There is something transcendent about this song. She is looking at the inevitable march of time from the perspective of someone who is trapped inside the snowglobe and at the same time holding it in her hand. It's both sad and comforting.
A singular artist - and though almost a genre unto herself, never quite held in the same esteem as, say, Dylan - which is sad because she is above and beyond. Is this the best track on "Hissing"? - which is possibly one of the most underrated albums of the 70s if not of general recording history - maybe, but the album is so damn good (eclectic, poetic, urban, ironic, slick, well-themed) it's hard to pick a fave. It may be one of those albums impossible to reduce to single songs.
Out on some borderline Some mark of inbetween I lay down golden-in time And woke up vanishing Sweet bird you are Briefer than a falling star All these vain promises on beauty Give me some time I feel like I'm losing mine Out here on this horizon line No one knows They can never get that close Guesses at most Guesses based on what each set of time and change is touching Guesses based on what each set of time and change is touching Guesses based on what each set of time and change is touching
my personal favorite from this album is Shades of Scarlett Conquering, but that doesn't mean I don't adore this song immensely. Gorgeous and spine-tingling.
She truly is a genius. I think her writing ability is second to none.. even better than Dylan. And this song is one I've always loved... "Behind our eyes, calenders of our lives, circled with compromise."
A true renaissance women. She could do it all. I saw an art exhibit of hers in London. Incredibly talented painter. Her musical talents are unmatched. Now all you have to do is look good, they will manipulate you meager vocal skills in the studio. Joni puts them all to shame.
thank you blackkendoll82 for posting this most wonderful of joni songs........i did lay down golden in 1975 and woke up vanishing today!!!! It is nice to see a man who enjoys her music ..cheers from m california, Lilith831
...."Guesses based on what each set of time and change is touching"....So hypnotic, mysterious and unique sounding! When I first got this album I just layed on my back and savored every word, every chord change and looked at the unfolded inside album picture of Joni swimming on her back as if she was flying.
nicely put - I remember a grin spreading on my face during the horn/woodwind bits in hissing of summer lawns and edith and the kingpin and being wrapped in centrepiece when it returns to harry's house and that shocking blues lick from robben ford, making the lie of her life with Harry collapse! oops bit too much drama in words but I can identify with your description of being captivated! :)
No one knows, They can never get that close, Guesses at most,
Guesses based on what each set of time and change is touching
Besides describing the transitory nature of life and the vain attempts of civilizations, it's also a poetic way of describing the indeterminate state described in quantum mechanics. This song has haunted me since I first heard it.
Calendars of our lives, Circled with compromise,
Sweet bird of time and change You must be laughing, Up on your feathers laughing...
It just doesn't get any better than this, IMO. I think THE HISSING OF SUMMER LAWNS is one of Joni's greatest albums, and also one of her most ignored. Thanks for sharing this great sounding clip.
Me too. It took ages to "get into" but rewarded by becoming my all time favourite album. Subtle but gorgeous. I think her voice reached its peak on this.
in 1982, some summer day in sav'h georgia, i was in the army, i heard this song on my lunch break...it blew my mind. joni is brilliant. i would return to qoute the lyrics to my buddys who liked music, they didn't appreciate it as much as i did for sure. that was the day that "joni hooked me"
The best song on 'hissing....' along with the Boho Dance. This phrase has been used a lot, but she does go back to her roots here. puts aside rock and jazz experiments briefly to produce this wonderful, sparkling sweet little ballad.
There is something transcendent about this song. She is looking at the inevitable march of time from the perspective of someone who is trapped inside the snowglobe and at the same time holding it in her hand. It's both sad and comforting.
ana1sninja 2 months ago
She is a prodigy
58windsong 4 months ago
A singular artist - and though almost a genre unto herself, never quite held in the same esteem as, say, Dylan - which is sad because she is above and beyond. Is this the best track on "Hissing"? - which is possibly one of the most underrated albums of the 70s if not of general recording history - maybe, but the album is so damn good (eclectic, poetic, urban, ironic, slick, well-themed) it's hard to pick a fave. It may be one of those albums impossible to reduce to single songs.
Autostade67 7 months ago
probably the best song about aging ever written
jackhillty1 11 months ago
@jackhillty1 I agree totally...
palatinesouth 10 months ago
I have to say this is one of my top 5 favorites of Jonis..this is a masterpiece..i would love to see her painting of this song.
"Behind our eyes...
calenders of our lives"
jnilvr 11 months ago
snacklofter 1 year ago
all time fave Joni track. Sublime
dougcash1 1 year ago
"I lay down golden in time and woke up vanishing."
PinkPrism008 1 year ago
seems everyone has so many favourite lines in this song... no one knows they can never get that close... she just seems to know...
si3144 1 year ago
i often play this song after a long day right before i go to bed. it's now my bedtime song and makes for a great transition piece.
Agoateeman 1 year ago
my personal favorite from this album is Shades of Scarlett Conquering, but that doesn't mean I don't adore this song immensely. Gorgeous and spine-tingling.
poeticjournalism 1 year ago
honi maccoronoi...jack kerouac mexico coty hues...the wailers whats up pussy?
closetome 1 year ago
She truly is a genius. I think her writing ability is second to none.. even better than Dylan. And this song is one I've always loved... "Behind our eyes, calenders of our lives, circled with compromise."
Stunning
mlc2005 1 year ago 3
Sweet bird you are...briefer than a falling star
DoodahU 1 year ago 2
me too!
DebraAnnPendleton 1 year ago
definately one of my fave Joni tracks
coraclewoman
coracleman 1 year ago
If there is a heaven Joni will be there singing when I get there.
gphx 2 years ago 4
the best of pure
AlanClinton123 2 years ago
A true renaissance women. She could do it all. I saw an art exhibit of hers in London. Incredibly talented painter. Her musical talents are unmatched. Now all you have to do is look good, they will manipulate you meager vocal skills in the studio. Joni puts them all to shame.
Bevoe 2 years ago 11
Hey blackkendoll, yo' the man.....from a grandpa
TheNigelr 2 years ago 4
Oh Lilith831 I do know of a lot of guys who really dig Joni. I'm definitely one of them.
She is my all time favorite musical person by far.
Agoateeman 2 years ago
thank you blackkendoll82 for posting this most wonderful of joni songs........i did lay down golden in 1975 and woke up vanishing today!!!! It is nice to see a man who enjoys her music ..cheers from m california, Lilith831
Lilith831 2 years ago 3
Can't think of another song that nails the tragicomedy of getting older any better!
jimdivax 2 years ago
Wonderfull,wonderfull song.
From one of my most treasured albums.
slippersinthesnow 2 years ago 2
...."Guesses based on what each set of time and change is touching"....So hypnotic, mysterious and unique sounding! When I first got this album I just layed on my back and savored every word, every chord change and looked at the unfolded inside album picture of Joni swimming on her back as if she was flying.
lllwindrunner 2 years ago 8
Me too!!
RecoveredLib 2 years ago
nicely put - I remember a grin spreading on my face during the horn/woodwind bits in hissing of summer lawns and edith and the kingpin and being wrapped in centrepiece when it returns to harry's house and that shocking blues lick from robben ford, making the lie of her life with Harry collapse! oops bit too much drama in words but I can identify with your description of being captivated! :)
TPEKHH 2 years ago
No one knows, They can never get that close, Guesses at most,
Guesses based on what each set of time and change is touching
Besides describing the transitory nature of life and the vain attempts of civilizations, it's also a poetic way of describing the indeterminate state described in quantum mechanics. This song has haunted me since I first heard it.
Calendars of our lives, Circled with compromise,
Sweet bird of time and change You must be laughing, Up on your feathers laughing...
chrisjx 2 years ago 4
all those vain promises on beauty jars.
mmmm tis true.
clrjkb55 2 years ago
Beautiful song from a beautiful person
fearless999 2 years ago 2
It just doesn't get any better than this, IMO. I think THE HISSING OF SUMMER LAWNS is one of Joni's greatest albums, and also one of her most ignored. Thanks for sharing this great sounding clip.
billyguns2 2 years ago 4
Me too. It took ages to "get into" but rewarded by becoming my all time favourite album. Subtle but gorgeous. I think her voice reached its peak on this.
trossachs2003 2 years ago
Wow my favorite Joni Mitchell song.
When I first ever heard it (how many 25-30 years ago?) I was too young to understand the full meaning...I understand all too well now.
Thanks for posting it.
Darogris 3 years ago
I love Joni Mitchell too.
Greetings.
Selaah9 3 years ago
Hissing is so wonderful, so many good songs on that LP. Sweet Bird is a Gem, Thank you for this post.
bei1016 3 years ago
in 1982, some summer day in sav'h georgia, i was in the army, i heard this song on my lunch break...it blew my mind. joni is brilliant. i would return to qoute the lyrics to my buddys who liked music, they didn't appreciate it as much as i did for sure. that was the day that "joni hooked me"
fulls787 3 years ago
the image of a soldier sitting listening raptly to Joni Mitchell is stunning... here's to you xxxooo
angieslindmusic 3 years ago
One of the best songs ever written. Absolutely one of the greatest songs that is never played on the radio
dkolk01 3 years ago
The best song on 'hissing....' along with the Boho Dance. This phrase has been used a lot, but she does go back to her roots here. puts aside rock and jazz experiments briefly to produce this wonderful, sparkling sweet little ballad.
jmiller05 3 years ago
i love your comment!!!!
blackkendoll82 3 years ago
Thank you for posting this. One of the best songs on "Hissing"....Joni is a genius. This song always makes me cry.
ghanick 3 years ago