Words & Music by Joni Mitchell, Recorded by Judy Collins, 1968 (#8)
Intro: G Am7 Em7 Am7
G C G Gmaj7 C G
Bows and flows of angel hair, and ice cream castles in the air,
G/F# C C/B Am7 D
And feather canyons everywhere—I've looked at clouds that way.
G C G Gmaj7 C G
But now they only block the sun, they rain and snow on everyone.
G/F# C C/B Am7 D
So many things I would have done, but clouds got in the way.
G C G
I've looked at clouds from both sides now,
C G C G
From up and down, and still somehow
Gmaj7 Am7 G Em C D G
It's clouds illusions I recall; I really don't know clouds at all.
G C G Gmaj7 C G
Moons and Junes and ferris wheels, the dizzy dancing way you feel
G/F# C C/B Am7 D
When every fairy tale comes real — I've looked at love that way.
G C G Gmaj7 C G
But now it's just another show, you leave 'em laughing as you go,
G/F# C C/B Am7 D
And if you care, don't let them know, don't give yourself away.
G C G
I've looked at love from both sides now,
C G C G
From give and take, and still somehow,
Gmaj7 Am7 G Em C D G
It's love's illusions I recall; I really don't know love at all.
G C G Gmaj7 C G
Tears and fears and feeling proud to say "I love you" right out loud;
G/F# C C/B Am7 D
Dreams and schemes and circus crowds — I've looked at life that way.
G C G
But now old friends are acting strange,
G Gmaj7 C G
They shake their heads and say I've changed,
G/F# Em C C/B Am7 D
But something's lost and something's gained from living every day.
G C G
I've looked at life from both sides now,
C G C G
From win and lose, and still somehow,
Gmaj7 Am7 G Em C C/B D G
It's life's illusions I recall; I really don't know life at all.