The five best covers of Joni Mitchell classic ‘Both Sides Now’
As an artist that seems almost impossible to cover well, it feels particularly poignant that the Joni Mitchell classic ‘Both Sides Now’ has been covered over 1,000 times. However, while most try their best to capture Mitchell’s essence, few actually come close to epitomising all the reasons that made it so endearing in the first place.
Like many of Mitchell’s classics, ‘Both Sides Now’ captures a glimpse of a moment in time when Mitchell’s heart and soul were just as complex as the time the song emerged from. In true Mitchell fashion, the song tackles changing perspectives and consciousness and how, often, the simplest of things, like clouds, can look different depending on where you’re standing.
However, one of the biggest issues with covering the classic—and most Mitchell songs—is capturing the emotionality she injected when she first performed them. According to Mitchell, however, this is precisely what makes her music so magical. As she once told Cameron Crowe: “A lot of people that cover my songs will sing it pretty, [and] it’s going to fall flat. You have to bring more to it than that.”
For Mitchell, therefore, it’s more than just about having the voice. It’s also about tapping into the song’s depth and capturing exactly where her mind went when she wrote the song in the first place. This may seem an impossible feat, but once an artist truly understands Mitchell’s intend, they become infinitely closer to catching her signature spark.
The best covers of ‘Both Sides Now’
Judy Collins
The criteria for a good Joni Mitchell cover is intense, and while some come close to emulating the same emotional power as the originals, few actually master the art of ticking all the boxes. Judy Collins‘ version of ‘Both Sides Now’ is one of the most celebrated ones, and it’s easy to see why, but that didn’t stop Mitchell from dishing out her share of criticism.
In fact, according to Collins, Mitchell didn’t like her version at all. However, in her view, this came more from a place of jealousy than artistic differences, particularly after Collins’ version enjoyed a significant amount of success upon release. Still, it remains the ultimate classic, effortlessly capturing the depth and charm of Mitchell’s world.
Seal
For Mitchell’s 75th birthday, Seal delivered an immensely powerful version of ‘Both Sides Now’ that felt entirely unhurried and intricate. The song’s natural melancholy was revealed, and with a voice that could command any room, Seal’s rendition wasn’t just heartfelt; it also came with the weight of Mitchell’s legacy, adding a layer of nostalgia.
This culminates in the spine-tingling line, “I’ve looked at clouds from both sides now / From up and down and still somehow / It’s cloud illusions I recall / I really don’t know clouds at all”. Although stripped-back in essence, there’s also something almost jazzy about this version, like a warm embrace into a place called home.
Emilia Jones
It’s not often that a cover within a movie will be good enough to make an impact, but this reinterpretation for the CODA soundtrack feels particularly poignant. Aside from it generally being an incredible cover vocally, the context within the movie feels particularly Mitchell-esque, signalling a breaking down of barriers when it comes to the beauty of the music.
In fact, Jones breaks into sign language alongside her words for the second verse of the song, singing them to her family as they watch, all of whom are deaf. It’s a heartfelt moment when her words transcend meaning and connect with the people she loves, much like Mitchell’s intent with this classic to begin with.
Annie Lennox
A voice as full and heady as Annie Lennox‘s would always have fared well taking on Joni Mitchell. But with this particular reinterpretation, she captures the subtle lack of immediacy in the original, taking her time to explore and unravel everything that feels inherently complex and nuanced about the human condition.
While some might regard this version as hit or miss, Lennox’s ability to capture the song’s soul-searching nature speaks volumes, tapping into a realm that so few have managed to venture into. In other words, its appeal feels inexplicable, which is entirely the crux of any good Mitchell cover—the ones that leave you truly speechless.
Frank Sinatra
For some reason, it’s difficult to come across a cover of ‘Both Sides Now’ that doesn’t feel overly theatrical. Many versions of Mitchell’s classic lean too heavily into the vocal performance rather than the emotional meaning, which, somehow, ends up feeling more theatrical than endearing. This version by Frank Sinatra, however, strikes the perfect balance.
Instead of focusing solely on his performance, Sinatra captures the bittersweetness of differing perspectives in a more upbeat fashion. Though the pacing should feel somewhat paradoxical when it comes to the song’s meaning, it still works, enhancing its sense of longing without appearing too try-hard.
