Joni Mitchell's 'Both Sides Now' performed by Lalah Hathaway | Next at the Kennedy Center | PBS

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Lalah Hathaway performs a unique and sensitive interpretation of Joni Mitchell's iconic "Both Sides Now" with the National Symphony Orchestra. Written by Mitchell, it was first recorded by Judy Collins but would later appear on Joni Mitchell's 1969 album Clouds.
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Next at the Kennedy Center
A dynamic mix of artists across hip hop, jazz, modern dance, and more perform at the Kennedy Center. Each episode weaves together performances filmed live at the Center with intimate off-stage moments contextualizing each artist’s cultural impact.

[@fredricgrethel1717]

This is truly the most beautiful version of this song I have ever heard. The complex orchestration, the interesting timing, the incredible story telling. The slight lack of synchronicity of the gorgeous vocals with the dissonant sound of the orchestra was just a perfect way to help you feel “both sides now”. Thank you to the glorious vocal artist Ms Hathaway and her stunning accompaniment. Truly special

[@CD-zr7qy]

Didn't think about the dissonance that way until you mentioned it; yes, the dissonance is absolutely perfect in this song - along with Hathaway's velvety vocals. Amazing.

[@umouthingme]

It's nice, but something about the arrangement and voice of the Woman from the movie CODA gets me every time.

[@sonjad.8695]

It is magical.

[@SolarMumuns]

Personally, I think Joni's live version at her birthday concert with orchestra (similar arrangement) is more moving but that's just me.

[@MarkHarada-k1d]

Listen to Brittany Howard's arrangement with the master, Herbie Hancock accompanying her on piano. Just discovered it on YT, just discovered her. She's stunning, the voice, the invention, the way she approached the lyrics. Enjoy!

[@mpatreece2726]

Lalah's voice is comforting. Beautiful arrangement. Lovely cover. Thank you.

[@DiandraStarShine]

ikr? it's gorgeous! and very similar to the 'cover' Ms. Mitchell did of her same song for her orchestral jazz classics album, "Both Sides Now" (2000). the same version of it was also featured in the Christmas holiday rom-com film, "Love Actually" (2003).🎄

[@fredamallory3697]

She definitely has made her dad smile 😊 Rest Well Donnie Hathaway ❤

[@madcitywendy]

I love her rendition of this classic!!

[@bt60613]

When I was a kid the song was wildly popular. My mom and I sang it together each time it was on the radio. Last week, at age 63, I visited my 84 yr old Mom for the last time. She was dying from cancer that had only been diagnosed four months prior. We never expected to lose her so quickly but I had to get home quickly. The entire flight I was worried sick about what to say to her. What would be right? How to say goodbye? She was heavily medicated when I arrived. She never spoke and never opened her eyes. I knew what felt right. It came to me so clearly. I kneeled by her bed, cradled her head and sang “Both Sides Now” while forcing back tears. She was gone 2 days later. I never saw her conscious again. I’ll never know if she heard me. The song was always special to me, always our song. I’ll never hear it without crying again. RIP Mom. You’re so loved. So missed.

[@xButtonsMcGee]

I'm sending love and light to you and your mom, may she rest in peace. I hope you're being gentle with yourself and taking care of yourself, or have someone to help you. Lots of love.

[@bt60613]

@@xButtonsMcGee I appreciate you. I really do

[@biggybear2218]

She heard you. She really heard you. When my father & later my mother died in my arms, I sang to them & I know they heard by little hand pressures. Doctors say that hearing is the last sense to go. She knew you were there & you sent her off so beautifully.

[@bt60613]

@@biggybear2218 I appreciate your comment. Other folks have mentioned “the ability to hear until the end” thing too. It’s still very fresh and I hope to be able to enjoy this lovely song again sometimes with a happier view of it. A thank you

[@dgrimes331]

You brought me to tears with this comment. May your mom rest in peace and you and your family be blessed! You’ll always have this song❤

[@kaioiamo1503]

I finally understand the song! ❤

[@christimanley13]

Me too. It's about optimism and despair. Hope and depression. And the thoughts you have when you're in your in your nadir, aren't real. And to be fair, the thoughts you have when you're flying high probably aren't real either. Reality is somewhere in the middle.

[@The.leatherlungs]

That was like crying while being hugged the most healing, warm voice and performance x

[@chrislloyd9]

I started crying within 3 seconds. this woman has the most perfect voice

[@Shutterbugin]

This is living in the words. She took her time and spun the listener up in the story. Beautifully sung and heartfelt. 💜

[@macmanworldwide3899]

HER VOICE MAKES YOU FEEL... HER VOICE IS LIKE HOLDING THAT WARM MUG AND THAT FIRST SWALLOW OF THE PERFECTLY TEMPED HOT CHOCLATE AFTER COMING FROM SHOVELING SNOW FOR AN HOUR. HER VOICE IS THE DROP ON THE BED AND DEEP EXHALE AFTER COMING INTO THE HOUSE AFTER A THREE MILE HIKE IN HUMID WEATHER WHEN YOURE TRYING TO LOSE WEIGHT AND YOURE 50 LBS OVER WEIGHT. I LOVE HER VOICE.

[@cllareou]

Rows and flows of angel hair And ice cream castles in the air And feather canyons everywhere I've looked at clouds that way But now they only block the sun They rain and 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 illusions I recall I really don't know clouds at all Moons and Junes and ferris wheels The dizzy dancing way you feel As every fairy tale comes real I've looked at love that way But now it's just another show You leave 'em laughing 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 give and take, 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 I've looked at life from both sides now From up and down, and still somehow It's life's illusions I recall I really don't know life at all

[@chefbwebb]

❤

[@TheRozberry]

When you can take a Joni Mitchell and make it your own then you are a beast on the mic!!!

[@ciarrajohnson3849]

That’s why she and Donny couldn’t simultaneously exist. She used to mess with his head (😄😄), which was their connection. Her voice behind him or accompanying him…❓She’s a natural “Hype Man”♥️♥️👊🏿

[@kirbincap8307]

What a voice 😮

[@Godstrumpet2010]

Oh my God…I love Lalah Hathaway. That smoky, expensive texture. Beautiful orchestra music envelopes this wonderful voice. Classic performance.

[@elizabethsudweeks7317]

Her voice is lovely I remember her father, the day he died made my mother cry

[@ciarrajohnson3849]

Valerie (Simpson) said she took him back to his hotel that night….😢😢

[@Lelito65]

Probably the best rendition of this masterpiece ever. Pure magic!

[@Suri-o7w]

Wow i honestly love 💕 the way Lalah sings both sides now💘💝 💖 its such a meaningful emotional song that keeps tears 😭 flowing from my eyes WOW Miss Joni must be proud❤oh my Goodness one of the prettiest love songs ever written In all the earth Miss Joni most talented poet singer songwriter and composer ❤❤

[@yvonneraley3050]

❤ this song.

[@alessandrorossini8704]

Not easy... not easy at all... but she did it, with love and respect. And a beautiful, soothing voice, well done Lalah, well done. ❤❤❤❤

[@tamaralynn741]

Lalah’s voice is so warm and soothing. I love it!

[@noi000]

Awesome lyrics, Joni!

[@christinesullivan1229]

Jonis song , Lalahs Voice and Singing blended with Vince Mendozas superb arrangement is one of the genuine wonders of the sonic world. X

[@Sambubdo]

CLEAN.

[@feliciastreet11]

This song.. at age 63 it means more to me now than when I first heard it years ago ❤❤❤❤

[@lamars2486]

❤ 👍 ❤ great cover of an iconic song 😊

[@PaulMolloy]

Stunning!

[@stoneyred-lj2ce]

Baby, you, you got it beautifully done.❤😊

[@garfieldcollins8570]

beautiful from both sides

[@daknox3653]

Her voice! Like her dad, she has the ability to go deep and move the soul. While his voice was a beautiful, deep, rich, vibrato, hers is lush, smooth, soothing and velvety.. what genes..

[@annae7038]

Simply gorgeous 💛

[@waynebruce7767]

Masterful timing 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾

[@EruvieBruinen]

Ah....shivers ❤ I love this song!

[@fawaka5006]

In these dark times, this … a spark of light amidst all this evil by fellow earthers …💜

[@carlalima12]

Wow !!! Perfect !!! Bravo !!!

[@marynewell374]

Love this!

[@usamaali5604]

great cover What a voice

[@SusanSez1]

What a beautiful woman. And beautiful voice.

[@corygovier8820]

stunningly beautiful!

[@siaga1564]

Her voice is like a hug. I love her version.

[@delicialiu421]

so beautiful

[@TruthSerum101]

Yes.

[@face2faceam898]

0:23 holy..clouds singing melody

[@waynewebb7663]

She definitely inherited her father’s talent!❤️

[@keyplayer123]

Every single time I hear this song I marvel that the young Joni had such vision to lay out this lyric. Truly she was some kind of prophet. I see the truth of its message more clearly with every decade. Thanks to Lalah for a very soul touching rendition.

[@donnytarbert6839]

Is that Vince Mendoza conducting ?

[@darrylmorrison6127]

Between the singer's wonderfully understated control and the gorgeous orchestration, thank you for making this standard new again. This is what Kennedy Center does so well.

[@lameshathomas9803]

She definitely has the ability to take on a journey with her voice ❤

[@edithbanks6626]

Beautifully done! I know understand the song❤

[@whatsupeddie4432]

WOW

[@riannorman1097]

This performance is everything, Ms. Lalah Hathaway, orchestra and all.❤

[@ameliabedelia7018]

Let’s talk about the dude playing the trumpet. Now that’s my kinda hunk!

[@captaincommonsense]

what a voice

[@mariacoronel2547]

0:59 I was very little when this song came out but it I fell in love with it and it’s always close to my heart.

[@user-je3zc3nj9c]

If this song doesn't move you, you have no soul.

[@patriciahuff1578]

Love this version❤❤❤

[@JochenVogel]

Sounds like Vince Mendoza's arrangement from 2000. Well performed and Ms. Hathaway successfully made this her own.

[@kimmcdaniel1004]

Absolutely beautiful ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@Passion84GodAlways]

OMGOSH!!! LALAAAAHHH!!!! 😭❤🙌🏾💎🙏🏾

[@Mark-rw9gw]

Beautiful!!

[@margarita8442]

she done the song justice !!!

[@BrodyT6464]

Wow this is the best cover of this song I’ve ever heard. I thought Seal took the crown!

[@katiecannon8186]

They should release the whole concert to buy.

[@user-je3zc3nj9c]

YES Yes

[@dizmix]

Lalah is amazing, buts its also hard to do this material injustice..

[@n-dog9325]

Brian Blade on drums!

[@Bl00dOnyx]

Excellent performance but she got the lyrics wrong at the beginning

[@terrilove8910]

Bravo!!!

[@RQJcsn]

That’s a truly difficult song to sing …. Well done!

[@ameliabedelia7018]

I would go to the Prom with this song…..if it asked me to.

[@ciarrajohnson3849]

This conductor reminds me of the one from that performance in AMSTERDAM with that orchestra. I wonder if that’s…him💯

[@JJ-oi5vo]

Vince mendoza is his name,and yes he did Amsterdam!

[@kathyrusso2921]

So sad..... we all get old. Some accept, and some dont.

[@Jcrawlogan]

Happy sigh❤

[@alexandreb2877]

❤️‍🩹

[@suchisthismystery2814]

As much as I like Lalah's voice, this was not a wise choice, as it unfortunately only serves to expose her vocal/musical weaknesses rather that its strengths. Joni's classic is so much greater than this sadly lacking rendition. You cover Joni at your peril as this performance shows.

[@sonjad.8695]

I don’t know what you’re listening to, but this is brilliant.

[@monilaninetynine3811]

I've heard many versions of this song and this is by far the most compelling. Maybe your ears need cleaning.

[@rtaylor802]

at what speed are we supposed to play this?

[@Gio_Vanni6143]

Joni recorded this version at this tempo in the late 1990s.

[@psdeas7530]

This is very lovely, but it does sound like Joni after decades of smoking damage. I bet Lalaha can do the higher registers, and that would be amazing!

[@psdeas7530]

Even if not, her version is beautiful and moving.

[@julieDL6334]

I love the depth. Higher registers are so over rated.

[@DinNDee]

She is a contralto and so she sings in a lower register. It's her natural range.

[@Gio_Vanni6143]

Joni recorded this slower tempo version in the late 1990s because she felt it was more realistic at that stage of her life.

[@ciarrajohnson3849]

Yes, yet Lalah never smoked. Bet her school was shocked AF realizing who she is…♥️♥️#Hathaway👊🏿

[@georgcrostewitz]

to me Joni`s orchestral version is much more deeper and has more spirit. Lalah Hathaway is too controlled in her performance

[@andihutson8512]

Nah