As a songwriter, I believe this is one of the best songs I have ever encountered. The way Joni weaves her life and Amelia's together is truly a work of art. Joni wrote so many great songs but, for me, this is her best. I am truly in awe of her talent and always will be
I'm a black male who grew up listening to R&B. When I saw Shawn Colvin and Mary Chapin Carpenter sing this in a jazz-flavored tribute to her, I was stunned. Over 20 years later, still am.
It was this album, Hejira, that made me fall in love with Joni. I remember being in college and sitting in my bean bag chair and listening with the album cover open, reading the lyrics in all the songs, and especially this one, and being awestruck by the poetic depth of her words, laid over that haunting melody, all wrapped up in the metaphor of Ameila. Growing up in LA, I encountered quite a few celebrities, but once at a show of Monet's water lilly paintings at the LA County Museum of Art, I found my self standing beside her in front of a huge canvas. I asked her how her painting was going. She smiled and said, "Very well, thanks."
I can't think of anyone who contributed as much to music as Joni has. The most creative and eloquent songwriter and performer of my entire life. Honestly, no one else even comes close.
@@lizgreene1826 I've listened since "Song for a Segull". Still have that album. She got many young women through their teens and twenties. Regret that I never saw her live. Went to many, many concerts of many great singer/songwriters but somehow missed seeing her. Hope her music lives on forever.
Having played guitar for about 40 years, I'm in a position to say that I have no freaking clue how Joni came up with the music/guitar for this song. Ok, she's playing an open tuning with some of the usual hammer ons, but she sure doesn't sound like Keith Richards. The voicings are out of this world! Genius.
For me, Amelia is one of her finest.... lyric,s are amazing, guitar too is astonishing and then we have the voice....Never have i tired of this amazing piece of music...One of the finest ever written...
53 yrs first album. I too began listening then. I feel music too. I believe we all do, to varying degrees. It's about awareness. I was not cognizant of this gift til recent times. The more I utilise this joyous gift, the more gratifying. Many people, mostly women are finding relaxation, pleasure + happiness thru physically enjoying music. Researching The Blaster Beam, is a great way to begin, if interest has been tweaked. 👋💙🙏
Joni is one of those unique, one-of-a-kind persons who come here periodically to channel what we need from another place. The tip-off is that we are forever changed by what they bring. We may call it "art", "spirituality", "healing", etc. but it's all the same. All we can do is ask, "From where did this magical being come" and rest back with gratitude and drink it in.
I remember when I first bought this album and heard this song it was like a major gut punch to my reality of what music should be God bless Joni Mitchell
@@candacewilliams9073 I’m a 64 year old man. Age changes one. I’ve always loved “Amelia,” and in my younger years, it expressed my sadness of not finding lasting love. There’s a later live version where Joni slightly raises her brow and shoulders on one of the “it was just a false alarm” lines, as if to say: it was false, but I know that now, and it doesn’t hurt so much. Like someone yelling “fire” in a movie theater, but there’s no real harm other than in that moment. That’s how I listen to and interpret the song now.
I was there in 83 - heard she was playing so drove up to Wembley bought a ticket from a tout had a great seat - one of the best concerts I have ever been to. Without doubt the greatest singer songwriter of the late 20th century. Lyrically Dylan's equal, musically far superior. Keep on truckin Joni
how beautiful. please teach her about Amelia Earhart, who the song is referred to, a woman aviator who was way ahead of her time! and full of dreams.. cheers 🍾🍾🍾🏳️🌈
@@bertcushman7427 Hi Bert, we taught our daughter about Amelia Earhart. To this day there is a framed photo of her in our house which my daughter now tells her kids about. My daughter is 32 now. 🙏👍
I wore out the grooves on my Hejira record.It was the only thing that kept me from drowning in depression.. soul food, profoundly beautiful words and music. I will forever be under her spell.
When you don’t have the words, and words alone can’t describe the journey, the ache, that longing…the like a dream you hear your own private feelings described more perfectly than you could, than you would dare. What a magical transcendental poet this woman! Thanks for helping me understand and feel free from that empty longing to express what I was desperate to hide until I could lose myself in these soaring flights
This is one of the most evocative songs of my past....never fails to grab me and take me back to lonely days living in a mud-built compound in the old city of Zaria in Northern Nigeria. As much as I adore classical music, it is Joni who will sing to me in heaven!
After finally delving deeper than the Blue album and her healthy handful of famous hits, I’ve come to the relatively easy conclusion that Mitchell is a bonafide musical genius. This song is just one of many, many examples.
As soon as she sings, I feel like it's Truth. Sincere. And I cry almost every time. It's a song about the human condition by a wonderful human who happens to be one of the most Timeless Artists of her or any generation.
Joni was out and about on 8/7/19. She was enjoying a Elvis Costello concert at Santa Barbara Bowl. Between songs Elvis announced to the crowd she was there among us and the crowd gave her a standing ovation for several minutes until Costello had to quiet us down by saying "Nobody's coming up on the stage tonight but me and my band". I was really glad to hear she was enjoying the evening!!!
Amelia Mary Earhart was an American aviation pioneer and author. Earhart was the first female aviator to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean. She set many other records, wrote best-selling books about her flying experiences, and was instrumental in the formation of The Ninety-Nines, an organization for female pilots.
the highlight of my 25 years in the music business was 2 days spent covering promotion work with the great lady for the dog eat dog album in london in 1985 - dazzling intellect and amazing presence - honoured
I have a friend who was Joni's guitar tech and keeper of the official lyrics (keeping track of her frequent lyric tweaks) for many years. I so envy her connection to Joni. They still socialize occasionally. She and her husband, a brilliant satirical songwriter, have a standing invitation to do lunch with her that's been postponed by Joni's health problems. I'm still hoping to parlay that connection into meeting her myself. Popular music thas truly never had greater composer or lyricist in its ranks (unless you count Stephen Sondheim's musical theater scores or the George Gershwins' 1930's output as pop music).
BTW, I am a huge fan of Dog Eat Dog. It was kind of a controversial album for Joni fans, with its elaborate synth arrangements by Thomas Dolby; it was a Dylan-Goes-Electric moment that offended many in her fan base, but I thought it was brilliant. Did you find that the huge change of sound factored into the promotional strategy? It strikes me, for the above reason, as a tough sell - though, thinking about it, that was probably more of an issue for the record label's overall promotion campaign. Curious to hear about you experience. Do you still do music industry promotional work.
What can I say? It's wonderful. I'm full of tears, your voicce singing poetry, real words to the world, just Allen Ginsberg, just like you. I love you, love your liberty. .
This morning I saw six contrails in an absolutely blue and calm high altitude sky over Montana. Checked FlightRadar and they were all southbound flights out of Calgary. Had to check in here to see a beautiful lady sing a song I remembered from a long time ago. Peace be with you, Joni.
Walking off the stage, strumming the music, fading into the darkness, just like Amelia. Joni's albums were perfect. Her live performances so much better.
Interesting to read all the accolades to Joni in the comments. Don't get me wrong I have admired her for many years and love all of her work. I wonder how many people realize just what the women this song is about accomplished! First women to fly solo across the Atlantic ocean, and many other amazing aviation feats. Sadly lost on a transpacific flight. Ms. Mitchell you are among the great women of the world also, your music has inspired me to joy and tears for many years! Hang in there hope you are doing well.
It's not really about amelia it's about joni , being put in clouds by everyone looking up to her etc in clouds at icy altitudes could be alternative tittle
I was in Alaska too when this came out. Not off grid , but before the cruise ships and meth arrived. I remember listening to this cranked, parked on the Juneau docks with the 11pm sun . Hmmm ...
+Jeff Hathaway Was thinking about her health and her having Morgellons from chemtrails ... while listening to this . She wrote a song about it but I haven't been able to find it. Have a good night wherever you are Jeff .
There always seems to be someone who is envious of talent and people showing their appreciation . I agree with you , but , that doesn't affect the good . Just listened to this again and I have tears ........
I've played this so many times when my life was a car crash of relationship disasters, ever since I first heard this concert live on the radio in 1983. It is superb; every image, even the 'strange pillows of my wanderlust' sums up life. How come a sad song can make you feel better? I guess it's sharing life's Angst with others who understand it.
Joni's entire Hejira album is a masterpiece, all the way through. When I watched and photographed her about four years before this 1983 video above, it was here in the Portland Memorial Coliseum in August of 1979, a sell-out packed arena. My wife and I were seated maybe 30 or 40 rows back from the front stage at the lower floor seats. I walked up with a 35 millimeter camera loaded with high speed transparency film and a modest telephoto lens, crouching in an aisle next to the seats so as not to disturb the others, as I watched her solo this number Amelia, and also the title track from this album, Hijira. She was wearing a full bodysuit, as a thin see-through searsucker red and rust patterned silk. The air conditioning blowing from above down into the large arena, as the material in her clothing ruffled in the wind. She played a large Ibanez hollow-body electric guitar. The backing bass was played by Jaco Pastorius which I have in one photo of him standing in the background of the entire stage front in my Concert Photography album in Facebook. these photos were just located from my storage in the past few days so they were the last of lesser quality that I decided to re-photograph over the light table. I'll link those photos to from a concert photo album, from my Facebook site here in a moment... facebook.com/photo/?fbid=10151429334882216&set=a.10150516283587216 facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150516283587216&type=3
I am appreciating her later work such as Heijira and others of hers later. Maybe because I am more mature now and can relate to her music better, is the reason.
That's so interesting. I have hard-copy photo albums and scrapbooks together. They are in my Storage Room because there are so many. The problem is l don't get to see them. Oh well, I enjoyed them, sharing with other people.
@@candacewilliams9073 Have you ever considered displaying your old concert photos? I just tried to post a hyperlink of my Facebook Concert Album, but it seems to stall or fail too post. Perhaps there are restrictions to posting hyperlinks here.
If you like this song have not heard the entire album this song is originally from, do yourself a favor and listen to the album "Hejira". One of the best albums ever made, and sadly not as well known as it should be. This is my favorite live recording of this song. I like it better than the one on "Shadows and Light" with Pat Metheney. Joni's guitar playing here is particularly expressive and lively. Her vocal phrasing on this performance is my fave interpretation by her of this great song of hers.
I totally agree, I have this album in my collection, and play it constantly. I never get tired of listening to it. The tracks are so varied, yet the melodies and words so haunting. I think I've definitely lived in a blessed era of music. Martin S UK.
Ah Hejira, one of the best albums of the 70's. Pure magic, ethereal and transcending...taking your mind to another plane. Such a beautiful woman, soul and artist. Strange dreams of my wonderlust.
I have this concert on cassette taped off the radio. Spent many night in the dark listening to it. Joni is a genius songwriter, one of the finest of all time...
New to Joni(59!). I'm a soul man at heart going waaaaay back to Motown, Philly. I bought her classic CD's to give her a try. THIS is the best album and track IMHO. Haunting...
We all love Joni so much because her songs describe our lives. As different as we all are, it is the music and poetry of Joni's that brings us all together. One light. Light that is one though the lamps be many.
God it's hard to imagine that 30+ years have gone by since one of my favorite artists played this gorgeous melody....I just love the sound of that guitar She's simply the best at what she does! Forever Joni!
My Dear Joni Have you found what you have been searching for throughout these years? Always explaining it to us all through your music and lyrics? In the end. I hope so. Blessing to you my friend.
You have to wonder about her state of mind when she finally finished up writing this song. Did she realize that she'd just created one of the greatest songs ever written?
She did that every month ! 😂 But I have a similar question: YT has some old videos of her on Canadian TV, where she looks like Barbara Eden and sings folk songs. Did she know who she was ?
Here's the wild thing. IMO Joni is a better pianist than she is a guitarist. And she's a helluva guitarist. But her piano accompaniments throw in a lot more licks that flesh out the melody. Basically, she's a folky version of Prince.
Every time I hear Joni, I thank heaven that she has been a part of my life for 50 years! So many great musicians have worked with her. I always hear Larry Carlton's soaring solo work on this song.
A fabulous live video of Joni and "Amelia" ... who's playing the other guitar with those great effects, sounding perfectly in the same mindset as the song, almost from the "Hejira" album ... that was Joni in her goddess prime!
I am sitting here at 5.00 am, and the tears are running down my face. "Oh Amelia ... it was just a false alarm .... " Just Joni and a guitar. "His sad request .... " You can say, "What's this song about, some aviatrix who died long ago?". No, no, no ... it's not all about the lyrics. I can't explain. Now go listen to some Kate Bush.
![Joni Mitchell - Song To A Seagull (Full Album) [Official Video]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/8PGITZmJrkE/mqdefault.jpg)
As a songwriter, I believe this is one of the best songs I have ever encountered. The way Joni weaves her life and Amelia's together is truly a work of art. Joni wrote so many great songs but, for me, this is her best. I am truly in awe of her talent and always will be
It's amasinling sensitive ..
Thankyou..I wrote it.
I agree! I love this song! ❤❤❤
Curious that I wrote this about mine, then, huh..?
I'm a black male who grew up listening to R&B. When I saw Shawn Colvin and Mary Chapin Carpenter sing this in a jazz-flavored tribute to her, I was stunned. Over 20 years later, still am.
It was this album, Hejira, that made me fall in love with Joni. I remember being in college and sitting in my bean bag chair and listening with the album cover open, reading the lyrics in all the songs, and especially this one, and being awestruck by the poetic depth of her words, laid over that haunting melody, all wrapped up in the metaphor of Ameila. Growing up in LA, I encountered quite a few celebrities, but once at a show of Monet's water lilly paintings at the LA County Museum of Art, I found my self standing beside her in front of a huge canvas. I asked her how her painting was going. She smiled and said, "Very well, thanks."
Wow!! ❤❤❤
I love that, I can visualize it.A memory to treasure I’m sure
I can't think of anyone who contributed as much to music as Joni has. The most creative and eloquent songwriter and performer of my entire life. Honestly, no one else even comes close.
I agree I haved loved Joni for 20 years.hope she can stay alive.My favourite song writer
@@lizgreene1826 I've listened since "Song for a Segull". Still have that album. She got many young women through their teens and twenties. Regret that I never saw her live. Went to many, many concerts of many great singer/songwriters but somehow missed seeing her. Hope her music lives on forever.
Neil Young, Aretha Franklin, Bob Dylan, Kate Bush..
That's kinda the level, isn't it?
@@lindahuff8976 It will Linda. Good luck to you
❤❤
Having played guitar for about 40 years, I'm in a position to say that I have no freaking clue how Joni came up with the music/guitar for this song. Ok, she's playing an open tuning with some of the usual hammer ons, but she sure doesn't sound like Keith Richards. The voicings are out of this world!
Genius.
I swear Joni Mitchell could take the instruction booklet from a crockpot, sing the words in it and make it sound like magic. No joke.
Perfection. Surely amongst the most talented of artists ever to walk this earth.
+Old Blue, she flies!
+Lisa Luvzlou And soars!
Totally, completely agree with you.
Agreed!
For me, Amelia is one of her finest.... lyric,s are amazing, guitar too is astonishing and then we have the voice....Never have i tired of this amazing piece of music...One of the finest ever written...
Should’ve received the Nobel prize💗
She should have 100%. You are completely right! What a miss by the Nobel committee.
I feel her music inside my body, not just with my ears alone - I've been listening to her for nearly 50 years and the music only gets stronger.
Pf and melanie the only others but Joni is the mistress
53 yrs first album. I too began listening then. I feel music too. I believe we all do, to varying degrees. It's about awareness. I was not cognizant of this gift til recent times. The more I utilise this joyous gift, the more gratifying. Many people, mostly women are finding relaxation, pleasure + happiness thru physically enjoying music. Researching The Blaster Beam, is a great way to begin, if interest has been tweaked. 👋💙🙏
Me too
I know what you mean. Since the 60s until now, her voice, music and artwork is overpowering.
Me, as well...
Such an unparalleled Songwriter coupled with her beautiful voice makes her nothing short of amazing. Truly blessed with many talents
Joni is one of those unique, one-of-a-kind persons who come here periodically to channel what we need from another place. The tip-off is that we are forever changed by what they bring. We may call it "art", "spirituality", "healing", etc. but it's all the same. All we can do is ask, "From where did this magical being come" and rest back with gratitude and drink it in.
Happy to have grown up in generation of Joni Mitchell music
❤❤
I hope and pray, that in the afterlife, there is Joni Mitchell music.
I remember when I first bought this album and heard this song it was like a major gut punch to my reality of what music should be God bless Joni Mitchell
One of the most hauntingly beautiful songs ever written. Leave it to the great Joni Mitchell to have written it.
I agree with you 100%! That whole album is great!
Can't get enough of this song. Evokes such a poignant sadness.
@@catherinewirtz4508 What do you think it means when she she says, "it was just a false alarm"?
@@candacewilliams9073 she says it in many songs - idiots all around cant love too fked up inside
@@candacewilliams9073 I’m a 64 year old man. Age changes one. I’ve always loved “Amelia,” and in my younger years, it expressed my sadness of not finding lasting love. There’s a later live version where Joni slightly raises her brow and shoulders on one of the “it was just a false alarm” lines, as if to say: it was false, but I know that now, and it doesn’t hurt so much. Like someone yelling “fire” in a movie theater, but there’s no real harm other than in that moment. That’s how I listen to and interpret the song now.
A wonderful song. Joni at her absolute best. Bravo!
I was there in 83 - heard she was playing so drove up to Wembley bought a ticket from a tout had a great seat - one of the best concerts I have ever been to. Without doubt the greatest singer songwriter of the late 20th century. Lyrically Dylan's equal, musically far superior. Keep on truckin Joni
Intrinsically cerebral. A gift from the heavens. Here with the etherial guitar licks of Pat Metheny. Sheer beauty.
Michael Landau, not Pat Metheny. Although there is another version on CZcams with Pat Metheny which is also fantastic
hey, here's the one with pat czcams.com/video/iixd7iflHhY/video.htmlsi=D0OISGj-zV7snj7C
❤❤
I named my eldest daughter after this song. Like the song she is beautiful too.
Nice name 💕
So did we! Good choice.
Awesome, guys. Love that you did that
how beautiful. please teach her about Amelia Earhart, who the song is referred to, a woman aviator who was way ahead of her time! and full of dreams..
cheers 🍾🍾🍾🏳️🌈
@@bertcushman7427 Hi Bert, we taught our daughter about Amelia Earhart. To this day there is a framed photo of her in our house which my daughter now tells her kids about. My daughter is 32 now. 🙏👍
One of the greatest artists of the 20th century!
The beauty that once was.
Joni's music is the one that consistently tears me up. The poet of all poets, waiting in the wings beside me to shake me up.
I wore out the grooves on my Hejira record.It was the only thing that kept me from drowning in depression.. soul food, profoundly beautiful words and music. I will forever be under her spell.
Hejira saved me too! Such wondrous artistry to reach into individual, isolated desolation and extract such exquisite beauty... :-)
I was 10 years old when Hejira was released.
On Vinyl.
My dad played it for a couple of months..
And here I am, almost 50 years later......
That album and the rest of her music kept me alive during my divorce.
When you don’t have the words, and words alone can’t describe the journey, the ache, that longing…the like a dream you hear your own private feelings described more perfectly than you could, than you would dare. What a magical transcendental poet this woman! Thanks for helping me understand and feel free from that empty longing to express what I was desperate to hide until I could lose myself in these soaring flights
This is one of the most evocative songs of my past....never fails to grab me and take me back to lonely days living in a mud-built compound in the old city of Zaria in Northern Nigeria. As much as I adore classical music, it is Joni who will sing to me in heaven!
This bit of Heaven I sketched out post amelia and the late sixties/70’s
❤
❤❤❤
Thanks Canned Poo for another gem love u
After finally delving deeper than the Blue album and her healthy handful of famous hits, I’ve come to the relatively easy conclusion that Mitchell is a bonafide musical genius. This song is just one of many, many examples.
The one and only Joni - no one compares to her. Sheer brilliance. Infinite gratitude to Joni for sharing her music through the decades.
“Like Icarus ascending,” just to have the ability to weave that into this song is incredible. Painting with words...
"On beautiful foolish arms" a lesson on life in there.
@@soozikins one of the many profound and moving images from this miracle.
Yup, painting with words. Joni's talent transcends mediums.
"747s over geometric farms..."
Yes!! ❤❤❤
There´s no nothing in this world can be more beatiful.
Thank god, joni was no false alarm ! Near 50 years of pleasure
As soon as she sings, I feel like it's Truth. Sincere. And I cry almost every time. It's a song about the human condition by a wonderful human who happens to be one of the most Timeless Artists of her or any generation.
The best lyric..of all
Don't leave us yet, Joni. Get well soon! 💚
+1
Ricardo Monteiro I totally agree with you. We all need Joni!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ricardo Monteiro Let’s all keep Joni in our prayers and that she is touched by the hand of Jesus and totally and completely healed! Amen 🙏🏻
@@lisaobrien4635 Amen to that!!! Love her music so much!!! So special to so many. God bless you Joni🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦
Joni was out and about on 8/7/19. She was enjoying a Elvis Costello concert at Santa Barbara Bowl. Between songs Elvis announced to the crowd she was there among us and the crowd gave her a standing ovation for several minutes until Costello had to quiet us down by saying "Nobody's coming up on the stage tonight but me and my band". I was really glad to hear she was enjoying the evening!!!
Poet. Singer. Magician. Musician. Artist. Goddess.
Over the past 40+ years since I bought Hejira on LP, this song keeps coming back to me. I think it's one of the most beautiful songs ever written.
In clouds at icy altitudes ,how brilliant is that Says million things with 5 words
❤❤❤
I have never spoken to Joni, but she has frequently spoken to me.
With heart felt appreciation, thank you.
WHEN i SAW jONI IN '76 WITH THE L. A. EXPRESS IN '76, she shone; she actually had a nimbus of white light around her.
Not of this earth , how anyone can write this many masterpieces and at this point in life sing so sublimely
I was there. One of the highlights of my life.
Amelia Mary Earhart was an American aviation pioneer and author. Earhart was the first female aviator to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean. She set many other records, wrote best-selling books about her flying experiences, and was instrumental in the formation of The Ninety-Nines, an organization for female pilots.
Song has very little to do with pilot more about joni,s isolation and being looked up to etc
I've loved her since the '70's. Awesome musician! Provocative thinker/lyricist, unreal guitar chords, with a fantastic vocal range. Awesome❤❤❤❤❤👏👏👏👏👏👏
❤❤❤
the highlight of my 25 years in the music business was 2 days spent covering promotion work with the great lady for the dog eat dog album in london in 1985 - dazzling intellect and amazing presence - honoured
I have a friend who was Joni's guitar tech and keeper of the official lyrics (keeping track of her frequent lyric tweaks) for many years. I so envy her connection to Joni. They still socialize occasionally. She and her husband, a brilliant satirical songwriter, have a standing invitation to do lunch with her that's been postponed by Joni's health problems. I'm still hoping to parlay that connection into meeting her myself.
Popular music thas truly never had greater composer or lyricist in its ranks (unless you count Stephen Sondheim's musical theater scores or the George Gershwins' 1930's output as pop music).
BTW, I am a huge fan of Dog Eat Dog. It was kind of a controversial album for Joni fans, with its elaborate synth arrangements by Thomas Dolby; it was a Dylan-Goes-Electric moment that offended many in her fan base, but I thought it was brilliant.
Did you find that the huge change of sound factored into the promotional strategy? It strikes me, for the above reason, as a tough sell - though, thinking about it, that was probably more of an issue for the record label's overall promotion campaign.
Curious to hear about you experience. Do you still do music industry promotional work.
Moz saw her once in Concert, it changed my life
❤❤❤
Canned Poo...Rocks! Joni will always be with
the rest of the ladies in Rock and Roll Heaven too. We must enjoy her
while she is still with us.
What can I say? It's wonderful. I'm full of tears, your voicce singing poetry, real words to the world, just Allen Ginsberg, just like you. I love you, love your liberty. .
No one is as good at feeling as Joni is.
I think Rickie Lee Jones and Tori Amos come pretty close, in their own way.
One of the most sad songs ever written.
I agree, Can't get it out of my life right now. And I don't want to.
so emotional
i sit here with tears streaming, for the sorrow in her voice
Words don't describe this song and performance - anything I say is inadequate - Joni is a Goddess.
Were there any doubts that angels do exist on this earth?
I deeply love this song...forever moves me. "Genius" is a gross understatement.
Joni, you are an eternal flame. Thanks for every note and syllable.
This morning I saw six contrails in an absolutely blue and calm high altitude sky over Montana. Checked FlightRadar and they were all southbound flights out of Calgary. Had to check in here to see a beautiful lady sing a song I remembered from a long time ago. Peace be with you, Joni.
Sure they weren't chemtrails? Joni (and I) would say that's what's made us so ill.
+Lisa Colbert 👍
they were probably chemtrails..not contrails
Chemtrails my dear.
Walking off the stage, strumming the music, fading into the darkness, just like Amelia. Joni's albums were perfect. Her live performances so much better.
Interesting to read all the accolades to Joni in the comments. Don't get me wrong I have admired her for many years and love all of her work. I wonder how many people realize just what the women this song is about accomplished! First women to fly solo across the Atlantic ocean, and many other amazing aviation feats. Sadly lost on a transpacific flight. Ms. Mitchell you are among the great women of the world also, your music has inspired me to joy and tears for many years! Hang in there hope you are doing well.
I am there as she is the voice of my life even still as As I listen to Amelia!
It's not really about amelia it's about joni , being put in clouds by everyone looking up to her etc in clouds at icy altitudes could be alternative tittle
@@garypeatling7927 Yes. but for me I rediscovered MS Earhart and even researched her again!
There will never be another Joni or anyone with her protean genius.
I was off the grid in Alaska when this came out . So sweet and somber. Thank You Joni
I was in Alaska too when this came out. Not off grid , but before the cruise ships and meth arrived. I remember listening to this cranked, parked on the Juneau docks with the 11pm sun . Hmmm ...
Like that Lisa
Love Joni. She is aging rapidiy. Still giving her Jeff Love. She has been like no other. Ummmmmmmmm
+Jeff Hathaway Was thinking about her health and her having Morgellons from chemtrails ... while listening to this . She wrote a song about it but I haven't been able to find it. Have a good night wherever you are Jeff .
Since 36 years i Love this Lady with her Magical music , especially this Great Song !
I saw Joni in Dublin in '83.She was ten feet away.She was gorgeous and brilliant.Love her.
She is profoundly beautiful in so many ways.
❤❤❤
This is one of time’s most brilliant artists. What person would ever put a thumbs down? What’s wrong with you?
There always seems to be someone who is envious of talent and people showing their appreciation . I agree with you , but , that doesn't affect the good . Just listened to this again and I have tears ........
I've played this so many times when my life was a car crash of relationship disasters, ever since I first heard this concert live on the radio in 1983. It is superb; every image, even the 'strange pillows of my wanderlust' sums up life. How come a sad song can make you feel better? I guess it's sharing life's Angst with others who understand it.
Joni's entire Hejira album is a masterpiece, all the way through. When I watched and photographed her about four years before this 1983 video above, it was here in the Portland Memorial Coliseum in August of 1979, a sell-out packed arena. My wife and I were seated maybe 30 or 40 rows back from the front stage at the lower floor seats. I walked up with a 35 millimeter camera loaded with high speed transparency film and a modest telephoto lens, crouching in an aisle next to the seats so as not to disturb the others, as I watched her solo this number Amelia, and also the title track from this album, Hijira. She was wearing a full bodysuit, as a thin see-through searsucker red and rust patterned silk. The air conditioning blowing from above down into the large arena, as the material in her clothing ruffled in the wind. She played a large Ibanez hollow-body electric guitar. The backing bass was played by Jaco Pastorius which I have in one photo of him standing in the background of the entire stage front in my Concert Photography album in Facebook. these photos were just located from my storage in the past few days so they were the last of lesser quality that I decided to re-photograph over the light table.
I'll link those photos to from a concert photo album, from my Facebook site here in a moment...
facebook.com/photo/?fbid=10151429334882216&set=a.10150516283587216
facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150516283587216&type=3
You're lucky to have all that closeness to her.
I am beginning to think Heijira is her best.
Each time I hear her, I learn more about her life.
You must have a wonderful professional scrapbook.
I am appreciating her later work such as Heijira and others of hers later.
Maybe because I am more mature now and can relate to her music
better, is the reason.
That's so interesting.
I have hard-copy photo albums and scrapbooks together.
They are in my Storage Room because there are so many.
The problem is l don't get to see them.
Oh well, I enjoyed them, sharing with other people.
@@candacewilliams9073
Have you ever considered displaying your old concert photos? I just tried to post a hyperlink of my Facebook Concert Album, but it seems to stall or fail too post. Perhaps there are restrictions to posting hyperlinks here.
I was there. One of the greatest concerts I ever heard.
Bless you. It must have been wonderful.
I saw her in Birmingham.
Saw her in Toronto, that summer, July. Greatest concert I've ever been too. It was breathtaking.
A gift
Moi aussi.
There's a special place on high for Joni and Bowie. We were lucky to be alive in the same fraction of time as them.
If you like this song have not heard the entire album this song is originally from, do yourself a favor and listen to the album "Hejira". One of the best albums ever made, and sadly not as well known as it should be.
This is my favorite live recording of this song. I like it better than the one on "Shadows and Light" with Pat Metheney. Joni's guitar playing here is particularly expressive and lively. Her vocal phrasing on this performance is my fave interpretation by her of this great song of hers.
I miss Jaco.
@@HonkIfYouLoveBeer Me too
I totally agree, I have this album in my collection, and play it constantly. I never get tired of listening to it. The tracks are so varied, yet the melodies and words so haunting. I think I've definitely lived in a blessed era of music. Martin S UK.
It's such a beautiful album. Black Crow and Blue Motel Room are my fav ones i think. And of course, Amelia.
Total agreement. The best performance, Melancholy magic,
The musically love of my life for over 40 years. JG
So Great, Millennials may not appreciate, Just listen...
I'm sure they will mate. I did, at 18. And you appreciate. Why shouldn't they? Just because they were born after the year 2000?
There are no words adequate to describe how beautiful this is.
Enough lucky to see Joni in Paris on that tour in May 1983. Amelia is one of my favorite. Thanks for sharing.
No words. Absolute Masterpiece. My only reason to live: listening to Joni again and again.
The pantheon blessed us.
Ah Hejira, one of the best albums of the 70's. Pure magic, ethereal and transcending...taking your mind to another plane. Such a beautiful woman, soul and artist. Strange dreams of my wonderlust.
I have this concert on cassette taped off the radio. Spent many night in the dark listening to it. Joni is a genius songwriter, one of the finest of all time...
Me too. I treasured that tape
Very few good recording of Joni, this one is exceptional magic
New to Joni(59!). I'm a soul man at heart going waaaaay back to Motown, Philly. I bought her classic CD's to give her a try. THIS is the best album and track IMHO. Haunting...
+Alan Whitehead Massive Joni fan here, and while I love Hejira, I think my favorite Joni album is For the Roses.
@@hannjenn I agree but this version is the most beautiful thing
Joni is a remarkable genius. Motown on the other hand was always overrated crap
@@stanleymasterson1135 We'll have to disagree on that one. Millions of others would also disagree!
@@awhitehead2011 Millions with unrefined taste, yes
We all love Joni so much because her songs describe our lives. As different as we all are, it is the music and poetry of Joni's that brings us all together. One light. Light that is one though the lamps be many.
God it's hard to imagine that 30+ years have gone by since one of my favorite artists played this gorgeous melody....I just love the sound of that guitar She's simply the best at what she does! Forever Joni!
No kidding......and it kind of sucks! I appreciate her words & melodies even more now than @ 15 years old!
you go Soozi! Live life as full as you can tomorrow is guaranteed to no one!!!
I echo your comment exactly..... You mirror my thoughts...
The composition, the melody, the rythm are mind-blowing. Then on top of that, lines that just stun you.
You missed an incredible voice out superbly sung
My Dear Joni
Have you found what you have been searching for throughout these years? Always explaining it to us all through your music and lyrics?
In the end.
I hope so.
Blessing to you my friend.
Perhaps the journey itself is the “find.”
Yes, Perhaps 😌
@@lauralinden6840
You have to wonder about her state of mind when she finally finished up writing this song. Did she realize that she'd just created one of the greatest songs ever written?
Think she always viewed her current work as the best
I think the safe answer is probably no as she seems to be quite a humble person.
She did that every month ! 😂 But I have a similar question: YT has some old videos of her on Canadian TV, where she looks like Barbara Eden and sings folk songs. Did she know who she was ?
Joni Mitchell is the epitome of beauty, femininity, talent, and creativity. I love her music so much !
Speaking as as an out and out Rock guitar player, Joni Mitchell remains one of my favourite guitarists for those beautiful, eloquent chordings.
Here's the wild thing. IMO Joni is a better pianist than she is a guitarist. And she's a helluva guitarist. But her piano accompaniments throw in a lot more licks that flesh out the melody. Basically, she's a folky version of Prince.
Peladian Music Princess. From another world altogether. Escaped to come here and grace all of us!
"a broken angel sings from a guitar" love her !
Mighty amazing I'm speechless spooked hair stand on end with a cool chill.... What a mighty singer a poet performer and an artist of all time.
This is a monument to art, to love, to life. This is one of the greatest songs ever written.
totally. when I first heard hejira i had to listen to it twice a day for the next 3 months. no album has ever done that.
Written so many magic works of art impossible to pick one depends on your need at the time
Definitely the most haunting of Joni's songs. Maybe this and Sunny Sunday.
She has a most interesting, unique and effortless playing style. She doesn't hold her own with the worlds finest artists she's their standard.
I love this song
We all do.. And Joni.
Goddamn, she is great!!!
Strength and beauty...
Love completel silence of crowd
What can I say,the most beautiful human being in the world,......
I was at this show ...the greatest band ever to back her ...
So sad.. so beautiful
Every time I hear Joni, I thank heaven that she has been a part of my life for 50 years! So many great musicians have worked with her. I always hear Larry Carlton's soaring solo work on this song.
Pat Metheny and Jaco Pastoris. Shadows and light concert on dvd recorded in 79
A fabulous live video of Joni and "Amelia" ... who's playing the other guitar with those great effects, sounding perfectly in the same mindset as the song, almost from the "Hejira" album ... that was Joni in her goddess prime!
One of the best. Peroid.
I am sitting here at 5.00 am, and the tears are running down my face. "Oh Amelia ... it was just a false alarm .... "
Just Joni and a guitar. "His sad request .... "
You can say, "What's this song about, some aviatrix who died long ago?". No, no, no ... it's not all about the lyrics. I can't explain. Now go listen to some Kate Bush.
i woke @ 5:45am to this
with the same effect
Go to bed. You need to sleep
And... It. Will. ... Again. And. ... Always. Will.. Thanks
5:22am here. Same.
I get you...
This is on the playlist for my memorial...
No one brings a moment into focus like Joni.
A perfect performance of a perfect song. And it's only one of the many perfect songs she has written. Get well soon, Joni!
I wrote it, you’re welcome, nonetheless
Surely this song could be rereleased so little on radio now
Yes and Joni Mitchell. Jon and Joni Anderson. What more could i have wished for from the 70's.