The Last Time I Saw Richard

by Joni Mitchell, from the album "Blue" (1971)

The last time I saw Richard was Detroit in '68,
And he told me all romantics meet the same fate someday
Cynical and drunk and boring someone in some dark cafe
You laugh, he says you think you're immune, go look at your eyes
They're full of moon
You like roses and kisses and pretty men to tell you
All those pretty lies, pretty lies
When you gonna realise they're only pretty lies
Just pretty lies, just pretty lies

He put a quarter in the Wurlitzer, and he pushed
Three buttons and the thing began to whirr
And a bar maid came by in fishnet stockings and a bow tie
And she said "Drink up now it's gettin' on time to close."
"Richard, you haven't really changed," I said
It's just that now you're romanticizing some pain that's in your head
You got tombs in your eyes, but the songs
You punched are dreaming
Listen, they sing of love so sweet, love so sweet
When you gonna get yourself back on your feet?
Oh and love can be so sweet, so sweet

Richard got married to a figure skater
And he bought her a dishwasher and a Coffee percolator
And he drinks at home now most nights with the TV on
And all the house lights left up bright
I'm gonna blow this damn candle out
I don't want nobody comin' over to my table
I got nothing to talk to anybody about
All good dreamers pass this way some day
Hidin' behind bottles in dark cafes
Dark cafes
Only a dark cocoon before I get my gorgeous wings
And I fly away
Only a phase, these dark cafe days

I only found covers of this amazing song on YouTube, and some of them are really good. But as it means so much to me I thought I'd share the original version.
No copyright infringement intended of course. Besides, I might be wrong but I bet Joni herself wouldn't mind me publishing this anyway.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• joni
• mitchell
• blue
• 1971
• last
• time
• saw
• richard
• cynical
• drunk
• romantic
• dark
• café
• detroit
• 1968

[shelibeane]

Memories, memories...romantics make the same mistakes...how I love Joni Mitchell and her wonderful contributions to our musical worlds...Thanks for sharing this!

[TheNEWBobDylan]

Always gives me chills.

[vins1979]

only a phase... i hope...

[kenjajesfeelit]

perfect

[butfulmuzik]

This song kicks you hard in the ass, turns you upside down, and when all is said and done, it makes you THINK!! One of Joni's most powerful works, so introspective, so personal, and so much the reason she is the brilliant artist whose work I have loved forever.

[Happysundaze]

This whole album is full of wonderful tunes that become part of your mental furniture. It's like great movies that inform your life. This song in particular is full of insight.

[starlight22ism]

the best version this song...legião urbana from brazil!

[buggeringon]

the absolute best

[r1u9d4o0lf]

Poetry, soul and music..

[rutwicksees]

@BoBo0807 Indeed, one of the most perfect albums ever!

[BoBo0807]

@rutwicksees

Covering Joni Mitchell...Good Lord, what would possess anyone to do that? Especially anything from "Blue," one of the most perfect albums ever made...