A Joni song I remember hearing my young mom play on her record player and occasionally sing to herself. It always sounded “sad” to me.

Today, older and wiser, I’d describe the tone as “melancholy” and perhaps “world weary.”

And depending on how i’m feeling, I sometimes sense a dash of “yearning.” Hope springs eternal.

“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

Oh, but now old friends they’re acting strange
And they shake their heads and tell me that 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“