Joni Mitchell - My Old Man

[@SuperC888]

Graham Nash wrote: I remember leaving the house to give her the space to finish My Old Man. I’m sad that it’s about me again, but it’s so brilliant. Like the song suggests, I asked her to marry me but I think she thought I wanted a “wife” to cook meals and so on, which was never my intention. I wanted her to be as free as possible, to be as brilliant as possible. She’s an amazing woman. I’m proud to have been a part of her life. I met Joni in 1967 when I was in the Hollies and we played Ottawa. Later, I flew from London to spend a few days with her in Los Angeles. When I arrived, I could hear voices in the house. David Crosby and Stephen Stills were having dinner with her. The Byrds had thrown David out and Stephen’s band, Buffalo Springfield, were over. We smoked a big one and Stephen played this fabulous song, You Don’t Have to Cry, with David and myself singing harmonies. So Joni witnessed the birth of Crosby, Stills and Nash. We were a couple for two years - and I watched her write many of the songs on Blue. She didn’t finish it until after we parted. River made me sad, because it chronicled the end of our relationship, but also elated, because it was such a beautiful song and she had the courage to bare her soul. We were very much in love. I treasured that relationship. In 100 years’ time, people will remember the Beatles, Bob Dylan and Joni.

[@jamielynnfox]

This song is as gorgeous as when I first heard it when I was in my teens. I will love it forever.

[@WendyWowWard]

The beds to big, the frying pans too wide - poet of the 70's and unique singer. Love !!!!!

[@thechillinvillain]

I love her so much. It's like a bird singing on a park bench.

[@esmeclair7895]

Exactly! She is nature!

[@jimbaker87]

Joni is the best. So many fans here in the UK and throughout the world. I was so lucky to see her live in London, a few years ago. Very special human.

[@holyburn]

A true painter and an historic gem...stick around Joni.

[@misspeggy7]

God, is it me? Or is her talent really rare?She doesn't miss a note.Her voice is clear as a bell..

[@markrush5013]

the absolute best voice in music history

[@killybay2]

Voice of an Angel.....

[@mervyndrage3507]

Great singer and pianist

[@oscargarciamiguel6745]

También pintora 😉

[@NichisStuff]

This is so absolutely amazing. She delivers perfection and makes it look effortless.

[@champlain9]

Thank you Joni Mitchell for sharing your gift with us. Your music helped me get through many troubled times in my youth. You are still and always will be amazing.

[@fpngan]

Besides her voice and song writing....she was a downright breathtaking beauty.

[@greenthumbguy1]

"...and he tells me all his troubles, and he tells me all my charms..." I love that line.

[@RJBSoulSinga]

I'm a late 20's guy from South Africa & never grew up listening to Joni but there is no doubt in my mind that she is one of the greatest songwriters of all time. Spellbinding! Her music flows with her words & gives such honesty to her music!!! absolute genius!

[@syntonic1]

Amsterdam, I think the beauty of an artist is the ability to make the song a little different with each performance. It is a testament to Joni's genius and talent that it's not the same as on the album. That's why we go to concerts and hear our favorite artists live. It's then that we really see them shine!

[@MuizeekPhanahtic]

A really unqiue love song told masterfully by Joni Mitchell. The snippets of a quest for individuality and independence are enlightening; you see a firm desire to achieve a real bond but at the same time not play by anyone else's rules (or conventions). You (as the listener) realize how how important the "old man" is to her. Very sweet story, sung gorgeously by her powerful voice. The piano is played with such flair & creativity. Enjoyed this all around, from start to finish. Thanks for sharing!

[@daviddiangellidaviddiangel1304]

Damn! What a wonderful and powerful Song!

[@taylor_br0wn_0]

Lyrics ♫ : My old man he's a singer in the park He's a walker in the rain He's a dancer in the dark We don't need no piece of paper from the city hall Keeping us tied and true no, my old man Keeping away my blues He's my sunshine in the morning He's my fireworks at the end of the day He's the warmest chord I ever heard Play that warm chord, play and stay baby We don't need no piece of paper from the city hall Keeping us tied and true, my old man Keeping away my blues But when he's gone Me and them lonesome blues collide The bed's too big The frying pan's too wide Then he comes home And he takes me in his loving arms And he tells me all his troubles And he tells me all my charms We don't need no piece of paper from the city hall Keeping us tied and true no, my old man Keeping away my blues But when he's gone Me and them lonesome blues collide The bed's too big The frying pan's too wide My old man he's a singer in the park He's a walker in the rain He's a dancer in the dark We don't need no piece of paper from the city hall Keeping us tied and true no, my old man Keeping away my lonesome blues

[@anaislowmusic]

When I listen to Joni Mitchell I can feel her music and inspiration comes from her soul and it's so real! When I listen to singers nowadays I have the strange sensation that something's wrong and fake... What happened?

[@YBRCTY]

She was family in America Canada , thank GOD for this beautiful person!!!!!

[@Agoateeman]

precious, just precious. my god how she amazes me again and again.....

[@LopeMolinaRomero]

Grandiosa Joni Mitchell, innovadora e irrepetible, excelente instrumentista e inconmensurable talento como cantautora!!!

[@GEORGEWINS1956]

What an unbelievable voice.

[@kevinsweet79]

What an inspiring human being.

[@greenthumbguy1]

Thanks for the tears and the goosebumps, Joni.

[@petra09933]

great singer,just beautiful!!!!!!!!!!!! pure and bright voice......

[@LittleGreen88]

How incredibly beautiful and eloquently said. It is a delightful song.

[@juandominguez9167]

Qué maravilla!; mientras más la escucho a Joni, más me enamoro de su arte❤

[@ChoctawNawtic4]

Such a creative woman!!

[@butfulmuzik]

mpolakow--RIGHT ON, baby. Joni Mitchell has always written and sung straight from the heart and you see it, feel it and take it inside of you for a lifetime. Quite simply, she is one of the finest artists of her time and I am proud to be a part of her generation. Even prouder, when she released her "Shine" album in 2007. The brilliance just goes on and on!

[@marijlouise]

Love this song, love the key changes! Everyone should own the blue album.

[@airoxx]

Pure genius.

[@iankyoko]

She is so multi-talented.

[@paulinedraper980]

Reminds so much of the true love i was priviledged to experience....long gone but vividly remembered.

[@ohutma]

Mega dittos , Man !

[@snapathundelicious1]

wow!! it touches me..... soo much skill!

[@rabbitshirt]

. . . and a smoker from the age of 9. Ha haaaa! This is a wicked tune. Beautiful and latino mix. Wild.

[@eccuba9260]

SHE IS AMAZING!! Es grandiosa, que voz!!! la composición, el piano :3... tus fans desde Perú me ayudaron a conocerte :D Joni Mitchell thanks for your music m-_-m

[@chetansingh2006]

pure beauty and natural and depth thanx u

[@CitrusColors]

Such elegance is every word.

[@gracev4186]

💓 happy new year, Joni Mitchell💖 I was playing from before my feet could reach the pedals💚 💙💕Grace Victoria🌻🌼💫

[@thekilo23]

flawless , absolutely flawless

[@jarodcarnarvon5198]

Love that piano there in addition to her beautiful lovely voice. Love the outfit she's wearing also.....

[@SocialistsarePIGS]

Wow, just plain wow. First time ever hearing this and ......wow!!

[@srkadict]

Through the years many artists have started mentioning her name (even here in France where we were but a few to know and love her many years ago) but she remains unbeatable and unique!!

[@HigherWaysWoman]

1 of my most saddest times in life is when the surgeon told me that he must excise all 30yrs of memories. Day b4 the surgery I went 4 a walk on the beach n said, "Lord, I lived during sum of the greatest most poignant times. I saw ppl usher in music & spirituality that brought us alive. I don't know if I can take losing these memories". God replied, "My Child all that is written on the wind & forever told is kept in every person's Soul". I smiled warmly & faced that life altering surgery. GBU

[@lesjoe3240]

LOVE THIS SONG TO PIECES!!

[@littlewing19380]

Gives me chills...

[@savariaxa]

Joni Mitchell is and was the best singer song writer no one comes even near her LP canon from the 70 are flawless enough said😉

[@ohutma]

No, not nearly enough said, severexema,Joni is. additionally, one of the finest musicians and performers...Ever. Enjoy !

[@dermotoblong]

absolute quality, beautiful.

[@ahknanowt]

joni mitchell is and always will be the greatest singer and songwriter ever..fact.... end of.....

[@cliffperrino3015]

I so agree!

[@BenLeedsCarson]

The lyrics on "Blue" somehow manage to show a spontaneous confession of unfiltered feeling while also showing distinctive character that she creates, like a great fiction novel (in "The Last Time I Saw Richard"-the character hurts but tries to hide it in one way while showing it another). Here, the line "we don't need no piece of paper..." is NOT just a defiant hippy against marriage; it's a woman who's trying to convince herself she's liberated, even while she recognizes that she's lost him.

[@smiffydk]

Thanks so much for posting this. It was really overwhelming to watch and listen to. Joni Mitchell truly speaks straight from the heart when she preforms.

[@tom1600x1050]

Perhaps a perfect song -- enchanting musical melodies, beautiful voice, great lyrics. There's a slight sadness in the music when "he's gone" which is in perfect agreement with the lyrics. Writing stuff like this is very very difficult; she makes it look easy.

[@musicalfeelings1847]

Magnificent and truly missed, Giusi

[@etralo92]

Hermosaa canción !

[@BaltinatoR]

God, she's so talented!!!

[@Jbeckwith]

Awesome extended piano intro is awesome.

[@lightgearwire]

A true master.

[@othmanhishmeh]

This is one of my favourites! Thanks for sharing!

[@rabbitinyourrucksack]

BREATH TAKEN AWAY ALWAYS MAKES ME WEEP thanks for posting this x x x

[@megatonydeath]

What a fantastic range she has! Agree with everyone, she is clearly the best ever. One of the few people I go back and purchase their vinyl.

[@poeticjournalism]

I'm not about to argue with a Graham Nash fanboy. Mitchell will be remembered by her fans just as much if not DEFINITELY more than stuffy academics. she's ridiculously influential to all kinds of people/artists/etc.

[@TMKchld]

GENIUS.

[@ambymkz]

beautiful

[@stagegurl]

joni is a goddess. the female dylan. god bless you joni and thank you for the beauty all of these decades.

[@AsboDolche]

love you joni!

[@fresiaguila3933]

¡Mágico!

[@rev.stevenheisler9510]

I have maintained for 30+ years, and still say, that "Blue" is the greatest record album ever recorded by anyone.

[@FrogFish44]

God bless you.We love you.

[@TheNigelr]

1970 - Joni is nailin' it even then........

[@oscargarciamiguel6745]

Imprescindible en cualquier buena discoteca que se precie

[@IgorLueska]

thx for posting beautiful

[@emmamikara]

Funny reading this comment and realizing that (1) I know you! and (2) I really started to appreciate Joni during senior seminar with Paul Nauert... and I'm so grateful for that! Just spent two months traveling India and coincidentally the only music I had was a Joni album - I could never get sick of it. Truly a master of syncopated rhythm as you say! Hope all is well over the hill : ) -Emma

[@Lkutzervoices]

wonderful. . .

[@hanniedark]

you're my hero joni.

[@Madcinda]

Ahhh Joni

[@HannahLopezmusic]

Love!

[@drumcircler]

thank you, joni. thank you thank you

[@GreeneLes]

Love Joni.

[@claudiaprotter5453]

Come Joni nessuna mai ❤

[@bluemoonani]

the emotion she brings to the song just by playing the piano

[@voguekisses]

Here's to the people who watched this because a certain person who inspires them said something that is from this song... "You don't need no piece of paper from the city hall" . keep strong, they will come out someday.. they're ready but management isn't ♥

[@warlockboyburns]

she has to be one of the bravest artists ever

[@Tankgirlie]

Thank You.

[@carmelrotem]

Best musician of all times!!! She's just soooo good... too bad there's soo little video footage of her singing...

[@esmeclair7895]

Oh Joni I adore you ❤

[@BenLeedsCarson]

Thank you emma... And I would modify my early comment making it seem like Dylan's lyrics are generally better. This lyric, and the others on the album, are some of the best poetry of the century...the depth of it can't be understood without listening to decades of delta blues and understanding that "Blue" is a very personal way of re-thinking those lyrical forms. Both a tribute to them and an honest reflection of her distance from them.

[@jem5167]

this speaks to my soul. i am graduating from college soon. getting older now.

[@egnurevets]

But when he's gone/me and my and my blues collide./The bed's too big/The frying pan's too wide. Gets my vote for best couplet in pop music history.

[@FRANCECHILD]

WE SO LOVE JESUSNJONI

[@cruzlc]

Joni, You are a Goddess!!!!

[@louisemayb]

Fabulous!! :o)

[@stphn44]

shes my dream women singer

[@babshabits]

her piano playing slays me

[@MacFeeley]

Superb piano playing

[@airslug1]

this is a great version of this song! i like the vocal play she does with the dipping of the notes...(i don't think that's a technical term ;) but i love it)

[@Cris1949]

Joni Mitchell: WE LOVE YOU!

[@MiSTY134xx]

Here to appreciate the music

[@ElaineCicconi]

brilliant !!!