Down to You (song)
"Down to You" is a song written by Joni Mitchell that was first released on her 1974 album Court and Spark. It won the Grammy Award for Best Arrangement Accompanying Vocalist(s).
| "Down to You" | |
|---|---|
| Song by Joni Mitchell | |
| from the album Court and Spark | |
| Released | 1974 |
| Genre | Folk |
| Length | 5:38 |
| Label | Asylum Records |
| Songwriter(s) | Joni Mitchell |
| Producer(s) | Joni Mitchell |
Lyrics and music
"Down to You" uses a verse-bridge structure.[1] It is in the keys of D major and E major.[1] It begins with Mitchell playing a solo piano introduction.[2] The theme of the song is the need to either change your life or take responsibility for it, since "it all comes down to you."[2] Music professor Lloyd Whitesell describes it as "a wry meditation on the transience of love and moral certainty."[1] The song takes place in the aftermath of a one-night stand.[1][2][3] The verses provide philosophical ruminations about the situation, while the bridge provides more specifics.[1] The opening lines of the first verse, "Everything comes and goes/marked by lovers and styles of clothes," set the tone for the song.[2] Sean Nelson describes them as being "terse but true, general but suggestive, clever but light, and they rhyme," and also claims that with only those two lines Mitchell could have "had a pretty good song on her hands."[2] At the beginning of the song Mitchell seems to be addressing herself, or else a more generalized someone.[1]
The bridge begins with the lines:
- You go down to the pick up station
- Craving warmth and beauty
- You settle for less than fascination
- A few drinks later you're not so choosy[1]
These lines may also be addressed to herself, or may be addressed to the absent lover.[1][2] The lyrics are ambiguous in this respect, and are also ambiguous as to whether the bridge is addressed to a real or fictional person, and even as to the gender of the person the lyrics are addressed to.[1][2]
By the end of the penultimate verse, a random encounter with a stranger in the light of day leads the singer to realize that "love is gone," and the tryst of the prior night wasn't really love.[2] This realization is underscored by David Crosby and Susan Webb joining Mitchell to sing the line.[2] This recognition then leads to an extended orchestral interlude.[2] While the orchestral instruments alternately take up the musical theme, Mitchell plays the piano using different types of chords, including major key, minor key, diminished and augmented chords.[2] Music journalist Mark Bego describes Mitchell's playing as being like a jazz solo.[4]
According to author Larry David Smith, the final verse ends with "an acceptance of life's uneven qualities, and the resignation of acceptance."[3]
Reception
At the 1975 Grammy Awards, Mitchell and Tom Scott won the Grammy Award for Best Arrangement Accompanying Vocalist(s) for "Down to You".[4][5] Music journalist Mark Bego describes it as a "sheer masterpiece."[4] Pitchfork Media critic Jessica Hopper describes the arrangement as being "stunning in its complexity."[6]
References
- Whitesell, L. (2008). The Music of Joni Mitchell. Oxford University Press. pp. 22, 55, 121, 151, 154. ISBN 9780199719099.
- Nelson, S. (2007). Court and Spark. Continuum. pp. 74–80. ISBN 9780826417732.
- Smith, L.D. (2004). Elvis Costello, Joni Mitchell, and the Torch Song Tradition. Greenwood. pp. 55–56. ISBN 9780275973926.
- Bego, M. (2005). Joni Mitchell. Taylor Trade Publications. pp. 8, 128, 134, 153. ISBN 9781589792210.
- Newman, M. (March 25, 1995). "Joni Mitchell Honored with Billboard Century Award". Billboard Magazine. pp. 1, 88. Retrieved 2015-07-12.
- Hopper, J. (November 9, 2012). "Joni Mitchell: The Studio Albums 1968-1979". Pitchfork Media. Retrieved 2015-07-12.