Song vs. Song with Todd In The Shadows / NEW POLL! "Fire and Rain" vs. "Both Sides Now"

Industry Plant Carole King vs Nepo Baby Carly Simon! I'm here for it.

bestbechdeltest

2024-09-09 01:27:22 +0000 UTC

I voted for Fire and Rain and it should be a lot closer than it is. I prefer Fire and Rain's themes more than Both Sides Now, although both songs are excellent. It's a personal preference. I've always considered Big Yellow Taxi to be Joni Mitchell's signature song. I'm curious how this episode will go as Todd used to mispronounce Joni Mitchell on his YouTube channel. (Everyone makes mistakes and Todd is awesome.)

bestbechdeltest

2024-09-09 01:23:48 +0000 UTC

Now the question is how to do a Carole King vs. Carly Simon matchup

Michael Murphy

2024-09-04 17:16:14 +0000 UTC

I once tried to pick up a girl by serenading her with Both Sides Now. It didn’t work. I’m voting for it anyway.

TS

2024-09-03 04:49:24 +0000 UTC

Joni Mitchell is among the singers who helped me realise I'm a queer woman. I'd only not vote for her if the other choice was Patti Smith.

House Chaos

2024-09-02 06:52:52 +0000 UTC

This poll taught me something about myself. I can‘t really force myself to engage with late ‘60s/ early ‘70s singer-songwriters.

Gene Younkin

2024-09-01 21:11:52 +0000 UTC

This is one where I didn't recognise either track by name. 'Fire and Rain' sounded vaguely familiar - it's fine but I wouldn't go out of my way to listen to it. Then I played 'Both Sides Now' and immediately went, "Oh, it's THAT song. I really hate that song." Vote goes to F&R. Then I tried to think who they reminded me of and came up with Jim Croce, who I see has already been namechecked in the comments - throw in another third party vote there.

Steve Harper

2024-09-01 13:45:45 +0000 UTC

Fire and Rain is a song that's really good and I've known about it for years and years and never had a deep reaction to it. I listened to Both Sides Now for the first time ever and it hit me like a train

Octo

2024-09-01 04:48:05 +0000 UTC

Fire and Rain is James Taylor's crowning level of gut punch per note, without any of his later cloying somnolence. Doesn't mean I'd choose it over Joni's life long anthem (in many senses) but I'd hate to lose it.

Paul Anderson

2024-09-01 00:50:02 +0000 UTC

I accidentally listened to Judy Collins' cover of Both Sides Now (the first released recording) and it's a disservice to Joni in this matchup.

Paul Anderson

2024-09-01 00:16:29 +0000 UTC

Both Sides Now, and track the evolution of her career through the different arrangements of the song.

Chaz Mania

2024-08-31 23:53:41 +0000 UTC

May I suggest A Case of You vs Tangled Up In Blue ?

Victor bucaille

2024-08-31 18:34:52 +0000 UTC

I was always voting for "Both Sides Now" but the last appearances of Joni Mitchell singing this song sealed the deal. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jxiluPSmAF8

Victor bucaille

2024-08-31 18:31:11 +0000 UTC

I’m glad that someone else understands 😅

Andrew Behm

2024-08-31 14:15:12 +0000 UTC

Some people seemingly have two first names. Some people seemingly have two last names. Then there are people like James Taylor who have two ambiguous names.

Nicholas

2024-08-31 14:14:24 +0000 UTC

In my youth it was Fire and Rain. Now that middle age has fully set in it is Both Sides Now.

Nicholas

2024-08-31 14:10:49 +0000 UTC

I don’t really like this singer-somgerwritery junk but I will vote for Joni Mitchell because James Taylor has a name that doesn’t vibe with me 🤷🏼‍♂️

Andrew Behm

2024-08-31 13:56:56 +0000 UTC

My parents played two CDs for me all the time from before I was even born to about the time I started finding my own music: James Taylor’s Greatest Hits, and Chicago’s greatest hits (sorry Todd). My dad would play easier versions of a few of James’ songs around the house on his guitar all the time, and his favorite was always Fire And Rain. Both Sides Now is one of the all time great achievements in songwriting, but Fire And Rain is gonna make me cry for the rest of my life.

Jack Darnell

2024-08-30 15:00:00 +0000 UTC

Rockaby sweet baby James, forever

Roughhousin By Proxy

2024-08-29 18:54:01 +0000 UTC

I'm way too familiar with the album New Moon Shine for that same reason

Dan Hogg

2024-08-29 17:20:12 +0000 UTC

I can't imagine them getting an episode, but if, by some miracle, The Tragically Hip get pitted against another band, THEN you'll see how devoted to our CanCon obligations we Canucks are XD

Angela

2024-08-28 03:36:26 +0000 UTC

I admit that I looked at which song was losing the poll and voted for that one. I wasn't prepared for how genuine both of these songs felt, and I really just want this one to be a close race.

Dzee Szed

2024-08-27 05:35:16 +0000 UTC

I guess, and that is respectable, it's just it was my first time knowing he existed as a kid so it kinda cemented him as corny easy listening in my brain.

sammy aurora

2024-08-27 03:39:51 +0000 UTC

The CanCon rules are strict.

Russet Burbank

2024-08-27 03:17:00 +0000 UTC

Deep Space Homer showed that James Taylor has a sense of humor about himself, which I think is more important.

Russet Burbank

2024-08-27 03:16:28 +0000 UTC

Same, but I still voted F&R

Russet Burbank

2024-08-27 03:14:37 +0000 UTC

Thank you for putting these two beautiful songs against each other. Listening to them again to properly vote let me have a much needed cry. <3

Bryan C

2024-08-27 00:46:43 +0000 UTC

I sing that song to my child all the time and I'm pretty sure that's why I'm going to hell.

Lanth

2024-08-26 23:36:17 +0000 UTC

I wonder if Todd will cite the book about Joni Mitchell from Harvey Danger frontman Sean Nelson that appeared in the Flagpole Sitta OHW.

ivanrexfilms

2024-08-26 17:18:08 +0000 UTC

There's an absolutely heartwarming performance of Both Sides Now with Joni with Brandi Carlisle on YouTube in 2022. It just about moved me to tears.

Nick Ozorak

2024-08-26 15:00:27 +0000 UTC

...but "River" is RIGHT EFFING THERE, Richard Curtis.

Dan Hogg

2024-08-26 15:00:27 +0000 UTC

This is not relevant to Joni and James, but I can't imagine any other group of people wanting this information: I made a Spotify playlist of all the songs that are, per Todd and Lina, 'Hot Girl Shit'. It's a trainwreck. https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6x5DS2adde3uemeoWxcRx2

Julia

2024-08-26 14:41:45 +0000 UTC

jesus christ

giascle

2024-08-25 21:43:15 +0000 UTC

James Taylor was my childhood bedtime lullaby music. Which is the correct usage of his musical vibe (and also why I’m voting for him)

AthenaSalem

2024-08-25 17:38:31 +0000 UTC

Voting for “Both Sides Now”, even if J Cole, MrBeast and the ghost of Andy Griffith hold it against me as a North Carolinian

Griffin

2024-08-25 17:24:02 +0000 UTC

I think the discrepancy between the 2 songs is found in the fact that you don't put the f word in-between James Taylor's name in the way you do Joni Fucking Mitchell.

lukas

2024-08-25 16:56:11 +0000 UTC

Not being familiar with either song, my first reaction to "Both Sides Now" was that it sounded an awful lot like a Christmas song. Then I found out that it appears in "Love Actually," a film that my family has a tradition of watching every Christmas for some goddamn reason. Voting for "Fire and Rain."

HRJ

2024-08-25 13:41:41 +0000 UTC

two-lane blacktop is so good, and james taylor is so good in it, even as he's playing a semi-inscrutible arthouse film cipher. dude's just interesting to look at. i dont think you even get that side of him from fire and rain thaaaat much, but i think his soft-spoken, introverted, yet southern presence is more "interesting" than joni's presence on BSN

Kite

2024-08-25 12:29:49 +0000 UTC

Have to go with Fire and Rain, even though Joni is the better artist and I think of Jame Taylor as an artist for folks who find Jimmy Buffett "too edgy"

Bruxistentialist

2024-08-25 10:53:11 +0000 UTC

I had to listen to james taylor every week for a year when i was 10 and i fucking hated it. Thanks dad. Voting for Joni

Sam

2024-08-25 04:15:16 +0000 UTC

That’s fascinating

Hope Keeley

2024-08-25 02:26:26 +0000 UTC

That’s perfect!

Hope Keeley

2024-08-25 02:25:14 +0000 UTC

Love James Taylor, but Both Sides Now is etched into my bones. It feels like a song that has always existed and that will (hopefully) outlast us all. It’s not even my favorite Joni song and it might be the best song of all time.

Sara

2024-08-25 01:48:12 +0000 UTC

My first instinct was Joni, but when I re-listened to both, I remembered just how interminable Both Sides Now is. It's a good song, but it just never ends. Fire and Rain, baby.

Kelley Runyon

2024-08-24 21:34:29 +0000 UTC

Sweet dreams and flying machines in pieces on the ground

Christian Reiswig

2024-08-24 19:48:44 +0000 UTC

My money is on Lina, personally.

Christian Reiswig

2024-08-24 19:44:30 +0000 UTC

Ok, place your bets now: between Todd and Lina, who’s going to be the first to reference the Simpsons “Fire and Rain” bit from the episode “Deep Space Homer”?

Christian Reiswig

2024-08-24 19:44:13 +0000 UTC

These are both all-timers, 10/10 perfect. It is very hard to choose. I’m picking “Fire and Rain” because it’s easier for me to sing along with, but it could easily go the other way.

Clay Peterson

2024-08-24 15:43:22 +0000 UTC

Both Sides Now just makes me so happy

Sam Best

2024-08-24 08:07:57 +0000 UTC

This is like asking me to choose between my mom and dad (for the record I’m going with my mom, but I resent you for making me admit that)

Hope Keeley

2024-08-24 03:43:46 +0000 UTC

Its a simple situation. Joni Mitchell has 100 perfect, beautiful songs, but I gotta go with one of the only James Taylor songs (which is also perfect) that I know.

Michael Gibler

2024-08-24 03:00:33 +0000 UTC

Are the sweet dreams and flying machines in pieces on the ground because they crashed into the ice cream castles in the air?

Maxine - RaccoonRevolution

2024-08-24 02:29:48 +0000 UTC

One last thing: Third party vote for Randy Newman's "Short People" 😛

sammy aurora

2024-08-24 01:37:58 +0000 UTC

In her defense, the late '90s was kind of a weird time for popular music.

sammy aurora

2024-08-24 01:33:37 +0000 UTC

I'd also like to throw out while I'm here: Todd should absolutely consider Joni Mitchell's 1985 album Dog Eat Dog for a potential Trainwreckords. Perhaps the only time in history that James Taylor, Rod Steiger, and Thomas Dolby have been credited together on anything.

sammy aurora

2024-08-24 01:31:21 +0000 UTC

(I also can't lie that The Simpsons permanently ruined my ability to take James Taylor seriously lol)

sammy aurora

2024-08-24 00:23:43 +0000 UTC

Became a member specifically to comment because this music was my mom's teenage years, so I asked her and she went with "Fire and Rain". Sadly I'm going the other way: Even learning that song's backstory couldn't raise it above "pleasantly inoffensive" for me, and Joni Mitchell is just an infinitely more captivating singer and lyricist whose talents have never been matched.

sammy aurora

2024-08-24 00:21:25 +0000 UTC

Both Sides Now definitely but only her recording from the 90’s, not the original

llama

2024-08-23 23:42:24 +0000 UTC

I feel like Both Sides Now must be the better song, and I must be unsophisticated to prefer the sad manly man, but.

Crescent Minor

2024-08-23 23:32:27 +0000 UTC

Fire and Rain is a good song. There are few songs as truly perfect as Both Sides Now.

Jakob Eyjólfsson

2024-08-23 23:27:18 +0000 UTC

I picked a fun time to be a fan of this podcast and go through a major breakup.

Evan Z.

2024-08-23 23:26:13 +0000 UTC

"Both Sides Now" is a great song but the phrase itself just makes me think of centrism

giascle

2024-08-23 23:17:00 +0000 UTC

Listened to both...didn't really feel anything either way(70s singer/songwriter ballads just aren't my thing I guess), so I suppose I have to play my "Canadian obligation" card and vote for Joni.

Angela

2024-08-23 23:06:02 +0000 UTC

My mother hated Joni Mitchell for some reason so she'd be turning in her grave at my vote. Luckily, I had her cremated.

SteveG

2024-08-23 20:46:16 +0000 UTC

I had never heard either before, and the first version of Both Sides Now I found was the version she recorded in 2000, and that version is going to carry my vote here.

Steven C Boston

2024-08-23 20:33:55 +0000 UTC

And thus we were deprived of another one of our favorite kinds of OHW episodes, where Todd is annoyed/peeved off the whole time

Dan Hogg

2024-08-23 20:06:18 +0000 UTC

Everyone referencing Deep Space Homer, I'll throw in a quote from Treehouse of Horror VII: "Well, I believe I'll vote for a third party candidate!" "Go Ahead, throw your vote away! Ah-hahahaha"

Charlie L

2024-08-23 19:43:59 +0000 UTC

Got tired of blowouts

Russet Burbank

2024-08-23 19:37:41 +0000 UTC

I wanted Unkle Kracker to be a one-hit wonder so badly, and then he did...that.

Russet Burbank

2024-08-23 19:36:25 +0000 UTC

Who am I to tell you otherwise?

Timothy Holmes

2024-08-23 19:32:30 +0000 UTC

Can I piggyback on that to request a Halloween OHW for "They're Coming To Take Me Away Ha Ha"?

Russet Burbank

2024-08-23 19:31:02 +0000 UTC

Oh, it's fine. But saying it is the only good song at that time? Come on, Joni

Lucy Daughter of None

2024-08-23 19:09:07 +0000 UTC

That’s a good song imo

Connor Rankin

2024-08-23 19:06:59 +0000 UTC

"Time in a Bottle" is soul crushing in that it was a posthumous #1 for Croce. Another talent gone too soon.

Dork Mode

2024-08-23 18:05:59 +0000 UTC

I remember Joni saying in the late 90s that the only good band performing around that time was the New Radicals and I haven't forgiven her for that nonsense. JT all the way

Lucy Daughter of None

2024-08-23 18:00:52 +0000 UTC

Joni is also awesome, but I’m obligated to vote for James as a fellow North Carolinian (yes I know he wasn’t born here).

Noah Barton

2024-08-23 17:42:37 +0000 UTC

Possibly your hardest matchup ever. Both Sides Now edges it slightly for me, but pick any other song by these two artists and it could go wildly differently. I'll also go in with the people who've named Lightfoot, Croce, and Carole King, I like all three of those artists more than the two you chose here (sacrilegious?)

the purple shaman

2024-08-23 17:39:37 +0000 UTC

This is extremely hard. Both are some of the most beautiful songs I’ve ever heard. But I have to go with Joni— something about the simplicity of it makes it feel like a centuries old folk song. And that Grammy’s performance she gave was amazing.

kate schwalls

2024-08-23 17:26:58 +0000 UTC

Another one of these where I'll take one artist's song, but the other artist's discography is superior. Fire and Rain > Both Sides Now, Joni > Sweet Baby James

Travis Russell

2024-08-23 17:26:27 +0000 UTC

Also, I will join in the chorus of Jim Croce third-party votes and say "Operator" is the clear choice here.

Colton Moore

2024-08-23 17:22:58 +0000 UTC

Speaking from experience, "Fire and Rain" is the perfect song for a middle-schooler to use as their first solo at a choir concert.

Colton Moore

2024-08-23 17:19:57 +0000 UTC

Among musicians, Joni Mitchell is absolutely revered for having rock-solid singer-songwriter cred AND getting into more sophisticated work with jazz greats like Mingus. I'm apparently not a good enough musician, because I simply don't get it. Also, Big Yellow Taxi grates on my nerves so much that I just can't get past that negative impression. And when in doubt, go with the one that was performed on The Simpsons.

Beau Dure

2024-08-23 17:19:03 +0000 UTC

My vote goes to “Good Ol’ Days” by Weird Al

Connor Rankin

2024-08-23 17:18:38 +0000 UTC

Third party vote for “That’s the way I always heard it should be” by Carly Simon

Sarah Bee

2024-08-23 17:02:34 +0000 UTC

When I worked at a nursing home in 2020, there was a resident who was in his late 60s that would have moments of depression and confusion really bad. His one go to way to get back to a good spot was to listen to music. James Taylor was his go to. My vote is going to be “Fire and Rain.”

JazzySpF

2024-08-23 16:59:27 +0000 UTC

This was harder than I thought. I had never heard Fire and Rain except for the excerpt in the Homer goes to Space episode of the Simpsons. I've listened to Both Sides Now a lot but as sung Leonard Nimoy version. I like Both Sides Now but actually going and listening to Joni Mitchell singing it I like it a bit more harsh and twangy than Mitchell actually delivers it, also she seems to rerecord it over and over each time slower and more breathy, eh... Fire and Rain definitely has a nice thing going. Its a close call but even with my misgivings I have to give it to Both Sides Now as just a a song I connect more with, lyrically if not musically. I guess what I'm trying to say is "Well, something's lost but something's gained in living every day."

Allan Olley

2024-08-23 16:45:51 +0000 UTC

Day one of requesting a Halloween episode on Mama by Genesis vs Mama by My Chemical Romance

Timothy Holmes

2024-08-23 16:44:17 +0000 UTC

Third party vote for Time in a Bottle by Jim Croce.

Nico Niconi

2024-08-23 16:36:09 +0000 UTC

For the very first time in the history of this podcast, I can't choose. They're both masterpieces.

apocalypsethen

2024-08-23 16:10:46 +0000 UTC

I know it's gonna get owned in the voting, but Fire and Rain makes me feel things, about the changes, and losses, in my life and the lives of those I've loved. There are a lot of people I always thought I'd get to see again, and I was wrong. And I do think sometimes about which people I may have already seen for the last time, but I just don't know it yet. Damn it, this means I'm old, doesn't it.

Lanth

2024-08-23 16:06:10 +0000 UTC

Hey, I'm not as laid back as people think

Dan Hogg

2024-08-23 16:04:09 +0000 UTC

Kracker's "Drift Away" has just enough subtly different notes in the melody to really piss me off, lol.

Dan Hogg

2024-08-23 16:02:32 +0000 UTC

This is an actual Sophie's Choice. Gotta vote third party for Jim Croce's I Got a Name

drd

2024-08-23 16:00:49 +0000 UTC

The "modern re-interpretation" versus the note-for-note copy. The former is harder to sit through, but I respect the latter less.

Mouser

2024-08-23 16:00:29 +0000 UTC

Sweet dreams and flying machines flying safely through the air

StuTheShoe

2024-08-23 15:58:52 +0000 UTC

I mean Judy Collins had the bigger hit with Both Sides Now, right? Joni's is the original, and is superior, but is it really the culturally definitive version? I don't care, fuck James Taylor.

Vince Whitacre

2024-08-23 15:56:35 +0000 UTC

Wow, former president James Taylor... (Deep Space Homer probably informed my vote more than it should)

Joel Thomas

2024-08-23 15:55:25 +0000 UTC

I worked as a shorebird monitor on Martha's Vineyard last year, and James Taylor was the one person whose Osprey pole we were explicitly told we weren't allowed anywhere near. We could spy on Obama's property with a 60x scope all we wanted, but god forbid we try and look into the lawn of the guy who ruined How Sweet It Is

SammiSamSam

2024-08-23 15:53:21 +0000 UTC

Is this the part where I say I never liked Joni's voice, or how... I'm afraid to say it, but "basic" "Both Sides Now" is lyrically? Whereas "Fire and Rain" has that mix of light and dark that I really find appealing.

Jon Heiman

2024-08-23 15:51:26 +0000 UTC

I feel kinda guilty about it, but there's something about the frequency of Joni Mitchell's voice that goes through my brain like a dog whistle. My parents were huge fans but her songs make all my nerves itch.

The Omega Geek

2024-08-23 15:50:25 +0000 UTC

I mean, having Dobie Gray on it counts for something, I guess.

Dan Hogg

2024-08-23 15:48:31 +0000 UTC

No wrong answer, but just love the Fire and Rain chorus a little bit more. If the Joni song was "Case of You", it'd be our fair queen from the North all day long.

Juukii

2024-08-23 15:48:07 +0000 UTC

The opening to Fire and Rain floods me with so many memories and knowing Gary Bertier is about to get into a life changing car accident

Tom Gallagher

2024-08-23 15:47:53 +0000 UTC

“Both Sides Now” is a first round draft pick for greatest song of all time. “Fire and Rain” is a steal in the sixth round.

Charli XXYYXX

2024-08-23 15:47:49 +0000 UTC

That would definitely be a blowout for Uncle Kracker

A Good Brent - BlueSky Bitch for Let’s Talk About Snacks Podcast

2024-08-23 15:45:36 +0000 UTC

I'd never heard either of these songs before but they're both absolutely fantastic and I don't want to choose. Thank you Todd and Lena for expanding my musical palate!

Joseph Bergeron

2024-08-23 15:45:14 +0000 UTC

Joni means more to me than James ever could.

pashawasha

2024-08-23 15:44:28 +0000 UTC

This one is complicated... Fire and Rain is my preference between the original versions, but Both Sides Now gains power by being hauntingly revisited over the years and used in iconic film scenes... that said, James Taylor did an equally effective re-recording for "Deep Space Homer", so Taylor takes it.

Rich Kee

2024-08-23 15:44:28 +0000 UTC

If you type in “Both Sides Now” in Spotify or wherever, you get several covers of the Joni Mitchell song. If you type in “Fire and Rain”, you get fireplace & rain sounds (chill ambience) (relaxation) (10 hours). Just from the title alone, one is already more iconic.

Franco del Rosario

2024-08-23 15:39:12 +0000 UTC

"If You Could Read My Mind" would fit like no other in this matchup.

Dan Hogg

2024-08-23 15:38:16 +0000 UTC

My only hope is, whichever song Todd sides with, Lena's response is "I really don't know Todd at all."

Ben Cook-Feltz

2024-08-23 15:36:59 +0000 UTC

I choose the third option of Carole King's "It's too late" ❤️ but failing that it's Joni all the way.

Taryn

2024-08-23 15:36:32 +0000 UTC

Speaking of Joni Mitchell, if y'all want an anti-Song v. Song episode, may I suggest the two abominable 2000's covers: "Big Yellow Taxi" by Counting Crows and Vanessa Carlton vs. "Drift Away" by Uncle Kracker.

Dan Hogg

2024-08-23 15:35:42 +0000 UTC

While I'm voting for Joni because I'm legally obligated to as a Canadian (and it rips), I highly recommend everyone to go and check out Bobby Womack's cover of "Fire and Rain". It is one of the rare covers that I think stands up against the original and may beat James' version at times depending on how you feel that day. Kinda like every song on Annie Lennox's "Medusa" the best album of covers of all time.

Spencer D Carson

2024-08-23 15:33:43 +0000 UTC

After doing extensive research (i.e. asking my mom), the answer is: Both Sides Now is the better song, but Fire And Rain does the better job at being depressing while still sounding upbeat.

Michael Murphy

2024-08-23 15:33:19 +0000 UTC

Todd, why do you keep throwing these tough choices at us? Are you trying to make us do a Sophie's choice with each of these polls?

Foxylover92

2024-08-23 15:32:42 +0000 UTC

Protest vote for Gordon Lightfoots entire catalog. Still got love for sweet baby James, Fire n Rain and Mexico both find their way onto my mood Playlists.

Sladen377

2024-08-23 15:31:00 +0000 UTC

This is like picking which parent I love more (it’s obviously Mom)

Erica Elizabeth

2024-08-23 15:27:59 +0000 UTC

My choir did Both Sides Now and now it's annoying to me. Voting against it by voting for Taylor.

Charles Arthur

2024-08-23 15:27:58 +0000 UTC

.... fuck. The first matchup in a long while that I need to seriously think about. Both of these songs are long time faves. Won't you look down upon me Joni? You gotta help me make a stand. Because I can see both sides of you and James.

GregD

2024-08-23 15:27:24 +0000 UTC

Third party vote for Belgian techno anthem “Pump Up The Jam”

Gone

2024-08-23 15:27:02 +0000 UTC

whichever side wins out I'm looking forward to hearing Both Sides Now haha boom

Keirik

2024-08-23 15:26:15 +0000 UTC

NEW POLL! "Fire and Rain" vs. "Both Sides Now"

Comments

Industry Plant Carole King vs Nepo Baby Carly Simon! I'm here for it.

Now the question is how to do a Carole King vs. Carly Simon matchup

I once tried to pick up a girl by serenading her with Both Sides Now. It didn’t work. I’m voting for it anyway.

Joni Mitchell is among the singers who helped me realise I'm a queer woman. I'd only not vote for her if the other choice was Patti Smith.

This poll taught me something about myself. I can‘t really force myself to engage with late ‘60s/ early ‘70s singer-songwriters.

Fire and Rain is a song that's really good and I've known about it for years and years and never had a deep reaction to it. I listened to Both Sides Now for the first time ever and it hit me like a train

Fire and Rain is James Taylor's crowning level of gut punch per note, without any of his later cloying somnolence. Doesn't mean I'd choose it over Joni's life long anthem (in many senses) but I'd hate to lose it.

I accidentally listened to Judy Collins' cover of Both Sides Now (the first released recording) and it's a disservice to Joni in this matchup.

Both Sides Now, and track the evolution of her career through the different arrangements of the song.

May I suggest A Case of You vs Tangled Up In Blue ?

I was always voting for "Both Sides Now" but the last appearances of Joni Mitchell singing this song sealed the deal. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jxiluPSmAF8

I’m glad that someone else understands 😅

Some people seemingly have two first names. Some people seemingly have two last names. Then there are people like James Taylor who have two ambiguous names.

In my youth it was Fire and Rain. Now that middle age has fully set in it is Both Sides Now.

I don’t really like this singer-somgerwritery junk but I will vote for Joni Mitchell because James Taylor has a name that doesn’t vibe with me 🤷🏼‍♂️

Rockaby sweet baby James, forever

I'm way too familiar with the album New Moon Shine for that same reason

I can't imagine them getting an episode, but if, by some miracle, The Tragically Hip get pitted against another band, THEN you'll see how devoted to our CanCon obligations we Canucks are XD

I admit that I looked at which song was losing the poll and voted for that one. I wasn't prepared for how genuine both of these songs felt, and I really just want this one to be a close race.

I guess, and that is respectable, it's just it was my first time knowing he existed as a kid so it kinda cemented him as corny easy listening in my brain.

The CanCon rules are strict.

Deep Space Homer showed that James Taylor has a sense of humor about himself, which I think is more important.

Same, but I still voted F&R

Thank you for putting these two beautiful songs against each other. Listening to them again to properly vote let me have a much needed cry. <3

I sing that song to my child all the time and I'm pretty sure that's why I'm going to hell.

I wonder if Todd will cite the book about Joni Mitchell from Harvey Danger frontman Sean Nelson that appeared in the Flagpole Sitta OHW.

There's an absolutely heartwarming performance of Both Sides Now with Joni with Brandi Carlisle on YouTube in 2022. It just about moved me to tears.

...but "River" is RIGHT EFFING THERE, Richard Curtis.

This is not relevant to Joni and James, but I can't imagine any other group of people wanting this information: I made a Spotify playlist of all the songs that are, per Todd and Lina, 'Hot Girl Shit'. It's a trainwreck. https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6x5DS2adde3uemeoWxcRx2

jesus christ

James Taylor was my childhood bedtime lullaby music. Which is the correct usage of his musical vibe (and also why I’m voting for him)

Voting for “Both Sides Now”, even if J Cole, MrBeast and the ghost of Andy Griffith hold it against me as a North Carolinian

I think the discrepancy between the 2 songs is found in the fact that you don't put the f word in-between James Taylor's name in the way you do Joni Fucking Mitchell.

Have to go with Fire and Rain, even though Joni is the better artist and I think of Jame Taylor as an artist for folks who find Jimmy Buffett "too edgy"

I had to listen to james taylor every week for a year when i was 10 and i fucking hated it. Thanks dad. Voting for Joni

That’s fascinating

That’s perfect!

Love James Taylor, but Both Sides Now is etched into my bones. It feels like a song that has always existed and that will (hopefully) outlast us all. It’s not even my favorite Joni song and it might be the best song of all time.

My first instinct was Joni, but when I re-listened to both, I remembered just how interminable Both Sides Now is. It's a good song, but it just never ends. Fire and Rain, baby.

Sweet dreams and flying machines in pieces on the ground

My money is on Lina, personally.

Ok, place your bets now: between Todd and Lina, who’s going to be the first to reference the Simpsons “Fire and Rain” bit from the episode “Deep Space Homer”?

These are both all-timers, 10/10 perfect. It is very hard to choose. I’m picking “Fire and Rain” because it’s easier for me to sing along with, but it could easily go the other way.

Both Sides Now just makes me so happy

This is like asking me to choose between my mom and dad (for the record I’m going with my mom, but I resent you for making me admit that)

Its a simple situation. Joni Mitchell has 100 perfect, beautiful songs, but I gotta go with one of the only James Taylor songs (which is also perfect) that I know.

Are the sweet dreams and flying machines in pieces on the ground because they crashed into the ice cream castles in the air?

One last thing: Third party vote for Randy Newman's "Short People" 😛

In her defense, the late '90s was kind of a weird time for popular music.

I'd also like to throw out while I'm here: Todd should absolutely consider Joni Mitchell's 1985 album Dog Eat Dog for a potential Trainwreckords. Perhaps the only time in history that James Taylor, Rod Steiger, and Thomas Dolby have been credited together on anything.

(I also can't lie that The Simpsons permanently ruined my ability to take James Taylor seriously lol)

Both Sides Now definitely but only her recording from the 90’s, not the original

I feel like Both Sides Now must be the better song, and I must be unsophisticated to prefer the sad manly man, but.

Fire and Rain is a good song. There are few songs as truly perfect as Both Sides Now.

I picked a fun time to be a fan of this podcast and go through a major breakup.

"Both Sides Now" is a great song but the phrase itself just makes me think of centrism

Listened to both...didn't really feel anything either way(70s singer/songwriter ballads just aren't my thing I guess), so I suppose I have to play my "Canadian obligation" card and vote for Joni.

My mother hated Joni Mitchell for some reason so she'd be turning in her grave at my vote. Luckily, I had her cremated.

I had never heard either before, and the first version of Both Sides Now I found was the version she recorded in 2000, and that version is going to carry my vote here.

And thus we were deprived of another one of our favorite kinds of OHW episodes, where Todd is annoyed/peeved off the whole time

Everyone referencing Deep Space Homer, I'll throw in a quote from Treehouse of Horror VII: "Well, I believe I'll vote for a third party candidate!" "Go Ahead, throw your vote away! Ah-hahahaha"

Got tired of blowouts

I wanted Unkle Kracker to be a one-hit wonder so badly, and then he did...that.

Who am I to tell you otherwise?

Can I piggyback on that to request a Halloween OHW for "They're Coming To Take Me Away Ha Ha"?

Oh, it's fine. But saying it is the only good song at that time? Come on, Joni

That’s a good song imo

"Time in a Bottle" is soul crushing in that it was a posthumous #1 for Croce. Another talent gone too soon.

I remember Joni saying in the late 90s that the only good band performing around that time was the New Radicals and I haven't forgiven her for that nonsense. JT all the way

Joni is also awesome, but I’m obligated to vote for James as a fellow North Carolinian (yes I know he wasn’t born here).

This is extremely hard. Both are some of the most beautiful songs I’ve ever heard. But I have to go with Joni— something about the simplicity of it makes it feel like a centuries old folk song. And that Grammy’s performance she gave was amazing.

Another one of these where I'll take one artist's song, but the other artist's discography is superior. Fire and Rain > Both Sides Now, Joni > Sweet Baby James

Also, I will join in the chorus of Jim Croce third-party votes and say "Operator" is the clear choice here.

Speaking from experience, "Fire and Rain" is the perfect song for a middle-schooler to use as their first solo at a choir concert.

My vote goes to “Good Ol’ Days” by Weird Al

Third party vote for “That’s the way I always heard it should be” by Carly Simon

When I worked at a nursing home in 2020, there was a resident who was in his late 60s that would have moments of depression and confusion really bad. His one go to way to get back to a good spot was to listen to music. James Taylor was his go to. My vote is going to be “Fire and Rain.”

Day one of requesting a Halloween episode on Mama by Genesis vs Mama by My Chemical Romance