I hope I do you Justice Joni . . .
So I am not a smoker, but I have this picture in my mind of ‘me sitting down and chain smoking cigarettes (is that how they say it?) as I converse with this beautiful woman’ no doubt I would never get a word in edgewise though – I love Joni Mitchell, I have so many memories that are associated with one or another of her songs. She is deeply poetic and her lyrics are heavy with tiny details that carry so much emotional weight.
I told an old friend of mine how CALIFORNIA slays me every time and his rather detached response was that I was in love – maybe so – but when she sings
Oh it gets so lonely
When you’re walking
And the streets are full of strangers
All the news of home you read
More about the war
And the bloody changes
Oh will you take me as I am?
Will you take me as I am?
Will you?
Will you take me as I am?
Hmmm mmmmm
Take me as I am?
I can’t people (as they say) it is as if she meticulously selected her lyrics for me. She is definitely my go to person when experiencing serious life difficulties.
I have been listening to ‘A CASE OF YOU’ insistently on repeat, much to the annoyance of anyone in ear shot I imagine – not sure what it is exactly about this one but it has felt for the past few weeks as if the only thing I could possibly be doing with my time is playing Joni’s A CASE OF YOU
I remember that time you told me you said
“Love is touching souls”
Surely you touched mine
‘Cause part of you pours out of me
In these lines from time to time
Oh, you’re in my blood like holy wine
You taste so bitter and so sweet
Oh I could drink a case of you darling
And I would still be on my feet
I would still be on my feet
Iconic I tell you.
She’s as perfect as an artist can get in my books and I thank her.
As a legacy to the other artists we’ve discussed here, I usually leave you all with a suggestion of where to begin, a song, poem or movie . . . I was having trouble with which one to leave you all and then I played Shine – and the song IF off of that album haunts me as I end this.
. . . if you can fill the journey
Of the minute
With sixty seconds worth of
Wonder and delight
Then the earth is yours
And everything that’s in it
But more than that I know
You’ll be alright, you’ll be alright
‘Cause you’ve got the fight
You’ve got the insight
You’ve got the fight
You’ve got the insight
You’ve got the fight
You’ve got the insight
You’ve got the fight
You’ve got the insight
You’ve got the fight
You’ve got the insight
I read somewhere that ‘if you cannot find at least one of her songs that relates somehow to your life, then you really haven’t lived at all’ pretty sure some won’t share this same sentiment and it is okay . . i just hope you all listen and appreciate this wonderful gift and feel free to let us know what you think of her music in the comments section below.
Image Source: thestar