In 1974, Joni Mitchell wrote a “throwaway” song. It would become her only number one hit

Joni Mitchell’s song ‘Help Me’, which she regarded as a “throwaway” about lust and yearning, became her only number one hit in 1974. Its unexpected success highlights the gap between Mitchell’s own artistic priorities and the commercial choices that brought her the greatest chart result of her career.

The song appeared on *Court and Spark*, after Mitchell’s earlier work had produced commercially successful songs but no number one. Her record label chose ‘Help Me’ as a single, despite her saying she generally disagreed with single selections and wished other tracks had received radio exposure. The article presents the chart-topper as an ironic milestone for an artist who placed greater value on creative expression than commercial recognition.