Joni Mitchell - Free Man In Paris (Live London 1983)

written & produced by Joni Mitchell | from the album Court & Spark (1974) | live from Wembley Arena, London (1983) | additional audio mixing by sonicboy19
"The way I see it," he said,
"You just can't win it
Everybody's in it for their own gain
You can't please 'em all
There's always somebody calling you down
I do my best
And I do good business
There's a lot of people asking for my time
They're trying to get ahead
They're trying to be a good friend of mine."
"I was a free man in Paris
I felt unfettered and alive
There was nobody calling me up for favors
And no one's future to decide
You know I'd go back there tomorrow
But for the work I've taken on
Stoking the star maker machinery
Behind the popular song."
"I deal in dreamers
And telephone screamers
Lately I wonder what I do it for
If l had my way
I'd just walk through those doors
And wander
Down the Champs Elysées
Going café to cabaret
Thinking how I'll feel when I find
That very good friend of mine."
"I was a free man in Paris
I felt unfettered and alive
Nobody was calling me up for favors
No one's future to decide
You know I'd go back there tomorrow
But for the work I've taken on
Stoking the star maker machinery
Behind the popular song."
© 1973 Crazy Crow Music

[@jimmie200]

Nobody comes near her unique talent. She is in a class all her own.

[@denieledwards6893]

YES FROM ANOTHER PLANET PERIOD.

[@partoftheway4235]

Yes!

[@shanesmith8615]

Just saw the Kennedy Center Honorees (Dec. 2021). Joni is beautiful. Her music is unique and wonderful to hear her hits from the 70's. Sooo gifted. Love the jazz/rock chords and sounds. Merry Christmas to all. 🎄 🇺🇲

[@Chapps1941]

I would've thought that Neil Young, Kate Bush, Bob Dylan, amongst some others, are in a class of their own.

[@deltamx]

I agree she is beyond words

[@stephenduffy4855]

I was there. 23 rows back and 35 years younger

[@DaRkHoRsE-_-]

a Golden ticket...cherished memories...awesome

[@TonyPhillipsSD]

Totally envious

[@joannamatry8911]

So lucky

[@MARTINN7777]

Do tell!!

[@suzannelight1951]

No words to describe this magnificent, beautiful lady! Love you Joni!

[@doovie101]

Let's talk about how UNDERRATED she is at rhythm guitar.

[@crotalusatrox7931]

Just when you thought Help Me couldn't take you higher, Free Man in Paris plays. Like all of Joni's music it only gets better and better. God bless you, you're such a beautiful woman and soul Joni Mitchell.

[@roberthartman1989]

I'm with you on that. Those two songs blow me away.

[@hannahstaelens6873]

1983 I was 21 and just starting my life and how lucky I was to grow up in the 70's when music was at its best. Arguably the best decade of music ever, and will ever be. The 70's, I wish I could go back and experience it all over again. Joni is my muse and direction.

[@michelelaraia7358]

Wow, what a wonderful story!

[@lynby6231]

It was without a doubt the greatest and most creative decade of music in history, the Beatles sowed the seeds and all the other fantastically talented musicians across so many genres from disco, Motown, soul, folk, heavy rock, pop and progressive rock took up the mantle, we who grew up in that incredible decade look back wistfully✌️

[@caiusKeys]

Joni has a little something that's frequently missing in today's musicians: talent...

[@Phish1995]

Oh. You are so right!

[@Phish1995]

Adele, today? In comparison, nah. The rest of the "singers" today, female that is nah again. Or persons I should say. Sorry. I have a list of the overrated that I will keep to myself. Joni was and is a songstress. Sue me. I don't have anything of any value cept my opinion.

[@Phish1995]

We got Wet Ass Pussy as acclaimed masterpiece? The hell?

[@davidmurray2539]

Frequently missing today but not ALWAYS missing. As long as people are making music there will always be new, and good, music made. Joni Mitchell may be a once in a lifetime phenomenon, yes, but there were heaps of musical trash audible all around her, suitable for two purposes, to turn down or better, turn off.

[@vc2219]

@@Phish1995 bingo.

[@basilthrush3537]

I suddenly realised I was sharing a hotel lift with Joni and John Guerin in London around the time of the concert. I could see that she knew I’d recognised her and for one second I struggled with blurting out how much I worshipped her and her music. ... but it seemed ridiculous. And so the moment passed. But my love for her music and particularly Hissing of Summer Lawns has lasted all my life.

[@nohaylamujer]

She'd long split with Guerin by the time of this concert. She was married to Larry Klein, the bass player.

[@covey53]

Joni was not only the greatest singer songwriter of the last half of the 20th Century, but a brilliant Guitarist.

[@mattmanner3558]

Truth!

[@OneOfUsHere]

Did you know that among her biggest admirers were Jimi Hendrix, Jimmy Page, Prince, and Slash? She gave Prince the sage advice to write songs using colors. He definitely used that to great advantage.

[@refundrick]

About 50 years ago a group of friends and I went to Phil's Pancake and Steak House at the Chinook Shopping Centre in Calgary on a Friday night for dinner and drinks. There was a shy young girl (a student at Mount Royal College) by the name of Joan Anderson who was the entertainer for the night. She mesmerized us all with her songs and her voice. A half a century later and she still has that effect on me.

[@oldboehne1153]

She makes me get naked and paint

[@dougthomson9052]

Wow!

[@cyprescrow]

@@oldboehne1153 I'm really glad you said "paint" there. Hahaha.... I'm just joking. I know what you mean.

[@arthurfowler3766]

Fucn iceberg

[@debralamers890]

O my, Joni has been an inspiration, such a part of This journey, I paint with her, I write with her always in mind. She opened my heart Many years ago. And I thank Her spirit for being in tune With mine ...

[@JudgeJulieLit]

Not just a "star" ... she's a galaxy.

[@jerryhoward8133]

So lucky to have seen her in 74 with CSNY she is a major force in music, her music is very relevant still today. Very Special.

[@teacherdavid--eatplaylearn5013]

Blessings from Taiwan 🇹🇼😇🧧 Congratulations to Joni Mitchell to win a lifetime achievement honor: the Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song in 2023💪🤩👍

[@josephliptak]

I remember first hearing this song in 1974 at age 14 and still dig it after all these years.

[@babaracampbell5975]

Me too, I was 14 , love her

[@psmguy63]

Age 11, no different. Was at Castle AFB in Merced, California and not a care in the world. 74 was magic. Please Come to Boston, Air that I Breathe, Rick Me Gently, Rock the Boat, Dancing Machine, Sunshine on my Shoulders. Many days my mind spends hours there.

[@packardexelence]

@@psmguy63 THEY would STILL play it in '75-'77---I was 20 & in the AIR FORCE; & asking myself WHY I JOINED!!!------this song STRUCK a NERVE in my PERSONAL life!!!!!!!--------A LOT of RESPONSIBILITY, in the U.S.A.F.;----------I WAS A FREE MAN IN OHIO (on leave)!!!!!!!!!! --I served my TIME; (&then SOME!)--but NO career!!!!

[@John-kw3nd]

Joseph, I just heard it for the 1st time 10 minutes ago and I'm 56, can't stop playing it over & over, John

[@prestonw.coleman4990]

It's got that cool kinda groove to it that will always be timeless. I have an $12k audio system that took me 5 years to complete and this song kicks pretty nice.

[@MayhemJack]

Mom, can I be Joni Mitchell when I grow up?!!

[@johndowney8774]

Not only is her songwriting, voice, musicianship and presentation superb, look at that awesome sense of tashion style.

[@miropribanic5581]

in case you wondered....the band.....Colaiuta (dr), L. Klein (bs), Ferrante (keys), Landau (g)...no comment needed I guess....their quality is obvious...how charmingly they changed the famous riff between the verses

[@Helen603ify]

I saw Joni in concert in Lexington,KY. Joni had just released "Miles of Aisles". I stayed in the same hotel as Joni,her band, and her crew. This was during the late 1970s. Joni was fantastic!

[@taf44tt8io]

+Helen Will How lucky you are Helen :) MILES OF AISLES was the second LP of my collection back in 1974, after discovering this great and fantastic artist, some months before : love at "first sight". Then, came all others works Hejira, Don Juan's.....Mingus - of course - Shadows and Light and so on. 42 years after, Joni is always one of my favorite singer, a shiny and sunny light.

[@Helen603ify]

+Max Seep I was very lucky! Wish she were still performing today.

[@jkarbiner]

@@taf44tt8io also hissing of summer lawns

[@prophetpeaks]

Joni, you'll allways be a very good freind of mine, Love Lama.

[@charlesfalconer6231]

They dont make them like joni mitchell anymore !! she,s brilliant

[@paulsteezo1772]

The bass player looks like he's having a FULL DRY BODY HEAVE SET TO MUSIC!!! SWEET FANCY MOSES!

[@wolfgangwoldt1941]

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂🤣

[@robertainsworth7375]

The grand dame of the singer songwriter genre. She absolutely cut a large, distinct and unique swath through the history of rock. A genuine hall of famer. Her songs always move me.

[@johnjohnson6327]

hall of "farmer". hahahaha. sorry, just strikes me funny. thanks for the typo.

[@robertmiddlemiss6807]

This is about David Geffen, the creator of Asylum Records. While they were in Paris, Joni saw a Geffen relaxed and not taking phone calls, mixing it up with locals and not being the business monster he was...she liked it so much she wrote this song for him, and it's true, everyone wanted Geffen to make them a career...

[@bjbinmke]

My understanding is that David Geffen wished that Joni had not written this song.

[@CD32Freak]

The title fits perfectly to Jim Morrison too, who also felt like a free man in Paris :-)

[@ClassicTVMan1981X]

@@bjbinmke Joni said: "[David] Geffen begged me to take it off the album. I think he felt uncomfortable being shown in that light."

[@Jeff-lx4vx]

Yep. Robbie Robertson and his wife were there also 👍🏼

[@oklahomahank2378]

bjbinmke The biography “Reckless Daughter” explains why. I don’t think Geffen would want the reason discussed too much.

[@robertphillips3992]

At this time her voice had matured but still was beautiful to listen to.

[@fretbuzz59]

"Still beautiful"? Better, IMO. Fuller, rounder.

[@cliveshell5543]

I was at this concert and although i enjoyed it, frankly, it's greatness went over my head. ( True Wembley back then was an enormous cow shed and didn't suit subtle music ) It was only in later years did i truly appreciate her musical and lyrical ability to make incredible songs. IMHO one of the great artists of the 20th century.

[@deFunkyMofo]

You're right - Wembley was a terrible music venue

[@jonathanedwards8696]

Who are the backing musicians?

[@John-kw3nd]

You're lucky

[@alexandercameron10]

I am a Woodstock generation guy. Joni captures it all. Fantastic!

[@MadHatter847]

How about Hendrix & Grateful Dead

[@deltamx]

It was pity she got held up in NYC and couldn't make it

[@habs5792]

She was never recognized for the talent she was.

[@EmpressOfWyoming58]

don g she was by her peers and fans. 🌼🌼🌼

[@bowserh2012345]

The heck you're talking about?

[@deanbarkanic1436]

That's absolutely the most ridiculous thing I've ever read regarding Joni!!!

[@lewisc215]

Oh yes she was.

[@billslater55]

Pure Genius. Thank you, Joni Mitchell.

[@hannjenn]

Except really she lives in a box of paints. The talent runs deep in Joni.

[@oldboehne1153]

Their is no one better, not Dylan not Brahms not Simon Hendrix.

[@edmanicom5716]

A wizardess, a true star!

[@gabotdf]

Wandering down Champs Elysees listening this song. That was almost a religious experience I´ll never forget. Thank you for that, Joni

[@SEGbetaTest]

I first heard Joni Mitchell in January, 1975, on a month-long road trip with a guy and a woman. He and I each had a dozen music tapes. She had one, Court and Spark. Every 3rd choice was hers, always Court and Spark. Fantastic trip, incredbile places in the US SW, deserts, mountains, canyons, but too much Joni Mitchell. A month after returning home, at a party at the woman's house, only Joni Mitchell singing. All of those incredible memories came flooding back, and I have loved her music ever since, for the memories, and the music.

[@wildrosecece]

Great story.

[@tostare]

I love that trippy glow that old video tapes have now.

[@John-kw3nd]

Was watching a Bio on David Geffen & they played a clip of this song, I'm a 56 yr old music junkie and I've never heard this, ? PHENOMENAL.....Wow

[@donwoodward7944]

OMG her voice

[@johnlittle4833]

Joni Mitchell is one of the 20th Century's greatest musical artistes. She is a mountain peak that has few rivals. Her lyrics, music, and voice are quite unique, and no other woman has come close to her in terms of her talent, quality, and longevity. She has set the standard and few if any will ever equal or surpass it. Well done Joni. You provided the soundtrack to my adult life.

[@johnglynhughes4239]

High functioning genius!

[@hirogerthisisme]

Can you imagine, she starts her set with THIS piece. I'm mesmerized today by the grace and sheer elegance which counterbalances such an intimate text.

[@michellerjackson5776]

ABSOLUTELY

[@pablopickasso4098]

I made some great love to her music😊

[@jerryhoward8133]

You must have Blisters on the palms of your hands

[@davidparnell1893]

Wow Joni...I thought and learned a lot about life listening to your songs...she could feel life (The Hissing of Summer Lawns)...she could foretell the future (They took all the trees put 'em in a tree museum, And they charged the people a dollar an' a half just to see 'em, Don't it always seem to go, That you don't know what you've got 'til it's gone, They paved paradise, put up a parking lot) Yes, I learned a lot from the woman from Saskatchewan...she's an impish angel, a muse of life...a reveller of beautiful musical contemplation…”…While she’s busy being free…”

[@lindahuff8976]

My friends and I would sit in a circle and sing loudly all things Joni. Best songwriter ever.

[@tinamarief51]

I still get chills when I hear her music, she is a genius.

[@pocahon8460]

And a raving beauty at every age and phase.

[@jasonadams6468]

Everyone pivoted to her voice structure, but few understood the incredible guitar alterations of crazy occult tunings she came up with. The whole package was unmatched, even to this day.

[@canderson3706]

Joni is just the coolest

[@bethlogan1283]

I was shocked to learn Joni had no musical training! Amazing talent, all natural.

[@mikeg2924]

I often wonder how good you have to be to even share the same stage with Joni Mitchell... the answer is that I don't know :)

[@upendasana7857]

Lots of people forget to mention that not only is she a supreme singer/songwriter,artist/painter but she is as cool as f##k with her style as well,she always dresses immaculately and looks so damn cool.

[@lisasayner3598]

Ladies and gentleman....Joni Mitchell. One of the best moments of my life I will never forget those words..

[@stephenduffy4855]

I was there at this show. 28 rows back and 34 years younger. Oh gosh.

[@danielfronc4304]

Joni's a pro and had already been entertaining fans for a long time at this show so no pressure. I mean it's only freakin' Wembley!!!

[@Stalled-wm3qd]

"Stoking the star-making machinery behind the popular song" Had most if not all of Joni's LP's way back and hadn't heard this great song again till now in 2017. If you don't tap your foot to this there is something wrong!

[@onetuliptree]

Joni Mitchell sounds phenomenal in this video

[@Winners24-x8n]

One of the most talented people ever! Joni, you are the greatest!

[@debbieedwards711]

So fabulous! The coolest chick in the music business! Just listen to her voice & watch her move. Thank you Joni!

[@John-kw3nd]

Listen to her voice & watch her move, absolutely !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@spycatchya]

The Queen of Rock n Roll :)

[@hamzabencherif5278]

with Freddie mercury ;)

[@nulife022]

Heard this in a truck stop today of all places, and was reminded of a truly great talent and star. Hope she is well.

[@jeremyclapham394]

Long may you reign Joni (you Goddess).

[@youwillovercome]

Joni the GOAT

[@suzannelight1951]

A SUPREME being, we are so very lucky to have been touched by her presence! Love you Joni!

[@zachhardy6469]

Love the 80s guitar jangle and snappy bass sounds in this version. Joni is queen!

[@nickhorton785]

Still great, all these years later.

[@arogers05]

A wonderful song written about David Geffen

[@lewisc215]

Written about Charles Manson.

[@death2pc]

Who, Geffen is a total pos slime bucket.

[@stanleymasterson1135]

@@death2pc She was very close to him back then

[@rodneyjones3358]

She was in a class all her own. Genius

[@Pamzoo]

Omg, I need to see this entire concert. How amazing that we can see all this beautiful Joni history saved on film. It really has saved my love for music as I just cannot find the equal these days.

[@golferrrrrr]

Joni Mitchell is one Cool Canadian chick :)

[@thomassonnenberg1915]

She could marry me I am not doing much in retirement

[@DrMorpheus]

Wow, killer live recording of a great, great song.

[@celtjade]

This song taps into the feeling every woman has about longing for the days of adventure from her youth.

[@pamelavivian978]

How I relate to her after all my years at 67. She's still a stick of dinomite. I love 'Court and Spark'.

[@katooshiesworld3458]

Still SO gorgeous and sings like a skylark. Joni forever! GO CANADA!

[@globalboy65]

UNFORGETTABLE. AMAZING PERFORMANCE. GREATEST FEMALE SONGWRITER.

[@davidespinosa1910]

GREATEST xxxxxx SONGWRITER. Fixed that for you.

[@mdcecichannel4366]

Joni can "rock it out" with the best of them!

[@albertarguelles3262]

Beautiful version she's Cookin' all the way through. What a Voice!

[@labishop0706]

A very home sick ballerina living on a few francs a day. This tour made me so proud of the women I believed in and gave me the courage to keep going.

[@victoriagrove5344]

An amazing musician, leader, vocalist, everything!

[@grenda5]

a true artist in ev very sense, love her guitar playing, not many artists today stand up to her, bless you Joni

[@harlow743]

Great Great Song

[@msvicky2895]

This is the best rendition of this song IMHO

[@Gregoryt700]

Agreed. Her voice phrasing is a little different, think it works better than the studio version

[@rhllnm]

Why can't I add this as a favorite?

[@catherinelevison3310]

This was my favorite song in 1974. All I wanted to do was move to France and sweep cafe floors and wonder what everyone was saying around me. I had one more year of high school to complete because I graduated early. I wish I had moved to France so much. It was this song and something else I couldn’t put my finger on. I love Joni and I am a huge fan. She is the original.

[@Winners24-x8n]

Her hair is the same color. Joni never ages. ❤

[@ruththomas7164]

Stoking the Star making machinery - that she did! Bravo- 🙌

[@jhavajoe3792]

The last 20 years, the lyrics " no one calling me up for favors" echoed though my head and the title as well. Some lines just stick!

[@charleshultquist9233]

The epitome of what a human being is capable of.

[@JohnnyBgood548]

Joni's music is timeless!

[@DougLane0517]

I was so free in Paris

[@miropribanic5581]

man, Joni is so classy that even the comments on her videos on YT are charming

[@frankboyd.]

One of a kind artist. They don't make them like Joni then or ever.

[@user-mh2vj2qs7w]

Joni what talent you have. Love your music.

[@leanhquoc3109]

She always sounds perfect

[@stevenlayer8756]

Beautiful singer

[@denieledwards6893]

GENIUS PERIOD.

[@NigelFortune]

I have this wonderful concert on tape. Absolutely sublime..

[@nicefella3]

one of my favorite tunes...excellent performance!

[@k.h.4698]

I love Joni and attended as many concerts locally that i could. Music aside, which of course is heavenly, i took a minute to notice how Joni adapted to the growing fame and exposure to bigger audience base. That includes her sense of fashion and how it grew along with that fame. I suppose thats normal as celebrity goes. But just compare her early Toronto and New York coffeehouse days (think Circle Game and Nathan LaFraneer) with her natural look against this classy Paris pant suit, chapeau and seemingly-bleached coif…. Joni you grew up so fast… P.S. i missed Woodstock too.

[@roberthiggins224]

For some reason this tune started playing in my head today...definitely a cool tune and vibe...

[@joyceberry2324]

Joni Mitchell amazing she is as good as her friends CSNY what a talented woman she was and is accredited to the hall of fame we will never see this again

[@vincentkosik403]

My favorite of hers

[@riabossuyt7149]

Wild things run fast tour. She passed through Belgium as well... best concert of my life... hugs Joni !

[@mao6027]

I like Meryl Streep, and when I found out that she was a fan of Joni Mitchell, I started listening to it too!! It's all wonderful songs, but I especially like this song♡♡

[@lorihirtelen4569]

So perfectly Joni.... xx

[@HOPSCOTCHEMPO]

Thank You for this,, i simply adore her and all that she has given to music,, we are blessed to have her in out lives,, I missed meeting her at Dalhousie Palace Hotel,,a long story,, again thank you for this video footage,, x