Joni Mitchell — Rainy Night House
Album: Miles of AislesAvg rating:
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Total ratings: 1363
Length: 4:01
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It was a rainy night
We took a taxi to your mothers' home
She went to Florida and left you
With you father's gun, alone
Upon her small white bed
I fell into a dream
You sat up all the night and watched me
To see, who in the world I might be
I am from the Sunday school
I sing soprano in the upstairs choir
You are a holy man
ON the FM radio
I sat up all the night and watched thee
To see, who in the world you might be
You called me beautiful
You called your mother - she was very tanned
So you packed your tent and went
To live out in the Arizona sand
You are a refugee
From a wealthy family
You gave up all the golden factories
To see, who in the world you might be
We took a taxi to your mothers' home
She went to Florida and left you
With you father's gun, alone
Upon her small white bed
I fell into a dream
You sat up all the night and watched me
To see, who in the world I might be
I am from the Sunday school
I sing soprano in the upstairs choir
You are a holy man
ON the FM radio
I sat up all the night and watched thee
To see, who in the world you might be
You called me beautiful
You called your mother - she was very tanned
So you packed your tent and went
To live out in the Arizona sand
You are a refugee
From a wealthy family
You gave up all the golden factories
To see, who in the world you might be
Comments (128)add comment
Joni - Goddess - words, voice all extremely powerful
Like so many of her songs, this one has no lyrics, just a stream-of-consciousness verbal vomit. She obviously has a great voice, but singing the equivalent of a shopping list is no way to use it, IMHO.
sheeelaaa wrote:
Too funny! Are you serious? It is called a triangle!
I love Joni but that ting-ting-ting is driving me batty. 
Too funny! Are you serious? It is called a triangle!
Been a fan of hers since I was old enough to begin understanding the meaning in her lyrics, early 70s. She still holds a special place in my heart. Hissing of summer lawns is my fav album. Reminded me of the desolation of suburbia aka Heller’s Something Happened.
Joni is a genius. This is a brilliant homage to Cohen in her period jazz inflected style.
I love the reference to his mother’s bed. This is a an echo of a seduction that resonates more than 40 years later. Not happily I may add.
sheeelaaa wrote:
It's called a triangle.
I love Joni but that ting-ting-ting is driving me batty.
It's called a triangle.
Read recently that this was written about her relationship with Leonard Cohen - https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/joni-mitchell-leonard-cohen-break-up-song-rainy-night-house/ Seems that a lot of her songs were written with a specific individual in mind.
Well produced!
Pretty sure I've never heard this before. Wow.
c.
c.
foalfish wrote:
What a banger!
What a banger!
idiot_wind wrote:
I always thought the title was a tribute in some way to Miles Davis, as well as suggesting the album was recorded live; hence the double meaning of "Miles". She was a great fan of his.
Hah!
I never heard this album before! This was released too close to to Court and Spark; which I think is one of best.
Thanks for playing.
I never heard this album before! This was released too close to to Court and Spark; which I think is one of best.
Thanks for playing.
I always thought the title was a tribute in some way to Miles Davis, as well as suggesting the album was recorded live; hence the double meaning of "Miles". She was a great fan of his.
that's partially because you probably didn't grow up many decades ago when jazz and all those ting tings were solid part of the popular music world
I love Joni but that ting-ting-ting is driving me batty.
Joni is one of the greatest gifts of 60s
Joni is an other find thanks to RP. Normally this style of music is not my cup of tea but Joni's mix of jazzy folk rock is really working for me. It's interesting and worth listening.
Maybe it's a strange comparison but for me she is the predecessor of Bjork. A woman pushing musical boundaries. They are rare and precious to me.
Maybe it's a strange comparison but for me she is the predecessor of Bjork. A woman pushing musical boundaries. They are rare and precious to me.
I love Joni but that ting-ting-ting is driving me batty.
Joni is an other find thanks to RP. Normally this style of music is not my cup of tea but Joni's mix of jazzy folk rock is really working for me. It's interesting and worth listening.
Maybe it's a strange comparison but for me she is the predecessor of Bjork. A woman pushing musical boundaries. They are rare and precious to me.
Maybe it's a strange comparison but for me she is the predecessor of Bjork. A woman pushing musical boundaries. They are rare and precious to me.
Robben Ford kills it.
stevegoertz wrote:
Joni was mesmerizing in concert and stripped it all bare.
One artist I was never able to see live - doubt she ever tours again - My brothers saw her at Red Rocks and for soundcheck she came out and played Hejira acoustic - I'm told it was otherworldly.
Joni was mesmerizing in concert and stripped it all bare.
Hah!
I never heard this album before! This was released too close to to Court and Spark; which I think is one of best.
Thanks for playing.
I never heard this album before! This was released too close to to Court and Spark; which I think is one of best.
Thanks for playing.
I'm sure she's the most talented singer/song writer to walk to earth, but I can't stand her voice.
If you don't get Joni I don truss u
Joni did music for Joni and not pandering to sell albums. If one took the time to hear her lyrics, some naysayers might be swayed. She was the one who vocalized the times and lives and experiences those of us who came along with her felt. Intensely. And we like her voice-it went with the words. Guess you had to be there to appreciate it...
One artist I was never able to see live - doubt she ever tours again - My brothers saw her at Red Rocks and for soundcheck she came out and played Hejira acoustic - I'm told it was otherworldly.
ScottD wrote:
This is still pre-Jaco days. It's Max Bennett. Top notch, as you say.
One of the aspects of this tune that makes it for me is the bass, which I think is played by Jaco Pastorius.
This is still pre-Jaco days. It's Max Bennett. Top notch, as you say.
Wow. Mitchell can be annoying at the best of times but this is really really bad. Not bothered to Google how old she was when she recorded this but her attempt at the high notes were truly ear bleedingly awful.
ScottD wrote:
It's Max Bennett - very talented dude.
One of the aspects of this tune that makes it for me is the bass, which I think is played by Jaco Pastorius.
It's Max Bennett - very talented dude.
One of the aspects of this tune that makes it for me is the bass, which I think is played by Jaco Pastorius.
Oh man I just don't get her. I play RP in a public place and she commands some of the most negative comments. People routinely "ask "what are we listening to"? The voice is so irritating.
Gotta say, I don't like Joni, for the most part. But this is really nice. I think I could give it an 8.
pinto wrote:
Agree. Joni seems to be a very polarizing artist, but count me as one in her camp. Absolutely brilliant.
Joni Mitchell is a musical artist the likes of which the world sees rarely. Been a fan since I first heard her in 1968.
Agree. Joni seems to be a very polarizing artist, but count me as one in her camp. Absolutely brilliant.
Joni Mitchell is a musical artist the likes of which the world sees rarely. Been a fan since I first heard her in 1968.
a time capsule of post-Woodstock hippy weirdness.
respect Joni Mitchell but don't go a lot on yodelling - like cheese grating your penis - one man's meat as someone else said... just sayin
I think hearing something off the favorites is great, and this is Joni LIVE and in great voice. When I put her albums on it's the whole album that resonates.Wish I could have seen her live.
I love Joni Mitchell. It's like anything or anyone in the world; you can love it/them or not and still be respectful.
algrif wrote:
Agree. Joni seems to be a very polarizing artist, but count me as one in her camp. Absolutely brilliant.
I see the 'anti Joni club' got their votes in quick. What a shame. C'mon 'the rest of the world', let's straighten this rating curve out.
Agree. Joni seems to be a very polarizing artist, but count me as one in her camp. Absolutely brilliant.
WMMR lives (in my memory).
What a good reason to contribute to RP.
Why are all of the dogs howling in my neighborhood?
this is the last Joni album that i got
i rated this song an 8
i love Joni
i rated this song an 8
i love Joni
An angellic voice with such range and complexity.
I'm normally a huge Joni fan, but this one just doesn't do it for me.
Bill! So many better songs by Joni ... why this one? 
Please, any other song from eg. Hejira is sooooooo much better!
Please, any other song from eg. Hejira is sooooooo much better!
One man's meat, etc. PSD here.
Of all the ginjoints in all the world, this bad Joni arrives at ours. And she had so many other, better, moments.
Tippster wrote:
I am the complete opposite. Joni Mitchell is one of my favorite singers.
Us people are funny.
I can't stand her voice. Like an auger forced into my ears. Same goes for Tom Waits.
I am the complete opposite. Joni Mitchell is one of my favorite singers.
Us people are funny.
Joni was so prolific! I came along a bit after her primetime, and have been learning about (and falling in love with) her music for the last couple of decades. I've never even heard this song, or this album. (Which doesn't really surprise me since her catalog is so large.) Thank you RP for continuing my education on this incredibly talented woman.
Great singer songwriter in a folk style.
Never dug these jazz vocal attempts although props to her for bringing some great musicians along for the ride.
Never dug these jazz vocal attempts although props to her for bringing some great musicians along for the ride.
Tippster wrote:
I never knew Tom was so averse to her voice.
I can't stand her voice. Like an auger forced into my ears. Same goes for Tom Waits.
I never knew Tom was so averse to her voice.
I can't stand her voice. Like an auger forced into my ears. Same goes for Tom Waits.
gosh, like no one else, ever.
Angelic. I don't understand why so many RP members are put off by the big, folk-inspired voices of the past. Would someone please enlighten me?
Wonderful voice and great song
pevend wrote:
I was wondering if it was maybe Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC) or Tanglewood, where I saw her on this tour.
Her creativity exceeds her ability.
The album is great if only for the picture of the Pine Knob Music Theater on the cover, where many a summer evening was spent laying on the hill listening to stuff like this.
The album is great if only for the picture of the Pine Knob Music Theater on the cover, where many a summer evening was spent laying on the hill listening to stuff like this.
I was wondering if it was maybe Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC) or Tanglewood, where I saw her on this tour.
Stop. Close eyes. Listen.
More like a solid 0. This is almost unlistenable - actually, it is unlistenable. Click.
a solid 2Beautiful: a 10 fer shure. She's amazing live. "Shadows & Light" is another great live album of hers.
Her creativity exceeds her ability.
The album is great if only for the picture of the Pine Knob Music Theater on the cover, where many a summer evening was spent laying on the hill listening to stuff like this.
The album is great if only for the picture of the Pine Knob Music Theater on the cover, where many a summer evening was spent laying on the hill listening to stuff like this.
5.6 for this? That's criminal.
Should be at least an 8.
Should be at least an 8.
holborne wrote:
Joni is SUBLIME!!
Joni Mitchell! Automatic 1 or 2 from me! HAAAAAAAAAAATE HEEEEERRRRRRRRRRRRRRR...
Joni is SUBLIME!!
After hearing this several times, I think I get it. I like Joni. 
Joni Mitchell! Automatic 1 or 2 from me! HAAAAAAAAAAATE HEEEEERRRRRRRRRRRRRRR...
The first "10" I´ve ever given (and I am not Joni´s biggest fan on earth)
I have just never been able to get into JM. Her voice is like a screech on a blackboard to me. I always preferred her contemporary, Laura Nyro.
Kornmann wrote:
I'm with you on that, Korn!
Love this version and the whole album is fantastic!!
I'm with you on that, Korn!
Some Joni I haven't heard before. What a treat!
doctec wrote:
Ah, the never ending battle between art and commerce...
While I agree that the music business has been about business as much as music, I do think that at the very least, prior to the massive label consolidation of the last 15 years or so, the people at the top were as passionate about the music as they were about the business (guys like Ahmet Ertegun come to mind). When the emphasis shifted away from the music to the business, quality has indeed suffered. Thankfully, the proliferation of digital music sources and internet accessibility has kept the business folks from shutting out creativity altogether - a quick perusing of sites like CD Baby proves that creativity is always able to seek and finds venues for expression and dissemination.
Jerseygirl.........christ....finally, an intelligent music person with ears that actually HEAR the MUSIC!!! rock on hon!!!
jerseygirl wrote:
It is dated as it came from the 70's when the prospect of making music was still for the art of music and not the money making machine it has become. We have expended art but for money and mindless entertainment. Never saw Joni on the cover of fucking people magazine - thank God!
Listen with your heart and not your head.
diazo wrote:
Seems to me that the record industry has always been about moving product & that plenty of disposable crap has been produced in every decade. And in every decade there are truly talented and dedicated musicians that manage to rise above the general tide of mediocrity. It is no slight against Joni Mitchell's undeniable talent to say that some of us don't care for her sound. I understand that there are even some people who don't like Talking Heads!
Ah, the never ending battle between art and commerce...
While I agree that the music business has been about business as much as music, I do think that at the very least, prior to the massive label consolidation of the last 15 years or so, the people at the top were as passionate about the music as they were about the business (guys like Ahmet Ertegun come to mind). When the emphasis shifted away from the music to the business, quality has indeed suffered. Thankfully, the proliferation of digital music sources and internet accessibility has kept the business folks from shutting out creativity altogether - a quick perusing of sites like CD Baby proves that creativity is always able to seek and finds venues for expression and dissemination.
While I can appreciate the talent level,
and I understand why she holds legendary
status, I would still rather listen to the
lawnmower outside the office window.
ksb wrote:
Joni certainly deserves credit for the role she played in the music and culture of the 60s and 70s, but her singing here - particularly the screeching parts where her voice almost vanishes because she's pushing it beyond its abilities, is quite grating.
I hate to agree, but I do. I adore Joni, but I can also see (this song as an example) why she doesn't appeal to everyone.
Personally, I prefer her studio albums, especially with Jaco (RIP)....
ThePoose wrote:
What's next? Riders on the storm?
this set is killing the buzz...something uplifting PLEASE!
brandog wrote:
Joni
Joni
What's next? Riders on the storm?
Beautiful.
Again, gotta say excellent!
There is such a "mood" to this song.
There is such a "mood" to this song.
FlamingLotus wrote:
I love most every JM song I have ever heard, but many take a while for me to appreciate. She's a unique, remarkable talent and she will be influencing generations to come--so brace yourselves, you naysayers!
With ya there, Lotus ... I have always had to listen many times to any Joni song to "get" it.
jerseygirl wrote:
It is dated as it came from the 70's when the prospect of making music was still for the art of music and not the money making machine it has become. We have expended art but for money and mindless entertainment. Never saw Joni on the cover of fucking people magazine - thank God!
Listen with your heart and not your head.
Seems to me that the record industry has always been about moving product & that plenty of disposable crap has been produced in every decade. And in every decade there are truly talented and dedicated musicians that manage to rise above the general tide of mediocrity. It is no slight against Joni Mitchell's undeniable talent to say that some of us don't care for her sound. I understand that there are even some people who don't like Talking Heads!
Joni certainly deserves credit for the role she played in the music and culture of the 60s and 70s, but her singing here - particularly the screeching parts where her voice almost vanishes because she's pushing it beyond its abilities, is quite grating.
Love this version and the whole album is fantastic!!
It is dated as it came from the 70's when the prospect of making music was still for the art of music and not the money making machine it has become. We have expended art but for money and mindless entertainment. Never saw Joni on the cover of fucking people magazine - thank God!
Listen with your heart and not your head.
Mugro wrote:
I am sorry, but I have never been a Joni Mitchell fan. And, this sounds dated.
i agree - the consummate artist!!
FlamingLotus wrote:
I love most every JM song I have ever heard, but many take a while for me to appreciate. She's a unique, remarkable talent and she will be influencing generations to come--so brace yourselves, you naysayers!
I read somewhere that she wrote this song about Leonard Cohen. They dated briefly.
I love most every JM song I have ever heard, but many take a while for me to appreciate. She's a unique, remarkable talent and she will be influencing generations to come--so brace yourselves, you naysayers!
I'm a complete Joni fan. However, this is not her best work IMHO.
I am sorry, but I have never been a Joni Mitchell fan. And, this sounds dated.
Ugh...
Missed it --- I'll give it a 7 cause it's Joni, and mark it up to the appropriate 9 or 10 when I actually hear it.
Great collaboration with Tom Scott & Co.
Holy carp. I haven't heard this in a LONG time - thanks for the flashback.
algrif wrote:
Which is truly bizarre, since she's Joni-frackin-Mitchell. 
9 for the song.
I see the 'anti Joni club' got their votes in quick. What a shame. C'mon 'the rest of the world', let's straighten this rating curve out.
The negativity toward Joni by some RP listeners gives me that tingly feeling that she's somehow "my little secret." Which is truly bizarre, since she's Joni-frackin-Mitchell.
9 for the song.
The usual incredible JM poetry and music. Her voice and ability to "play the notes between the keys" and have that come out just right is absolutely uncanny.
algrif wrote:
I see the 'anti Joni club' got their votes in quick. What a shame. C'mon 'the rest of the world', let's straighten this rating curve out.
Its got a low rating because this song stinks.
Mindless woohooing to the flute. Give me a break.
If she could just finish a note without running out of breath it would help so much.
jadewahoo wrote:This is Joni Mitchell... if the vibrato is over the top she meant for it to be that way! JM is the consummate artist extraordinaire. The Muse reveals itself through her as a diamond reveals pure colors.
This is Joni Mitchell... if the vibrato is over the top she meant for it to be that way! JM is the consummate artist extraordinaire. The Muse reveals itself through her as a diamond reveals pure colors.
Antigone wrote:
And now for something completely different: anyone else out there look at the cover art and remember, fondly, all the concerts they've attended at the Merriwether Post Pavilion?
Hell Yeah! Joni
And now for something completely different: anyone else out there look at the cover art and remember, fondly, all the concerts they've attended at the Merriwether Post Pavilion?
beelzebubba wrote:
How 'bout some Geddy Lee, eh?
Take off.
I see the 'anti Joni club' got their votes in quick. What a shame. C'mon 'the rest of the world', let's straighten this rating curve out.
masterhead wrote:
I add to this team...Joni has been always very experimental and some people may find her style different from mainstream but her voice and talent are ALWAYS there...
My nephew is working on his Master's degree in music theory, etc. at Berklee in Boston. He said they ahd a whole course just on Joni Mitchell & her influences.
The studio version of this ("Ladies of the Canyon") is one of my JM favorites. Can't say as I care much for this version though. Still, Joni is my favorite female singer/songwriter, and I challenge all those who slam her here to name someone better.
shari wrote:
I concur - either you get it or you don't! A masterpiece of a song -- just listen.......
--Shari
I add to this team...Joni has been always very experimental and some people may find her style different from mainstream but her voice and talent are ALWAYS there...
namesbenny wrote:
Have to disagree with all y'all. I think this song is a masterpiece.
I concur - either you get it or you don't! A masterpiece of a song -- just listen.......
--Shari
Have to disagree with all y'all. I think this song is a masterpiece.
How irritating!!!!
:headache.gif:
this song makes me want to listen to a different station.
Krall followed by Mitchell ..... only Bill can do that. Not the best Joni piece but worthy nonetheless.
Thanks bro and hang in there.
Lovely song and atmosphere, but her vibrato really gets on my nerves. Maybe we could hear it covered by someone else?
Originally Posted by backpacker:
Plenty of great Canadian artists, but Joni ain't one of them, eh? Almost never turn off RP, but have to when that awful voice of hers comes out of my speakers.
How 'bout some Geddy Lee, eh?
Originally Posted by red:
extremely offensive vocals.
Roberta Joan Anderson (her real name) is 58 years old and has been described by David Crosby as being about as humble as Mussolini.
I'm curious - you make it sound like her age is a strike against her. How does that work, exactly? I do agree that I've read a lot in the press about her being, well, pretty much of a bitch - but again, is that really relevant in judging her music? A lot of artists would suffer from the application of that standard...
This song made me turn off RP. Hate turning off RP. So Please no more Joni 
:)
Joni Mitchell\'s voice is one of the most incredible, unique voices I\'ve ever heard.
Unfortunately, many of her song\'s just strike a Pavlov\'s dog reaction in me like a flashback to standard-fare 60\'s music.
Fortunately, this song isn\'t one of them. This song is way cool.
:) 
Well, it seems that you either like it or hate it. I like it!
extremely offensive vocals.
Roberta Joan Anderson (her real name) is 58 years old and has been described by David Crosby as being about as humble as Mussolini.
Originally Posted by tawanda:
Good God, man, you can't say stuff like that about Joni Mitchell!!
And yet he did. 
Originally Posted by KevinM:
Annoying drivel (as is all Joni)
Good God, man, you can't say stuff like that about Joni Mitchell!!
Like so many of her songs, this one has no lyrics, just a stream-of-consciousness verbal vomit. She obviously has a great voice, but singing the equivalent of a shopping list is no way to use it, IMHO.
Just because you don’t understand something doesn’t make it verbal vomit. Fucking idiot