Both Sides Now: Words & Music: Joni Mitchell. Arranged: Roger Emerson.

‘Both Sides Now’ has become one of Canadian singer-songwriter Joni Mitchell’s best known songs. Her inspiration for writing the song, in her twenties, came from the book ‘Henderson the Rain King’, a 1959 novel by Saul Bellow. Early in the book Henderson is on his way to Africa and looks out from the plane at the clouds below. Joni, reading this passage on a plane herself, looked down at the clouds and immediately started writing the song. It has been sung by a whole host of artists. Indeed it was recorded by several before Joni even recorded it herself in 1969. Looking at clouds, love and life from the two sides of joy and despair, it is notable for its inclusion alongside Emma Thompson’s beautiful acting in ‘Love Actually’ when she discovers, amidst Christmas celebrations and a wrongly discovered gift, that her husband has been straying. The song alongside this scene conjures up the feeling of emotional betrayal with tremendous poignancy. Equally poignant was the performance of the song by an 80-year-old Joni at the 2024 Grammy Awards Ceremony. Having recovered from serious ill health, her mature self singing a song written by her young self, who at the time of writing had given up a baby for adoption and been trapped in a controlling and belittling marriage, captivated the auditorium. As one writer put it, it ceased to be a statement of fear, worry or defeat, but instead it reminded us that no matter how much living we do, there will always be more to experience and to cope with.
Recorded here in a version for three-parts, we hope that the words can bring a moment of thought and maybe even solace to anyone who might need it. It is a beautiful song - one we consider it a privilege to have had the opportunity to discover and perform. Thank you Joni and long may you continue.
Sung by the Holy Trinity Church Choirs Trio: Victoria Wood, Jonathan Wood & Tony Wood. Piano & Director: Sara Wood.
Slides: Andra Rigby.