Both Sides, Now

Joni Mitchell - Both Sides, Now

from the LP "Clouds", 1969

Rows and flows of angel hair

and ice cream castles in the air

and feather canyons everywhere,

I've looked at cloud 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

weel, 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.