When I started figuring out what kind of things I wanted to write about here on Substack, I told myself that I would try to resist the urge to write about 'Both Sides Now' by Joni Mitchell. Mostly because I already talk about the song with (or maybe just to) people around me at least once a week, but also because everyone's heard the song, and I didn't want to pretend to show the readers a "hidden gem" or go on and on about how good it is, when everyone already knows it. But that was before I got the idea for this Versions series ("what series?", you might think. We'll get there, I promise). After all, the whole idea came from the fact that so many versions of 'Both Sides Now' have been recorded over the years, so I obviously had to go back on that.

First, some ground rules for this series:

I will not count a cover or recording by another artist as a version (watch me break that rule later)

Live recordings only count if it's different enough from other recordings, or is very famous for some reason (i.e when I feel like it is)

I will not be held responsible for forgetting or missing a version (but please let me know in the comments, and maybe I'll include it in a post later)

Let's start from the beginning:

1. 'Both Sides Now' live at the Second Fret (1966)
Well, seems like I "felt like it" right away. I couldn't not include this version as it was probably one of the first times the song was performed live. Right away you can hear the gritty sound of her strumming on the guitar hitting the tape and the recording equipment. Within the first few seconds you just know it's going to be a performance and a recording with a lot of character. When she starts singing it's magic as always (can you already tell I'm a Joni fan?). The whole song is played quite a bit faster than later versions, but still well within what I'd consider a tempo that doesn't distract from what the song is trying to convey. Other than the faster tempo, the song goes on as we all know it, with all the verses and choruses. A great start for this iconic masterpiece.

2. 'Clouds (From Both Sides Now)' - Dave Van Ronk.
From the album 'Dave Van Ronk and the Hudson Dusters' (1967) And there it is. Rule broken. Joking aside, this is very cool.

I'm also a huge(!) Dave Van Ronk fan, so I would be crazy if I didn't write about him when I had the chance. Even if it's mostly just an excuse to ramble on about his genius (I should probably just make a dedicated post about him).

Joni is closely tied to the story behind this version, so I think it deserves a spot on the list. As explained in the book The Mayor of MacDougal Street by Elijah Wald and Dave Van Ronk, Joni showed her friend, Dave Van Ronk, a song she'd been working on. Dave loved the song and wanted to record it, which Joni let him do, even thought they disagreed on the title. Dave thought 'Clouds' would be a better fit, but Joni didn't want to change it, so Dave decided to release his version under the title 'Clouds (From Both Sides Now)'1. Joni later said that this was her favorite version of the song2. In The Mayor of MacDougal Street, Dave also mentions his decision to sing it very plainly so people could hear the lyrics clearly. Listening to it, I don't feel like it's more clear than any of Joni's versions, but still a good decision. The full band arrangement is also very tasteful, which is something I'd expect from Dave, as evident in other songs he's recorded that feature more than his voice and a guitar. Nothing overpowers his vocals and the lyrics, and everything is played in a supportive way. This really is a fantastic version of the song, and I think it's extra special because of the story behind it. A story like this is a reason a cover might make its way onto the list. The threshold is high, but this one clears it by a mile.

3. 'Both Sides Now' from the Song To A Seagull Sessions (1968?)
'Song To A Seagull' is Joni's first studio album. The title of this track, found on the compilation album 'Joni Mitchell Archives, Vol. 2: The Reprise Years (1968-1971)', suggests that it was originally intended to be on her first album, but didn't make the cut for some reason. But that's only guessing on my part. It sounds pretty much the same as the final recording. Not much else to say about it.

4. 'Both Sides Now' from the album 'Clouds' (1969)
Now we're cooking. The one we all know and love. The last track on the 'Clouds' album. I thought I would have the most to say about this one, but I guess it speaks for itself. I'll still try to reflect on what I can hear and what I experience listening to it. It feels very much like the Live at the Second Fret version, but with a perfected tempo, and of course with more clean and polished audio quality. It still contains the same spirit as the Second Fret version with only voice and guitar, and to carry itself like it does with such a minimalistic arrangement is a sure sign of greatness. It's a testament to how compelling the lyrics are. They suck you in and keep a tight grip on your attention. A song that can do that doesn't need any extra sounds or instruments to stimulate the brain and avoid boring the listener. This is the gold standard of versions of 'Both Sides Now' for a reason.