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Joni Mitchell — Let The Wind Carry Me
Album: For The Roses
Avg rating:
6.3

Your rating:
Total ratings: 1445









Released: 1972
Length: 3:48
Plays (last 30 days): 0
Papa's faith is people
Mama she believes in cleaning
Papa's faith is in people
Mama she's always cleaning
Papa brought home the sugar
Mama taught me the deeper meaning
She don't like my kick pleat skirt
She don't like my eyelids painted green
She don't like me staying up late
In my high-heeled shoes
Living for that Rock'n'Roll dancing scene
Papa says "Leave the girl alone, Mother
She's looking like a Movie Queen"

Mama thinks she spoilt me
Papa knows somehow he set me free
Mama thinks she spoilt me rotten
She blames herself
But papa he blesses me
It's a rough road to travel
Mama let go now
It's always called for me
Sometimes I get that feeling
And I want to settle
And raise a child up with somebody
I get that strong longing
And I want to settle
And raise a child up with somebody
But it passes like the summer
I'm a wild seed again
Let the wind carry me
Comments (150)add comment
She literally is one in a million.
A genius.
A fighter.
A survivor.
Her talent does not stop at writing and orchestrating all genres of songs but also her paintings are clever and finely tuned. She is absolutely delighted when people understand what her music 🎵 is about. Those that do not get it , she could care less. Is how it should be. A once in a lifetime muse.
This is my favorite Joni Mitchell song, which is saying a lot. The last lines are so moving.
 Kajukenbo wrote:

Well now I'm curious to know if she ever settled down with someone and raised a child or not?


Wikipedia, the source of all knowledge in the 21st century,  says she married Chuck Mitchell in 1965 (at age 21), in a marriage of convenience as she was pregnant at the time.  She took and kept his last name.  They divorced in 1967 with no children of their own.

The child was born in 1965 and named Kelly Dale Anderson.  See the song "Little Green" from her 1971 album "Blue."  Their mother-daughter connection was leaked by a tabloid in 1993.

Joni also married her bassist and sound engineer Larry Klein in 1982.  They divorced in 1994.

Chords and keys reminding me a bit of "Love Is The Answer" by England Dan & John Ford Coley, from 1979.  Would be quite an eye-opener to hear that on RP.
 Kajukenbo wrote:

Well now I'm curious to know if she ever settled down with someone and raised a child or not?




She had a child out of wedlock when young and gave her up for adoption. They reconnected a few years ago.
 dfphillips1 wrote:

Swimming against the current, I know, but the appeal of Joni Mitchell is a total mystery to me. Meandering and unmelodic.  




 Kajukenbo wrote:

Well now I'm curious to know if she ever settled down with someone and raised a child or not?


good story there...
Well now I'm curious to know if she ever settled down with someone and raised a child or not?
 dfphillips1 wrote:

Swimming against the current, I know, but the appeal of Joni Mitchell is a total mystery to me. Meandering and unmelodic.  



Exhausting, isn't it? Swimming upstream probably builds endurance, which is useful since RP is not stopping its righteous appreciation of Joni Mitchell. Stamina!
Swimming against the current, I know, but the appeal of Joni Mitchell is a total mystery to me. Meandering and unmelodic.  
'6.2'? Definitely 'Most Excellent'
 ralf-peter.hayen538 wrote:

This 1972 album is just great and "timeless" -- and always will be.



close to perfect
Love the nod to the Group of Seven on the jacket ...
Best Oedipian song ever heard
 ralf-peter.hayen538 wrote:
This 1972 album is just great and "timeless" -- and always will be.
 
yup!  One of the "3 J's"   Joni, Judy and Joan...…..the finest female voices of the 60's
This 1972 album is just great and "timeless" -- and always will be.
I bought this album the 1st day it was available at Val's Halla in Oak Park, IL.  Brought it home and didn't stop playing it until I knew every word.  She will always be an inspiration to me.
 BBoyes wrote:

Agreed, specifically: what a fantastic vocal range - and she makes it sound effortless, superb enunciation, interesting musical compositions, non-trivial lyrics, diverse and changing styles. It's hard to categorize her.
 

AND, to top it off, she sets the arc of her own life to music and lyrics in the most beautiful and poignant ways.  It pulls at your heart.
It's a rough road to travel
Mama let go now
It's always called for me

Could there be anything more heartbreaking?
Love her!
My friend Lindsay Ferguson from Canada reminds me of Joni. Check her out Bill :)
 Lyndont wrote:
There are very few albums that I actually remember buying and the shop I bought them from, but this is one. I am pretty sure it was the day it was released here in the UK. Remember getting it home and playing for the first time. Cold Blue Steel is still one of my favourite JM tracks.

 
Cold Blue Steel is one of my favorites too. A great song from a great album. 

 Cynaera wrote:
Let The Wind Carry Me
by Joni Mitchell

Papa's faith is people
Mama she believes in cleaning
Papa's faith is in people
Mama she's always cleaning
Papa brought home the sugar
Mama taught me the deeper meaning

She don't like my kick pleat skirt
She don't like my eyelids painted green
She don't like me staying up late
In my high-heeled shoes
Living for that rock 'n' roll dancing scene
Papa says "Leave the girl alone, mother
She's looking like a movie queen"

Mama thinks she spoilt me
Papa knows somehow he set me free
Mama thinks she spoilt me rotten
She blames herself
But papa he blesses me
It's a rough road to travel
Mama let go now
It's always called for me

Sometimes I get that feeling
And I want to settle
And raise a child up with somebody
I get that strong longing
And I want to settle
And raise a child up with somebody
But it passes like the summer
I'm a wild seed again
Let the wind carry me

 

I remember the "She don't like my kick pleat skirt" line from high school, and wondered what a kick-pleat skirt was... And then I learned, and bought four of them.

Joni will always be the woman I wanna be when I grow up.

 




 Same. She reminds me that "too much" is just fine :) 

There are very few albums that I actually remember buying and the shop I bought them from, but this is one. I am pretty sure it was the day it was released here in the UK. Remember getting it home and playing for the first time. Cold Blue Steel is still one of my favourite JM tracks.
 LAwolf8 wrote:
Joni is an original and always insightful, someone to learn from

 
Quite possible, but I just can't stand her sound, for some reason.  Oh well, different strokes, and all that.
Joni is an original and always insightful, someone to learn from
 Sasha2001 wrote:
Joni Mitchell has taught me more about the feminine condition then 25 years of Oprah ever could. Not that I watched Oprah voluntarily. I was usually forced to watch it by women I didn't understand.
 
I am wondering whether you missed a punctuation mark in the last sentence.
 funkyalfonso wrote:

Point1: Possible typo ( they do happen ) from Sasha2001. As a reader I do find "editors" somewhat pedantic. And....not just yourself, but, yourself in this instance... commas are incorrect and and the sentence is badly structured. Pip-pip.
 
It's kind of compelling to know that some have given consideration to the rules. It's the difference between learning to talk and learning to speak: good form. And, in a sentence beginning with the word "and", there's reference to a law governing erroneous—read:meaningless—word duplication while expounding on punctuation, or lexical choice, txt-ing or whatever there may be in a preceding post ... Hubris/nemesis. I can't be arsedtolookupthenameofthelaw.
 Skydog wrote:
8

 
10
8
rabid Phil: step off!
Great musician, I'll rate this outstanding (while way back then she was out-sitting on that rock for the album photo : )
oh dear, how depressing is this????????  PSD saves the day.
morning music. it was perfect the first time I listened to this album in the morning on a summer, college weekend over 30 years ago. morning music.
 unclehud wrote:
She's magnificent.  No equal in this mortal life.

 
Genius songwriter
 DD rabbi_phil wrote:


fwiw..what i've learned of the female condition over the last 25 yrs.....ummmm....nothing...not one damn thing. i tried once. it was the most agonizing 2 1/2 minutes of my life      plus  they're not from our planet (it's true)...they're from the planet Menstruos although there are some from its' habitable twin moons... pre-menstros and emote-os. now then, there are some from the separate galaxy Saphos...but thats a horse of a completely different feather

 
Casual sexism. 
 DD rabbi_phil wrote:


fwiw..what i've learned of the female condition over the last 25 yrs.....ummmm....nothing...not one damn thing. i tried once. it was the most agonizing 2 1/2 minutes of my life      plus  they're not from our planet (it's true)...they're from the planet Menstruos although there are some from its' habitable twin moons... pre-menstros and emote-os. now then, there are some from the separate galaxy Saphos...but thats a horse of a completely different feather

 
And to think I used to wonder how you racked up all those restraining orders, Rabbi Phil. {#Dance}

 
 unclehud wrote:
She's magnificent.  No equal in this mortal life.

 
Agreed, specifically: what a fantastic vocal range - and she makes it sound effortless, superb enunciation, interesting musical compositions, non-trivial lyrics, diverse and changing styles. It's hard to categorize her.
wow meinthecorner, you must be fun at parties

sing it, joni!  {#Cowboy} 



 
meinthecorner wrote:
 Sasha2001 wrote:
Joni Mitchell has taught me more about the feminine condition then 25 years of Oprah ever could. Not that I watched Oprah voluntarily. I was usually forced to watch it by women I didn't understand.
Hi, Sasha2001. I'm a man and Joni has done the same for me. I do, however, have 2 issues with your comment:
As an editor I wish people would pay closer attention to how they use language, not just yourself, but, yourself in this instance: your use of "then" is incorrect. "Then" refers to a point in time. Your opening statement is comparative, and should use the term,"than", instead. I see this mistake being made far too often these days.I don't understand how anyone could be "forced" to watch Oprah for 25 years. Truly cruel and unusual punishment!        

 


 unclehud wrote:
She's magnificent.  No equal in this mortal life.
 
Yes... true.
She's magnificent.  No equal in this mortal life.

Joni's one of my all time top 10 artists. Didn't realiza how talented she was with a paint brush until 10 years ago, her website shows some of it, but I had been looking at it on the covers, insides and backs of all her LP's I'd bought over the past 40 years. Sadness and joy, sweet and sour, those feelings and flavors have helped me enjoy this life and given me a proper dose of introspection that hopefully has kept my soul both humble and joyful.


Getting close to the season for "River".
 
 meinthecorner wrote:
 Sasha2001 wrote:
Joni Mitchell has taught me more about the feminine condition then 25 years of Oprah ever could. Not that I watched Oprah voluntarily. I was usually forced to watch it by women I didn't understand.
Hi, Sasha2001. I'm a man and Joni has done the same for me. I do, however, have 2 issues with your comment:
  1. As an editor I wish people would pay closer attention to how they use language, not just yourself, but, yourself in this instance: your use of "then" is incorrect. "Then" refers to a point in time. Your opening statement is comparative, and should use the term,"than", instead. I see this mistake being made far too often these days.
  2. I don't understand how anyone could be "forced" to watch Oprah for 25 years. Truly cruel and unusual punishment!   
     
 
Well alrighty then
 Sasha2001 wrote:
Joni Mitchell has taught me more about the feminine condition then 25 years of Oprah ever could. Not that I watched Oprah voluntarily. I was usually forced to watch it by women I didn't understand.
 

fwiw..what i've learned of the female condition over the last 25 yrs.....ummmm....nothing...not one damn thing. i tried once. it was the most agonizing 2 1/2 minutes of my life      plus  they're not from our planet (it's true)...they're from the planet Menstruos although there are some from its' habitable twin moons... pre-menstros and emote-os. now then, there are some from the separate galaxy Saphos...but thats a horse of a completely different feather
Brilliant song writing skills. I never tire of the early JM output.
 meinthecorner wrote:
 Sasha2001 wrote:
Joni Mitchell has taught me more about the feminine condition then 25 years of Oprah ever could. Not that I watched Oprah voluntarily. I was usually forced to watch it by women I didn't understand.
Hi, Sasha2001. I'm a man and Joni has done the same for me. I do, however, have 2 issues with your comment:
  1. As an editor I wish people would pay closer attention to how they use language, not just yourself, but, yourself in this instance: your use of "then" is incorrect. "Then" refers to a point in time. Your opening statement is comparative, and should use the term,"than", instead. I see this mistake being made far too often these days.
  2. I don't understand how anyone could be "forced" to watch Oprah for 25 years. Truly cruel and unusual punishment!   
     
 
wow - by the way, did you enjoy the song?
Meinthecorner: Your point is well taken. Good grammar is a dying art and stalwarts like yourself do us all a service by pointing out our lapses. What I should have written was...

"I was forced to watch Oprah by my wicked Stepuncle, then I listened to lots of Joni Mitchell in college, and then came to the realization that Canadian, guitar-playing chanteuses know more about the human condition than daytime television talk-show hosts."

Better?
 Sasha2001 wrote:
Joni Mitchell has taught me more about the feminine condition then 25 years of Oprah ever could. Not that I watched Oprah voluntarily. I was usually forced to watch it by women I didn't understand.
Hi, Sasha2001. I'm a man and Joni has done the same for me. I do, however, have 2 issues with your comment:
  1. As an editor I wish people would pay closer attention to how they use language, not just yourself, but, yourself in this instance: your use of "then" is incorrect. "Then" refers to a point in time. Your opening statement is comparative, and should use the term,"than", instead. I see this mistake being made far too often these days.
  2. I don't understand how anyone could be "forced" to watch Oprah for 25 years. Truly cruel and unusual punishment!   
     
A brilliant song from her best album.
Thanks, just made my morning...
 jt1 wrote:
I just can't 'get' Joni Mitchell...which is probably my loss, judging by some of these comments.
...I suppose I'll just have to keep trying, but ideally in very small doses.
 
jt1 keep trying, no matter how small the dose. Joni is amazing, but she is under the Advanced column. Court and Spark is great and accessible album to check out. She is an acquired taste, and it took me some time to, as you say, 'get' her. Sometimes the most challenging stuff is what we end up loving the most. That is why we find ourselves at Radio Paradise.
 
I just can't 'get' Joni Mitchell...which is probably my loss, judging by some of these comments.
...I suppose I'll just have to keep trying, but ideally in very small doses.
over rated and egotistic...can't deal
Lovely and timeless for me ! Thank you Joni xx
meh...
beautiful
her voice and the instruments - is it a clarinet a saxophone or a claraphone ?
can't be sure
oh my gosh
Joni Mitchell has taught me more about the feminine condition then 25 years of Oprah ever could. Not that I watched Oprah voluntarily. I was usually forced to watch it by women I didn't understand.
 lmic wrote:

I believe this might be considered Jazz phrasing.

 
Jazz isn't random.  Or at least (IMO) good jazz isn't.  It only seems like it when you're not very used to syncopation.

Was halfway into shutting down the PC, but had to log back in to say:

"This woman's music ... is more wonderful that words can convey."
Exactly. How is Joni "random"?


Love Joni.  How could you not?
 TimeWaster wrote:
I have trouble "following" some of her music...it seems so random.
 
I don't get it....this is one of her LEAST random songs....easy to follow, obvious what it's about and as usual paints a wonderful, poetic picture!

I love essentially everything Joni Mitchell has ever recorded.  She's such a beautiful, heartfelt, strong, tender, jazzy poet.  This album is iconic...
 TimeWaster wrote:
I have trouble "following" some of her music...it seems so random.
 
I believe this might be considered Jazz phrasing.

Let The Wind Carry Me
by Joni Mitchell

Papa's faith is people
Mama she believes in cleaning
Papa's faith is in people
Mama she's always cleaning
Papa brought home the sugar
Mama taught me the deeper meaning

She don't like my kick pleat skirt
She don't like my eyelids painted green
She don't like me staying up late
In my high-heeled shoes
Living for that rock 'n' roll dancing scene
Papa says "Leave the girl alone, mother
She's looking like a movie queen"

Mama thinks she spoilt me
Papa knows somehow he set me free
Mama thinks she spoilt me rotten
She blames herself
But papa he blesses me
It's a rough road to travel
Mama let go now
It's always called for me

Sometimes I get that feeling
And I want to settle
And raise a child up with somebody
I get that strong longing
And I want to settle
And raise a child up with somebody
But it passes like the summer
I'm a wild seed again
Let the wind carry me

 

I remember the "She don't like my kick pleat skirt" line from high school, and wondered what a kick-pleat skirt was... And then I learned, and bought four of them.

Joni will always be the woman I wanna be when I grow up.

 



I have trouble "following" some of her music...it seems so random.
 eastcoast wrote:
I'm lost on this one...where is she going with this song?

Anyway love the variety onRP, just not some of the material...but hey you take the good with the bad...
 

I'm lost at the confusion....sometimes it's just about what it says....family, mom/dad, all that...and about settling down...or NOT in her case.
Great Song! I almost forgot about this one...{#Music}
 Randomax wrote:
OMG, please read the lyrics....and composition alone makes this a 9!!!
 
Thank you...as with most of her lyrics...
OMG, please read the lyrics....and composition alone makes this a 9!!!
 eastcoast wrote:
I'm lost on this one...where is she going with this song?
 
i feel that way on all her songs. i guess i just don't get it. 
I can never get enough Joni, and For the Roses has always been one of my favorite albums of hers. Thanks for playing it!
Oh, yes.  Joni is exactly what I needed right now and I didn't even realize it until the song started.  The magic of Bill and RP.
eastcoast wrote:
I'm lost on this one...where is she going with this song?
I would call it a vignette, or character study.
How effortlessly you guys blended this into this last sad and melancholy set-You guys are the best Joni Mitchell - Let The Wind Carry Me Loggins & Messina - Sailin' The Wind The Beach Boys - Sail On Sailor Lyle Lovett - If I Had a Boat Neil Finn - Last To Know Tom Petty - Square One
healyf52 wrote:
This is a wonderful album. I'd almost forgotten how much I enjoy it, more than 30 years later. The young gals with their pianos and angst still can't approach the genius of Joni..
I had almost forgotten how good she was.
eastcoast wrote:
I'm lost on this one...where is she going with this song? Anyway love the variety onRP, just not some of the material...but hey you take the good with the bad...
Where is she going... Not a clue.
I could drink a case of her and I would still be on my feet. Y'all need to play more Joni. Goddess. High Priestess.
I'm lost on this one...where is she going with this song? Anyway love the variety onRP, just not some of the material...but hey you take the good with the bad...
This is a wonderful album. I'd almost forgotten how much I enjoy it, more than 30 years later. The young gals with their pianos and angst still can't approach the genius of Joni..
Just the thought that FM never plays tracks like this is making me scared of the future!!
This whole album is timeless, one of my all time favorites. I liked "Blue" so much I bought this album as soon as it came out, and was not disappointed.
hanssachs wrote:
Joni Mitchell - Let The Wind Carry Me Loggins & Messina - Sailin' The Wind The Beach Boys - Sail On Sailor .... early 70's semi-obscure high quality mix. I like it.
Joni Mitchell - Let The Wind Carry Me Loggins & Messina - Sailin' The Wind The Beach Boys - Sail On Sailor .... early 70's semi-obscure high quality mix. I like it.
This lady has given me more goose bumps than any other artist on the planet! A straight 10 of course.
shampa1n wrote:
joni is great more please
THE most important female singer/songwriter in the last 50 years?
joni is great more please
Joni Mitchell and Laura Nyro...2 very important ladies of music.
One of my absolute favourites. I don't think I'll ever get tired of hearing this one. Thanx Bill
i need to listen to this album more often ... for some reason i have assigned it second-class status behind blue, hejira, hissing of summer lawns and court and spark ... but it has some great songs on it .... thanks RP ...
Goes from 9 to 10 for me...
zzzzzz....
Maybe it just means that she is on a different ground now, you know, something that some purist almost complain about. Have you thought about that? however, mi score for Joni is a straight 8... Mugro wrote:
"Used to" ? Did Joni Mitchell die when I wasn't looking? Or does she no longer walk? Or do you just follow her around and worship the ground that she walked on an hour ago, or last week, etc.?? I am confused!
SCJoniguy wrote:
Nope - no Todd connection on this or any other Joni release. Henry Lewy was her engineer/collaborator during this period.
What a prompt reply! :) Thanks for the info . . .
Spot_69 wrote:
I hear a strong Todd Rundgren influence in this - anyone know if he was involved with this production?
Nope - no Todd connection on this or any other Joni release. Henry Lewy was her engineer/collaborator during this period.
I hear a strong Todd Rundgren influence in this - anyone know if he was involved with this production?
I deplore what happened to this performer. Plunky piano and stupid background vocal timewasters that go nowhere. Poetry has become more prosaic. If we could cut the crud and just have the phrases with Joni's singing, I would like it. Her start was more appealing than the increasing fanciness and sophistication. At least JM didn't start to dress like a cocktail waitress (Judy Collins, whose music also went downhill). Can't stand what JM's voice does on "A Case of You," but I do greatly like one of her later pieces, "For Free."
Monday 11/7 was Joni's birthday - Happy Birthday Joni and thanks for all the great tunes!
chickenpoop wrote:
David Crosby is the sperm donor of my dreams!!!
Ah great, jokes (or lack thereof) is back. *sigh* Absolutely one of the best concerts I ever attended was Joni's up near Woodstock many, many moons ago. What a voice. Likeable tune.
Mmmmm....Joni. Always a welcome addition to the RP playlist. Keep it comin' guys. I can drink a case of Joni and still be on my feet!
I'm glad that's over...
weird, i was just thinking i needed some joni, i almost commented about it.
I'd know that piano anywhere....more Joni!
chickenpoop wrote:
David Crosby is the sperm donor of my dreams!!!
Are you Melissa Etheridge's former wife?
ankhara99 wrote:
You probably do. Ever heard of "Woodstock" sung by CSN&Y?
David Crosby is the sperm donor of my dreams!!!
Gregorama wrote:
Back when this was new, it was great makeout music...:)
Greg is right, this is great "FM" (f*ck music).
Gregorama wrote:
Back when this was new, it was great makeout music...:)
Greg you ignorant slut! Can't you appreciate great art without immediately resorting to carnal interpretations and base insinuations?
wow, this is great. i've always enjoyed her voice, but haven't been too crazy about her songs that i've heard on rp (though it's usually my first listen).
a great song from a stellar album. i started listening to it in high school in 1972 and i still listen to it about every month. it was one of about five albums that got me through high school. without i would have been more lost than i was. it still is soothing. brilliant. i often believe for the roses is her greatest album, but there's always debate.
She's got a great voice, writes amazing songs with real cool timing and all that stuff; but this woman makes me cringe whenever I hear her.
Back when this was new, it was great makeout music...:)
rmurray248 wrote:
Dreadful, miserable, awful...
It was the first comment regarding this song and still the most accurate. I'm trying to keep an open mind, but I have yet to hear a single song from Joni that rates higher than a 1.
ScoSmith wrote:
In short, I worship the ground she (used to) walk on.
"Used to" ? Did Joni Mitchell die when I wasn't looking? Or does she no longer walk? Or do you just follow her around and worship the ground that she walked on an hour ago, or last week, etc.?? I am confused!
one of the most beautious songwriters ever.
PattonFever wrote:
i'm a woman, and i can't stand her. my mother, also a woman, can't stand her either. that's two women you've heard of who can't stand her. her writing is good - her singing is not. i'd probably love her music if someone else was singing it.
You probably do. Ever heard of "Woodstock" sung by CSN&Y?