Clay Aiken performed an emotional performance of the song,
Both Sides Now on Saturday evening at the convention center in Raleigh, North Carolina. The beautiful song ended the Champions Gala held by the National Inclusion Project. The song has always been a favorite of mine, so I wanted to know more about the song.
The Canadian musician,
Joni Mitchell, wrote
Both Sides Now. Mitchell recorded her debut album in 1968 and it contained many of her most beautiful and popular songs, including
Chelsea Morning, Both Sides Now, and
Woodstock. She was immediately recognized for her skill as a songwriter and then as a singer.
According to Wikipedia:
Mitchell's work is highly respected both by critics and fellow musicians. Rolling Stone magazine called her "one of the greatest songwriters ever," while Allmusic said, "When the dust settles, Joni Mitchell may stand as the most important and influential female recording artist of the late 20th century."
Rolling Stone ranked
Both Sides Now #170 on its list of the
500 Greatest Songs of All Time.
Besides Mitchell's own recording of the song, it has been recorded by many outstanding artists, including Judy Collins, Frank Sinatra, Bing Crosby, Linda Eder, and Michael Feinstein.
Clay made a comment on Saturday night about the beautiful lyrics of
Both Sides Now and encouraged the audience to listen and watch the lyrics that were signed by the talented interpreter, Mrs. Leisey.
Please take a moment and read the beautiful lyrics and then
watch the video of Clay and Mrs. Leisey performing it together.
Rows and flows of angel hair
And ice cream castles in the air
And feather canyons everywhere
I've 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
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 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 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
And they tell me that 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 I recall
I really don't know life
I really don't know life at all
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bob.muller on :
And for what it's worth, Clay did a wonderful job and along with the beautiful signing it's hard to watch the entire video and keep a dry eye. I hope he records it someday.
cherie on :
This must be one of the most beautiful songs ever written. The lyrics are like a poem and the melody is lovely. This was very touching and beautifully sung by Clay Aiken and Mrs Leisy.
musicfan123 on :
cady123: Again, I apologize for the mistake. I do try to be accurate, but must have read the source too quickly. As I said before, I have always enjoyed Joni's music, but I have never followed her recording career.
The purpose of the article was to show the beauty of the lyrics of the song, especially as they were signed by Mrs. Leisey.
As a fan of Clay Aiken, I know that I would be irritated if someone posted the wrong information about him so I do understand your frustration. However, there is not much I can do now.
cady123 on :
musicfan123: Actually Wikipedia has the correct information. Ms. Mitchell's first album, "Song to a Seagull", is listed in the discography on that page. If you click on the album title, you will see a list of the songs for that debut. And an amazing one it was. It's a beautiful album and too often overlooked, IMO.
In the sentence that you quoted, the parenthetical listing of songs stands as a separate statement regarding the debut album and alludes to songwriting credits that are distinct from "Song to a Seagull". Woodstock happened in 1969. Her debut was released in 1968. It would have been quite prescient for her to have already have written and recorded the song. She's good, but not that good. ;)
I did look at the You Tube; it was nicely sung and the signing of the song was indeed lovely.
piatims on :
What a wonderful article and video!
Thank you so much! I love reading the lyrics to the song and watching the video being signed. Very touching.
musicfan123 on :
What a surprise to find my article posted on this board. Just a couple of comments.
1. The best part of the article was seeing the deaf signing of the song. The lyrics of the song make a beautiful picture. The YouTube is a must for this article
2. I always put an active link to an article I use in my post. It is just polite to do that.
3. Besides loving Mitchell's music, I admit I did not know anything about her personally. Bob says the recordings I listed are not on the first album. If this is so, you fans need to get over to Wikipedia immediately and edit their info. The following was my source.
"In the mid-1960s she left for New York City and its rich folk music scene, recording her debut album in 1968 and achieving fame first as a songwriter ("Urge for Going", "Chelsea Morning", "Both Sides, Now", "Woodstock") and then as a singer in her own right"
Both Sides Now is an amazing song and I am so glad that so many wonderful artists have sung the song.
bob.muller on :
One glaring error - her debut album contains exactly NONE of the songs listed by the author of the article.