Conversation

The fifth line is actually "I bring him apples and cheeses"

This is clearly about wanting a man who only see's you as a friend, while you look on as his present woman mistreats him, and knowing that you could treat him so much better

oh wow I'd love to hear that.

this song is beautiful. she's such an inspiration in an age of britney and paris.

In Howard Kaylan's autobiography "Shell Shocked," he claims Joni wrote the song about fellow Turtle, Mark Volman, who was in an unhappy marriage.

I love this song. Has anyone ever heard the recording of this from the "Second Fret Sessions" album? (It's somewhat rare, but you can find it on certain file-sharing and bittorrent sites.)

That's where the "grapes and cheeses" version comes from.

It also includes an extra verse which I'd never heard before. I tried my best to transcribe it. Some of the words I wasn't sure about, so I put those in parentheses. But it doesn't change the meaning that much if they're wrong anyway. It went like this:

He’s acting (down and beaten?) And maybe it’s over now Maybe she’s finally leaving I’d like to show her (out/now) But friends are friends forever It’s so hard to change the role Laugh with him, cry together Hey friend, (it) feels so (whole?) But you keep your feelings deep inside You talk of them, you think you’ll cry Now is the wrong time But maybe, if a dozen days Are warm and right You will hear him say “I want you, baby, for such a long time”

I think it's a great verse- no idea why she left it off the Ladies of the Canyon album.