Steve Jobs on Lisa: Restored Demo Footage
What Jobs talks about
This recording captures Steve Jobs in a casual Lisa-era scene, where the conversation briefly turns to the Lisa computer while also including everyday back-and-forth with a child. The transcript is less a formal presentation than a candid slice of early-1980s footage.
The most substantial discussion centers on a song, with Jobs helping unpack how the lyrics change in meaning across two versions. That exchange reveals his interest in interpretation, nuance, and the way a familiar thing can feel different depending on perspective.
Because the source event is not identified, the page should frame the recording as restored footage from 1983 rather than a named keynote or interview.
Jobs speaks with a child/family member; no interviewer is present.
In his words
“It's the same song, but the versions are different.”
“There are three verses, clouds, love, and life.”
“One way, yeah, but now they look at them another way”
“They've come to the conclusion that they really don't know clouds, love, or life at all.”
“The first version is the kind of thing that you would call girlish.”
Key points
- Jobs appears in restored Lisa-era footage from 1983.
- He discusses two versions of the song Both Sides Now.
- He explains the song’s themes as clouds, love, and life.
- He contrasts the first version as “girlish” and the second as “regretful.”
- The footage feels candid and informal rather than staged for a formal presentation.
Full transcript
Lisa? You have to go. It's dangerous up here, that's why I make other people do it. Who are you hiding from, me or your mom? I'm not hiding. Let's go. Okay. What were you listening to? I'm listening to two versions of the same song. Then when I get to the ends, I rewind to listen to them again.
It's the same song, but the versions are different. What's the song? Okay, so it's a really old song, and it's called Both Sides Now. Both Sides Now? Yeah. What's it about? It's about... There are three verses, clouds, love, and life. And the person singing is singing that they used to think of... That they used to think about... Clouds, love, and life? Right. One way, yeah, but now they look at them another way, and they... They've come to the conclusion that they really don't know clouds, love, or life at all. Those are the exact words. Yeah, Joey Mitchell. Because it's not a really old song, unless I'm a really old guy.
You have to go to school now. Do you want me to tell you the differences between the two versions? Right now. The first version is the kind of thing that you would call girlish. I didn't mean I want to know the difference right now. I meant you have to go to school right now. I can stay and watch. You are truant. You're committing a crime. I'm not going to miss anything important. How do you know? I read ahead. The Pilgrims make it to the New World. And then the Declaration of Independence. Yeah, you skipped a couple centuries. Steve? Of course Anne's out there. Let's go. Can I have my keys for staying?
Nope. Come on. She was with me. Come on. Your dad doesn't want us to stay. That's not true. That's not... You have to be in school is all. I'm committing a crime right now and I don't want to get in trouble. You're not in trouble. I was kidding. Okay. What was the second version? You said the first version was girlish. What was the second version? I can't really think of the word.
Okay. Well, have a good day at school. Regretful. What? Like wishing you could go back and do things different. You're too young to be regretful. Not me. The person singing the song. Got it. Regretful. That makes sense because... I want to live with you. Six minutes. You want to see Scully? No.
Transcribed from the audio with OpenAI Whisper. Timestamps link to the video above. Errors are possible.