It’s life’s illusions I recall/
I really don’t know life at all.

Mitchell’s original recording of “Both Sides Now” and Judy Collins cover both amazing songs. “Both Sides Now” is about how two things can feel very differently to you at different times. Mitchell remembers as a young girl seeing clouds and imagining all sorts of pretty pictures inside of them and really enjoying that experience.

More recently, she looked at the clouds and it reminded her how they were blocking the sun, bringing rain, and keeping her inside when she wanted to go out. So are clouds the happy things that stir the imagination or the downer that brings the rain? Both, really. She calls this dual nature an ‘illusion’. She really doesn’t know clouds at all.

Similarly, circuses and love also seem to be this way–perhaps she doesn’t know life at all. The ability for each thing to bring us happiness or sadness causes her to believe she is not really knowing the essential nature of these things.

I prefer the vocal on the Judy Collins version but the electric piano or organ overwhelms the mix. I feel like the definitive version of this song has not been done yet. If I was a contestant in a singing show like The Voice I think this would make a good candidate for a reinterpretation.

Both Sides Now Lyrics

Rows and flows of angel hair
And ice cream castles in the air
And feather canyons every where
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’s illusions I recall
I really don’t know clouds at all

Moons and Junes and ferries wheels
The dizzy dancing way that you feel
As every fairy tale comes real
I’ve looked at love that way

But now it’s just another show
And 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 that I recall
I really don’t know love
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

Oh, but now old friends they’re acting strange
And 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

It’s life’s illusions that I recall
I really don’t know life
I really don’t know life at all

Songwriters: Joni Mitchell