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

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/joni-mitchell-sang-both-sides-now-over-the-phone-to-me-folk-music-legend-judy-collins-on-her-87-remarkable-years/
- Published: 2026-11-12T14:30:42+00:00
- Updated: 2026-11-12T15:21:05+00:00
- Original publisher: The Guardian (publisher lean: Left)
- Original article: https://www.theguardian.com/music/2026/nov/12/joni-mitchell-sang-both-sides-now-over-the-phone-to-me-folk-music-legend-judy-collins-on-her-87-remarkable-years
- Topics: Americas, Culture, Entertainment, Music, World

## Key points

- Collins recorded “Both Sides, Now” before Joni Mitchell.
- Leonard Cohen encouraged her to write her own songs.
- She reflects on family, folk music and past relationships.

## Summary

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.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.