‘Joni Mitchell sang Both Sides, Now over the phone to me’: folk music legend Judy Collins on her 87 remarkable years

Judy Collins, who is continuing her farewell tour, reflects on a career shaped by friendships and collaborations with major songwriters. She recalls recording Joni Mitchell’s “Both Sides, Now” before Mitchell did, and says Leonard Cohen’s encouragement helped prompt her to write her own songs.

Collins says she recorded “Both Sides, Now” in 1967 after Mitchell sang it to her over the phone, and that it became a major hit. She also recorded Cohen’s “Suzanne” the day he first played it to her in 1966; she describes her song “My Father” as rooted in her blind father’s determination, and recalls a four-month relationship with Stephen Stills.