Joni Mitchell - Both Sides Now Chords
Before you play, tune your guitar and use the tools below to set up your view and flow.
Guitar G chord diagram
Guitar Am chord diagram
Guitar C chord diagram
Guitar D chord diagram
[Opening]
[G]Rows and [Am]flows of [C]angel [G]hair
And ice cream [G]castles [C]in the [G]air
And feather [C]canyons every[Am]where
I’ve [C]looked at clouds that [D]way.
[verse 2]
But [G]now they [Am]only [C]hide the [G]sun
They rain and [G]snow on [C]every[G]one
So many [C]things I might have [Am]done
But [C]clouds got in my [D]way
[verse 3]
I’ve [G]looked at [Am]clouds from [C]both sides [G]now
From [C]up and [G]down, and [C]still some[G]how
It’s [G]clouds’ il[C]lusions [G]I recall
I [C]really don’t know [D]clouds at [G]all
[verse 4]
2. [G]Moons and [Am]Junes and [C]Ferris [G]wheels
The dizzy [G]dancing [C]way you [G]feel
When every [C]fairy [Am]tale comes real
I’ve [C]looked at love that [D]way.
[verse 5]
But [G]now it’s [Am]just a[C]nother [G]show
You leave them [G]laughing [C]when you [G]go
And if you [C]care, don’t [Am]let them know
Don’t [C]give yourself a[D]way
[chorus]
I’ve [G]looked at [Am]love from [C]both sides [G]now
From [C]win and [G]lose, and [C]still some[G]how
It’s [G]love’s il[C]lusions [G]I recall
I [C]really don’t know [D]love at [G]all
[verse 6]
3. [G]Tears and [Am]fears and [C]feeling [G]proud
To say I [G]love you, [C]right out [G]loud
Dreams and [G]schemes and [Am]circus crowds
I’ve [C]looked at life that [D]way.
[Closing]
But [G]now all my [Am]friends are [C]acting [G]strange
They shake their [G]heads, they [C]say I’ve [G]changed
Well something’s [C]lost, and [Am]something’s gained
In [C]living every [D]day.
[chorus]
I’ve [G]looked at [Am]life from both sides [G]now
From [C]win and [G]lose, and [C]still some[G]how
It’s [G]life’s il[C]lusions [G]I recall
I [C]really don’t know [D]life at [G]all.
How to play Both Sides Now on Guitar (Step-by-step)
Joni Mitchell - Both Sides Now on guitar requires 4 chords and 5 core chord transitions. You can find the full step-by-step guide below. Before you start, tune your instrument. The song uses the ↓-↓↑-↓↑-↓↑ pattern; practice it muted first, or simplify to downstrokes while you learn the changes.
Both Sides Now uses these transitions most often: C → G (23), G → C (23), and Am → C (14). These transitions may feel a little challenging at first, but with steady practice you can play this song quickly.When you are ready, begin with G - Am chord transition.
1. G → Am chord transition
To move from G to Am;
- Lift your index finger from A string fret 2 and place it on B string fret 1.
- Slide your middle finger from E string fret 3 to D string fret 2.
- Lift your ring finger from E string fret 3 and place it on G string fret 2.
2. Am → C chord transition
To move from Am to C;
- Keep index finger on B string fret 1.
- Keep middle finger on D string fret 2.
- Lift your ring finger from G string fret 2 and place it on A string fret 3.
3. C → G chord transition
To move from C to G;
- Lift your index finger from B string fret 1 and place it on A string fret 2.
- Slide your middle finger from D string fret 2 to E string fret 3.
- Lift your ring finger from A string fret 3 and place it on E string fret 3.
4. C → D chord transition
To move from C to D;
- Lift your index finger from B string fret 1 and place it on G string fret 2.
- Slide your middle finger from D string fret 2 to E string fret 2.
- Lift your ring finger from A string fret 3 and place it on B string fret 3.
5. D → G chord transition
To move from D to G;
- Lift your index finger from G string fret 2 and place it on A string fret 2.
- Slide your middle finger from E string fret 2 to E string fret 3.
- Lift your ring finger from B string fret 3 and place it on E string fret 3.
Both Sides Now chord transition analysis
A short, data-driven summary of the chord flow in Both Sides Now.
- Both Sides Now includes 94 chord transitions, 5 of them unique.
- These transitions represent 0.03% of all chord transitions in Chordier.
- Both Sides Now contains 4 of the top 10 transitions across Chordier.
- These transition patterns show how Both Sides Now connects to the rest of Chordier. Mastering them helps you move to similar songs faster.After G, the most likely next chords across Chordier are C (25%), D (24%), and Am (13%).
- G → C: 25%
- G → Am: 13%
After C, the most likely next chords across Chordier are G (35%), F (16%), and D (11%).- C → G: 35%
- C → D: 11%