“Both Sides Now” by Joni Mitchell is a poignant reflection on the complexities of life, love, and perception. Written in the late 1960s, the song explores how our views evolve over time, from idealized visions to disillusioned realities. Through metaphors of clouds, love, and life, Mitchell captures the essence of growing wisdom and the acknowledgment of life’s illusions.
The lyrics weave a narrative of looking at things “from both sides now,” concluding with the realization that despite gaining experience, we may never fully understand these aspects of life.
In this article, we’ll explore the message conveyed in the song’s lyrics.
“Both Sides Now” Lyrics Meaning
[Verse 1]
Rows and floes of angel hair
And ice cream castles in the air
And feather canyons everywhere
I’ve looked at clouds that way
The song begins with a poetic description of clouds as “rows and flows of angel hair,” “ice cream castles in the air,” and “feather canyons everywhere.” This verse captures a romantic and fanciful view of clouds, symbolizing an idealized perspective on life.
[Verse 2]
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
The second verse shifts to a more realistic and disillusioned view of clouds. They “only block the sun,” “rain and snow on everyone,” and “got in my way.” This reflects how reality often disrupts idealized visions, leading to frustration and missed opportunities.
[Chorus]
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
The first chorus concludes that despite looking at clouds from multiple perspectives, the speaker realizes they don’t truly understand them. This theme of limited understanding is repeated throughout the song, emphasizing the complexity of perception.
[Verse 3]
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
This verse describes love in a romantic and idyllic manner, with “moons and Junes and Ferris wheels” and the feeling that “every fairy tale comes real.” It captures the enchantment and optimism often associated with new love.
[Verse 4]
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
The fourth verse reveals a more cynical view of love, describing it as “just another show.” It advises not to reveal true feelings, suggesting that love can be superficial and fleeting.
[Chorus]
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
Similar to the first chorus, this section concludes that despite experiencing love from different angles, the speaker admits to not truly understanding it. This reflects the illusions and complexities of love.
[Verse 5]
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
This verse portrays life as filled with “tears and fears and feeling proud” and the excitement of declaring love. It also mentions “dreams and schemes and circus crowds,” capturing the vibrant and hopeful aspects of living.
[Verse 6]
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
The sixth verse notes that old friends perceive change in the speaker, indicating that life’s experiences lead to personal growth but also loss. It acknowledges that while something is gained, something is also lost in the process of living.
[Chorus]
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
The final chorus reiterates the theme of limited understanding, this time applied to life. Despite looking at life from multiple perspectives, the speaker confesses to not truly knowing it. This emphasizes the song’s overarching message about the complexity and mystery of life’s experiences.
Deeper Meaning Behind “Both Sides Now”
“Both Sides Now” by Joni Mitchell is a deeply introspective and poetic song that explores the complexities of perception and understanding. The song is structured around three main themes: clouds, love, and life, each of which the singer views from multiple perspectives, symbolized by the phrase “from both sides now”. This approach reflects the recognition of one’s own limits of knowledge and understanding, as well as the lack of control over reality. The song begins with clouds, initially seen as romantic and fanciful, but later as mere obstacles blocking the sun and causing rain and snow. This shift from idealism to realism is a recurring motif throughout the song.
The song then turns to love, which is initially portrayed through idyllic images like moonlit nights and fairgrounds, but ultimately revealed as a performance or “show” that can be unsatisfying. The singer reflects on how love’s illusions are what remain most vivid, despite the harsh realities of experience. This theme of clinging to illusions despite the disillusionment of reality is central to the song’s exploration of love. The final theme, life itself, is viewed through a similar lens of idealism versus reality. Life is seen as a series of dreams and schemes, akin to a circus, where something is lost but also gained with each passing day.
The deeper meaning of “Both Sides Now” lies in its exploration of the human experience and the inevitability of change and disillusionment. The song captures the bittersweet nature of growing older and wiser, where illusions are gradually stripped away, revealing the complexity and mystery of life. It is both a lament for lost innocence and a celebration of the wisdom gained through experience. The song’s resonance comes from its ability to evoke strong emotional responses in listeners, making it a powerful reflection of the human condition. Joni Mitchell’s own life experiences, including personal losses and transformations, are deeply intertwined with the song’s themes, adding to its emotional depth and authenticity.
Ultimately, “Both Sides Now” is a poignant reminder that life is full of contradictions and uncertainties, and that true understanding often lies in embracing these complexities rather than trying to categorize them neatly. The song’s message is one of acceptance and humility, acknowledging that despite our experiences, we may never fully grasp the essence of clouds, love, or life. This acceptance is what makes the song timeless and universally relatable, as it speaks to the shared human experience of navigating life’s challenges and illusions.
Jacob Carter is a lyricist. He created the lyrics writing course to teach people how to analyze and write lyrics. He graduated from the University of Oxford with a degree in English Literature, so he’s skilled at playing with words.
He’s also an amateur guitarist, which means he knows music and melody very well. With this background, he’s a great lyricist you can rely on to learn writing lyrics.