Folk

Both Sides Now Chords

Joni Mitchell Beginner Key of C 4 Chords 2 min read Updated Jul 2026

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Key

C

Difficulty

Beginner

Capo

None

Chords

C · F · G · Am

Both Sides Now Chords – Guitar

Joni Mitchell’s timeless reflection on life uses four simple chords to create one of folk music’s most beautiful melodies. Perfect for fingerpicking or gentle strumming.

Gentle Folk (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Try fingerpicking the verse for a softer, more intimate feel. Let each chord ring clearly before transitioning.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

C F

Rows and flows of angel hair

C F

And ice cream castles in the air

Am F

And feather canyons everywhere

G C

I’ve looked at clouds that way

Verse 2

C F

But now they only block the sun

C F

They rain and snow on everyone

Am F

So many things I would have done

G C

But clouds got in my way

Chorus

F C

I’ve looked at clouds from both sides now

F C

From up and down and still somehow

Am F C

It’s cloud illusions I recall

F G C

I really don’t know clouds at all

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Both Sides Now"?

You need 4 beginner-friendly chords: C, F, G and Am.

Is "Both Sides Now" easy to play on guitar?

It is rated beginner and uses only 4 chords in the key of C, making it a good choice for players at that level.

What key is "Both Sides Now" in?

It is in the key of C.

Who wrote "Both Sides Now"?

It was written by Joni Mitchell, and released in 1969.

Ctap to play

Ftap to play

Gtap to play

Amtap to play

Key

C

Difficulty

Beginner

Tuning

G-C-E-A

Chords

C · F · G · Am

Both Sides Now Chords – Ukulele

Joni Mitchell’s timeless reflection on life uses four simple chords to create one of folk music’s most beautiful melodies. Perfect for fingerpicking or gentle strumming.

Gentle Folk (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Try fingerpicking the verse for a softer, more intimate feel. Let each chord ring clearly before transitioning.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

C F

Rows and flows of angel hair

C F

And ice cream castles in the air

Am F

And feather canyons everywhere

G C

I’ve looked at clouds that way

Verse 2

C F

But now they only block the sun

C F

They rain and snow on everyone

Am F

So many things I would have done

G C

But clouds got in my way

Chorus

F C

I’ve looked at clouds from both sides now

F C

From up and down and still somehow

Am F C

It’s cloud illusions I recall

F G C

I really don’t know clouds at all

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Both Sides Now"?

You need 4 beginner-friendly chords: C, F, G and Am.

Is "Both Sides Now" easy to play on guitar?

It is rated beginner and uses only 4 chords in the key of C, making it a good choice for players at that level.

What key is "Both Sides Now" in?

It is in the key of C.

Who wrote "Both Sides Now"?

It was written by Joni Mitchell, and released in 1969.

Ctap to play

Ftap to play

Gtap to play

Amtap to play

Key

C

Difficulty

Beginner

Left Hand

Root notes

Chords

C · F · G · Am

Both Sides Now Chords – Piano

Joni Mitchell’s timeless reflection on life uses four simple chords to create one of folk music’s most beautiful melodies. Perfect for fingerpicking or gentle strumming.

Gentle Folk (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Try fingerpicking the verse for a softer, more intimate feel. Let each chord ring clearly before transitioning.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

C F

Rows and flows of angel hair

C F

And ice cream castles in the air

Am F

And feather canyons everywhere

G C

I’ve looked at clouds that way

Verse 2

C F

But now they only block the sun

C F

They rain and snow on everyone

Am F

So many things I would have done

G C

But clouds got in my way

Chorus

F C

I’ve looked at clouds from both sides now

F C

From up and down and still somehow

Am F C

It’s cloud illusions I recall

F G C

I really don’t know clouds at all

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Both Sides Now"?

You need 4 beginner-friendly chords: C, F, G and Am.

Is "Both Sides Now" easy to play on guitar?

It is rated beginner and uses only 4 chords in the key of C, making it a good choice for players at that level.

What key is "Both Sides Now" in?

It is in the key of C.

Who wrote "Both Sides Now"?

It was written by Joni Mitchell, and released in 1969.

Ctap to play

Ftap to play

Gtap to play

Amtap to play

Key

C

Difficulty

Beginner

Tuning

gDGBD (Open G)

Chords

C · F · G · Am

Both Sides Now Chords – Banjo

Joni Mitchell’s timeless reflection on life uses four simple chords to create one of folk music’s most beautiful melodies. Perfect for fingerpicking or gentle strumming.

Gentle Folk (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Try fingerpicking the verse for a softer, more intimate feel. Let each chord ring clearly before transitioning.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

C F

Rows and flows of angel hair

C F

And ice cream castles in the air

Am F

And feather canyons everywhere

G C

I’ve looked at clouds that way

Verse 2

C F

But now they only block the sun

C F

They rain and snow on everyone

Am F

So many things I would have done

G C

But clouds got in my way

Chorus

F C

I’ve looked at clouds from both sides now

F C

From up and down and still somehow

Am F C

It’s cloud illusions I recall

F G C

I really don’t know clouds at all

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Both Sides Now"?

You need 4 beginner-friendly chords: C, F, G and Am.

Is "Both Sides Now" easy to play on guitar?

It is rated beginner and uses only 4 chords in the key of C, making it a good choice for players at that level.

What key is "Both Sides Now" in?

It is in the key of C.

Who wrote "Both Sides Now"?

It was written by Joni Mitchell, and released in 1969.

Ctap to play

Ftap to play

Gtap to play

Amtap to play

Key

C

Difficulty

Beginner

Tuning

G-D-A-E

Chords

C · F · G · Am

Both Sides Now Chords – Mandolin

Joni Mitchell’s timeless reflection on life uses four simple chords to create one of folk music’s most beautiful melodies. Perfect for fingerpicking or gentle strumming.

Gentle Folk (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Try fingerpicking the verse for a softer, more intimate feel. Let each chord ring clearly before transitioning.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

C F

Rows and flows of angel hair

C F

And ice cream castles in the air

Am F

And feather canyons everywhere

G C

I’ve looked at clouds that way

Verse 2

C F

But now they only block the sun

C F

They rain and snow on everyone

Am F

So many things I would have done

G C

But clouds got in my way

Chorus

F C

I’ve looked at clouds from both sides now

F C

From up and down and still somehow

Am F C

It’s cloud illusions I recall

F G C

I really don’t know clouds at all

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Both Sides Now"?

You need 4 beginner-friendly chords: C, F, G and Am.

Is "Both Sides Now" easy to play on guitar?

It is rated beginner and uses only 4 chords in the key of C, making it a good choice for players at that level.

What key is "Both Sides Now" in?

It is in the key of C.

Who wrote "Both Sides Now"?

It was written by Joni Mitchell, and released in 1969.

Ctap to play

Ftap to play

Gtap to play

Amtap to play

Key

C

Difficulty

Beginner

Harp Key

C Diatonic

Chords

C · F · G · Am

Both Sides Now Chords – Harmonica

Joni Mitchell’s timeless reflection on life uses four simple chords to create one of folk music’s most beautiful melodies. Perfect for fingerpicking or gentle strumming.

Gentle Folk (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Try fingerpicking the verse for a softer, more intimate feel. Let each chord ring clearly before transitioning.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

C F

Rows and flows of angel hair

C F

And ice cream castles in the air

Am F

And feather canyons everywhere

G C

I’ve looked at clouds that way

Verse 2

C F

But now they only block the sun

C F

They rain and snow on everyone

Am F

So many things I would have done

G C

But clouds got in my way

Chorus

F C

I’ve looked at clouds from both sides now

F C

From up and down and still somehow

Am F C

It’s cloud illusions I recall

F G C

I really don’t know clouds at all

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Both Sides Now"?

You need 4 beginner-friendly chords: C, F, G and Am.

Is "Both Sides Now" easy to play on guitar?

It is rated beginner and uses only 4 chords in the key of C, making it a good choice for players at that level.

What key is "Both Sides Now" in?

It is in the key of C.

Who wrote "Both Sides Now"?

It was written by Joni Mitchell, and released in 1969.