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Conversation

Joni Mitchell

He comes for conversation

I comfort him sometimes

Comfort and consultation

He knows that's what he'll find

I bring him grapes and cheeses

He brings me songs to play

He sees me when he pleases

I see him in cafes

And I only say, hello

And turn away before his lady knows

How much I want to see him

She removes him, like a ring

To wash her hands

She only brings him out to show her friends

I want to free him

Secrets and sharing soda

That's how our time began

Love is a story told to a friend

It's second hand

But I'll listen to his questions

I'll give my answers when they're found

He says she keeps him guessing

But I know she keeps him down

She speaks in sorry sentences

Miraculous repentances

I don't believe her

Tomorrow he will come to me

And he'll speak his sorrow endlessly and he'll ask me why

Why can't I leave her?

He comes for conversation

I comfort him sometimes

Comfort and consultation

He knows that's what he'll find

LanguageEnglish
Translated byAllen Morningstar

About this Song

Conversation by Joni Mitchell is a song that delves into the complexities of love, particularly unrequited love, and the emotional turmoil that accompanies it. In the track, Mitchell narrates the story of a man who is stuck in an unhappy relationship with another woman while confiding his sorrows to the song's narrator. Key themes include emotional intimacy, the longing for genuine connection, and the bittersweet nature of love. Poignant moments arise when Joni’s lyrics expose the depth of emotional suffering and vulnerability the man feels, and her own sense of helplessness. Lines such as 'He talks about her, though he’s sleeping in my bed' highlight the tension between physical proximity and emotional distance.

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