Cloud’s Illusions

Print available for this painting

Have you heard Clouds Illusions  sung by Judy Collins?  Whether you hear Joni Mitchell or Judy Collins sing the phrase “It’s cloud’s illusions I recall”, I think you can appreciate the song titled “Both Sides Now”.

Perhaps you are old enough or maybe a music buff, then you might recall Judy Collins’ hit song in 1967 titled “Both Sides Now”.

Shortly after Canadian singer-songwriter Joni Mitchell wrote the song, Judy Collins recorded the first commercially released version for her 1967 Wildflowers album. In October 1968, the same version was released as a single, reaching #8 on the U.S. pop singles charts by December. It reached #6 in Canada. In early 1969, it won a Grammy Award for Best Folk Performance. The record peaked at #3 on Billboard’s Easy Listening survey and “Both Sides Now” has become one of Collins’ signature songs.

Indeed, there are such great lines from this song that each of us can probably relate to them with so many varied meanings, interpretations and perspectives. I especially like the song with its thought provoking but whimsical lyrics that seem to be carefree, but oh they hold such deep meaning.  You seem to float through the clouds all the while looking back at your life and wandering – what illusions have I told myself that have architected my life.

This small oil abstract is titled “Clouds Illusions” for I can gaze upon it and begin to drift along only imagining and remembering my own illusions. For I really only have cloud’s illusions that I recall.

“There are no rules of architecture for a castle in the clouds. “- Gilbert K. Chesterton

Both Sides Now – Clouds Illusions Judy Collins Lyrics

Bows and flows of angel hair
And ice cream castles in the air
And feathered canyons everywhere
I’ve looked at clouds that way
But now they only block the sun
They rain and they snow on everyone
So many things I would have done
But clouds got in my way

I’ve looked at clouds from both sides now
From up and down and still somehow
It’s cloud’s illusions I recall
I really don’t know clouds at all

Moons and Junes and ferris wheels
The dizzy dancing way you feel
When every fairy tale comes real
I’ve looked at love that way
But now it’s just another show
You leave ’em laughin when you go
And if you care don’t let them know
Don’t give yourself away

I’ve looked at love from both sides now
From win and lose and still somehow
It’s love’s illusions I recall
I really don’t know love at all

Tears and fears and feeling proud
To say, “I love you” right out loud
Dreams and schemes and circus crowds
I’ve looked at life that way
But now old friends are acting strange
They shake their heads, they say I’ve changed
Well something’s lost but something’s gained
In living every day

I’ve looked at life from both sides now
From Win and Lose and still somehow
It’s life’s illusions I recall
I really don’t know life at all

Dare to Feel,

Red

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See more of Red’s Creations in her gallery.