I love this rendition--it's a totally morbid, nihilistic spin on a classic folk song. Courtney clearly rewrote parts of the lyrics to give the song a darker edge than what Mitchell's lyrics imply.
Mitchell's original song always seemed to me to be more about reflection and coming to peace with the fact that you will never figure it all out—that life is a mystery, and you don't know it any better even after having lived it.
Hole's version is the same thematically speaking, but instead of treating it as a peaceful surrender, it's presenting it as an instance of resentment, chaos, and utter confusion. It's more about an experience of absolute terror at the moment of one's death. It's an extremely powerful cover. The stripped down chord progression and Courtney's pained vocals on it are chilling.
I love this rendition--it's a totally morbid, nihilistic spin on a classic folk song. Courtney clearly rewrote parts of the lyrics to give the song a darker edge than what Mitchell's lyrics imply.
Mitchell's original song always seemed to me to be more about reflection and coming to peace with the fact that you will never figure it all out—that life is a mystery, and you don't know it any better even after having lived it.
Hole's version is the same thematically speaking, but instead of treating it as a peaceful surrender, it's presenting it as an instance of resentment, chaos, and utter confusion. It's more about an experience of absolute terror at the moment of one's death. It's an extremely powerful cover. The stripped down chord progression and Courtney's pained vocals on it are chilling.