I loved Debussy, Stravinsky, Chopin, Tchaikovsky, anything with romantic melodies, especially the nocturnes. Nietzsche was a hero, especially with 'Thus Spoke Zarathustra.' He gets a bad rap; he's very misunderstood. He's a maker of individuals, and he was a teacher of teachers. Joni Mitchell badchopindebussy share on social
I'm a method actress in my songs, which is why it's hard to sing them. Joni Mitchell actresshardmethod Change image and share on social
My childhood was very difficult. I had every childhood disease and then some, but my parents didn't mollycoddle me. They left me to fight those battles on my own. I guess that was very Canadian, very stoic. But it's good. I had to become a warrior. I had to give up hope and find a substitute for hope that would be far more stable. Joni Mitchell battlecanadianchildhood share on social
At the point where I'm trying to force something and it's not happening, and I'm getting frustrated with, say, writing a poem, I can go and pick up the brushes and start painting. At the point where the painting seems to not be going anywhere, I go and pick up the guitar. Joni Mitchell brushforcefrustrate share on social
I do have this reputation for being a serious person. Joni Mitchell personreputation Change image and share on social
Rachmaninoff made a musician out of me. His 'Rhapsody on a Theme by Paganini' was the piece that sent me into raptures. It spoke to me. To me, it was a tender entreaty for the misunderstood. Joni Mitchell entreatymakemisunderstand Change image and share on social
When you're trying to pass on the best of the stuff you're culling to what should be a hungry culture but you have it diminished... that's kind of disappointing. Joni Mitchell cullculturediminish Change image and share on social
There was this mountain village in Russia where my music was getting in on some German radio station. I remember this because music used to get up to Saskatchewan from Texas. Late at night after the local station closed down. Joni Mitchell closegermanlate share on social
When I came to California, it was the mecca of the world. Every young person on the planet wanted to be here. Joni Mitchell californiameccaperson Change image and share on social