Free Man In Paris

Joni Mitchell · Dreamland: The Very Best Of Joni Mitchell [2004]

The way I see it

He said you just can't win it

Everybody's in it for their own gain

You can't please them all

There's always somebody callin you down

I do my best and I do good business

There's alot of people askin for my time

They're trying to get ahead

They're trying to be a good friend of mine



I was a free man in Paris

I felt unfettered and alive

There was nobody callin me up for favors

And no one's future to decide

You know I'd go back there tomorrow

But for the work I've taken on

Stokin the star maker machinery behind the popular song



I deal in dreamers and telephone screamers

Lately I wonder what I do it for

If I had my way, I'd just walk through those doors

And wander down the Champs-ÉlysÄ‚Šes

Goin' cafÄ‚Š to cabaret

Thinkin how I'd feel when I find that very good friend of mine



I was a free man in Paris

I felt unfettered and alive

Nobody was callin me up for favors

No one's future to decide

You know I'd go back there tomorrow

But for the work I've taken on

Stokin the star maker machinery behind the popular song

Free Man In Paris

Free Man In Paris stands as a defining track from Joni Mitchell's 1974 album Court and Spark, marking a significant shift toward a more polished pop-rock sound. The recording captures Mitchell's exploration of urban life and personal liberation, blending her signature jazz-inflected harmonies with a driving rhythm section. As a staple of her extensive discography, the song highlights her ability to craft intimate narratives within a broader commercial framework. It remains a celebrated example of her mid-career evolution, showcasing the sophisticated songwriting that cemented her status as a pivotal figure in contemporary music. The track continues to resonate with listeners for its emotional depth and timeless arrangement, reflecting the enduring quality of her artistic vision during this prolific era.