Mitchell, Joni - For The Roses Lyrics

I heard it in the wind last night
It sounded like applause
Did you get a round resounding for you
Way up here
Seems like many dim years ago
Since I heard that face to face
So seen you face to face
Though tonight I can feel you here
I get these notes
On butterflies and lilac sprays
From girls who just have to tell me
They saw you somewhere
In some office sits a poet
And he trembles as he sings
And he asks some guy
To circulate his soul around
On your mark red ribbon runner
The caressing rev of motors
Finely tuned like fancy women
In Thirties evening gowns
Up the charts
Off to the airport
Your name's in the news
Everything's first class
The lights go down
And it's just you up there
Getting them to feel like that
Remember the days when you used to sit
And make up your tunes for love
And pour your simple sorrow
To the sound hole and your knee
And now you're seen
On giant screens
And at parties for the press
And for people who have slices of you
From the company
They toss around your latest golden egg
Speculation-well, who's to know
If the next one in the nest
Will glitter for them so
I guess I seem ungrateful
With my teeth sunk in the hand
That brings me things
I really can't give up just yet
Now I sit up here
The critic!
And they introduce some band
But they seem so much confetti
Looking at them on my TV set
Oh the power and the glory
Just when you're getting a taste for worship
They start bringing out the hammers
And the boards
And the nails
I heard it in the wind last night
It sounded like applause
Chilly now
End of summer
No more shiny hot nights
It was just the arbutus rustling
And the bumping of the logs
And the moon swept down black water
Like an empty spotlight

Brilliant

love you Joni

'... just the arbutus rustling...' Joni's genius in 4 words

Joni helped me through many broken relationships through her gorgeous music

Masterpiece... Joni the jaded star singing a song to Joni the young, unknown artist she used to be. I wonder if this inspired Sara Bareilles' "She Used To Be Mine"?

She took a hiatus and lived alone for a year in her place up in the north country. And wrote these beautiful songs. I cannot express what she meant to me throughout my youth ...both personally and as a musician. There is nothing like her.

No roses mentioned, but Arbutus tree in BC to CA: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Arbouse.jpg#/media/File:Arbouse.jpg

Transcendent, lush and lovely. Joni is never shy to ask us to look at our deepest selves and benefit from the introspection.

gorgeous...

I heard it in the wind last night
It sounded like applause
Did you get a round resounding for you
Way up here
Seems like many dim years ago
Since I heard that face to face
So seen you face to face
Though tonight I can feel you here
I get these notes
On butterflies and lilac sprays
From girls who just have to tell me
They saw you somewhere
In some office sits a poet
And he trembles as he sings
And he asks some guy
To circulate his soul around
On your mark red ribbon runner
The caressing rev of motors
Finely tuned like fancy women
In Thirties evening gowns
Up the charts
Off to the airport
Your name's in the news
Everything's first class
The lights go down
And it's just you up there
Getting them to feel like that
Remember the days when you used to sit
And make up your tunes for love
And pour your simple sorrow
To the sound hole and your knee
And now you're seen
On giant screens
And at parties for the press
And for people who have slices of you
From the company
They toss around your latest golden egg
Speculation-well, who's to know
If the next one in the nest
Will glitter for them so
I guess I seem ungrateful
With my teeth sunk in the hand
That brings me things
I really can't give up just yet
Now I sit up here
The critic!
And they introduce some band
But they seem so much confetti
Looking at them on my TV set
Oh the power and the glory
Just when you're getting a taste for worship
They start bringing out the hammers
And the boards
And the nails
I heard it in the wind last night
It sounded like applause
Chilly now
End of summer
No more shiny hot nights
It was just the arbutus rustling
And the bumping of the logs
And the moon swept down black water
Like an empty spotlight

If anyone has a hard time understanding the concept of painting with words and music, play them the last verse of this song.

This was the first Joni Mitchell album I ever heard. I bought all the others after this one and still love them all...especially Blue...but this one has sentimental value for me because it was the first. She mentored me and I still think she is the greatest singer/songwriter for women.

Is this song about James Taylor?

Lost years

I'm 21 and I just recently started to get into her music. Wish I had done it sooner. She is something else, so brilliant

Enjoy the journey

I had this album. I still love her music and so beautiful a voice to my ears.

The best ('popular') song about fame yet written; nothing compares (though 'Ludwig's Tune' - cannily on the same album - is a pretty good counterfoil). An underrated (yes, you heard me, UNDERRATED!) artist who deserves the canonization so freely handed out to her male contemporaries.

Joni we love you!

Make your own music. That's my takeaway from Ms. Mitchell, whose music I adored when I first listened, and still do now.

she won singer of the mellinium

pure magic

Sounds like Only Women Bleed ripped off this song's melody

Oh, Joni, I have loved you since forever, and your songs never cease to transcend me. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

I am 61 years old. Joni is the greatest of my generation hands down. I've listened to her music for what seems like all my life. Thank you Joni for the love, laughter, and tears your music has brought me.

An authentic musical genius. She transcended gender and nationality.

My mate asked me to look after his record collection at Uni while his room was painted. He brought them round and left "For the Roses" on top of the pile. I put it on and heard this song...and I bought the album and have been listening to Joni ever since. She is incomparable. The Best. Thank you, Satvinder (Sut) Jhally.

I know someone said this about Ghandi, but when you listen to music like this, you just really have to wonder that someone of this calibre ever really lived. There is no explanation for artistry of this sort except to say that it was inspired.

Lost all of my faith in politics, religeon Lucky enough that only Joni keeps me going nowadays (and before as well...)

mainstream music is horrific nowadays, always quality music being made but what is popular and topping the charts currently truly sums up where the world has gone

Uktrayf: MERCI

Carol Chapin! This song my favorit song in my life! I hear it just 1-2 times par years, bicaus im die a littlebit when im listen.

I dont understand the thumbs-down folks.For the Roses is probably my favorite JM album. So beautiful.

read 'Robopaths' by Lewis Yablonsky if you really want to understand people like that

One of the most gorgeous songs ever.

Masterpiece....enough said!

Joni Mitchell is so great! Simplesmente o máximo.

As someone once said about the last verse of this song, if there are more visually powerful words and images, I have yet to hear them.

..carice..gefeliciflapstaart*..

the truth is...the only ones that can write such depth and play and sing such music are those who have dared inquired and courageously faced the causes of their own suffering...

Oh how I would like to play the guitar like this ...!  She is such an artist. The poetry and the music and her voice are .... incrível.

I grew up listening to Joni.  Her voice is liquid gold which inspires so much emotion.  Life is better with her in it~

So much love for this track and album.

Getting them to feel like that.

This album was too under-appreciated...I'll never know why this album didn't have as much success as Blue or Court and Spark

For that matter, I'll never understand why more of her singles didn't become huge HITS. I mean, it's crazy how amazing she is on every level. It's almost as if there was an unspoken arrangement within the industry to not play her on the radio. And yet her albums still sold, even into the 90s, she was still selling 300K with no radio airplay or promotion. "For The Roses", "A Case of You", "Black Crow", "Dreamland", "The Dry Cleaner From Des Moines", "Underneath The Streetlight", "Chinese Cafe", "My Secret Place", "The Beat of Black Wings", "Come In From The Cold", "Nothing Can Be Done", "How Do You Stop", "Sex Kills".....all sound like hits in any era to me!

honestly! especially with songs such as let the wind carry me and electricity. it should have received much more recognition

I don't mean to be snotty but the reason that this album is underappreciated is that it was too much for standard radio and so many of the songs are almost bottomless. Just when you think you understand them, there is more. I believe her next album was Court and Spark, and while it was more polished, it was put together to be more accessible. More polish but less depth.

@iganatiousjr I think you're correct. This album particularly is a difficult listen. The lyrics are pretty complex and the arrangements have more depth than her previous work.

There is no challenge,Joni was and is the greatest female guitar and singer and artist of the late 20th century.

Teena Marie is a very, very close second.

totally agree such an amazingly talented person, hauntingly beautiful vocals and lyrics, and such a beautiful person as well.  What a treasure you are Joni Mitchell!

Best singer-songwriter of the last 50 yrs or more. Stevie Wonder is close.

This is my favorite album of hers.

+Kyle Derrick , mine as well.

love it!

Joni I love you

when I listen to this album and it's overcast outside I feel like going to an art museum. Joni is living, breathing artwork; beauty and inspiration.

Bendage Alright for songs evoking feeling special to overcast days! I have ALWAYS liked listening to Song For a Seagull and Clouds albums on cold, overcast winter days. I also have a specially-created "February Songs" playlist. Might as well celebrate the cold, grey days too!

Truly a masterpiece.

Yes I agree she writes about the beauty of her wide open spaces I wonder if she could write about the irony in bringing the urban pollution so directly into her lungs by continuously smoking amid all the beauty and fresh air around her.

I agree with your observation of "smoking amid fresh air" but I view this as very much of what it is to be human. The contrariness of 'doing bad while speaking good' and vice-versa is how we seem to be programmed. We all have the potential to be saint or sinner and perhaps a combination of both descriptions. It brings to mind that we have a left hand and a right hand that can be seen as opposing forces yet they make life so easy. Humans; who would be one ...

wow that's really deep man- I hope you don't start writing music

@steve harris I hope you do start writing music! :)

@punkstarbear you and Daniel Riccardi
both express the same observation but with different words; exactly my point as both thoughts can live side by side...

@steve harris it's funny the way that happens, isn't it? Life is not so much opposites and equals, as equals found within opposites.

Every time that I hear this album, I am startled by its depth and beauty. The guitar, or piano, coupled with her voice is sheer perfection, and her unique way of phrasing her poetic lyrics is magic. I love my hard rock, jazz fusion, and raging guitar, but this is in another category. Thank you Joni!

seems to be a common thread here..thanks..and enhanced life/healing/sharing/companionship/enjoyment..makes me smile to say "yes me too"..

She's the best of us all..

"We're only particles of change I know orbiting around the sun", some just shine more brightly.

Her lyrics are important and an insight but the overall feel is contentment and wonder

exquisite 

"They seem so much confetti lookin' at 'em on my TV set.".....YEP.

I discovered her 45 years ago. God I'm old. But when your raised with music of this caliber its hard to deal with whats out there today.

@PlymouthVT Try Laura Marling

@Alex Davis I like what I've heard of Laura Marling, and she cites Joni Mitchell as one of her major influences.

@PlymouthVT Agreed. It's all gone now. We still have this, though. Bon chance.

The greatest musician / songwriter of the 20 th century , and so important to so many people.

' I heard it in the wind last night , sounded like applause ' , Joni is indeed a treasure , her heartfelt poetry is timeless and wonderful . 

Nothing cures my blues like Joni's music.  This beautiful woman has meant the world to me ever since  i discovered her a few years ago. 
THANK YOU JONI.   seems the world loves you

Found myself tearing up at the last verse of this piece... Such a gift giver is Joni.

Timeless!  Thanks for the posting.

Stand corrected. Her music is there for everyone...for their own making. 

adoro ela

Such an amazing song beautiful sound

sublime and intelligent music

Joni saved my life...  Nothing else to say.

Mine too !

Me, as well, on a neary daily basis. Peace, Jeff.

Do I ever echo that sentiment!

Lyrics that other singer song writers could die for.

I have yet to give the song a listen, but I don't know about you all--me, I'm NEVER buying a box of new popped wheat thins (bust my eardrums with headphones, bastards!)

Thank you Joni my you gave voice to my years and tears.

A stunning masterpiece from a poet, prophet and goddess....love you Joni there will never be another like you.

Hard to differentiate among this woman's remarkable original musical accomplishments. She is a national musical treasure.

I am sure you don't mean to be possessive but being neither Canadian or American I would have to say this lady is a universal treasure.

God yes one in a billion

Possibly my favorite Joni Mitchell album - brings back many memories.  She is a prolific songwriter and great musician/singer -  absolutely a musical genius!

I think this is my most favorite Joni album as well!

only forgotten by those who never really 'knew' her...never ever forgotten...she saved my life

Nancy! That's MY line! ;-)  (Of course, WE know that Joni has saved many lives.)

@Jeff Blythe Hi Jeff! Yes, she may have saved many lives...but what it means to each one, personally. is where it's at! Wow! God!! I...it has been such an insane year...so sorry I hadn't seen this much sooner! 
 

if I don't get to Joni live before I die...I guess I'll see you in heaven...I love you so...

I love this album.Heard it first in my youth,only twenty years ago as a kid.My kid loves it too.Pure poetry.My daughters pregnant,i hope this trait continues!Can pass the test without the music..

Joni's lyricsand seemingly simple chord changes mold into a powerful beautiful song l always thought For the Roses was her best album most heartfelt and personal and where she bared her soul completely and heartbreakingly honest

Thanks for that, now listening to it again (putting it in context) you're obviously right; love this lady's music so much, every nuance means something. Now I can stop scratching my head at that line,lol.

With lyrics you never know, do you?
But a red ribbon runner is someone who comes in second (blue ribbon is first)
And at the beginning of the race you say "On your mark"

Love Joni Mitchell's words and music but what is a 'red ribbon runner'...if you know I'd really appreciate the info.

anxiously awaiting a good rendezvous. re-listening to some of these songs is like such a rendezvous, at least a foretaste anyway.

This was for James Taylor after the 70's break-up...

I was first introduced to her music in 1974....saw her in concert then. I remember she paused before this song, to talk about the Arbutus trees....something I had never heard about back then......

vim pela linda da Carice van Houten!'-'

Interesting to read. Does she live that way these days? Just curious and sort of surprised to see that she'd have her name in the phone book!

Forgotten? This is her most beautiful song EVER!

One of the best songs written about the music business EVER

My friend Mary and I went up to the Sunshine Coast, where the photos "For the Roses" were taken. We were there to pay homage, and discover the Arbutus trees. Found Joni's name in the local Pender Harbour phone book. Didn't call, but just enjoyed being on the Sunshine Coast. So nice!