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Joni Mitchell — Shades Of Scarlett Conquering
Album: The Hissing Of Summer Lawns
Avg rating:
6.4

Your rating:
Total ratings: 1130









Released: 1975
Length: 4:55
Plays (last 30 days): 0
Out of the fire like catholic saints
Comes scarlett and her deep complaint
Mimicking tenderness she sees
In sentimental movies
A celluloid rider comes to town
Cinematic lovers sway
Plantations and sweeping ballroom gowns
Take her breath away

Out in the wind in crinolines
Chasing the ghosts of gable and flynn
Through stand-in boys and extra players
Magnolias hopeful in her auburn hair
She comes from a school of southern charm
She likes to have things her way
Any man in the world holding out his arm
Would soon be made to pay

Friends have told her not so proud
Neighbors trying to sleep and yelling "not so loud"


Lovers in anger "block of ice"
Harder and harder just to be nice
Given in the night to dark dreams
From the dark things she feels
She covers her eyes in the x-rated scenes
Running from the reels

Beauty and madness to be praised
'cause it is not easy to be brave
To walk around in so much need
To carry the weight of all that greed
Dressed in stolen clothes she stands
Cast iron and frail
With her impossibly gentle hands
And her blood-red fingernails

Out of the fire and still smoldering
She says "a woman must have everything"
Shades of scarlett conquering
She says "a woman must have everything"
Comments (89)add comment
EXCELLENT TUNE!!  I like it. I don't care what anybody else says.  Thanx RP!   
 holborne wrote:


The best of a pile of shit is still a piece of shit.

And don't even get me started on the bone-stick-stone stupid assertion, oft seen hereabouts, that disliking something is the same as not understanding it. That's right up there in the pantheon of genius with "Go back to listening to Britney Spears" when another Radio Paradise listener (for Christ's sake) doesn't like the same song you like. As is calling someone who posts an opinion with which you disagree a  "whiner," for that matter. 

Now then, clown, let me try to explain this in terms you might understand: The fact that I don't like Joni Mitchell doesn't mean that I "don't understand" Joni Mitchell. It means that I've listened to her music over a course of years, thought about it, and come to the conclusion that in my opinion, she's a self-important, undertalented, overrated, pompous blowhard whose lyrics display approximately the level of wisdom and complexity found in babies' board books and whose shrieky, nails-on-blackboard voice would be better put to use as a dog whistle than as an instrument.

Put that in your bong and smoke it, you condescending Boomer prick.




You're good at using insulting slang a non-native speaker will hardly get, that's pretty much what you are good at. You don't get music, despite your claims, you actually a sad git who will leave this world with the deep regret of "never being able to get Joni Mitchell" in disguise of "I don't like Joni Mitchell".  I feel sorry for you, for a second. Then I go about my way with Joni in my earphones.
This is absolutely gorgeous.
Never had much with Joni Mitchell songs.. until now. Love this!
Joni Mitchell is, for my money, the greatest songwriter of her era.  And this is a great song from one of her finest albums.
 Stetsonman wrote:


i'm allowed to rate as i chose. the scale runs from 1 to 10.  
Not 10 down to 5.
you retard 


Sticks and stones baby. You got nothing. 
 RichW wrote:


If I don't like a song I don't rate it. I guess the urge to hate is in some people, and must be expressed. I'll give it a 10 to offset your 1.


i'm allowed to rate as i chose. the scale runs from 1 to 10.  
Not 10 down to 5.
you retard 
 Stetsonman wrote:

once again joni fucking mitchell scores 1/10



If I don't like a song I don't rate it. I guess the urge to hate is in some people, and must be expressed. I'll give it a 10 to offset your 1.
once again joni fucking mitchell scores 1/10
Put this song on, lay back and listen to the pitch, timing, tone, sheer artistry of her voice….not just a song to listen to, but a therapeutic few moments…
Prince loved it and said it was a perfect album
GodDESS-like.
Glas, Mitchell very atmospheric. Terrific background music that occasionally catches your attention RP audio is always the best.
I have never been a fan of Joni Mitchell but when she hits the nail on the head she really hits the nail on the head. This tune really hits the nail on the head.
 On_The_Beach wrote:

Wow, that was truly sad. If a pop song or someone else's opinion of it can fill you with that much anger and hatred, then I honestly feel sorry for you. Hope you get over what's really bothering you, someday. It's obviously not me or Joni Mitchell.


 

One of my all time favorite album names
 LoudshirtsBand wrote:


Anyone tell me what PSD stands for? P Self Destruct??
 
For this song it stands for "probably shouldn't do-it"for others it means "play something different"
 dewhead wrote:
Time to hit the PSD button.
 

Anyone tell me what PSD stands for? P Self Destruct??
Oh my God, her voice takes my breath away.
Elvis Costello once praised the record's center, "Shades of "Scarlett Conquering": "This is as good as any writing," Costello said. "That's a whole book's worth of writing and yet it doesn't rely on anybody assuming that's you".
 idiot_wind wrote:
Was not familiar with this album.  This came out during one of her transitional phases. 
 
IMO '73-79 was Joni's peak. This is so out of the ether... nothing like it at the time. 
Was not familiar with this album.  This came out during one of her transitional phases. 
 Boreal wrote:
I really can't stand Joni Mitchell's singing.
 

I never understand these comments. Nobody knows you, nobody cares, If we had known you, we still wouldn't care




WOWOWOWOWOWOW
 Boreal wrote:
I really can't stand Joni Mitchell's singing.
 
That's ok everyone has their own opinion about music and voices.
How is that rating so low smh
Yall voted for Trump what can I say
I really can't stand Joni Mitchell's singing.
Been listening to these recordings for forty years, God rest my soul. Still excellent stuff...   
Time to hit the PSD button.
 pope183 wrote:


When you look at holborne's song comments 50% of them end up in verbal attacks on other members devolving into name calling , smug sarcasm, and the misguided belief that people she disagrees with must be hippies / boomers.  holborne's fatal flaw ( besides posting an easily traceble - to a real full name - email address )  is trying to fall back on a quasi-educated para-intillectual gibberish that passes only a 7th grade english exam.

 
You know the greatest minds over the centuries have not resolved the objective/subjective nature of art, so I doubt that anyone on this board is going to.  It is ok to think Joni sucks. Really it is.  It is also ok to think she is a genius.  I am happy Bill throws all this stuff at us so we can say:  yes; no; maybe another listen.....When Bill's sensibilities become too removed from mine then it is time to find another station.  That hasn't happened and I doubt it will, even though I cringe at some of the stuff he plays just as some cringe at Joni Mitchell.

Peace 
 
Happy Birthday Joni... good healing days ahead.
 
 pope183 wrote:
When you look at holborne's song comments 50% of them end up in verbal attacks on other members devolving into name calling , smug sarcasm, and the misguided belief that people she disagrees with must be hippies / boomers.  holborne's fatal flaw ( besides posting an easily traceble - to a real full name - email address )  is trying to fall back on a quasi-educated para-intillectual gibberish that passes only a 7th grade english exam.
 
Thank you pope183! {#Cheers}
I didn't take the bait on that last holborne comment (years ago now).
He/she obviously has some anger issues.
As for the song, one of Joni's best from my fave album of hers.

 

 

 

   Hard to deny Joni her due on any of her songs I've heard so far so I do like this one "Shades Of Scarlet Conquering" . Mix could have been a bit more up front but if that is Jaco Pastorius on fretless bass in the background hard to be too critical. Joni and Jaco really shine on her album "Hejira" *hint*,hint*  I think Joni is more herself when she is alone with her guitar or piano and not too much embellishment but her jazz leanings are done tastefully and effectively.  Hoping Joni a full and speedy recovery.  Not the same around here without you, Joni. Love and Peace...  Richard ( Great White Whale )  Thanks Joni for the music and Radio Paradise for all the fine plays. 


Get well Joni!!
love ya foreva Joni! <3
 On_The_Beach wrote:

Wow, that was truly sad. If a pop song or someone else's opinion of it can fill you with that much anger and hatred, then I honestly feel sorry for you. Hope you get over what's really bothering you, someday. It's obviously not me or Joni Mitchell.
 

When you look at holborne's song comments 50% of them end up in verbal attacks on other members devolving into name calling , smug sarcasm, and the misguided belief that people she disagrees with must be hippies / boomers.  holborne's fatal flaw ( besides posting an easily traceble - to a real full name - email address )  is trying to fall back on a quasi-educated para-intillectual gibberish that passes only a 7th grade english exam.
 On_The_Beach wrote:

Wow, that was truly sad. If a pop song or someone else's opinion of it can fill you with that much anger and hatred, then I honestly feel sorry for you. Hope you get over what's really bothering you, someday. It's obviously not me or Joni Mitchell.
 

Ok, so let me see if I get the rules here. First you get to say that I'm a whiner and imply that I'm not as smart or evolved as you are. Then you get to liken me to swine. Then, after you're finished insulting me and anyone else who doesn't have the same musical taste you do, you tell me to get over it and tell me you pity me.

Uh, right. But anyway, thanks for confirming my opinion of you as a condescending prick.


 holborne wrote:
The best of a pile of shit is still a piece of shit.
And don't even get me started on the bone-stick-stone stupid assertion, oft seen hereabouts, that disliking something is the same as not understanding it. That's right up there in the pantheon of genius with "Go back to listening to Britney Spears" when another Radio Paradise listener (for Christ's sake) doesn't like the same song you like. As is calling someone who posts an opinion with which you disagree a  "whiner," for that matter. 
Now then, clown, let me try to explain this in terms you might understand: The fact that I don't like Joni Mitchell doesn't mean that I "don't understand" Joni Mitchell. It means that I've listened to her music over a course of years, thought about it, and come to the conclusion that in my opinion, she's a self-important, undertalented, overrated, pompous blowhard whose lyrics display approximately the level of wisdom and complexity found in babies' board books and whose shrieky, nails-on-blackboard voice would be better put to use as a dog whistle than as an instrument.
Put that in your bong and smoke it, you condescending Boomer prick.
 
Wow, that was truly sad. If a pop song or someone else's opinion of it can fill you with that much anger and hatred, then I honestly feel sorry for you. Hope you get over what's really bothering you, someday. It's obviously not me or Joni Mitchell.


 On_The_Beach wrote:

Yes, I would say it was her best. Too bad all these whiners don't understand it. Ah well, pearls before swine
 

The best of a pile of shit is still a piece of shit.

And don't even get me started on the bone-stick-stone stupid assertion, oft seen hereabouts, that disliking something is the same as not understanding it. That's right up there in the pantheon of genius with "Go back to listening to Britney Spears" when another Radio Paradise listener (for Christ's sake) doesn't like the same song you like. As is calling someone who posts an opinion with which you disagree a  "whiner," for that matter. 

Now then, clown, let me try to explain this in terms you might understand: The fact that I don't like Joni Mitchell doesn't mean that I "don't understand" Joni Mitchell. It means that I've listened to her music over a course of years, thought about it, and come to the conclusion that in my opinion, she's a self-important, undertalented, overrated, pompous blowhard whose lyrics display approximately the level of wisdom and complexity found in babies' board books and whose shrieky, nails-on-blackboard voice would be better put to use as a dog whistle than as an instrument.

Put that in your bong and smoke it, you condescending Boomer prick.


 cherinoel wrote:
. . . this album IMHO was her LAST great album before she careened off into her total Jazzy era...There are great songs on here...

 
Yes, I would say it was her best. 
 holborne wrote:


FAIL. Please go back to your courses in Rudimentary Logic 101. Thank you.

Ah, that would firmly fall into the "or whatever" category then ...   {#Mrgreen}

I'm still working on my statistics ...
https://xkcd.com/552/ :

XKCD on correlation
To each his own, I can understand the "smelly cat" association.

 ce wrote:


Now please go back to your Britney or whatever.

 

FAIL. Please go back to your courses in Rudimentary Logic 101. Thank you.
 avidfan wrote:
I know I'm committing blasphemy here and I do respect her writing abilities, but I CAN'T STAND JONI MITCHELL and I don't understand her resurgence at all. 

She reminds me of that Friends episode where Phoebe sang her 'Smelly Cat' song at the cafe.

In fact, I'd like to place a request for the 'Smelly Cat' song to follow all plays of Joni Mitchell.

 

Completely agree, up to and including "Smelly Cat" replacing Joni Mitchell. In fact, I think actual cat yowling would be preferable to listening to Joni Mitchell.
 zipper wrote:
Does this entire CD suck as hard as the two cuts played on RP?
 
This is one of Joni Mitchell's best albums ever. The other is probably "Blue", which a lot more girly/hippie, where she sings in her very high voice. This is a bit more dreamy/jazzy/older.

I don't think this is the best track on the album, my favourite is "Harry's house", but it is representative.
So, errr... yes.
Now please go back to your Britney or whatever.

BTW, currently RP lists only this track for this album, but the list for Joni Mitchell contains three tracks from this album. What gives?

Out of the fire like Catholic saints
Comes Scarlett and her deep complaint
Mimicking tenderness she sees
In sentimental movies
A celluloid rider comes to town
Cinematic lovers sway
Plantations and sweeping ballroom gowns
Take her breath away

Out in the wind in crinolines
Chasing the ghosts of Gable and Flynn
Through stand-in boys and extra players
Magnolias hopeful in her auburn hair
She comes from a school of southern charm
She likes to have things her way
Any man in the world holding out his arm
Would soon be made to pay

Friends have told her not so proud
Neighbors trying to sleep and yelling "not so loud"
Lovers in anger "Block of Ice"
Harder and harder just to be nice
Given in the night to dark dreams
From the dark things she feels
She covers her eyes in the X-rated scenes
Running from the reels

Beauty and madness to be praised
'Cause it is not easy to be brave
To walk around in so much need
To carry the weight of all that greed
Dressed in stolen clothes she stands
Cast iron and frail
With her impossibly gentle hands
And her blood-red fingernails

Out of the fire and still smoldering
She says "A woman must have everything"
Shades of Scarlett Conquering
She says "A woman must have everything"
This song brings up the old argument that girls are enormously emotionally complex, while boys are hungry, sleepy, happy, angry, and that's about it.  I don't get all of this emotional complexity!  Would this woman PLEASE stop singing so I could stop being confused about the girl she's describing and get back to work!?  {#Stupid}
I know I'm committing blasphemy here and I do respect her writing abilities, but I CAN'T STAND JONI MITCHELL and I don't understand her resurgence at all. 

She reminds me of that Friends episode where Phoebe sang her 'Smelly Cat' song at the cafe.

In fact, I'd like to place a request for the 'Smelly Cat' song to follow all plays of Joni Mitchell.

Man.  This song just about killed any chance at a buzz.  Thank God the next song is Radiohead to the rescue!  And my favorite of the in rainbows.  'Don't get any big ideas' Joni.
Love Joni's music. I just regret SO much that I never got to see her live, in her prime! {#Sunny} 

Shades of Hejira here..........intoxicatingly beautiful. Ain't none like Joni, then or now.
Having said that, not one of my favourite songs of hers, but typically wonderful and insightful lyrics.

As a die hard Joni fan from back when you could only hear her on 'underground radio', this album IMHO was her LAST great album before she careened off into her total Jazzy era...There are great songs on here...Jungle line and the title song "hissing of summer lawns" to this day reminds me of summer....close your eyes and you can hear it hiss....she always could draw a picture with her poetry...I know the voting is split on her voice (esp. among younger listeners) however that is the way with ALL great poets whose  poems are put to music.  (Cohen, Dylan, Waits, Mitchell).   Listeners that can't stand her voice could perhaps read her songs as poetry...absolutely amazing writer!  {#Meditate}


 Otomi wrote:

Still feeling down, Holborne? Perhaps getting out into nature and soaking in its beauty would turn things around for you. Peace.

 

Nope, as I said before, I feel just fine, thanks.
Beautiful.  Thanks RP!
You might have to be older to appreciate this style of song, I'm not sure.  I remember my mother singing some stuff like this and it brings back warm memories for me.
 holborne wrote:
God, how I LOATHE Joni Mitchell in every way. I wish RP would stop playing so much of her crap.
 
Still feeling down, Holborne? Perhaps getting out into nature and soaking in its beauty would turn things around for you. Peace.

 Leslie wrote:
Beautiful.
 

Something else we are in agreement on...
God, how I LOATHE Joni Mitchell in every way. I wish RP would stop playing so much of her crap. It's like there are a dozen of her songs on here every day. Thank god for the mute button.

zipper wrote:
Does this entire CD suck as hard as the two cuts played on RP?
Perhaps you really had to be into Joni's music to like this one. I like some of her stuff, but some I just can't get to.
Does this entire CD suck as hard as the two cuts played on RP?
element1 wrote:
Second Joni Mitchell in under 4 hours. From basically the same era too. Hmm.
It's a Joni kind of day.
I like her vocal stylings better here than in songs where it is more syncopated patter.
I have worn this CD out. I need to get a new copy. Joni, the Queen.
I can appreciate her for what she's done for music, that she has written quite a number of spectacular songs and I know this opinion is likely an unpopular one, but I CAN'T STAND JONI MITCHELL. Just my .02.
Second Joni Mitchell in under 4 hours. From basically the same era too. Hmm.
wferrier wrote:
If there was a little more jazzy piano in there I'd have thought this was Diana Krall.
I'm hearing her influence on KD.
If there was a little more jazzy piano in there I'd have thought this was Diana Krall.
nightowl wrote:
Two Joni songs in the same 12 hour period = too much.
Dam! I missed them!....Any Joni, anytime.... Shades of Scarlett.....for those who know.
sqqqrly wrote:
Great, pin that medal on your ass and have a seat
Is an adolescent cliche the best you can do?
keller1 wrote:
More enlightened debate from the NRA. By the way, John R Lott Jr is a nutbar. Google "Mary Rosh" and see for yourself. Joni is consistently one of the highest rated artists on the RP playlist. A lot of times I find myself at odds with the consensus (Radiohead, Cake, Petty) but on Joni I'm in complete "agreeance". And this particular song, to me, is gorgeous.
Great, pin that medal on your ass and have a seat
rockasaurus wrote:
Unfortunately, you're out of range.
Your song rating list speaks volumes.
rockasaurus wrote:
Unfortunately, you're out of range.
More enlightened debate from the NRA. By the way, John R Lott Jr is a nutbar. Google "Mary Rosh" and see for yourself. Joni is consistently one of the highest rated artists on the RP playlist. A lot of times I find myself at odds with the consensus (Radiohead, Cake, Petty) but on Joni I'm in complete "agreeance". And this particular song, to me, is gorgeous.
rockasaurus wrote:
I know that Joni Mitchell is highly respected, and that I'm supposed to like this. But this is just awful.
lol I second that.. didn't feel anything about that song, other than "why am i supposed to like this again?"
Alpine wrote:
Why don't you just go listen to Rush Limbaugh and drink some Old Milwakee and catfish or shoot something.
Unfortunately, you're out of range.
Hippy Manual: (click here)
Two Joni songs in the same 12 hour period = too much.
I know that Joni Mitchell is highly respected, and that I'm supposed to like this. But this is just awful.
o2bnsv wrote:
this is aweful. Make it stop.
Why don't you just go listen to Rush Limbaugh and drink some Old Milwakee and catfish or shoot something.
Joni. Elegant, awesome, poetic. I just love this. This CD has been in my changer non stop for eons.
this is aweful. Make it stop.
hippiechick wrote:
I should like Joni, but for some reason, I just could never get into her.
I think you should change your name. If a "hippiechick" can't get into Joni then I you can't be a hippy. (It's in the hippy manual, you can look it up)
hippiechick wrote:
I should like Joni, but for some reason, I just could never get into her.
Don't think she'll be losing any sleep over that........
Beautiful.
hippiechick wrote:
I should like Joni, but for some reason, I just could never get into her.
not irritating or anything, though
happy to see a substantial list of Joni songs being played on RP....what a genius....what a voice....what a poet....
I should like Joni, but for some reason, I just could never get into her.
I don't think I could ever not like anything Joni has ever recorded. I give it a 9.
Poetry
Glad to hear Bill playing more off of this, my absolutely favourite Joni!
What a great song!