I was born about a year or so after this was released and there were times in the middle 70s when my dad would be listening to Joni Mitchell or CSN(Y) or Dylan or Neil Young or whoever and mom would tell me “leave your dad alone for a while”. Dad is a Vietnam vet and I think a lot of these songs grounded him and provided an outlet for his grief, fear, survivor’s guilt… whatever he might have been feeling. Mom’s been gone almost 8 years and dad is in his late 70s now. I never ask about it but he’s talked about it more with me since mom passed. I can’t imagine living through that. I’m glad that there are all these songs that can touch us and bridge our emotions. Dad could’ve lost himself in a bottle or taken that out on me and my mom. Instead, he put on a record and sat in his favorite chair. The ripple effect of the power of music cannot be underestimated.
Hi Jeff. I could not agree more. The song is one of the purest expressions of grace I've ever heard. And factoring in her age ... well ... No Words. She used them all.
I have a similar feeling about "Hello in There." Again, when I consider his age when it was penned...
SO grateful for great songwriting and the hand it keeps on my heart. (present company included.)
In the 8th grade I wound up in the choir based on my home room assignment. Totally random. Of all the songs we learned and performed, THIS is the one I remember the most. I’ve always loved this song, near and dear to my heart. Every time I hear it, I’m back in that choir, on the stage in the auditorium, performing for the Christmas jubilee. Thank you, Jeff!
I’ve loved Both Sides Now since childhood, and my younger sister and I sang it often before we knew how profound it was. Funny you should also mention You Are Not Alone in this post. The joy I felt while harmonizing with my sister all those years ago led me to commit to weekly singing lessons, starting last month. The first song I chose to learn is You Are Not Alone. My next will definitely be Both Sides Now. Thanks for the reminder! ♥️
I’m just crying. Hearing this brings me back to the mid seventies sitting on the piano bench next to my big sis singing along with her as she rehearsed for a choral concert. As time went on I played and sang it on my own. I still know all the words.
I saw Freedy open for Uncle Tupelo in Boulder, Colorado. I went to see Freedy, didn't know who Uncle Tupelo was, though I think I thought they were the same as Uncle Kracker. Freedy played his set and I was hanging out with him and the band, probably annoying the piss out of them, when Freedy leans in and says, "You should watch these guys, they're pretty good." I took the hint and headed up to the balcony to pout when the sounds of crunchy Rock 'n Roll assaulted my ears. I look down at the stage and everything stops, hangs for a beat, and then it all kicks back in, all at once, three dudes lurch at their mics at the same time, continuing the rock assault. I believe it was Chickamauga that I witnessed.
I love this song so much. I tuned into the Grammys just to hear her sing it, and her version was sooo amazing. She used the perfect melody as a reference, to let her current voice do it incredible justice, with every bit of the passing years reflected in the miraculous words and inflections. I too revel in the fact that all this yearning and wisdom came from her at that age!
Can't wait to hear what The Tweedy Show is cooking up at the lofty fireside! Seems to me it's exactly ten years from when I visited the sessions from the first Tweedy album. But I could be wrong. It's life's illusions I recall...
I do have a song that feels this way to me, Jeff, and it’s one of yours… Far, Far Away hits me in the gut every.single.time. It’s like it’s on a film reel in my head….knowing the chords and the lyrics, as if it’s in my DNA. I’m not a professional musician, but if I was, I’d request permissions to cover it. Thank you.
A song that gets you through life. I particularly like the version she did in 90’s (albums that never got the due in my opinion) which had a haunting orchestral background that gave it even more emotional resonance. Worth a listen all.
I'm about the same age as Jeff and am also grateful for that song being part of my consciousness. I've always loved it, even when I was a goofy teenager who was way into loud, guitar-driven rock from the 70's and 80's.
It's funny how at once that song is just a marvelous burst of inspiration and wisdom but also something that, in a way, only a young person could write. There's such a feeling of discovery to it.
There's also a real timeless beauty to the song that makes it every bit as powerful for Joni Mitchell to sing at 80 as when she was 22 or 23.
I loved reading this in your book and have always felt the same way about this song. It brings up so many memories for me. And Joni’s version at the Grammy’s made me weep — just gorgeous.
I was born about a year or so after this was released and there were times in the middle 70s when my dad would be listening to Joni Mitchell or CSN(Y) or Dylan or Neil Young or whoever and mom would tell me “leave your dad alone for a while”. Dad is a Vietnam vet and I think a lot of these songs grounded him and provided an outlet for his grief, fear, survivor’s guilt… whatever he might have been feeling. Mom’s been gone almost 8 years and dad is in his late 70s now. I never ask about it but he’s talked about it more with me since mom passed. I can’t imagine living through that. I’m glad that there are all these songs that can touch us and bridge our emotions. Dad could’ve lost himself in a bottle or taken that out on me and my mom. Instead, he put on a record and sat in his favorite chair. The ripple effect of the power of music cannot be underestimated.
Hi Jeff. I could not agree more. The song is one of the purest expressions of grace I've ever heard. And factoring in her age ... well ... No Words. She used them all.
I have a similar feeling about "Hello in There." Again, when I consider his age when it was penned...
SO grateful for great songwriting and the hand it keeps on my heart. (present company included.)
thanks for the reminder. ken
In the 8th grade I wound up in the choir based on my home room assignment. Totally random. Of all the songs we learned and performed, THIS is the one I remember the most. I’ve always loved this song, near and dear to my heart. Every time I hear it, I’m back in that choir, on the stage in the auditorium, performing for the Christmas jubilee. Thank you, Jeff!
I’ve loved Both Sides Now since childhood, and my younger sister and I sang it often before we knew how profound it was. Funny you should also mention You Are Not Alone in this post. The joy I felt while harmonizing with my sister all those years ago led me to commit to weekly singing lessons, starting last month. The first song I chose to learn is You Are Not Alone. My next will definitely be Both Sides Now. Thanks for the reminder! ♥️
Absolutely lovely version. Thank you for this.
“How kind of the sky to reflect our triumph.” I love this so much. I love your words.
I’m just crying. Hearing this brings me back to the mid seventies sitting on the piano bench next to my big sis singing along with her as she rehearsed for a choral concert. As time went on I played and sang it on my own. I still know all the words.
I saw Freedy open for Uncle Tupelo in Boulder, Colorado. I went to see Freedy, didn't know who Uncle Tupelo was, though I think I thought they were the same as Uncle Kracker. Freedy played his set and I was hanging out with him and the band, probably annoying the piss out of them, when Freedy leans in and says, "You should watch these guys, they're pretty good." I took the hint and headed up to the balcony to pout when the sounds of crunchy Rock 'n Roll assaulted my ears. I look down at the stage and everything stops, hangs for a beat, and then it all kicks back in, all at once, three dudes lurch at their mics at the same time, continuing the rock assault. I believe it was Chickamauga that I witnessed.
I love this song so much. I tuned into the Grammys just to hear her sing it, and her version was sooo amazing. She used the perfect melody as a reference, to let her current voice do it incredible justice, with every bit of the passing years reflected in the miraculous words and inflections. I too revel in the fact that all this yearning and wisdom came from her at that age!
Can't wait to hear what The Tweedy Show is cooking up at the lofty fireside! Seems to me it's exactly ten years from when I visited the sessions from the first Tweedy album. But I could be wrong. It's life's illusions I recall...
I do have a song that feels this way to me, Jeff, and it’s one of yours… Far, Far Away hits me in the gut every.single.time. It’s like it’s on a film reel in my head….knowing the chords and the lyrics, as if it’s in my DNA. I’m not a professional musician, but if I was, I’d request permissions to cover it. Thank you.
Great cover - love your pacing and strumming pattern. Seeing Joni and Tracy Chapman both nail their performances brought tears to my eyes.
This version is very moving.
https://open.spotify.com/track/7Fv5A20g3t75ATGMLCcNiG?si=hkb-xZ5VTSubhjoQExt-Gg
A song that gets you through life. I particularly like the version she did in 90’s (albums that never got the due in my opinion) which had a haunting orchestral background that gave it even more emotional resonance. Worth a listen all.
I'm about the same age as Jeff and am also grateful for that song being part of my consciousness. I've always loved it, even when I was a goofy teenager who was way into loud, guitar-driven rock from the 70's and 80's.
It's funny how at once that song is just a marvelous burst of inspiration and wisdom but also something that, in a way, only a young person could write. There's such a feeling of discovery to it.
There's also a real timeless beauty to the song that makes it every bit as powerful for Joni Mitchell to sing at 80 as when she was 22 or 23.
Joni Mitchill is magnificent!
Just a perfect song, and I love this cover.
I loved reading this in your book and have always felt the same way about this song. It brings up so many memories for me. And Joni’s version at the Grammy’s made me weep — just gorgeous.