The Tallest Man on Earth: 'Both Sides Now' (Joni Mitchell) | Ep. 3 of The Light in Demos

"Both Sides Now" (Joni Mitchell) is the third episode of The Light in Demos, a video project produced, written, directed, recorded, shot and edited by The Tallest Man on Earth.

Performers:
Dan Park - Saxophone
CJ Carmieri - Trumpet, French Horn

Lyrics:

Rows and flows of angel hair
And ice cream castles in the air
And feather 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 cloud illusions I recall
I really don't know clouds at all

Moons and Junes and Ferris wheels
The dizzy dancing way you feel
As every fairy tale comes real
I've looked at love that way

But now it's just another show
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 I recall
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 are acting strange
They shake their heads, they say 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

I've looked at life from both sides now
From up and down and still somehow
It's life's illusions I recall
I really don't know life at all

[roganshorthair]

I traveled down to be with my Dad and sister this weekend because my Mom was passing away from medical complications. I was listening to this song on the way and it brought back a wonderful memory of my Mom. I was at my parents some years back and had shared this version of Both Sides Now...and my Mom was listening and started singing along. Growing up in the 70's, this was a very popular song played often on the radio. I had not heard this song for many years until I stumbled onto this version. I did not realize how much this song meant to my Mom. My Mom passed away that evening on the day I traveled down. I was not able to see her and say goodbye, because during the hospitalization...she had also contracted covid. It really hurts not being there with a family member when they pass away. But...I thank God that this song has given me a very special memory and moment that I shared with my Mom. Thanks for this song and upload...it has touched me and my Mom.

[tedchambers]

This is not a cover. It is an interpretation. And a stunning interpretation at that. Outstanding. And thank you.

[maitime]

My heart broke in half last year, and I listened to Joni's version on repeat, until I was out of tears. Your version feels like a healed rendition - still aching, but with hopefulness. This IS the best song - thank you for sharing.

[riverttr]

The harmonics at 1:53 through 1:59 are stunningly well-played, they're the only harmonics he plays in the song. It's goddamn gorgeous.

[wilsonissweet]

I hope Joni has heard this. It's a very beautiful version that she would no doubt appreciate.

[ItalianBoogaloo]

i think when these episodes ends i'll feel as empty as when you finish a book you love.
thank you for sharing this, really

[dmnk]

Songs don't make cliffs go away, but music is how you climb.

[boywon]

I've watched this video an unhealthy amount of times.

[brunom.caamano]

Your fingerpicking is life ingredient, Kristian. You make the world a better place. You make ours a better life. Thank you

[LuMartinelli]

In an age of big productions, tours, and business, this looks so much like freedom for a musician. I guess that is why you do it: Music for the sake of music.

[GreyOwl-Harmonica]

_So nice to hear a cover that makes you almost feel like you're hearing the song for the first time. A wonderful interpretation of a beautiful Joni song._

[EJubett]

Young Joni sang it simply all those years ago, releasing it to the World to be loved and covered. Mature Joni stood with full orchestral accompaniment backing her and reminded everyone that it is still hers and always will be.

[peterw]

You should make all of these recordings into an EP, when you're done

[holstgijs]

This song helped me in many ways, i crossed a very hard time recently in my life, my wifes had cancer at only 36 which caused storm in our lives. And somehow this song helped me to hold strong and not to colapse and keep our family united. Thank you this song was my light at the end of the tunnel.

[michaelwilliams]

You have no idea how your music has inspired me. I first saw you on NPR Tiny Desk. Since, I have seen every KEXP performance and of course I have listened to each TMOE track an uncountable number of times. I've always wanted to write music, but have stopped and started many times without success. You came into my view and I was compelled to study your music. You introduced me to alternate tunings. You have taught me a great deal about imagery and song-craft in general. I have a folder of Word Docs dissecting your songs, looking for lessons and patterns. It has given me a solid place to build my own skills and stretch my own creativity. I have even recorded an album that I am very proud of, a long-standing life goal. So, thank you. Really. You've given me more than I can repay. I am loving the series so far. Keep it up.

[brentholcomb]

Joni M is my favorite artist...I dove into her well of song and poetry at age eighteen and haven't escaped since. The well is deep and muddy... It is extremely rare that an artist does a Joni song justice. You have more than accomplished that feat here. Your respect for her is clear. The strings of your guitar, the hexagram of the heavens. Thank you for this gorgeous rendition of, yes, the greatest song ever written.

[Dss]

This is the best cover of Both Sides Now that I have ever heard. It is now my favorite version. I think what I appreciate most about it is that you let the words speak as they were meant to be spoken when they came to Joni Mitchells hand/heart. There is authenticity in this version that is not there in any other versions I have listened to.
It always seemed to me that the better, or more profound a lyric was written most singers do not really hear or understand the universality in the passage. Too often it seems singers will take a song that if left to express itself comes out like a meditation on a profound realization about some experience (Oh! This is what I thought love was but I now see - I have no idea what love means...) and turn it into some version of their own preconceived idea about what love or life might be to them personally - not universally necessarily.
Also they tend to embellish the music around the lyrics as if the lyrics and the basic music were not sufficient to understand just how meaningful the song is to the singer. Sometimes a singer uses what is otherwise a beautiful song/thought/feeling as a showcase for their own vocal prowess - showing off vocal range and gymnastics and the song is lost leaving me standing there with open hands still waiting for the gift in the song that was really stolen away.

[luke_herbz]

i'm here becuase I realized at Newport Folk Fest 2022 that this is in fact a true statement (Both Sides Now is the best song in the world)

[michaelgrabner]

Can't believe TMOE, a musician who is such a huge influence on my own musical aspirations and songwriting, is putting together such a beautiful series and actually engaging his fans in the YouTube comment section. Just surreal, thank you Kristian. I fell in love with your music when I first heard your tiny desk concert years ago and I've been a devout fan since.

[Moodybox]

Kristian! Please release these songs to Spotify, Apple Music, etc. I cannot get enough.