Joni Mitchell: ultimate blue

~ jama

“I sing my sorrow, and I paint my joy.” ~ Joni Mitchell

Joni Mitchell photographed in the Nevada desert by Henry Diltz (1978).

It’s no surprise that the ultimate “blue” song comes from a musician who’s also a painter.

Joni Mitchell has said that she applies the principles of painting to her songwriting. One of her old art teachers once told her, “If you can paint with a brush, you can paint with words.” In “Blue,” the title track from her iconic 1971 album, she sings the color of her heart — a plaintive love song and “somber lullaby” of haunting beauty.

Mitchell is one of the few singer-songwriters whose lyrics read like poetry. She’s largely inspired by personal memories, relating her stories through vivid imagery, striking metaphors, judicious use of rhyme and inventive turns of phrase. “Blue” is achingly honest; there is insecurity and resignation, but also optimism.

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“Portrait of James Taylor” by Joni Mitchell (Christmas 1970).
BLUE
by Joni Mitchell

Blue songs are like tattoos
You know I've been to sea before
Crown and anchor me
Or let me sail away
Hey Blue, here is a song for you
Ink on a pin
Underneath the skin
An empty space to fill in
Well there're so many sinking now
You've got to keep thinking
You can make it thru these waves
Acid, booze, and ass
Needles, guns, and grass
Lots of laughs lots of laughs
Everybody's saying that hell's the hippest way to go
Well I don't think so
But I'm gonna take a look around it though
Blue I love you

Blue here is a shell for you
Inside you'll hear a sigh
A foggy lullaby
There is your song from me

~ copyright © 1971 Joni Mitchell Music, Inc. (BMI)

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Photo of Joni with her Appalachian dulcimer by Joel Bernstein (1970).

You may know that “Blue” was likely written for James Taylor, with whom Joni had a brief but intense relationship in 1970-71 after breaking up with Graham Nash. She addresses James as “Blue,” and also refers to the gift of her song as blue, comparing it to a tattoo underneath the skin. The color blue could also reference James’s depression as well as her own feelings of sadness and concern about his drug use.

photo of James Taylor by Henry Diltz (1970).

The nautical metaphor, with mentions of a sailor’s tattoo, waves, sinking, and sailing away works double time to chart James’s turbulent journey as well as the course of their relationship.

photo by Norman Seeff.

The raw emotion in Joni’s ethereal vibrato, accompanied only by piano, pierces the heart. The last four lines are wistfully sublime: she offers her song as a shell, so her lover can hear ‘a sigh and foggy lullaby’ — gentle and distant, a soothing respite from the perils of addiction and the trappings of fame.

As with any good song that truly resonates, listeners will take away their own interpretations. Love is both pain and pleasure; everyone has known loss and struggle, but few artists have had the courage to bare their souls like Joni did.

BLUE is a timeless masterpiece, the greatest singer-songwriter album of all time. Her minimalist approach, stripped down to voice, dulcimer, guitar and piano — showcases Joni at the height of her artistic powers, exposing a fragile vulnerability that’s been tearing at the heartstrings for the last 53 years. Her own experiences struck a common chord as she explored her personal truths.

photo of Graham Nash in London by Michael Putland (1970).

Though I’ve listened to BLUE hundreds of times over the years, I remain in awe of Joni’s 36 minutes and 15 seconds of pure musical perfection. It still kills me.

Besides “Blue,” I especially love “Little Green,” “A Case of You,” “River,” and “My Old Man,” which cites Joni’s two year relationship with Graham Nash. He’s the “warm chord” she sings of, “the singer in the park,” “the walker in the rain,” “the dancer in the dark,” the one who keeps away her blues. “River” chronicles the end of their relationship, and is possibly the most melancholic, heart wrenching breakup song ever written.

Joni photographed at the 21st Annual NAACP Image Awards held at the Wiltern Theatre in December 1988 by Ron Galella.

Joni painted the full range of human emotions with her words and melodies, changing the way people write songs. It was for her the descriptors, “free spirit” and “creative genius” were invented.

Enjoy this rare live performance of “Blue” (1974):

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photo by Norman Jean Roy (2015).

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Lovely and talented Carol Varsalona is hosting the Roundup at Beyond LiteracyLink. Sail on over and check out the full menu of poetic goodness being served up around the blogosphere this week. Enjoy your weekend!

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*Copyright © 2024 Jama Rattigan of Jama’s Alphabet Soup. All rights reserved.

32 thoughts on “Joni Mitchell: ultimate blue”

  2. Beautiful post, Jama. Looks like you and I have similar tastes in music! Blue was the first album I bought back in the day… I played it nonstop and sang along. Fifty plus years later, I still recall all the lyrics. Joni – such an amazing talent.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Wonderful to hear of your mutual love for Joni’s BLUE. I would say as a first album purchase you hit the jackpot!! Testament to your good taste, of course. 🙂 The singer-songwriter era of the 60s and 70s remains my favorite. Soundtrack of the times, blueprint of the heart.

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  5. Sometimes I think we’re in “A foggy lullaby”, Jama, and hoping it’s all filled with Blue, carrying through the years from Joni. Thanks for the memories!

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  6. Your posts are always so rich and informative, Jama. I didn’t know that Joni Mitchell was a painter, but it makes perfect sense. And I love thinking about blue as a “foggy lullaby,” with the deeper layers of meaning that you highlight.

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    1. I think she considers herself a painter first and musician second — kind of like E.E. Cummings with his art and poetry. Joni did all the artwork for her album covers too.

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  7. Blue-tiful post, Jama. Thanks for sharing the lyrics and the backstory behind them. So poignant and powerful.

    Channeling blue!!

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  9. The soundtrack of my younger days… and it still reverberates my soul. Thanks for this blue-tiful post, Jama. I (and I’m sure many other anxiety-ridden folks) need to focus on beauty that speaks to us right now.

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    1. Anxiety seems to be the order of the day. Will be glad when the election is over. Can’t stop worrying. I do try to focus on beauty and positive things as much as possible . . .

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  10. Jama, your post is hornoring the great Joni Mitchell. I remember how much she contributed to music back in those days. I love how you painted a beautiful picture of her exceptional voice and performances. I watched several videos but the one you shared at the end is simply lovely. What a voice!

    I am sorry to say that when I looked at the PF line-up your post was there and then vanished. Would you have time to add your thumbnail information so everyone can enjoy your inspiring blog post. Thank You.

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      1. Jama, I am glad that you found my message about the vanishing comment. I do apologize for the internet disconnect ! You never know how wonky things can get the week of Halloween.

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    1. Rosi!! Thanks so much for the link to Maggie’s Another Shade of Blue album. What a beautiful voice; she’s so talented!! Also watched her musical theatre reel on YT. Loved it — so much personality and presence. Are the Hollinbecks a musical family? Had no idea. Next you’re going to tell me you’re an opera singer or something. Why don’t I know these things about you? 🙂

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  12. Wow. So much I never knew about Joni Mitchell, James Taylor, the meanings behind the haunting words of BLUE. Thank you for continuing my music education!! 🙂

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    1. You know me, I love backstories. What an interesting life Joni’s had — connections to JT, Graham Nash, Jackson Browne, et. al. The sheer amount of talent is mind blowing.

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  13. As usual I am late to the parade, but I do still want to share! Thank you, for educating us on Joni’s life. I also never knew of her relationship with JT! The song is gorgeous. I remember seeing her do Both Sides Now at the 2024 Grammy Awards. What a legend, and painter too! I love eclectic and unique singers. Another underrated singer songwriter that I admire is Laura Nyro who hailed from the Bronx where I am from! Happy Sunday everyone.❤️☺️

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  14. I could swim in Joni Mitchell’s ‘blue’ art & music all day however melancholy. Thank you for this stunningly deep blue post. Let’s hope we’re swimming in blue in 8 days.

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  15. Oh, all my favorite Joni Mitchell songs. One of my great accomplishments in life was introducing my daughters to Joni Mitchell. 🙂

    Here’s to Blue, in every way!

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    1. So good to hear that!! It’s nice that Joni’s having a resurgence recently because of Brandi Carlile — she recently performed at the Hollywood Bowl.

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