The Joni Mitchell song Elton John called “extraordinary”
Through her songwriting, Joni Mitchell is an open book who has detailed her deepest and darkest feelings with her artistry. It has allowed her to address circumstances that would be uncomfortable to tackle in everyday life and won her supporters such as Elton John, who holds her talent in the highest regard.
Despite facing tremendous hardship, Mitchell has navigated life by using songwriting as a coping mechanism. Before finding fame, the singer-songwriter fell pregnant, and to give her child a better life, she put her daughter up for adoption. The pair weren’t reunited for many decades, but Mitchell never forgot about her.
On the seminal Blue, Mitchell wrote about the ordeal on ‘Little Green’. The track is heartbreaking, as Mitchell’s love for her daughter is evident in the lyrics. Although it was seemingly an incredibly difficult decision, the singer-songwriter explains why she believes it was the correct conclusion for her child’s future.
For Elton, the maturity expressed through the song coupled with the emotional weight of the subject matter confronted on ‘Little Green’. In his opinion, the track, which is less known than other cuts on the LP such as ‘River’ or ‘Case of You’, represents the highlight of Blue and shows the dexterity of Mitchell’s magic touch.
Speaking to the Los Angeles Times about ‘Little Green’, John praised its “beautiful, plaintive melody” before explaining how it’s “musically straightforward”. However, Mitchell’s lyrics are where the beauty lies, with Elton adding: “Then you peel back the surface and it has this extraordinary emotional depth,” John said of the song.”
He also touched upon the “incredibly brave” subject matter before stating: “The lyrics are astonishing, the mix of beautiful imagery – the icicles and the Northern Lights and the spring crocuses – and brutal honesty about an incredibly sensitive topic. There’s no anger in them, she isn’t castigating herself, she literally sings ‘[I’m] not ashamed’ — this thing had to happen, it was painful but it was the right thing to do, she was a ‘child with a child.’ It’s sad, but realistic, which makes it all the more poignant.”
John concluded by saying: “She made so many great albums, but Blue is her masterpiece and ‘Little Green’ is the most poignant, emotionally heavy thing on it. I know Joni and I love her, but the subject of that song is not something I would ever bring up with her. But then, I don’t need to: Everything you need to know is in the lyrics.”
Although it took another 25 years following the release of ‘Little Green’, Mitchell eventually forged a strong relationship with her daughter. While it was likely her most challenging moment, as she sings on the song, Mitchell was a “child with a child”, and despite her greatest intentions, it wasn’t possible for her to be the mother her daughter deserved. Nevertheless, it only takes one listen to ‘Little Green’ to comprehend Mitchell’s love.
