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Joni Mitchell — Chelsea Morning
Album: Clouds
Avg rating:
6.8

Your rating:
Total ratings: 425









Released: 1969
Length: 2:28
Plays (last 30 days): 0
Woke up, it was a Chelsea morning, and the first thing that I heard
Was a song outside my window, and the traffic wrote the words
It came a-reeling up like Christmas bells, and rapping up like pipes and drums

Oh, won't you stay
We'll put on the day
And we'll wear it 'till the night comes

Woke up, it was a Chelsea morning, and the first thing that I saw
Was the sun through yellow curtains, and a rainbow on the wall
Blue, red, green and gold to welcome you, crimson crystal beads to beckon

Oh, won't you stay
We'll put on the day
There's a sun show every second

Now the curtain opens on a portrait of today
And the streets are paved with passersby
And pigeons fly
And papers lie
Waiting to blow away

Woke up, it was a Chelsea morning, and the first thing that I knew
There was milk and toast and honey and a bowl of oranges, too
And the sun poured in like butterscotch and stuck to all my senses
Oh, won't you stay
We'll put on the day
And we'll talk in present tenses

When the curtain closes and the rainbow runs away
I will bring you incense owls by night
By candlelight
By jewel-light
If only you will stay
Pretty baby, won't you
Wake up, it's a Chelsea morning
Comments (29)add comment
I used to love Joni. Then I gradually stopped listening to her. Now, her voice sometimes grates me, especially in some of her earlier stuff. Am I turning into a grumpy old man?
 capandjudy wrote:

That says more about the "quality" or music today.

 
Rated so highly?  It's got a 6.7,  I gave it a 9.  I was hoping it would be followed with Elvis Costello's "I Don't Want to Got to Chelsea" but alas, no.
 Johnny_Wave wrote:
Don't know why this song is rated so highly.  If it were released today, it wouldn't get airplay at all

 
That says more about the "quality" or music today.
Her voice is like a dog whistle for my PSD button finger.
 RParadise wrote:
Joni was staying at the Chelsea Hotel while in NYC (222 W. 23rd Street, Google it just for the images) and this is what she heard/saw/felt/experienced one morning when she woke up.
 
Who is the lucky John Galt in the last lines?
Listen...any musician who can devote an entire album (Blue) around playing a dulcimer, is OK.

Welcome back, Joni. Get healthy. Stay weird.


 Johnny_Wave wrote:
Don't know why this song is rated so highly.  If it were released today, it wouldn't get airplay at all

 
If the first several singles from Buddy Holly, The Beatles, or The Rolling Stones were released today they probably wouldn't get very much airplay either - Bob Dylan's certainly would not.  Why should a song's rating have anything to do with if it were released today?  Do you actually like the songs which presently get a lot of airplay on commercial radio?
If you were around in 1969, you'd know that this was a breath of fresh air. with a side of jazz phrasing.
Much as we like to elevate most of the late 60's music, a lot of it was self-absorbed schlock.
Just like the music of 2016. 
 aspicer wrote:
Sometimes just cannot listen to her....some of it is just the epitome of borderline 70's music.

 
Just call me borderline 70s guy.
angel in the house, turn it up
Don't know why this song is rated so highly.  If it were released today, it wouldn't get airplay at all
Pure joy!
 Agree. Gotta be in the mood. Not today.

aspicer wrote:
Sometimes just cannot listen to her....some of it is just the epitome of borderline 70's music.

 


Sometimes just cannot listen to her....some of it is just the epitome of borderline 70's music.
 beasty7 wrote:
I first saw Joni live at Carnegie Hall in 1974 and have been in love with her ever since….definitely an artist in a category all her own.

 
I saw her on Sept 8 1974 — the day Ford pardoned Nixon. She announced the news from the stage at Roosevelt Raceway in Westbury NY.
Apparently, Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young were also there (and Joni sang a bit with them), along with Jesse Colin Young and the Beach Boys — but I remember only Joni, and the fact that it was a miserably hot day.  
 
 dragon1952 wrote:
I'm not sure what a chelsea morning is but I really like this. One of Joni's best. Outstanding rating from me.

 
Joni was staying at the Chelsea Hotel while in NYC (222 W. 23rd Street, Google it just for the images) and this is what she heard/saw/felt/experienced one morning when she woke up.
Be well Joni!
I'm not sure what a chelsea morning is but I really like this. One of Joni's best. Outstanding rating from me.
this has to be on any decent playlist just because its Joni, but it also serves to prompt me to psd.    respect due but just not my thang.
Beautiful! Especially right after CSN&Y. 
I first saw Joni live at Carnegie Hall in 1974 and have been in love with her ever since….definitely an artist in a category all her own.
It's odd that this hasn't been played until recently.  I always liked this tune.
Never got better than this.  Joni is one of the best.
{#Daisy}    {#Daisy}    {#Daisy}
{#Heartkiss}{#Heartkiss}{#Heartkiss}{#Heartkiss}{#Heartkiss}{#Heartkiss}  G O D L I K E
Joni, sky goddess, soaring song.of love. {#Heartkiss}
Love love love ...
In a class of her own. 
Ha Ha! FIRST. Love ya' Joni.