But now it’s just another show
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And you leave ’em laughing when you go
And if you care, don’t let them know
Don’t give yourself away
– Lyrics from Both Sides Now
It’s a few ticks of the big hand before I mark 24 hours of sitting still, in pure awe and amazement, causing a spine-tingling, every neck hair standing at attention, a lump in my throat. Afraid to openly weep because the emotion, ironically, genuinely inspired by such a rare musical perforation would cause involuntary reactions – taking away from experience every note, word, harmony, and so much more.
Only Joni Mitchell, dare I even ponder, could evoke such praise.
She did.
At Sunday evening’s Grammys, Mitchell, sitting in a gold throne-like chair, sang her iconic song – a tune she has sung countless times, including a memorable rendition with the London Symphony Orchestra – she first released with Judy Collins 55 years ago: Both Sides Now.
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We’ve heard it. Countless times. And we take heed of its meaning – of learning to accept what happens in life with that one thing we all have to use to our advantage – love. But we don’t keep that same deep meaning each time its somber melody is within a mere earshot.
Yet, Sunday was beyond powerful.
At 80, Mitchell’s spot-on nonchalant performance was that of a wise grandmother, decades of countless experiences, talking to her grandchildren, hoping her words struck them in some way, lending hope her message assisted them as they saunter through their earthly stroll.
Mitchell’s band members were of the vintage of two generations, hanging on every word – silently tucking them in a safe place of their auditory jukebox, ready to be played on an instant’s notice.
She wasn’t wailing or preaching.
Just calmly sharing.
It was Mitchell’s first Grammy Award performance. A recent brain aneurysm challenged her to relearn walking and talking.
Accepted. And met head on.
My Canadian patriotism was high. Mitchell is a Canadian and her artistry of poems, paintings and music are among this country’s most precious gifts.
There’s nothing better than seeing talented Canadians win on the world stage – or the #GRAMMYs stage. To all of the Canadian nominees and winners at yesterday’s ceremony: Congratulations! And to @JoniMitchell and @CelineDion: We’ll never stop rooting for you.
I will never forget the evening February 5, 2024 for the experience and emotions it effortlessly produced. And while I have the Youtube link nestled in my trusted browser’s bookmarks, I strongly suspect I’ll be viewing it frequently.
It will, however, never replace seeing Mitchell in her traditional beret and blonde braids, singing her anthem.
Near the end of Both Sides Now, we hear the singer say “I really don’t know life at all.”
Interesting. I would venture to say all of us feel that way – or, have at one point, have felt that.
Mitchell, through her profound lyric, allows us to admit it’s OK that we haven’t figured everything out.
That’s why Sunday was so meaningful to me.
It taught me a lesson – that it’s OK not to have answers.
But the gift of music and words ignites our imaginations to keep asking questions.
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