Rows and floes of angel hair
And ice cream castles in the air
And feather canyons everywhere
Looked at clouds that way

But now they only block the sun
They rain and they 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 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 that I recall
I really don't know love
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

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 that I recall
I really don't know life
I really don't know life at all


Lyrics submitted by lemuel, edited by dave94703, vaguely, iruinsongsssss

Both Sides Now Lyrics as written by Joni Mitchell

Lyrics © Reservoir Media Management, Inc.

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Both Sides Now song meanings
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  • +7
    General Comment

    I absolutely love this song. To me, it's about how your perception changes, as life's realities shatter the optimistic illusions you have when you start out. It's a lament to be sure, but the thing I love about it, is the conclusion of optimism - "and still somehow, it's life's illusions I recall". It signifies that although you might be wiser and no longer deceived - seeing things as they truly are, it's actually the lovely illusion that sticks with you in your memory and your heart. Like the way you felt when you were a child and saw wonderful shapes in the clouds, or the dizzy feeling of falling in love. "I really don't know clouds/love/life" speaks about being wiser - the old addage is that the beginning of wisdom is when you come to understand just how much you DON'T know about things, rather than believing that you do.

    AmigoMarlzon May 28, 2008   Link

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