5 Key Facts About Joni Mitchell's Debut Album Song to a Seagull

It was released on March 23, 1968. Reprise Records put out Joni Mitchell’s first album that spring.

The album was originally titled Song to a Seagull. Mitchell later changed the title to simply Joni Mitchell for reissues.

It was produced by David Crosby. Crosby, then of The Byrds, helped shape the sparse, folk-oriented sound.

The songs are mostly solo acoustic. Mitchell’s intricate guitar work and poetic lyrics take center stage without heavy production.

It did not chart on the Billboard 200. Despite critical praise, the album failed to find a wide commercial audience at the time.