Canadian musical legend Joni Mitchell has treated fans to a nostalgic trip down memory lane with the release of a very special demo version of her iconic 1972 single, “You Turn Me On, I’m a Radio.”
Mitchell has been doling out a lot of older studio material like demos and other various recordings, but this latest offering is different, and fans of the singer-songwriter are sure to love it. What makes this rendition even more special is the presence of fellow rock legend Neil Young, who contributed his distinctive electric guitar and harmonica skills to the recording.
This track is part of Mitchell’s upcoming archival release, titled Joni Mitchell Archives, Vol. 3: The Asylum Years (1972-1975). The album is set to hit the shelves on Friday, October 6, and it chronicles Mitchell’s creative journey between several of her most beloved albums, such as For The Roses, Court And Spark and The Hissing Of Summer Lawns.
The “You Turn Me On, I’m a Radio” demo was recorded on April 18, 1972 at Wally Heider Recording in Hollywood, California. At the time, Young stepped in to be a part of the track, though his work was left off of the version that was released as a single. Young was joined by bassist Tim Drummond and drummer Kenny Buttrey, who at the time were both members of the band The Stray Gators.
“You Turn Me On, I’m a Radio” ultimately found a home on Mitchell’s 1972 album For The Roses, and it was selected as the LP’s first official single. The tune marked a significant milestone in Mitchell’s career, as it became perhaps her first major hit on the Billboard charts in America. The tune worked its way up to No. 25 on the Hot 100.
Mitchell has been releasing quite a bit of compilations and archival albums throughout the past several years to celebrate her legacy. As its name suggests, Joni Mitchell Archives, Vol. 3: The Asylum Years (1972-1975) will mark the third title in that series, following two that dropped in 2021: Archives – Volume 1: The Early Years (1963–1967): Highlights and Joni Mitchell Archives – Vol. 2: The Reprise Years (1968–1971).
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