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Joni Mitchell — For Free
Album: Ladies of the Canyon
Avg rating:
6.9

Your rating:
Total ratings: 596









Released: 1970
Length: 4:27
Plays (last 30 days): 0
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I slept last night in a good hotel
I went shopping today for jewels
The wind rushed around in the dirty town,
And the children let out from the schools
I was standing on a noisy corner,
Waiting for the walking green
Across the street he stood
And he played real good,
On his clarinet for free

Now me I play for fortunes,
And those velvet curtain calls
I got a black limosine and two gentlemen
Escorting me to the halls
And i'll play if you have the money,
Or if you're a friend to me
But the one man band,
By the quick lunch stand,
He was playing real good for free

Nobody stoped to hear him,
Though he played so sweet and high
They knew he had never been on their tv
So they passed his music by
I meant to go over and ask for a song,
Maybe put on a harmony
I heard his refrain
As the signal changed
He was playing real good for free
Comments (45)add comment
A great song. Inspired by Lol Coxhill, allegedly.
Posted 2 years ago by trevc    [ Reply ]
A great song off one of her best albums - thank you.
Posted 3 years ago by Edweirdo    [ Reply ]
 Hannio wrote:
The line "he played real good for free" always makes me wince a little.  In Joni's case I am assuming it's poetic license.
 

Never bothered me for a second. It's how a musician would say it. Not, "he was playing really well," but "he was playing real good!" It's just got that extra oomph to it.
Posted 4 years ago by pixel-pusher    [ Reply ]
The thing I love about this song is what it doesn't explain, and doesn't have to. Most of us get on some level why in the end she didn't "go over and ask for a song, maybe put on a harmony," despite feeling pulled to do so, but she doesn't explain it to us, indicating the conflict is still unresolved for her; she's not quite sure why she didn't (or doesn't want to admit it to herself, given her elite life circumstances). The thing that ties all the elements together is the thing left unsaid, so we're all left to ponder, "yeah, I probably wouldn't have either; I wonder why not?" And you can't explain it with logic; you have to feel through it, and the various possible answers are complex. That, to me, is first-rate story-telling.
Posted 4 years ago by pixel-pusher    [ Reply ]
I LOVE Joni, and have all her stuff, on vinyl and CD, but this album is one of my least favourites. Only a 5 from me Joni I'm afraid:-(
Posted 4 years ago by Daveteauk    [ Reply ]
Thanks Bill. Needed me some Joni on this rainy day in San Diego.
Posted 5 years ago by mrsquid    [ Reply ]
 meloman wrote:
A beautiful song that takes me back to a time when hope for a better world still existed. Thanks Bill and Rebecca.

 
Indeed.


Posted 6 years ago by LowPhreak    [ Reply ]
Assuming that at least one person has commented on this song every time it's been played on RP, by my count this song has been played 18 times since 2001. Not nearly enough. Love me some Joni. {#Good-vibes}
Posted 7 years ago by skindy    [ Reply ]
This is a new one for me; thank you!
Posted 7 years ago by jmkate    [ Reply ]
After this week, I need this.
Posted 8 years ago by rmsilva    [ Reply ]
Thank you Bill.
Posted 8 years ago by sid1950    [ Reply ]
Ahhhhhhhh...............{#Meditate}
Posted 8 years ago by Eric_Denison    [ Reply ]
All is right with the world, thanks RP.
Posted 8 years ago by jab49    [ Reply ]
Love.
Posted 8 years ago by onerb    [ Reply ]
{#Hearteyes}
Posted 8 years ago by fitmartin    [ Reply ]
I wish you all the best. Now, where's the PSD button?
Posted 8 years ago by dwlangham    [ Reply ]
 oofus521 wrote:
chills man chills

 
Got that right.
Posted 8 years ago by NickDanger    [ Reply ]
chills man chills
Posted 9 years ago by oofus521    [ Reply ]
A fantastic songstress!
Posted 9 years ago by MargoMallen    [ Reply ]
Never.

colt4x5 wrote:


I never get tired of Joni ... but then I'm a guy..
;-) 

 


Posted 9 years ago by gjeeg    [ Reply ]
 Shesdifferent wrote:
I never get tired on Joni....but then I'm a girl....

 

I never get tired of Joni ... but then I'm a guy..
;-) 
Posted 9 years ago by colt4x5    [ Reply ]
Chills. After all these years. I don't know what it is. How blessed to have known her in her time.
Posted 9 years ago by gjeeg    [ Reply ]
I never get tired on Joni....but then I'm a girl....
Posted 9 years ago by Shesdifferent    [ Reply ]
Never liked Jonis wailing.
Posted 13 years ago by HazzeSwede    [ Reply ]
Joni at her all time best. 10 all the way.
Posted 13 years ago by d-don    [ Reply ]
A beautiful song that takes me back to a time when hope for a better world still existed. Thanks Bill and Rebecca.
Posted 13 years ago by meloman    [ Reply ]
The line "he played real good for free" always makes me wince a little.  In Joni's case I am assuming it's poetic license.
Posted 13 years ago by Hannio    [ Reply ]
 cc_rider wrote:
The story of the song reminds me of the acclaimed violinist, who regularly sells out venues like Carnegie Hall (at $100+ for the cheap seats), playing in the subway. His violin? A 1710's era Stradivarius, worth millions. Hardly anyone paid him any attention, much less gave him any money. It was something of a stunt, but still, a guy who gets paid thousands of dollars PER MINUTE for his playing, and no one gave him a second glance.

Kinda makes you wonder what else we miss every day, huh?
 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hnOPu0_YWhw

Link above...one of the stories in the article there was really only one that recognized him. But my take away was there was a kid that stopped and was listening as their parent hurried them by.  I took that lesson and when my kids stop to listen, I remind myself, I need to stop and listen as well. 
Posted 13 years ago by Decoy    [ Reply ]
Very nice.  good early morning music at the beginning of a tough day.
Posted 13 years ago by Dave_Mack    [ Reply ]
One of my favorite JM songs of my favorite LP of hers....{#Music}
Posted 13 years ago by DaveInSaoMiguel    [ Reply ]
The story of the song reminds me of the acclaimed violinist, who regularly sells out venues like Carnegie Hall (at $100+ for the cheap seats), playing in the subway. His violin? A 1710's era Stradivarius, worth millions. Hardly anyone paid him any attention, much less gave him any money. It was something of a stunt, but still, a guy who gets paid thousands of dollars PER MINUTE for his playing, and no one gave him a second glance.

Kinda makes you wonder what else we miss every day, huh?
Posted 13 years ago by cc_rider    [ Reply ]
Thank you!
Posted 13 years ago by ttburger3    [ Reply ]
David Crosby sings a really nice version of this on the Byrds reunion album that came out around 1973 or so. The rest of the reunion album was lackluster IMO but I remember liking his interpretation of "For Free."

Posted 14 years ago by capandjudy    [ Reply ]
 SinisterDexter wrote:
Wow, has it been almost 9 years since this song was last played? Much too long!
 
I could wait another 9 to hear it again. " I'm just saying" :)

Posted 14 years ago by salide    [ Reply ]
 Ubaldo wrote:
Brings it all back . . .{#Sunny}
 
Hey — great no-hitter this season. You gonna re-sign with the Rockies?

Posted 14 years ago by Zep    [ Reply ]
Brings it all back . . .{#Sunny}
Posted 14 years ago by Ubaldo    [ Reply ]
I am sorry but everytime I hear Joni Mitchell it reminds me of a 70's wedding, doctors office muzak or something like that. Oi!{#Doh}
Posted 14 years ago by sirdroseph    [ Reply ]
Wow, has it been almost 9 years since this song was last played? Much too long!
Posted 14 years ago by SinisterDexter    [ Reply ]
Love how they grow voices up north...Joni, k.d., the Wailin' Jennys.
Posted 14 years ago by WonderLizard    [ Reply ]
One of the best by one of the best.
Posted 14 years ago by juniorelvis    [ Reply ]
It\'s hard to believe that this melody was produced almost thirty years ago, it\'s still fresh as a just-cut rose ;)
Posted 22 years ago by samiyam    [ Reply ]
this song has always given me goosebumps....i love it so much.
Posted 22 years ago by kelli    [ Reply ]
I could listen to Joni all day. Number One on my list of female artists.
Posted 22 years ago by JrzyTmata    [ Reply ]
Such a BEAUTIFUL album ... \'Rainy Night House\', \'Conversation\', The priest\' ... actually ... all of the songs are good !*!*!*!* Hearing her music is always a direct connection back to my early days of being in love !
Posted 22 years ago by rolo    [ Reply ]