around to re-recording this tune in 2000. It was then featured on an album she dropped that same year which is also entitled Both Sides Now. And that time around, the song was certified silver in the UK. Furthermore, it also took home a 2001 Grammy Award (specifically on behalf of its arranger, Vince Mendoza) in the category of Best Arrangement, Instrumental and Vocals. 

Also to note, Collins’ original rendition won a Grammy of its own, back in 1969, being named Best Folk Performance that year.

More Covers and Popularity of “Both Sides Now”!

This song has reportedly been covered over a thousand times, thus making Joni Mitchell’s most covered piece even though, as mentioned earlier, it was not a hit for her personally. 

“Both Sides Now” has also enjoyed a pronounced presence in pop media, being featured on a number of television shows and films and even making an appearance during the opening ceremony of the 2010 Winter Olympics (which were held in Joni’s homeland of Canada).