Joni Mitchell

I listened to some of Joni Mitchell's music in the 1970's. She was folksy and upbeat. She wrote beautiful lyrics that touched my soul. In the following years I didn't spend that much time with Joni. When the movie Love Actually came out, I was reacquainted with an old friend. Tonight I did a YouTube search for her. I stumbled on a 1970's version and turned "Both Sides Now" on. Joni was young and peppy, her voice bright and upbeat. Then I listened to a more recent recording. I was stunned at the difference. Of course, the album photo showed a much older version of the singer. But....the voice; the voice had changed significantly. Since she was smoking in the cover pic, I assume she has been a smoker. Her voice had a much deeper, sadder, raspier sound. The lyrics I have always identified with take on an entirely different nuance. I understand now at my age the melancholy that time and experience have brought to her sound. When she sings "but now it's just another show, you leave them laughing when you go, and if you care, don't let them know, don't give yourself away"-I understand more than ever. When she sings "but now old friends are acting strange, they say I'm different, say I've changed. But something's lost, but something's gained, in living every day," I truly get it. The lyrics take on new meaning each time I listen to them.