246/365 Songs: Both sides now – Joni Mitchell
This beautiful song is especially for Frank and Johanna in Canada who apparently tune in every day at breakfast to my songs. I missed Frank and Johanna’s wedding anniversary in August, so I asked them what they’d like me to play for them and this is what they came up with. Both sides now was written by Joni Mitchell in 1968 and featured on her 1969 Clouds album, although it was first recorded by Judy Collins a year earlier. It has been covered by many of the world’s greatest performers and was included in the soundtrack to the film Love Actually. The thing I like best about the song – other than the lyrics – is that the pedal bass stays on the tonic G flat pretty much throughout the entire song. And G flat is my favourite key!
So, Frank and Johanna, I have fond memories of perfect breakfasts in warm summer sunshine watching the squirrels in your back garden, so I hope that you enjoy tomorrow’s musical accompaniment.
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Beautiful!
Finally got to hear this beautiful song today since our computer is broken and we’ve borrowed a laptop from the university. Thanks for a wonderful interpretation. Ms. Mitchell would be as pleased as are we.