It’s probably the most misunderstood track in the history of folk music. You’ve heard it. You’ve likely cried to it at a wedding or a funeral. But here’s the thing: joni mitchell clouds song—formally known as "Both Sides, Now"—wasn't written by a wizened old woman looking back on a century of regret. It was written by a 23-year-old girl on a plane.
Joni was reading Saul Bellow’s Henderson the Rain King. She looked out the window, saw the literal clouds, and started thinking about how we never really see things for what they are. We see the illusion. We see the "angel hair" and the "ice cream castles." Then we see the rain and the snow.
It’s a song about the failure of perspective.
Most people call it the joni mitchell clouds song because it appeared on her 1969 album Clouds, but the song actually lived a whole life before that. It’s a masterpiece of philosophy disguised as a catchy tune. Honestly, it’s kind of terrifying how much she understood about life before she’d even really lived it.
The 1967 Mystery: Why Joni Didn't Record It First
You’d think a songwriter would hoard their best work. Joni didn't. Judy Collins actually got her hands on it first.
In 1967, Collins released her version, and it became a massive hit. It’s baroque, it’s poppy, and it’s very "of its time." But when Joni finally put it on her own record in 1969, the vibe shifted. It wasn't just a radio hit anymore; it was a manifesto. She played it with that open-tuned guitar style that makes the instrument sound like it’s breathing.
There's this weird tension in the original recording. Her voice is high—pure soprano. She sounds like the "clouds" she’s singing about. She sounds like she's trying to convince herself that she's okay with not knowing anything.
"I've looked at clouds from both sides now," she sings. But did she? At 23?
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The irony is that the song is about the realization that you can't see both sides. You only ever see the side you're standing on. It’s a song about the limitations of being human. Basically, we’re all just guessing.
That Low, Smoky 2000 Version
If you want to understand the true weight of the joni mitchell clouds song, you have to skip ahead 31 years.
In 2000, Joni re-recorded it.
She was 56. Her voice had dropped an octave, seasoned by decades of cigarettes and reality. The arrangement was orchestral, sweeping, and heavy. When she sings those same lyrics—"I really don't know life at all"—at 56, it hits differently. It’s no longer a precocious observation from a young girl. It’s a confession.
Critics like Robert Christgau and magazines like Rolling Stone have obsessed over this transition. It’s rare to see a songwriter "grow into" their own lyrics. Usually, you write something at 20 and feel embarrassed by it at 50. Joni did the opposite. She wrote a prophecy.
The Technical Brilliance of the "Clouds" Guitar
Let’s talk about the tuning. Joni Mitchell is famous for her "weird" tunings.
She used them because her left hand was weakened by polio as a child. She couldn't do the standard bar chords that most folkies used. So, she reinvented the instrument. For "Both Sides, Now," she often used an open E tuning (E-B-E-G#-B-E) or variations of D.
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This creates a drone effect.
- It makes the song feel grounded.
- The melody floats on top of the open strings.
- There’s a sense of space—like looking at a horizon.
It’s not just a "folk song." It’s a sophisticated piece of harmonic architecture. The way the chords shift mirrors the way clouds move. They don't just change; they morph. They evaporate. One minute it’s a castle, the next it’s just vapor.
Why the Song Blew Up Again Recently
You might have seen the 2022 Newport Folk Festival footage.
Joni hadn't performed in years due to a brain aneurysm. She sat in a throne-like chair, surrounded by Brandi Carlile, Marcus Mumford, and Wynonna Judd. When she started singing "Both Sides, Now," the entire world stopped.
The joni mitchell clouds song became a viral sensation all over again. Why? Because it’s the ultimate "full circle" moment. Seeing her sing about "life's illusions" after literally fighting her way back to life was more than just a musical performance. It was a victory lap for the human spirit.
People are tired of "perfect" pop. They want something that smells like real life. They want the grit.
Common Misconceptions About the Lyrics
A lot of people think the song is cynical. They think she's saying life is a lie.
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I disagree.
If you look at the final verse, she talks about "something's lost, but something's gained in living every day." That's the core of the joni mitchell clouds song. It’s not about losing your illusions; it’s about the trade-off. You lose the "fairy tales" of youth, but you gain the "real" thing. Even if the real thing is messy and confusing, it’s yours.
- She’s not bitter.
- She’s not sad.
- She’s just honest.
The song resonates because it doesn't offer a fake happy ending. It offers a truce. You stop fighting the clouds and you just watch them.
Actionable Takeaways for Music Fans
If you’re just discovering the joni mitchell clouds song or you’ve loved it for years, there are a few ways to actually experience the depth of this track beyond just hitting play on Spotify.
- Listen to the 1969 and 2000 versions back-to-back. It’s a masterclass in how time changes the meaning of art. Pay attention to the phrasing. In the later version, she lingers on the word "know." It’s devastating.
- Read "Henderson the Rain King." Understanding the book that inspired the song gives you a glimpse into Joni's intellectual world. She wasn't just writing about her boyfriend; she was engaging with Great Literature.
- Watch the "Joni Jam" performance from 2022. Look at the faces of the musicians around her. They aren't just backup singers; they are disciples. It helps you realize the weight she carries in the industry.
- Try an open tuning. If you play guitar, tune your strings to an open chord. You’ll immediately feel why her songs have that specific "atmospheric" quality. It forces you out of your habits.
The joni mitchell clouds song isn't just a piece of 60s nostalgia. It’s a living, breathing document of what it means to grow up. It tells us that it’s okay to be confused by the world. In fact, it suggests that being confused is the only honest way to live.
Next time you're on a flight and you look out at the clouds, remember that 23-year-old girl with a book in her lap. She saw what we all see, but she had the guts to admit she didn't understand it. And in that admission, she found something beautiful.