"both sides now" struck a chord in my youth and my contemporaries, especially female ones, such as 齊豫.  in addition to the music itself and somewhat poetic lyrics, i guess there were elements of romanticism and youthful inquiries about love and life. 
i think our collective mental state was "見山不是山, 見水不是水" back then. 
life is a journey.
30 some years since, perhaps most of us, one way or the other, already "見山是山, 見水是水".
for most of us, it may be reflective to juxtapose her two performances in here.
in her 2000 performance, what we see is a Joni Mitchelle, weathered through up-and-down/win-and-lose. 
i would like to think Joni Mitchelle is now self-evidently "見山是山, 見水是水" too.
nostalgia? not really,
reflection? perjaps.
she could not arbitrarily alter the lyrics. so be it!
my love to this unique singer-song-writer would not diminish.
and i still like this song.

Joni Mitchell's odyssey
1970

2000


Bows and flows of angel hair and ice cream castles in the air

And feather canyons everywhere, i've looked at cloud that way.

But now they only block the sun, they rain and snow on everyone.

So many things i would have done but clouds got in my way.



I've looked at clouds from both sides now,

From up and down, and still somehow

It's cloud illusions i recall.

I really don't know clouds at all.



Moons and junes and ferris wheels, the dizzy dancing way you feel

As every fairy tale comes real; i've looked at love that way.

But now it's just another show. you leave 'em laughing when you go

And if you care, don't let them know, don't give yourself away.



I've looked at love from both sides now,

From give and take, and still somehow

It's love's illusions i recall.

I really don't know love at all.



Tears and fears and feeling proud to say "i love you" right out loud,

Dreams and schemes and circus crowds, i've looked at life that way.

But now old friends are acting strange, they shake their heads, they say

I've changed.

Something's lost but something's gained in living every day.



I've looked at life from both sides now,

From win and lose, and still somehow

It's life's illusions i recall.

I really don't know life at all.