Drummer reacts to "The Circle Game" by Joni Mitchell

[@newodkin]

Now you need to listen to Neil Young's SUGAR MOUNTAIN, to which this song was written as a reaction.

[@stlmopoet]

I didn't know that.

[@charlesharris2749]

Mitchell has said that "The Circle Game" was written as a response to the song "Sugar Mountain" by Neil Young, whom she had befriended on the Canadian folk-music circuit in the mid-1960s. Young wrote "Sugar Mountain" in 1964 on his 19th birthday, lamenting the end of his teenage years: "You can't be 20 on Sugar Mountain". "The Circle Game" offers a more hopeful conclusion: "So the years spin by and now the boy is twenty / Though his dreams have lost some grandeur coming true / There'll be new dreams, maybe better dreams and plenty / Before the last revolving year is through."' wiki

[@georgegonzalez1996]

I’m 71 years old and I’ve been listening to this song since it came out, and it always elicits tears every time I hear it. I can’t say why but it has always had that effect on me. She is the most amazing songwriter of all time.💙

[@supasoulproductions]

This song is almost unbearably Beautiful.

[@davids.reynolds4883]

Probably, along with Ronstadt's "Long, Long Time," the single greatest pop song ever written.

[@carolynschmidt5467]

Another poet. The meaning comes first. The rhyme is secondary. The language....the word usage....so vivid.

[@salmuscles]

Hi the whole “ladies of the canyon “ album is fantastic….

[@JohnLedger-g4i]

There’ll never be voice as crystal clear as Joni’s again. So soothing.

[@ccollins2890]

She used to have her audience sing the chorus. She said it was her way, after so many years, to make the song fun to play again. She's a poet, a musician, and a painter. She's amazing.

[@marcbenjamin9436]

I listened to this song with my son when he was a baby. It’s about making the most of special moments like listening to music with your baby 20+ years ago.

[@craigreid7178]

What a voice she has. One of my favorites of all time.

[@AP-gb3eh]

Society mocks the importance of poetry , that diminishes our understanding of life. Joni paints with language as well as with paint. She gives us what seems simple poetry but it reverberates in our consciousness. We can relate and great poetry gives us the imagery to see life . The arts are essential to a civilized world ☮️ I hope you put paints , instruments and a empty journal in your children’s hands , they are the tools to express what we don’t always know is happening

[@doloreswitkowski5578]

Absolutely 100%, beautifully said!

[@bendancar]

Joni is the best. No, really. She is the best at combining songwriting, singing, performance, art -- she has it all. Check out "Urge for Going," also from these early years. Just fantastic.

[@nanlewis]

This song always makes me cry. So beautiful.

[@jessicaleblanc-nh1yl]

We grew up with her songs in our home. She has a true given gift. All of her music offers a little poetry & a story. Joni Mitchell is a good one. Thank you for sharing this!

[@wanderer0617]

I first heard this on a Tom Rush album my brother had. His voice was beautiful. I soon became a Joni Mitchell fan after hearing that record.

[@fredkrissman6527]

Joni has said she sees herself, first and foremost, as a painter... In terms of her songwriting, she says that she paints with her words. Thanx for a very nice Joni reaction, Lee!!!

[@fredkrissman6527]

You might want to check out Polyphonic's deepdive on this song: kzbin.info/www/bejne/nGGXp2uIg5eSb80

[@XFLexiconMatt]

"Ladies of the Canyon" is one of my favorite albums of hers, I go back to it often. Just banger after banger.

[@janewells5970]

Joni is the greatest! I love her Jazz leanings and definitely her 90’s

[@robertlear2712]

Any song from the album “Court and Spark” is amazing. Suggestion “ Down to You”

[@patswanson2870]

Ian and Sylvia, and Buffey St. Marie are Canadian folk singers and song writers. They are well known in Canada.

[@corawheeler9355]

I haven't heard this in years. Such a pretty song.

[@Lolly-g5n]

Pure, she's pure and raw talent.

[@lisarainbow9703]

I used to play this for one of the regular cabaret singers who would come to a piano bar I hosted-- this was one of his favorites to sing. And everyone else in the room would join in on the chorus, it was pure magic~ Lost him to covid two years ago, so hearing this hits a little hard~ 💜 Great reaction, Lee, and I bet your girlfriend and daughter are going to love this one~ ✌💜

[@meemermarie1977]

My favorite joni mitchell sing😊

[@sharondavid-melly1498]

When you mentioned Buffy Sainte-Marie I caught my breath. Hope she comes to your channel. She's won many awards totally original brilliant artist.

[@deechatterton5828]

Ladies of the Canyon was the album that converted me to Joni and I haven't left since.

[@georgegonzalez1996]

If you want to better understand why her music touches your heart and mind, check out the documentary: Joni Mitchell Woman of Heart and Mind. That’s a great documentary that lets you into her life, her pains and her triumphs.

[@lisannebaumholz5028]

I think most Canadians who grew up in the 1960s are familiar with this song, whether it's the Buffy Sainte Marie cover (which got a lot of radio airplay) or Joni's. I also remember it as being one of those songs that was sung around the campfire so I'm sure I still know the lyrics by heart! Here is Buffy's cover version (1967) and a live performance by Sweet Honey in the Rock at a Joni Mitchell tribute concert (2000): kzbin.info/www/bejne/p4eqY6FnZq1qlaMsi=MYxx7ivmEJdKSDaH kzbin.info/www/bejne/m3mrfmBrf9dsobcsi=7eNcxNqLcsBQk91U

[@clarkthomson1974]

This is one of my funeral songs❤

[@shemanic1]

Love it Lee, Joni is a treasure. Buffy's version has it's qualities but Joni's is my favourite.

[@Lolly-g5n]

You should have been born in our time , you seem to appreciate the music.

[@georgegonzalez1996]

You mentioned Buffy Saint Marie, check out her song 🎶 The Universal Soldier🎶

[@Markrealguy51]

Folk Rock at its peak.. Lee,if you might one day try same song,cover by little known folk rock singer Tom Rush,I would appreciate it,thanks

[@procopiusaugustus6231]

He also did a great cover of Urge for Going.

[@Markrealguy51]

@@procopiusaugustus6231 and no regrets

[@sharondavid-melly1498]

Joni came today now all is well. Thank you 🎶

[@perrymalcolm3802]

This and River are my favorites of hers

[@markhardwicke5345]

It was beautiful to see how reflective you got listening to this sublime classic

[@RalphSpoiledsport]

She's also a painter.

[@contacluj758]

Beautiful songs for heart and mind: Morcheeba-"Enjoy The Ride"; Leonard Cohen-"The Faith"; Johnny Cash-"Further On Up The Road"

[@joelliebler5690]

Perfectly written about life from beginning to adulthood !❤❤❤

[@procopiusaugustus6231]

Tom Rush did a great cover. His “No Regrets/Rockport Sunday” is a masterpiece.

[@L33Reacts]

I’ll have to check it out. I loved this.

[@DrStrangelove3891]

I love this song

[@jenniferbabros1985]

Check out CLOUDS

[@carolynschmidt5467]

Lyrics.... melody. One of my favorites. Thanks for this.

[@nancycleary9483]

One of the most profound songs I’ve ever heard. As a Mom and a grandmother now, the truth of it means more to me as the years go by it and really hits home.

[@LornaDay-gt9po]

Love her

[@Hartlor_Tayley]

An amazing beautiful song

[@bobdelp2023]

HEY LEE, B.D HUH? THOSE ARE MY INITIALS, HEYYYYY NOWWWWWW! 😊SO THIS SONG FROM JONI WAS A RESPONSE TO NEIL'S ( NEIL YOUNG ) GREAT SONG : SUGAR MOUNTAIN WHICH YOU MAY WANT TO HEAR! 👍BUT YEAH MAN, JONI WAS THE BEST FEMALE BY FARRRRR, FOLLOWED BY THAT ANGEL RIP☹ ( KAREN CARPENTER ) BOTH OF THEM TRUE CONTRALTOS WITH THEIR VOCALS BUT JONI DID SO MUCH MORE THAN KAREN DID, THAT'S THE ONLYYYYY SEPARATION FROM THOSE 2 LEGENDS 💯 YOU DO SO MUCH AWESOME CLASSIC ROCK STUFF LEE AND I JUST LOVE IT, ALL MY TOP 3 + JONI ( ELTON JOHN, NEIL YOUNG, JETHRO TULL ) ANYWAY YOU HANG IN THERE LEE, KEEP UP THE GOOD FIGHT AND NEVERRRRR GIVE UP!😊ALL THE BEST!

[@sharondavid-melly1498]

they say the universe is a clock ⏰

[@briandonovan1584]

I really love your stuff, bro ... Especially The Beatles but I'll take Joni Mitchell any time. Thank you for what you've been up to. You add a very thoughtful commentary that I really appreciate. Have you done "Big Yellow Taxi" ??? Its one of the true classics of the late 60s and 70s. Do the song. You will love it.

[@LornaDay-gt9po]

Love her