When I was a child this odd and haunting song was often heard on the radio. I didn’t know what it was called or who sang it but it was both dreamy and sad. Something about life’s illusions. What even are life’s illusions? I would ponder.
There was a carousel or was that a different song? No, it was a ‘ferris wheel’ and a ‘circus crowd’.
Young Joni by Lisa Thomson Wells
The other night, I just happened upon a television special as I flipped through the channels. The Joni Mitchell-Gershwin Award (which I would rename to Best Song Award). Hm. I was intrigued. I have fallen in love with her music as of late, especially “Case of You” which was eradicated from my Spotify playlist. Damn those political artists.
Well, I’m now forced to admit that I finally have looked at life from both sides now. And still somehow, it’s life illusions I recall. I really don’t know life, at all. It’s so true that it astounds me. It’s almost like facing your own mortality when you grasp the meaning of lyrics that were written when you were but a wee child.
“Now friends are acting strange, they shake their heads, tell me that I’ve changed. Well something’s lost but something’s gained in living everyday” Joni Mitchell
It doesn’t seem that long ago that Tom Hanks asked Meg Ryan, “Joni Mitchell–clouds illusions. Is it about clouds? Is she up in a plane?” He asks the bewildered Kathleen Kelly in “You’ve Got Mail”. The first time I saw the movie, I nodded and laughed when Tom’s character–the somewhat evil Joe Fox–asks what the famous song even means? Because I didn’t get it either.
Now, 25 years later (has it really been twenty five years since “You’ve Got Mail”!) here I am all knowing. Yup, both sides, check them out. Then I think–Is that all there is? But that’s a different song. Pardon me.
Now, I must admit that I have looked at life from both sides and still I don’t know life at all. Maybe there are more than two sides, but still, this makes me feel older and not wiser.
However, before being too hard on myself; maybe seeing life from both sides is an accomplishment?
Like both sides of the bed, both sides of the closet, both sides of the story, both sides of the couch, both sides of the page, both sides of the fence (nope haven’t really seen that), both sides of the coin, both sides of the road or simply the flip-side?
There’s two sides, and that’s for sure. Maybe what Joni is saying is you have to look at both to figure out your illusions. And yes, there are clouds up there.
Joni by Lisa Thomson Wells
Two sides of Joni herself. I have drawn two portraits of her; one is her older self and the other her younger. I am amazed at her beauty in both stages. As a young woman, she was absolute perfection. Nose, eyes, mouth proportions (unlike my sketch where her eyes are drawn too close together and her face too long :)). As an aged woman, she is still stunning with all of her lines. Her smile still lights up her face. And I have to say that I appreciate the older woman Joni Mitchell has become in a way that’s hard to define. If you haven’t seen her sing “Both Sides Now” in the winter of her life, then check it out. You will see what I mean in hearing the aged wisdom in an old tune she penned as a young woman. Quite astounding.
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Alex Jackson
June 5, 2023 at 11:29 amYou lose the rows and bows of angel hairs as you become disillusioned. Then, maybe as you come to see life as too often chaotic and painful, you develop the pragmatic perspective of something’s lost and something’s gained each day. But I’d like to think that when you realize that all of the externals are completely out of your hands, and the only thing you have control over is yourself that you can find your way back to the moons and Junes and circus crowds. My mother sang this one to us when I was a kid. Thank you.
lisa
June 5, 2023 at 4:38 pmWell said, Alex. Thanks for sharing!
Marie Kléber
April 17, 2023 at 9:14 amVery nice drawings Lisa!
I heard of Joni Mitchell a couple of years ago and I can understand that it’s only talking to us when we have a bit more experience of life.
Experience is knowing in a way, but life is changing so quickly, we can’t always keep track with it!
Have a lovely week and stay well.
xoxo
lisa
April 19, 2023 at 7:25 pmThank you, Marie! so true our experience helps us understand lyrics, songs, poems, music even more. It is changing quickly! Have a nice week, Marie. Nice to see you xo
Mabel Kwong
April 17, 2023 at 7:52 amI really like Joni Mitchell’s ‘Case of You’. Grew up hearing it on the radio and it always brings back memories. So it was a delight to hear you mention the song and that you are a fan of Joni Mitchell. Beautiful drawings of her in different seasons of life.
I like your thought there, that perhaps we should see life from both sides as an accomplishment, and both sides to everything and anything. It’s all about perspective and if we allow ourselves to be open, we can see cut through illusions – even if it is just the slightest. I think seeing and appreciating both sides comes with time. We learn and realise many things are trivial and things like compassion and self-love are so very important. Hope you are well and take care 😊
lisa
April 19, 2023 at 7:28 pmThank you, Mabel. I also love ‘Case of You’. It’s no longer on Spotify though 😛 Seeing both sides isn’t always possible but we can try. Cutting through illusions…yes, a ‘hindsight’ of sorts. So true that we learn some things are trivial…and compassion so important. Thanks for stopping over and sharing your thoughts, Mabel 🙂
Kevin
April 10, 2023 at 3:23 pmGreat post and drawings. I was much more familiar – with the young JM version — can you believe she wrote it in her early 20’s!! I hadn’t seen the 2022 performance — wow — thank you Lisa for putting the link in the post. I really enjoyed how genuinely delighted and even surprised Joni appeared when the audience cheered at key moments of the song. One moment “I really don’t know cloud’s/life/love at all” The more we “know” the more we realize how much more we “don’t know” line. The 2nd “somethings lost, but somethings gained in living every day” – the “let’s keep dancing” and embracing life – come what may. The 2022 version seems even more profound. I am cheering right along with the audience.
lisa
April 10, 2023 at 7:25 pmThank you, Kevin. Yes, I noticed that too. She was so delighted by the cheers and surprised by them. The more we know, the more we realize how much we don’t know…so true! That’s my favorite line in the song. There was a different feeling with this last version. She still has it though.
DGKaye
April 9, 2023 at 8:12 pmLoved your post and analogies, and your artwork is fabulous. I think a great likeness to Joni in both ages. I also love your header. <3
lisa
April 10, 2023 at 7:22 pmAw, thank you, Deb! Nice to see you back xo
Jeff
April 7, 2023 at 4:35 pmJoni Mitchell’s voice is angelic. I was in awe of her in elementary school. Lovely drawings.
lisa
April 8, 2023 at 11:43 amIt really is. Thank you, Jeff. Happy Easter weekend to you.
Chrys Fey
April 5, 2023 at 6:58 pmRight from the first paragraph I knew you were talking about Joni Mitchell. And I just love You’ve Got Mail. It’s one of my comfort movies. Those are amazing sketches of her, too. I’ve always loved your skill and creativity.
lisa
April 6, 2023 at 8:20 amAw. Me, too. You’ve Got Mail is definitely one of my favorites. Can’t see it too many times. I think it’s better than Sleepless in Seattle…but then again, that one is pretty great too.
Thank you so much Chrys re my art. Such a compliment!
Balroop Singh
April 5, 2023 at 9:00 amAs we grow up, we learn to see both sides… life unfolds slowly, no doubt! I have my own share of songs and situations that sound meaningful now.
Those are lovely sketches Lisa and I am intrigued by the picture you’ve shared. Wishing you all the best with Thomsonology! 🥰
lisa
April 5, 2023 at 9:59 amSo true, Balroop. Now I’m curious which songs have hit you differently as you’ve grown older and wiser 🙂 Thank you, Balroop–I always appreciate your support.
Ellen Shook
April 4, 2023 at 3:46 pmI loved reading your thoughts here and your drawings. I do remember Joni in real time because I was coming of age when this was popular. I didn’t know exactly what she meant, only that I could relate to it. Your new book title is intriguing. I grew up in a good home, but one that was centered around a fundamentalist version of Christianity, and it colored the whole of our lives. It was the reason for my many years of therapy and many relationship mistakes. If I could ask my parents if they intentionally screwed me up, they would say of course not, that they only had my best interest at heart. However, I really think trying to shape and control the little life you have brought forth should come with a license.
lisa
April 4, 2023 at 5:37 pmHi Ellen, thank you 🙂 I’m glad it wasn’t just me and Joe Fox who didn’t ‘get’ Both Sides Now Haha. The impact of being raised in a religion is definitely life long, Ellen. I’m not surprised to hear that some of your difficulties stem back to that. My father left the religion at a young age. More specifically, he was cast out as JW’s do. It formed a large part of his drive and personality.
Oh, that would be a good idea. We need licenses for many things why not to raise children? I wonder what that would look like…the handbook? 😛
Tamara
April 4, 2023 at 1:50 pmI’m really only familiar with the slower, steadier version, but people talk a lot about there being a younger, bouncier version. This video is hauntingly amazing. I’ve written about this song quite a few times. My uncle loved Joni. When he passed away last summer, his friends played him Joni on his deathbed. It’s hard to think of her as an old woman now, but also uplifting. Both sides now.
lisa
April 4, 2023 at 3:59 pmI think the original release in the 70’s was quite bouncy. Yes, her singing in that video was after her brain aneurism and she had to re-learn walking and talking again (I read but have no details on it).I’m not surprised that you’ve written about this song, too, Tamara. I love your posts that interweave song lyrics. I’m sorry for your loss, Tamara. I know that was a hard loss for you and I bet there wasn’t a dry eye at his service. I cry just listening to Joni on a given day. 😛 Both sides 😀
LA CONTESSA
April 4, 2023 at 10:41 amYES, her words have more meaning as we age that is for sure!
But tell me what is that photo up top?!!
Were you brought up in a cult?That has left me stunned………….
I now have a terrible cold/cough and am back to bed!
It’s APRIL and I have been SICK ALL YEAR!
The colonoscopy came back NEGATIVE!THANK GOD!That would have done me in……….
I DO LIKE YOUR DRAWINGS!!
XXX
lisa
April 4, 2023 at 12:44 pmHello LA CONTESSA, the photo at the top is a potential book cover for a manuscript I am working on. I was not brought up in a cult but my father was raised Jehovah Witness and there were lingering issues as a result.
Take this excerpt from their doctrine: “They (JWS) consider “human society” to be morally corrupt and under the influence of Satan, and most limit their social interaction with non-Witnesses.”
I was too young for Joni Mitchell when she was at the height of her fame. So I didn’t get her music. Now I do and love it especially Blue. Agh, I’m sorry to hear about your cold! Thank goodness the colonoscopy was A-OK.
Thanks for the thumbs up on my sketches. <3