Late last night I watched Joni Mitchell on BBC 4. It was an "Old Grey Whistle Test" clip from 1974. She was singing "A Case of You" from her iconic album, "Blue". Let me share that same clip with you:-
Hell, that was forty five years ago though the song itself is older still. There was a strange beauty about Joni Mitchell but what was most beautiful was her ability to speak intimately and poetically to listeners through self-penned songs. She had so much to say about what it means to be human. Genius comes in many different forms but in my view, Joni deserves that label.
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A Case of YouJust before our love got lost you said
"I am as constant as a northern star"
And I said "Constantly in the darkness
Where's that at?
If you want me I'll be in the bar"
On the back of a cartoon coaster
In the blue TV screen light
I drew a map of Canada
Oh Canada
With your face sketched on it twice
Oh you're in my blood like holy wine
You taste so bitter and so sweet
Oh I could drink a case of you darling
Still I'd be on my feet
oh I would still be on my feet
Oh I am a lonely painter
I live in a box of paints
I'm frightened by the devil
And I'm drawn to those ones that ain't afraid
I remember that time you told me you said
"Love is touching souls"
Surely you touched mine
'Cause part of you pours out of me
In these lines from time to time
Oh, you're in my blood like holy wine
You taste so bitter and so sweet
Oh I could drink a case of you darling
And I would still be on my feet
I would still be on my feet
I met a woman
She had a mouth like yours
She knew your life
She knew your devils and your deeds
And she said
"Go to him, stay with him if you can
But be prepared to bleed"
Oh but you are in my blood
You're my holy wine
You're so bitter, bitter and so sweet
Oh, I could drink a case of you darling
Still I'd be on my feet
I would still be on my feet
I played a bit of Joni at Greg's funeral. The circle game. Seemed apt both because of words and because Greg loved Joni.
ReplyDeleteSome might say that life is like a "circle game" - going round and coming back to the beginning like a carousel. Like Greg, Joni has had her own demons.
DeleteI have probably listened to this song at least a hundred times. It still amazes me. As does Joni Mitchell.
ReplyDeleteI wonder how she is. It is hard to find out.
DeleteShe's been showing up at events in the U.S. and looks good -- smiling, happy. More detail than that, I can't offer. -Kate
DeleteThank you Kate.
DeleteExquisite singer and songwriter. I also loved the arrangements on her LPs such as Court and Spark and Hissing of Summer Lawns.
ReplyDeleteI really liked those albums too but "Blue" was more special to me.
DeleteYes, Joni Mitchel is one of my favorites. !974 was a good year.
ReplyDeleteI guess you already knew that she was born in Fort Macleod, Alberta.
DeleteI have this CD...and I love, love this song. Great album...great song.
ReplyDeleteYou have excellent taste ma'am.
DeleteHi Mr Pudding. I've been reading for a while and not commented before. I thought of you this weekend when there was a piece in the Waitrose Weekend supplement on Bosh. I thought to myself I know who that is! Steph
ReplyDeleteThank you for coming out of the shadows Steph.
DeleteThere's no one like our Joan.
ReplyDelete"Just before our love got lost ... "
She can put things so simply yet so *true*
-Kate
It's funny how Canada has produced some of the very best singer songwriters. Even Bob Dylan was born very close to Canada.
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