Joni Mitchell - Down To You Lyrics

The recording and arrangement is superb.

Mona Lisa of music

I love every moment of Court and Spark, so perfect (sorry, but it even comes 2nd to the gorgeous Blue, for me).

"Court and Spark" album.....Joni's best effort, imo.

She should have received the Nobel Peace Prize for Literature and not Dylan. Joni connected all the dots in my quest for beauty.

Joni Mitchell is unequaled, I would say, not only among women but also among men. She only performed and recorded songs she had composed. When one watches her live performances one witnesses a unique perfection of musical art.

Genius!

I "couldn't" like Joni before because my mom liked her music, and it's not cool to like the same music that your parents listen to... Is it?

Well fuck "cool", nowadays I adore Joni! She's a genius. One of my favorite singer-songwriters of all time.

the whole album is fantastic

The most Canadian lyric of all time:


"You brush against a stranger
And you both apologize"

Tom Megginson It’s English

@ushoys You are aware of where Joni came from, aren't you... stranger?

Tom Megginson I am. However the Canadian characteristic of profuse apology is inherited from the country’s British roots.

Everything comes and goes
Marked by lovers and styles of clothes
Things that you held high
And told yourself were true
Lost or changing as the days come down to you
Down to you
Constant stranger
You're a kind person
You're a cold person too
It's down to you

You go down to the pick up station
Craving warmth and beauty
You settle for less than fascination
A few drinks later you're not so choosy
When the closing lights strip off the shadows
On this strange new flesh you've found
Clutching the night to you like a fig leaf
You hurry
To the blackness
And the blankets
To lay down an impression
And your loneliness

In the morning there are lovers in the street
They look so high
You brush against a stranger
And you both apologize
Old friends seem indifferent
You must have brought that on
Old bonds have broken down
Love is gone
Ooh, love is gone
Written on your spirit this sad song
Love is gone

Everything comes and goes
Pleasure moves on too early
And trouble leaves too slow
Just when you're thinking
You've finally got it made
Bad news comes knocking
At your garden gate
Knocking for you
Constant stranger
You're a brute, you're an angel
You can crawl, you can fly too
It's down to you
It all comes down to you

One of my first girlfriend's brother turn me on to this album 45 years ago I still love this album

You brush against a stranger and you both apologize.

This lady is wondrous - her music is magical and so emotive. A very special talent indeed.

Her forgotten masterpiece

2:18 takes me to heaven

I've listened to this album countless times since first released - it remains a beautiful unfolding flower after all these years.

Love Joni, period. No need to compare her to anyone...grateful I was/am able to enjoy this genius!

⚘ ...?... 💘🙋‍♂️💘

My muse.

Brilliant guitarist, writer, singer
,painter and pianist

Shame no video great song

Wish more pop songs had orchestrated interludes like this one

Errrr cant call this pop song

Now, at 21+, I hear this and recognize genius when I meet it. Even without the cultural framework around it, Joni Mitchell's work is extraordinary.

Joni's unparralled songwriting talents lie with her ability to brilliantly take us on her emotional journey, yet leave us weeping for ourselves.

Beautifully stated. And right on point. Bullseye. Brava.

very CANADIAN...very INTELLIGENT...sweet poetry.....

the interlude starting at 2:34 stands on its own

She exposes her soul with every song most are masterpieces.. Crafted, beautiful imagery within her music, that leaves me at times breathless at the pure genius within each song. Joni Mitchell is a national treasure.. In my eyes simply the greatest lyricist, singer song writer of the 20th century...

Baroque n beautiful

Everything comes and goes
Marked by lovers and styles of clothes
Things that you held high
And told yourself were true
Lost or changing as the days come down to you
Down to you
Constant stranger
You're a kind person
You're a cold person too
It's down to you
You go down to the pick up station
Craving warmth and beauty
You settle for less than fascination
A few drinks later you're not so choosy
When the closing lights strip off the shadows
On this strange new flesh you've found
Clutching the night to you like a fig leaf
You hurry
To the blackness
And the blankets
To lay down an impression
And your loneliness
In the morning there are lovers in the street
They look so high
You brush against a stranger
And you both apologize
Old friends seem indifferent
You must have brought that on
Old bonds have broken down
Love is gone
Ooh, love is gone
Written on your spirit this sad song
Love is gone
Everything comes and goes
Pleasure moves on too early
And trouble leaves too slow
Just when you're thinking
You've finally got it made
Bad news comes knocking
At your garden gate
Knocking for you
Constant stranger
You're a brute, you're an angel
You can crawl, you can fly too
It's down to you
It all comes down to you
Songwriters: Joni Mitchell

Actually, really, the best song-arrangement-recording ever

love is gone - no time old timers the subtleties thee will be no room for them love is gone the strength of the song it s like a river that collect everything in it s wake everything comes and goes

i know what you mean - but you have to be in the spirit of joni herself - who the hell am i - do you think she would have wanted loads of accolades from people she had no respect for - i reckon she had loads of respect - when you play with the greatest partners of miles davis - i never thought that would happen and i m wierd - as usual i ve gone off track - the album with sweet bird of mine is indelible in terms of where i grew up - i reckon she was very creative - she s my number 1 woman singer and songwriter - i don t think its helpful in this troubled world of ours to compare dylan bob with joni mitchell - i think they are were great - it s easy to knock so0mething or someone but both of them hav certainly stood the test of time - like fishfinger sandwiches - cocoa -- time - disillusion with politicians - what does the nobel prize really mean - it s sad this life where lies are predominant

November 7, 2018 -- Happy Birthday to Joni, genius and goddess

I thought the title of this song was “constant stranger”

there's "genius" and then there is genius.

A masterpiece amongst the masterpiece of this album

Check out Colosseum 2's version of this track on their album....Strange New Flesh. Incredible

EVERYTHING COMES AND GOES..MARKED BY LOVERS AND STYLES AND CLOTHES....so true!!

Joni Mitchell is a total genius. A brilliant, brilliant writer, singer and producer. Most underated talent of our time.

Sing it, brother.

Wouldn't say underrated thebest writer ever

North America definitely had it over the Brits when it came to singer songwriters - Paul Simon, Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell, Neil Young, Leonard Cohen... but if you had to choose the best I think it would be Joni Mitchell and that is a males' opinion and usually I would veer towards a male performer. Her poetic lyrics, compositions, phrasing, voice are simply sublime.

Mmm...John Lennon, David Bowie, Kate Bush, Elton John...what kind of singer songwriters are you thinking about?

Three Canadians!

They are all Quasars in a galaxy of supernovas...I refuse to choose.

63yo, proud to say I experienced them all 'hot off the presses' and YES! Most of us understood THEN, the greatness we were surrounded by from the late 50's, through the 80's...

An unmatched era of artistic production...the blending of; classical, blues, opera, pop, rock, soul, r&b, jazz, fusion, funk, punk, reggae, heavy metal, disco, folk, country, gospel, etc....eh?

But, no question...Joni is a troubadour with few peers. I've had a mad crush on her for over 50 years. She's always fresh, relevant, correct...

​@oldschoolruler Amen. I'm a newschooler. But nobody can look at this woman's body of work and not see something extraordinary.

I thought music would always be like this-I got into music in the early 70's. The maturity of emotional images was what I came of age on. It does not appear young people get anything this direct at the age many of us did then.

Keeps me calm and hopeful Still after 46 yrs

My soul

And they gave Bob Dylan a Nobel Prize. Joni is double the talent, where's hers ?

@Ken Varnold Ah yes. Don't politicize. I guess you demonstrate that very well.

No doubt...musically, and probably lyrically as well. But what did they give Dylan the prize for? Was it just one particular song ("Blowin' in the Wind") or a lifetime's work?

She's great, without question..
but how about Paul Simon..
how about Judy Collins, how about Peter, Paul, & Mary...superlatives should be used with caution!

100 per cent

@Nikita Page Joni Mitchell is a genius beyond comparison but Dylan came first and his influence on her and everybody else worth thinking about is without a question Nobel-prize-worthy. I am pretty sure Joni Mitchell would agree with that.

incredible teen memrys.. even better now,

My first Joni Mitchell album...One of the Best Albums of All Time

Yeah, I own it and like it, too, but I kinda think "Blue" is better, "Circle Game," "Kerry," etc.

Joni should CALL up Graham Nash or maybe David Crosby and say "let's write something SPECIAL together."  Show the WORLD that these people are still RELEVANT and have something to SAY.  My dream, anyway...........

Jim Parsons... Sheldon Cooper😅😉

yesss, here because of him too :D

yep, Jim Parsons sent me too. I have never heard this Joni Mitchell song...

yess, same :D

This early on, her piano work was becoming stunning...

Here because of Jim Parsons. Waves to fellow fans.

Who the fuck is Jim Parsons?

blurwheels, yes, I'm here because of him too :D

@Space Ghost a better question is, how the fuck don't you know who Jim Parsons is? He's the most talented and kindest and nicest and overflowing with perfection actor. I'm sure you've heard of him, not as Jim, but as Sheldon Cooper from The Big Bang Theory.

Jim Parsons sent me! It all comes down to him. :-)

yesss, me too :)

Jim Parsons sent me too.

yes, same :D

Glad Jim Parsons sent me too!  great song... many great songs.  thank you

same :D He does have a great style of listening music :D

Jim Parsons sent me

oh yes, I'm here because of him too :D

POW!! "It all comes down to you constant stranger"... Amazing JONI****

+Gil De
She's not dead. Retired, maybe.

+George Parkins And very weak and incapacitated after an aneurism this year.

@Mavis Dixon
Yeah, I read a news piece on her right after it happened. She's also been struggling with dementia for the last few years. She has that thing where she hallucinates the feeling parasites under her skin, too. Poor thing...

Y'know, I had such a crush on her when I was a kid... this is making me feel old!

Always so great!

The wisdom in this song is so forethought; at any stage of life. 

the beauty of you tube...I can have a song in my head and then hear it. thank you for sharing.

she's talking to you

At 61 years, I still listen to this album with awe, Joni draws the very breath out of my lungs, I think I've viewed her amazing body of work differently every year of my life, different lenses. Thank you Joni. x

One of my favorite things to do is turn friends who aren't familiar with Joni onto her. I usually start with "Both Sides Now" album and work up to Blue. Joni is a phenom in every way, a force of nature and spirit. Every one of her lyrics could stand alone without the music and her melodies, rhythms and compositions are unparalleled in their sophistication and diversity. I can't think of another "one woman band", troubadour, complete representative of the total artist anywhere in history like Joni who writes her own lyrics, compositions, paints or takes photos for her album cover art and liner notes all with great excellence and fearless honesty the way Joni does. I mean, "Songs are like tattoos, you know I've been to sea before, crown and anchor me or let me sail away...Hey blue there is a song for you, ink on a pin, underneath the skin an empty space to fill in...well there's so many sinkin' now you gotta keep thinkin' you can make it through these waves...acid booze and ass, needles, guns and grass, lots of laughs, lots of laughs." I mean WTF? Every time me I put Joni on it's like 3D music therapy. Thank God for Joni!

Listening to her again, and still gives me chills. Extraordinary talent. Love you Joni

Same for me!

@lemonleen Same for me!

Her talent is not of this world. Pleiadian perhaps?

It reminds me of what should have been not what happened, yeah, kinda bittersweet but with love and regret :-)

+Mario Benevides what was your mistake?

Falling in love with the wrong woman ( again ) ?

"Like" is such a timid little word for the deeply resonating passion I feel for this song.

like the never ending ripple of North Crick?

the whole facebook shallowness creeps over it

I agree entirely. This song moves me like no other.

listened twice pure genius love to meet her

I just heard that Phillip Seymore Hoffman has died. This is the first that song came into my head..

Thanks so much for this video, and as always, hats off to Joni. I've never seen a lot of those paintings and one of my dreams in life is to own one. What a fantastic artist.

I bought the album "Don Juan's Reckless Daugher" at a flea market. How long did it take me to realize that Mitchell was all the people on the cover (except the little boy)? The music inside completely justified the daring of the cover. Genius.

foghat, it is all still true and valid, just few realize it all. most are completely consumed in the illusions and the illusions are many ! 

The scenes Joni paints with her music are defined and unique.  Her talent will surely and is already missed.  Life is not so fair but it's also not so equal, but Joni has made it very good through her paints, music notes and unforgettable character. 

Rather late after I commented on this Joni Mitchell set but I thank those that appreciated my thoughts.

A musical genius that considers herself a painter first

Such a beautiful song....and a really nice job by the poster in terms of the photos. Well done!

If I'm not mistaken, a look at the back cover tells you Joni played EVERY instrument in this incredible piece of art. You go girl!

A quick check of the personnel show that this isn't true. She doesn't play flute, oboe, English horn, bassoon, harp, etc.! (Tom Scott did the wind work.) By the way, this song did win a well-deserved Grammy for best arrangement. http://jonimitchell.com/music/album.cfm?id=7

No. She's Joni Mitchell, beyond gifted, nonpareil, but sticks to guitar and piano. Now, you do have Todd Rundgren who on more than a few occasion does it ALL on the other hand....................

Andrew G., the instrument that comes in at 4:26 sounds like a clarinet to me.

The line that starts "Everything comes and goes pleasure moves on to early..." My God so much is said in so few words.I've always loved you and your music. I'm 60 y.o. and I you've got me through some rough times. thank You so much.Cdw

In the morning there are lovers in the street
They look so high
You brush against a stranger and
You both apologize

I love this part

I think so.That,or a regular oboe.Have you checked the album credits?

This is excellent EVERYTHING quality!

4:26 is this an english horn?

Bought the album in 1974 as soon as it was released - have had to replace it since as it got worn out!!

Good stuff, beautiful voice, beautiful hook, just dam beautiful...lol

And an EXCELLENT song....BRILLIANT! So much personal meaning...I thought of this song tonight and here it is... PERFECTION.

Her best album and this "Down To You" is the best tune..richly orchestrated w/awesome piano accompany~~Love the oboe, especially~

♥♥♥

one of my favorite songs all time....

i'm so glad you enjoyed it!

this is EXCELLENT audio quality

A masterpiece with few equals in all of contemporary music. She is a genius.

JONI MITCHELL IS PLAYING THE PIANO AND HOHNER D6 CLAVINET ON THIS SONG