Susan wrote: <<I am speaking specifically about Rickie Lee's "Last Chance Texaco." The use of metaphors and style I find to be uncanny. As I quickly skimmed over the "Electricity" thread from May, I did notice Mia, made some mention of a comparison back then, but no one else followed up at that time.>>
I received a few replies at the time, but they were all off the list. Come on you guys! Don't be so shy! :) << I am still interested in hearing if others hear Joni in other artists as well and pointing out those similarities.>> Disclaimer: The following is pure speculation on my part. As a child, I was forced to listen to John Denver because my father was an obsessed fan (what's that?). I used to think whoever wrote "The Wedding Song" copied the melody from Denver's "Rhymes and Reasons". It wasn't until I discovered Joni Mitchell some years later that I realized "Cactus Tree" also has similar melody. "Cactus Tree" was written a year before "Rhymes and Reasons". Coincidence? Time of Man? Or did Denver think he could get away with this, thinking Joni as a woman would never make it bigtime? Shame on me for thinking this. After looking at the lyrics again, I now think he wrote this song for Joni. 'So you speak to me of sadness and the coming of the winter' - (Joni's early work was indeed sad and many songs were about the winter like "Urge for Going", "Winter Lady", etc..) 'Fear that is within you now that seems to never end' - (Joni's 'fear is like a wilderland' from "I Think I Understand") 'And the dreams that have escaped you' - (Joni's 'my dreams with the seagulls fly out of reach, out of cry') 'Though the cities start to crumble and the towers fall around us' -(Joni's 'But sand castles crumble') I've noticed other similarities in Denver's early works like "Sunshine On My Shoulders" - the melody for these particular title lyrics go up and down like Joni's 'with sun on my shoulders'. Also with Denver's "Eagle and the Hawk" 'and all who believe in me share in the freedom I feel when I fly' compared to Joni's 'share in the freedom of all flying things'. There are others, but this is just from the top of my head. Phoebe Snow's "Poetry Man" makes me think of Joni's "He Comes For Conversation". Fleetwood Mac's "Tell Me Lies" makes me think of Joni's "The Last Time I Saw Richard". I've also heard similarities in Heart and Steven Tyler's work, but the songs escape my memory right now. What about the reverse? Can anyone think of any songs Joni has written that might parallel an earlier song by another artist? I've always wondered if "Borderline" was inspired by David Crosby's "Tracks in the Dust" (great song) and if Crosby is her 'opinionated friend'? Mia NP: Red Hot Chili Peppers -"Falling Into Grace" _________________________________________________________________ MSN Photos is the easiest way to share and print your photos: http://photos.msn.com/support/worldwide.aspx
