Song For Sharon Illustrated

[@Longtack55]

So many people identify with this song. Joni is very thoughtful.

[@suzangittens2046]

It would be difficult to do justice to such a song, but you did Nathaniel.

[@triciamacedo-escritora912]

"Song for Sharon" should be the theme of my whole life: and the power of reason, and the flowers of deep feelings, seems to serve me only to decieve me...

[@tracelynnsangster]

phenomenal, especially the ending parts where she sings "sharon you've got a husband, and a family, and a farm" and you show the empty bed, the empty table, and the milk carton in the fridge. stunning and incisive!

[@kimnelson9910]

im literally married to a property.....like a guys married to a taxi

[@musicforheadphones2731]

who needs therapy when u have Joni mitchell

[@KP11520]

Makes the lyrics more real and personal. Sometimes too personal.

[@grantbowie3561]

Good grief, I have loved this song for 45 years now and its still my top favourite song.

[@markbamber3540]

I never need any excuse to listen to this masterpiece, even less so now, thanks Nathaniel

[@jaws9565]

Just evacuated from Louisiana from a hurricane and sitting in my hotel and playing KZbin dj for my wife while we settle our nerves with vodka. Stumbled upon this and just wanted to give you my deepest thanks. I have visualized this song in my own way since 1989 and you nailed it. I have never heard a better written song in my life and have always loved it. Will check out more of your material and patreon when our lives a little better. Looking forward to suppers ready… take care and thanks.

[@owenbb505]

I'm a 36-year old man who heard this song on a local college radio station for the first time some five years ago and its one of the more haunting tunes ive heard. Still listen to it over and over when i get depressed. I think you've come the closest to capturing the more abstract aspects of this song and making it real. Even the transitioning of the panels fit the song, which is weird! I applaud you sir, very well done!!

[@johnparadise3134]

The quickest eight minutes 40 seconds in all of music!

[@pindsvinen9384]

It's like you listen to the song and the thoughts going through your mind are brought to life in the images here. Brilliant.

[@moniquelegarda1842]

Hejira, and particularly this song, got me through the pandemic. This comic is brilliant!

[@jmar9819]

I've listened to this song hundreds of times since I bought the album in 1976 but I was never moved to tears until I saw the brokenhearted survivor of the "woman who just drowned herself." Thanks for bringing this song to life.

[@cidcreative]

I agree @JMar. Such a strong interpretation!

[@stutzbearcat5624]

Are you FREAKING KIDDING ME!!?? This is stunningly good!

[@djmoch1001]

As a fan of Ms. Joni Mitchell (and of this brilliant song in particular) I am amazed I've never seen this video before. Beautifully illustrated!

[@rr7firefly]

M A S T E R P I E C E. Nathaniel Barlam's illustrations, with all the lyrics, bring a heightened reality to this great song. Seeing the lyrics in real time is a huge boost to making this unforgettable.

[@hersheypyle]

This song was always relatable as a woman in the city but now I work at a bridal shop by "Wollman Rink" and take my lunch breaks there. Every time I watch these beautiful illustrations I cry buckets. Thank you for sharing.

[@mtacoustic1]

Was enchanted by this song when it first came out in 1976; it was so different from anything else on the radio at the time. Haunting and sublime! Joni was in a league of here own. Great job of presenting the story sketches!

[@ste7193]

I can watch this again and again.

[@dega1955]

Joni ever the poet, reflecting a world of emotions every introvert has experienced during the course of our lives' journeys.

[@Truth-4-Humanity]

I love your abstract illustrations of Central Park, in daylight at the beginning and by nightfall as the closing scene. You've captured New York City so well with all of the imagery as well as the ambiance of Joni's song.

[@rudistade5939]

I saw that "bridge in Canada" in the 70's when I was hitch-hiking across Canada! It's a train bridge over or near the Trans-Canada highway just east of Sault St. Marie and hard to miss

[@NathanielBarlam]

That's awesome, thanks for sharing!

[@MauroBoccuni]

Bravo, because you have grasped the inner meaning of this dialogue, in the form of a letter to her friend Sharon, summarizes the eternal torment of unresolved Joni Mitchell that the tension between The Passion for Love idealized and its impracticability. Joni has always had a profoundly blues soul

[@NathanielBarlam]

Thank you!!

[@susan9899]

I'm a longtime Joni Mitchell fan, and I absolutely love your artistic interpretation of her lyrics. This song is a big favorite of mine, and you're really done it justice. I hope you find time to draw more-you're very talented. Thank you for sharing it with us!

[@kennewicksheri]

" ... All emotions and abstractions It seems we all live so close to that line And so far from satisfaction ..."

[@tjw27529]

Nathaniel - this is exquisite!! Absolutely superb. I am so thoroughly impressed with your talent & attention to detail. Joni saw music as an "audio painting". You have transformed her music back to a "visual lyric". I can see only imagine the effort involved -- thank you so much for focusing your talent & passion... then sharing it with us all. Wow!!

[@NathanielBarlam]

Thank you!!

[@contalope]

The coyote! The black crow! The clarinetist! This whole comic is too wonderful for words. This is my favorite Joni song and you did such a beautiful job interpreting it.

[@NathanielBarlam]

+Taylor Morales Thanks so much! I'm glad you liked it, as it's my favorite Joni song too.

[@cocoapeach]

I never heard this song until I saw this video about a week ago. Now I can not stop watching and listening to it. I've been there. Maybe a part of me still is. Also, I grew up in the South, but my mother has lived on Staten Island for over 35 years, so I've been on that ferry many times, alone with my thoughts, in a crowd of folks.

[@rr7firefly]

As others have stated, you have given this Joni Mitchell classic an entirely new life! It is absolutely the most amazing thing I have seen on KZbin in a very long time. It's fantastic, Nathaniel. Seeing the lyrics with wonderful illustrations makes me love this song even more than I did before, which is really saying something. (Wow, you even placed 29 skaters on Wollman Rink!)

[@NathanielBarlam]

Thanks!

[@MrPaladin123]

GREAT interpretation!!!! ALWAYS loved this song . . . . this . . . Song For Sharon

[@NathanielBarlam]

Thanks!

[@BrownBrothersNY]

Incredible. Nathaniel - thank you for this.

[@frednow]

Fantastic! Now I wanna see all the Hejira songs illustrated.

[@andyrenwick7803]

I would love to see A Strange Boy... thinking about this made me realise what I already knew is that Joni's songs are all so visual! Stories!

[@stephenvanevera6984]

A masterpiece of storytelling. Haunting. This is genius at work. Bless you Joni.

[@roberthurley6860]

Thank you Nathaiel Barlam. Your wonderful illustrations are a perfect match to this beautiful song. I am a native New Yorker and have loved this song since the debut of Hejira.

[@roberthurley6860]

Sorry for the misspelling Nathaniel....typo....my apologies.

[@jm-rf7kl]

Very cool, this album touched my soul as a younger person and is still moving. Exquisite ennui set to music and now..pictures!

[@NathanielBarlam]

Julian Malone Thank you so much!

[@jamessavery276]

That is mind blowing. I'm a Joni Mitchell fan and Sharon is one of my favourite songs. You've made a loving homage here. Thank you.

[@howiwondrwhatur]

Nathaniel. You have a real gift. Joni’s music is incomparable and your illustrations make her songs even a little better! Please do more Joni. How about Coyote?

[@arlaur]

Excellent work! As other commenters have already said, you thoroughly capture the sentiment of the song with your illustrations. Bravo!

[@NathanielBarlam]

Ari Shagal thank you!!

[@danclemente485]

this video is a stroke of genius and a stress reliever at that

[@MikeyB958]

Thank you for deepening my experience of this song - which I didn't think could get much deeper.

[@NathanielBarlam]

You're welcome!

[@marco.a13]

This is really gorgeous. Such a brilliant work, I'm glad a found it.

[@stevengatewood2725]

Great comic. You make Joni look great. I wish I had your talent.

[@ClaudiaFofi]

Questa canzone l'ho amata sempre tantissimo, da tutta la vita. Bravo.

[@lmccauley7319]

Wow brilliant artwork to a brilliant song. Thanks.

[@claudemaynard6288]

A friend sent this to me last night. Just wonderful Nathaniel! Hejira may be my favorite Joni album.

[@NathanielBarlam]

Thank you! It certainly is my personal favorite.

[@robertlonghi7949]

Just one word - "Magnificent"

[@tome57a]

This is brilliant!! It honors, reflects and amps up the power of Joni's incredible song so well - and I agree, this may very well be her greatest song, if not one of many greatest songs on that landmark album called Hejira... Thank you for finding such a creative way to breathe new life into Song For Sharon...

[@NathanielBarlam]

No problem! And thank you for the lovely comment

[@timcooper9907]

Great song, great illustrations! Thanks.

[@denman997]

I bought Hejira when it was first issued ( a clue to my age ) and Song For Sharon is one of my all time favourites. To me, this video/comic really brings the song to life. Your research, observations and attention to detail are fantastic. Your love of the song shines through. All the best !

[@dainmagnuson3456]

Illustrations are fabulous. They capture emotion perfectly! Thank you!

[@NathanielBarlam]

Dain Magnuson you're welcome!

[@jessedalton2387]

This is one of the most beautiful, intriguing, special things that I have ever seen.

[@NathanielBarlam]

Jesse Eberl Thank you! It was a lot of work, and such nice comments really mean a lot to me.

[@musicmavenpublishing2265]

This is amazing. What a beautiful tribute to a beautiful song. ❤

[@oslo7718]

love the nod to 'for free' at 7:28

[@user-bl2uf6pu9u]

OMG OMG OMG I'M SO EMOTIONAL RIGHT NOW THIS IS PROBABLY THE BEST THING I HAVE EVER SEEN !THANK YOU SOOO MUCH FOR YOUR TALENT AND FOR JONI:)

[@NathanielBarlam]

Thank you so much! You're too kind. It really means a lot to see such a positive response to my stuff.

[@user-bl2uf6pu9u]

***** So sad Joni never goes internet,I honestly think she should see this!And the illustration of "But all i really want to do right now/ Is find another lover"really capture that strong feeling when i heard the lyrics for the very first time:))

[@deborahherriage8281]

Ok, this is brilliant!!! The first song on Hejira, and when I opened it and played it, back in 1976, these vision came into my head too. A few different perspectives here and there, but I followed this, absorbed it, went into it, loved it. Thank you - I think Joni herself would love this too!

[@NathanielBarlam]

Deborah Herriage Thank you so much! Her music is truly universal.

[@ItaloMalloni]

Bravissimo,emozionante e commovente, grazie Nathaniel.

[@loridancer9378]

@Nathaniel Barlam, I think you are brilliant! Your choices and exquisite renditions make me so happy and satisfied. But wanting more.

[@andrewwalsh2755]

Great artwork... aural and visual.

[@7snider7]

Nathaniel, I agree that Song for Sharon is an extraordinary creation. Your homage here is a worthy and enjoyable contribution. Keep up the good work!

[@vandalstookthehandle]

Superb addition to Joni's song mate. Nice one.

[@VEVOWINK]

Thank you so much, that was amazing. Brilliant sketches and little movie. Loved it !!!!!

[@NathanielBarlam]

Glad you liked it!

[@NathanielBarlam]

Thanks so much! One of the exciting things about researching this comic was realizing how much of what Joni mentions is based on real places in NY, but I bet it was awesome to discover it firsthand.

[@deepsouthbass]

Wow, leaves me speechless. What work you did! What love!

[@NathanielBarlam]

Thanks so much!!

[@BegoneJonah]

Very nice! A nit: she sings "Miss Liberty," not "Ms." Joni Mitchell would be the very last songwriter I'd want to correct or put words in her mouth! By the way, this song is thoroughly analyzed in David Yaffe's book "Reckless Daughter: A Portrait of Joni Mitchell." Highly recommended. The places and people she sung about are real. The woman who committed suicide was Jackson Brown's girlfriend, and she's mentioned in another Joni song. Interesting stuff.

[@Longtack55]

Brown was a depressive for years and years.

[@keezles]

Absolutely gorgeous rendition of one of my favorite songs ever!

[@NathanielBarlam]

Thanks! It's one of my all-time favorites too!

[@glowgirl8171]

I loved your interpretation! This is a finely tuned visual ride and your homage to her past is noticed.

[@stevemartin4249]

Blown away. Psychologically insightful, and appropriate as Joni, and a Japanese counterpart, Matsutoya Yumi', thought of themselves as graphic artists who sang for a living. Saving this labor of love to visit now and then. Upvoted, subscribed, notifications turned on ... and wishing I had the scratch to become a patreon.

[@oursmalldeaths]

This is so wonderful, i can only echo what people have already expressed here. So in tune with Joni's words and music, beautifully realised.

[@NathanielBarlam]

Thanks!

[@valeriescarpelli9675]

wow... we almost dreamed her away.... not yet thank God. i loved her poetry. loved her compelling music. Thank You MR. Nathaniel Barlam

[@kennewicksheri]

I love this so much ... the graphic novel feel within the message and measures of one of my favorite Joni songs

[@mjm290853]

one of my favs from Joni, respect to you for a different slant on putting the lyrics to the masses

[@NathanielBarlam]

Thanks!!

[@theogoldberg8919]

You're a great illustrator my friend. I love your childlike universe. Friendly Theo Goldberg , baritone

[@pmhutch7]

Loved it! This song is so rich in meaning and emotion, and your illustrations added to it greatly for me. Thank you!

[@NathanielBarlam]

Thank you so much! I can tell you also know Joni, and it means a lot that you feel the work is so effective.

[@cacaca9116]

Great work! The B&W illustrations match this song's mood. Feels like it was written on a cold n cloudy January day.

[@shaannun]

Loved it. Just brilliant. I hope she see's this as I am sure she would love it.

[@MrPatagonianFox]

wouldn't it be ironic if joni mitchell was the one person who gave this video a thumbs down? i've always loved this song, but your illustrations really brought her words to life in a way i had not experienced before. 'song for sharon' was song #805 on my daily facebook radio station, and i chose your video specifically for your artwork. -thank you.

[@NathanielBarlam]

That's awesome! Thanks for featuring my video on your radio station, that is really kind of you. I really hope joni didn't give it a thumbs down, but she is a bit of a curmudgeon these days so I wouldn't put it past her.

[@makissoflife]

This video is amazing! Very creative! Joni would be proud!

[@NathanielBarlam]

+makissoflife Thanks again!

[@berndalberts6437]

thank you for your fantastic genesis illustration. I (We) Want More, Please !!!!

[@stephaniemeadows6325]

More! More! More! This was fabulous and fascinating Nathaniel! I watched it twice!

[@NathanielBarlam]

Stephanie Meadows Thank you! I have two other illustrated songs on my channel, and hopefully will make more in the future!

[@AlonMusic]

Beautiful work. I never appreciated this song as much as I do after seeing this.

[@NathanielBarlam]

Thanks!!

[@suemoorchild8251]

That is really really very good❤

[@MrBeanthere1]

First time I see this compilation...It makes Joni's words that I have known for so long, new and dynamic. Merci..

[@NathanielBarlam]

Thank you!

[@sinclaireatonIII]

I can tell you really know Joni. Her childhood, her teens, her adult mannerisms. How big a deal that window was to her and how she started smoking so young. Incredible work. No room for criticism whatsoever. I imagine SHE would like some color in it ;) I personally think the muted tones fit the song perfectly.

[@cherylsibson8457]

Great Illustrations I haven't seen anything like this ever! Well done!

[@MsCatM]

This is absolutely brilliant. I wish I could like it a hundred times - or more! You've really captured the essence of the lyrics. Keep up the good work!

[@TristanBMusic]

Incredible! The sheer effort alone is impressive, but the artwork is gorgeous. Nice work!

[@NathanielBarlam]

Thank you!

[@donnapavlosky5518]

I feel so lucky to have found your wonderful art! This is better than most videos out there! Joni needs to see your work! 💛🌻

[@NathanielBarlam]

Thanks!!! I hope she gets to see my work at some point, but I'm glad you got to see it too :)

[@NathanielBarlam]

Thank you! It's nice to know that people appreciate Joni

[@DamonWood]

Wonderful. I share your opinion of this song and album, it's always there and always runs deep. Beautiful interpretation. Thank you.

[@NathanielBarlam]

You're welcome!

[@timsynge2920]

I love your story-board, it's a brilliant idea. Well DONE, keep at it Nathaniel.

[@johnlapierre-mcguire4119]

Blown away! You are extremely talented.

[@martinjf467]

Brilliant...

[@oliverpiers6603]

This is incredible

[@NathanielBarlam]

Interesting point! I think that one of the great things about her is that she writes extremely personal songs that almost anyone can relate to, which is not an easy accomplishment.

[@triciamacedo-escritora912]

All these feelings in dis song are about my life. Thank u for the beautiful illustrations. ♥️👏

[@donaldrichardson7218]

So much sadness in the 70s from Bob and Joni and me. So much came out so beautifully. So much of it hurt so badly. Love and loss. Love it so hard . Then it’s all gone to someone and somewhere else.

[@NathanielBarlam]

Thank you so much! That means a lot from someone as familiar with the song as you must be!