Song Meanings

Fog

Fog

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I've been listening to a Joni Mitchell song "Both Sides Now" for a couple of days now, only because I came across this version.



I've been pondering the meaning of this song...

Here's the lyrics:

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've 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 dancin' 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 laughin' 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
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
I've looked at life from both sides now

From up and down, and still somehow
It's life's illusions, I recall
I really don't know life at all

I want to say she sets it up and suggests that we all look things differently, such as clouds.

Then obviously goes into Love and Life

"Both Sides Now" speaks to the idea that there are a couple of ways of looking at the same thing.
 
What does this song mean?

The road is long
With a many a winding turn
That leads us to who knows where
Who knows where
But I'm strong
Strong enough to carry him
He ain't heavy, he's my brother
So on we go
His welfare is of my concern
No burden is he to bear
We'll get there
For I know
He would not encumber me
He ain't heavy, he's my brother
If I'm laden at all
I'm laden with sadness
That everyone's heart
Isn't filled with the gladness
Of love for one another
It's a long, long road
From which there is no return
While we're on the way to there
Why not share
And the load
Doesn't weigh me down at all
He ain't heavy, he's my brother
He's my brother
He ain't heavy, he's my brother
He ain't heavy, he's my brother

 
Fog said:
I've been listening to a Joni Mitchell song "Both Sides Now" for a couple of days now, only because I came across this version.



I've been pondering the meaning of this song...

Here's the lyrics:

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've 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 dancin' 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 laughin' 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
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
I've looked at life from both sides now

From up and down, and still somehow
It's life's illusions, I recall
I really don't know life at all

I want to say she sets it up and suggests that we all look things differently, such as clouds.

Then obviously goes into Love and Life

"Both Sides Now" speaks to the idea that there are a couple of ways of looking at the same thing.
Click to expand...


It reads to me like she is showing us how her perspective has changed as she aged. First verse is how as children we saw images in clouds but as she aged, like peter pan, she lost the magic. Then she goes on to describe those same changes in love and then friendship.
 
Fog said:
What does this song mean?

The road is long
With a many a winding turn
That leads us to who knows where
Who knows where
But I'm strong
Strong enough to carry him
He ain't heavy, he's my brother
So on we go
His welfare is of my concern
No burden is he to bear
We'll get there
For I know
He would not encumber me
He ain't heavy, he's my brother
If I'm laden at all
I'm laden with sadness
That everyone's heart
Isn't filled with the gladness
Of love for one another
It's a long, long road
From which there is no return
While we're on the way to there
Why not share
And the load
Doesn't weigh me down at all
He ain't heavy, he's my brother
He's my brother
He ain't heavy, he's my brother
He ain't heavy, he's my brother

Click to expand...



That one is too easy...there is nothing he won't do for his brother. The combined weight of his brother and whatever his brother has done or is dealing with, is not too much for him to carry both his brother and his brothers problems to help keep him going.
 
Last edited:
In an interview by a local DJ, Don Maclean was asked, 'what does bye bye miss american pie' mean to you.


His Answer........ "It means I don't ever have to work again"
 
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