The Hissing of Summer Lawns

Album: The Hissing of Summer Lawns (1975)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This song is about a woman who has apparently married a very well-to-do man. She may be, to him at least, a trophy wife, and he has set her a up in a mansion on a hill with a fence around it to protect her from the world. There is a certain melancholy to the song, and we are given to believe that the mansion is very much a prison to her, but rather than lose the privilege and prestige inherent in her marriage, she chooses to remain in that prison. >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Peter - Newark, NY
  • The "hissing of summer lawns" refers to the sprinklers that water the lawns of the upper class in Bel Air, a rich enclave of Los Angeles. Mitchell bought a house there in 1974; the inside cover of the album contains a picture of her in her pool.

Comments: 1

  • AnonymousJoni Mitchell is the greatest. Her music is almost mystical, too subtle and too magical to be fully apprehended, even after many listenings.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Def Leppard Quiz

Def Leppard QuizMusic Quiz

Can you name Def Leppard's only #1 hit in America? Get rocked with this adrenalized quiz.

Loreena McKennitt

Loreena McKennittSongwriter Interviews

The Celtic music maker Loreena McKennitt on finding musical inspiration, the "New Age" label, and working on the movie Tinker Bell.

Rupert Hine

Rupert HineSongwriter Interviews

Producer Rupert Hine talks about crafting hits for Tina Turner, Howard Jones and The Fixx.

Lori McKenna

Lori McKennaSongwriter Interviews

Lori's songs have been recorded by Faith Hill and Sara Evans. She's performed on the CMAs and on Oprah. She also has five kids.

Which Songs are About Drugs?

Which Songs are About Drugs?Fact or Fiction

"25 or 6 to 4" to "Semi-Charmed Life" - see if you can spot the songs that are really about drugs.

Ian Gillan of Deep Purple

Ian Gillan of Deep PurpleSongwriter Interviews

Deep Purple frontman Ian Gillan explains the "few red lights" in "Smoke On The Water" and talks about songs from their 2020 album Whoosh!