The Women That Made Us: Joni Mitchell
Björk, Jewel, Annie Lennox, Alanis Morissette, even Taylor Swift. Iconic musicians of the modern world, putting on show stopping performances and selling out stadiums; iconic musicians who pour their hearts and souls into music that shapes our highs and our lows, our experiences at the club and our homework sessions. But what, or rather, who, shaped them?
Taylor Swift is known for her composition of singing and songwriting, her heartfelt lyrics and the intimacy she weaves with her pen; Alanis Morissette created music that is laced and potent with “female rage,” her lyrics leaving an angry imprint on your heart. Jewel takes listeners back in time, her poetic lyrics and sweet folk charm reminiscent of a different world where peace and love was the word. Björk has continued to use her fame time and time again to be a spokesperson for education and the perseverance of nature, infusing her unique works with overwhelming advocacy. These are diverse performers with something fundamental in common: all these stars are standing on the shoulders of a giant, a woman that rocked the music industry from the 1960s onward, someone who paved the way and carved a seat for them to ascend. It was the 66th Annual Grammy Awards that offered us insight into the icon that created the icons of today we know and love. Now presenting: Joni Mitchell.
A Canadian-American instrumentalist and painter. A woman best described as the epitome of a singer-songwriter. Working across all sorts of genres throughout her career, Joni Mitchell is a true artist and can be described as such in every sense of the word; yet, she has been reduced to a performance from February. One of the main comments I heard from viewers of the GRAMMYs was a resounding “who is that?” in reference to the woman who pioneered the industry and is recognized as one of the most influential artists of the folk, jazz, and classic rock circuit. Rolling Stone Magazine has called her “the most important and influential female recording artist of the late 20th century.” Those poetic lyrics, that soulful voice, and an altogether willingness to push the boundaries of society and the music industry have made her the blueprint for many artists today. To top it all off, she is an ironclad activist, remaining so today. In 2022, Mitchell called for her work to be pulled off of Spotify in protest of the spread of misinformation. Her roots in militancy run deep.
Her career took off during the 1960s, and as a result, she has centered much of her work around pacifism and protest, continuing to do so with her actions in the 21st-century too. She has a gift for writing introspective songs that tap into the human experience, as well as the current climates of the world. Her music is also a reflection of social consciousness, one that was especially highlighted during the later part of her career. From her sophomore album Clouds (1969), “The Fiddle and the Drum” tackles the bloody conflict of the Vietnam War from an outside perspective, as a Canadian. Throughout the haunting ballad, she takes the time to criticize the actions of the US government while also recognizing the opportunities she has been afforded as an artist in America, asking the audience, the listeners, the government themself:
“How did you come
To trade the fiddle for the drum?”
Arguably her most famous album, and my own personal favorite, Blue (1971) remains integral to the songwriting community and the folk rock genre even still today. Her fourth studio album, and the work that truly put Mitchell on the map, Blue is said to be a studio retelling and “description of the times” by Mitchell herself. The album reflects the disillusionment and disenchantment felt by a generation during the ending of the 1960s, a time that was so fundamental to the musical and poetic world, and continues to emphasize inescapable, undeniable love, as well as the all encompassing threat of time to humanity. “A Case of You,” the ninth track from the album, remains my favorite Joni Mitchell song of all time.
“Oh, you are in my blood like holy wine
You taste so bitter and so sweet
Oh, I could drink a case of you, darling”
She is writing about the pain of knowing someone is all wrong for you but you can’t help but feel a little right about them in your soul, it is a poetic ode and an enduring vintage. With Christian iconography and allusions, likening a relationship to a religious impetus and an incurable sickness in the same breath, Mitchell leaves a mark on the music world, and on my soul. With her raw, incessantly beautiful lyrics, her voice is almost lark-like in nature as she paints a possessing portrait of heartache and affection.
Joni Mitchell’s work is integral to the songwriting community, and the music world would not be what it is today without her overwhelming contributions. Next time you listen to one of your favorite artists, now you know where a lot of their inspiration and drive came from. I hope you all enjoyed reading about what a force of nature she is, and have a little more familiarity with who she is as an artist and a woman, outside of a kickass GRAMMYs comeback at 80 years old. If you liked any of her lyrics or agree with anything she stood and continues to stand for, then feel free to tackle listening to Blue first, although I’m a little biased. There’s really something for everyone in her music, her unique voice is enough to make you a fan.