>>Is there a definitive source for this? Has Joni mentioned in interviews that particular songs are based on real people and experiences? If not, how can we be sure they are 'true', or at the very least, not composites of several events/persons?
Anyone have opinions/comments on this?<< I do! I find this to be a fascinating subject. Ultimately, no one but Joni can say what or who her songs are really about & I don't know if she ever has said so publicly. As a songwriter I would say that it is entirely possible that some of her characters are composites. That happens often in the process because as most songwriters can attest, the song is the ultimate authority & often a songwriter will choose what is true on a deeper level than what is factual in order to make the song work. On the other hand, I have had the experience of writing a song about something that I later found out was really about something else (after many people had given me their interpretation) that was deeper & closer to me than I had consciously recognized. Songs can work on several levels that way. The reason I love the discussions about who the song might be about is that for me, it deepens my appreciation of her artistry. Its not about the gossip factor. We had this discussion awhile ago, but for an example, take the song The Midway. I've always loved that song but never thought about who it might be about. Maybe just some carnival guy. However, when a friend told me who the song was allegedly about, it really fit...many of the metaphors fit & were like hints of who it was about...& it just made her all the more amazing to me as a songwriter. ******************************************** Kate Bennett www.katebennett.com sponsored by Polysonics Discover the Indies at Taylor Guitars: http://www.taylorguitars.com/artists/awp/indies/bennett.html ********************************************
