Edith And The Kingpin

Album: Hissing of Summer Lawns (1975)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Like many of Mitchell's songs, the lyrics are rich with imagery as she tells a story. This song explores the relationship between a powerful crime boss and the object of his affection.
  • "Edith" in this song was inspired by the famous French singer Edith Piaf.

    In an interview with Mojo magazine February 2008, Joni Mitchell was discussing her songwriting: "Sometimes you write about the exact thing you saw, but other times you take something that happened over here and put it with something over there. In 'Edith And The Kingpin,' part of it is from a Vancouver pimp I met and part of it is Edith Piaf. It's a hybrid, but all together it makes a whole truth."
  • Mitchell also did a rendition of this on her 1980 album Shadows And Light, with Jaco Pastorius on bass. >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Dave - Spokane, WA
  • Elvis Costello recorded this for the 2007 album Tribute To Joni Mitchell.

Comments: 4

  • Tony B from OxfordshireAlthough written in the 70’s I’ve recently felt that the Kingpin perfectly encapsulates the brooding, malevolent aura of Donald Trump. Is this a song ahead of its time ?
  • Gayle Bell from Dallas, TxThis is beautiful. I have also heard Tina and Herbie's version. Wonderful work.
  • Paul from Washington Dc, Dc"The Hissing of Summer Lawns" is my favorite Joni album and my favorite album of all time, period. This song and "Shades of Scarlett Conquering" are the best songs on the album, I think.
  • Valerie from Phoenix, AzThere is a great new version now of this song by Tina Turner and Herbie Hancock. It's powerful.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

When Rock Belonged To Michelob

When Rock Belonged To MichelobSong Writing

Michelob commercials generated hits for Eric Clapton, Genesis and Steve Winwood in the '80s, even as some of these rockers were fighting alcoholism.

Oliver Leiber

Oliver LeiberSongwriter Interviews

Oliver Leiber talks about writing and producing hits for Paula Abdul, and explains his complicated relationship with his father, the songwriter Jerry Leiber.

Matt Sorum

Matt SorumSongwriter Interviews

When he joined Guns N' Roses in 1990, Matt helped them craft an orchestral sound; his mezzo fortes and pianissimos are all over "November Rain."

Mark Arm of Mudhoney

Mark Arm of MudhoneySongwriter Interviews

When he was asked to write a song for the Singles soundtrack, Mark thought the Seattle grunge scene was already overblown, so that's what he wrote about.

Cheerleaders In Music Videos

Cheerleaders In Music VideosSong Writing

It started with a bouncy MTV classic. Nirvana and MCR made them scary, then Gwen, Avril and Madonna put on the pom poms.

James Bond Theme Songs

James Bond Theme SongsMusic Quiz

How well do you know the 007 theme songs?