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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  • +3
    General Comment

    To me, it's looking back at your life. From the way you looked at clouds as a child, your first love, and finally you whole life.

    There are always new ways to see things, and no matter how many different ways your perception changes, you still lose and gain from the experience. And sooner or later find you don't, and can't, have all the answers.

    Otteron April 10, 2005   Link

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