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Judi Jaeger & Bob Reid - Both Sides Now

4 Jul 2016 · 5 min

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5:06

The piece is a lyrical monologue that reinterprets Joni Mitchell’s “Both Sides Now” through original verses. The speaker reflects on three core life domains—clouds, love, and life itself—using vivid, fantastical imagery (angel hair, ice‑cream castles, fairy‑tale ferris wheels) to describe earlier, idealized perspectives. The narrator then contrasts those visions with a more jaded present, noting how clouds, love, and life have become “illusions” that block the sun or feel like a show. The refrain emphasizes having looked at each subject from “both sides now,” yet concluding with a confession of not truly understanding any of them. The tone is poetic, contemplative, and bittersweet, capturing a sense of nostalgia, disillusion, and personal change.

Chapters

Wait. Bows and flows of angel hair and ice cream castles in the air. Feathered canyons everywhere. I've looked at clouds that way. But now they only block the sun. They rain and 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 clouds' illusions I recall. I really don't know clouds. At all. Moons and dunes and Ferris wheels, the dizzy dancing way you feel when every A fairy tale comes real. I've looked at love that way. But now it's just another show. You leave them laughing when you go, but if you care, Don't let them know. Don't give yourself away. I looked at love from both sides now, from give and take, and still somehow it's love's illusions. I recall. I really don't know that 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. But now, old friend, My friends are acting strange. They shake their heads. They say I've changed. Well, something's lost and something's gained from living every day. I've looked at life from both sides now. Win and lose and still somehow, it's life's illusions I recall. I really don't know life at all. At all.