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Credits

PERFORMING ARTISTS
Joni Mitchell
Joni Mitchell
Vocals
Wilton Felder
Wilton Felder
Bass
Russ Kunkel
Russ Kunkel
Drums
Bobbye Hall
Bobbye Hall
Percussion
Tom Scott
Tom Scott
Woodwinds
Bobby Notkoff
Bobby Notkoff
Strings
COMPOSITION & LYRICS
Joni Mitchell
Joni Mitchell
Composer
PRODUCTION & ENGINEERING
Joni Mitchell
Joni Mitchell
Producer
Henry Lewy
Henry Lewy
Producer

Lyrics

[Verse 1]
I heard it in the wind last night
It sounded like applause
Did you get a round resounding for you way up here?
It seems like many dim years ago
Since I heard that face to face, or seen you face to face
Though tonight I can feel you here
[Verse 2]
I get these notes on butterflies and lilac sprays
From girls who just have to tell me
They saw you somewhere
[Verse 3]
In some office sits a poet
And he trembles as he sings
And he asks some guy to circulate his soul around
On your mark red ribbon runner
The caressing rev of motors
Finely tuned like fancy women in thirties evening gowns
Up the charts, off to the airport, your name's in the news, everything's first class
The lights go down and it's just you up there
Getting them to feel like that
[Verse 4]
Remember the days when you used to sit
And make up your tunes for love
And pour your simple sorrow, to the sound hole and your knee
And now you're seen on giant screens
And at parties for the press
And for people who have slices of you from the company
They toss around your latest golden egg
Speculation, well who's to know?
If the next one in the nest
Will glitter for them so
[Verse 5]
I guess I seem ungrateful with my teeth sunk in the hand
That brings me things I really can't give up just yet
Now I sit up here the critic
And they introduce some band
But they seem so much confetti, looking at them on my TV set
Oh the power and the glory
Just when you're getting a taste for worship
They start bringing out the hammers, and the boards, and the nails
[Verse 6]
I heard it in the wind last night, it sounded like applause
Chilly now, end of summer, no more shiny, hot nights
It was just the arbutus rustling, and the bumping of the logs
And the moon swept down black water
Like an empty spotlight
Written by: Joni Mitchell
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