Marcie

Filmed at the Cafe Au Go Go, New York. 1967. Joni says of Leonard Cohen: "I think I'm Cohen influenced. I wrote Marcie and thought that it wouldn't have happened if it hadn't been for Suzanne, which is another character sketch song."

......the song is such a balanced blend of a strong string of images and a haunting tune. -ZigZag, September 1970

"My song Marcie has a lot of him [Leonard Cohen] in it... Marcie is a real girl, she lives in London. I used her name, because I wanted a two-syllable name. But I'm the girl in all these songs." -Melody Maker, September 1968

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Marcie
• Joni Mitchell

[EpiphoneEpiphany1]

I saw her play this in the Royal Festival Hall in London, 1968 or 69, and she threw in a little local colour to the lyrics there as well.

I still love it because (well not just because) it's about the first tune I taught myself to play guitar on (on a practically unplayable 12.string as it happens)

[MsSnaketh]

hehe my names Marcie :)

[MarcellaDavi3s]

actually really like this song xx

[dobiegee]

Brilliant poetry. Beautiful.

[puddypuss]

even though this is the studio version, and its not my favourite track on the lp, Im really grateful, as all of the 1st and to me , best lp isnt available on you tube, probably warner brothers " policy "

[mlc2005]

I first heard the album "Blue" many years ago, and then HAD to go out and get everything Joni ever did. I started with her first album, and realized (particularly after hearing "Marcie") that Joni was not only a genius, but would be my favorite singer/songwriter who ever lived. And 20 years later I'm still listening to her in awww!

[jilkat25]

@RMAchello Me, too! Her vibrato when she sings, "Wait for me-e-e-e-e-e-e-e," -the modulation in her voice alternating two notes in that one sustain, as though she is playing her voice like a flute. Maybe that's not the best way to describe it, but I bet you know what I mean. I love this song so much. In fact, I love that whole album. 100% Joni Mitchell's voice and playing.

[RMAchello]

@jilkat25 totally agree with you!~ This is, has been, and will remain my most favorite song in my 60 years of life. I bought the album back then and I still love it best of all. Marcie still moves me as it did then. Joni's greatest work, imo.

[jilkat25]

One of the most haunting melodies ever recorded. "And summer goes, falls to the sidewalk like string and brown paper..." How did she come up with that poetry set to that music at only twenty-five or younger? And, this is from side one of her first album out of, what, twenty or more? Breathtaking. Incomparable. Genius.

[SisterHoneyHair]

This song gives me the goosebumps everytime I hear it...