Both Sides Now by Joni Mitchell is on my “all-time list”.    It was written in 1966 and was first covered by Judy Collins.    Joni included it on her 1969 album “Clouds.”    She has rerecorded it a number of times since and it has been covered by other artists many times.

It is a song about maturing, understanding that we need to grow to see beyond romantic images (the clouds) to see and know life and love  with greater wisdom.    She uses a series of metaphors, skillfully adapted into verse (included below).

This version of Both Sides Now was a later recording (2000), done with an orchestra and a slow tempo.    This should be on a list of a few songs played at our Celebrations of Life.

Both Sides Now

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