Favorite Lightfoot Song & Why? II

[Florian]

What is your favorite Lightfoot Song & Why?

(topic originated by Wes Steele)

[chris]

Now we get to pick our new favorite song! I'll start. My favorite song right now, today, at this moment is Only Love Would Know on Waiting for You. WFY is one of my favorite albums and this song is my favorite song on the album. It's sweet, its pretty, it's romantic, it's tender -- you get the picture, a great love song. AND I especially love the way his voice sounds in this song. I could listen to it all day.

chris

p.s. Glad the discussion board is back up and running. My only problem is that the picture of Gordon in the upper left hand corner of the screen is half blank. Anyone else seeing the same thing?

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"It took most of my time to do what never was done" -- GL

[chris]

Wouldn't you know it. When I was sent back to the board the picture was restored. As Gilda Radner used to say (was it as Lisa Lupner?).... Never mind.

chris

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"It took most of my time to do what never was done" -- GL

[Wes Steele]

"It's Worth Believ'n". I can't put the details in, but that song paralleled my life at that time. A relationship was ending and I was questioning myself. There even was a shore, sand, and all the doubts about myself, just like in the song, in this relationship.
I think it has a beautiful melody. I have never gotten tired of it.
Yes, it sounds like a sad song, but it has gotten me "over the hump" knowing that GL has seemed to have gone through the same thing that I went through.
The song is done rather well.

Thanks Florian for posting this again. When I have some more time I have another question to put out to all my friends. Miss you guys...will be back more often, soon.

Thanks again...Great Web Site Florian....

Wes,

"when you reach the part where the heartaches come, the hero would be me, but hero's often fail."

[This message has been edited by Wes Steele (edited January 27, 2000).]

[Janice]

Too bad the previous posts to this topic were lost. There was an impressive list.

My favorite is Go My Way from Summer Side of Life. When I was 11, a musician friend of the family who was a huge GL fan sang this song and I was introduced to Gordon Lightfoot. I've been a fan for the past twenty + years and collected many of his albums (more recently, CDs)but it wasn't until a few years ago that I purchased Summer Side of Life and actually heard Gord sing the song that drew me to him.

[Paul J. B.]

I would have to say I don't know my favorite GL song. There are so many that I could call my favorites, but right now I will say Hi'way Songs. Its just a great song to drive to. I spend alot of time driving. I first heard this song when I got his box set. tomorrow I'll probably have a new favorite, so I'll have something else to talk about.

[Lightfoot678]

Good question. While I can't narrow the listing down to one favorite I'll list a few particulars.

If You Could Read My Mind-The first Lightfoot song I ever hear and one that remains in my consciousness.

Minstrel Of The Dawn-This one strikes a real emotional chord in me for some reason. Especially the lines "jangle and dangle as the old guitar sings" and "like me and you, he's trying to get into things more happy than blue". Which is one of the great things Gordon Lightfoot does, writing songs with universal themes that everyone can identify with.

Cold On The Shoulder-This is another one that hits me emotionally hard. Gordon sings about the innocence that is lost as we go through life.

Rainy Day People-A song about true friendship.

Sundown-One time I was in a relationship where I knew my girlfriend was deceiving me. I could relate very easily to this song at the time.

Wreck Of The Edmund Fitzgerald-Heartwrenching, one of the greatest songs ever recorded. Period



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Look into his shiny eyes and if you see a ghost don't be surprised......Listen to the strings. That jangle and dangle while the old guitar sings.

The lake it is said never gives up her dead, when the gales of November come early.

[sjmcabee]

I've loved Gordon since a kid in the 70's. All of 'em; "If You could Read My Mind"; "Sundown"; "Carefree Highway" " The Wreck...".... it wasn't until I picked up Gord's Gold, and some of his others that I understood. Its easier for me to say that maybe, there are one or two that I'm not crazy about, instead of spending the day listing each one of my favorites.
Gordon!!!!See you in Keene, New Hampshire.
Paul from Rhode Island...

[NewRhythm]

Hello!
I would say "Softly" has been my fav. for a while. Although I'm not the cheatin' kind I can almost picture what she looks like. I can visualize the whole song as if it were real. I can almost see her lips in the shadows and that perfume.....Not many songs can yank you into a dreamworld. This one does it for me. The other one I like is "Beautiful" which I attempt to sing to my wife!

[thumbs]

like many of you, I have countless favorite GL songs. I think that my favorite album would have to be Sundown. There are many great songs that have real musical character. I'm talking about songs like Seven Island Suite, Is There Anyone Home, and The Watchmans Gone, among others. I also like Summer Side of Life. I love 'Miguel.' There all great!

"...But that was so long ago that I can scarcely feel the way I felt before, and if time could heal the wounds, then I would tear the threads away, that I might bleed some more..."

GL

[This message has been edited by potter (edited March 29, 2000).]

[Kenton]

Gordon Lightfoot has so many good tunes that I could never pick one but among my guitar playing friends Steel Rail Blues is pretty much on everybodys list. I mean the original version not the one on Gord's Gold. A lot of players like Alberta Bound also.I've always enjoyed Redwood Hill, Brave Mountaineers and 10 Degrees and Gettin Colder to play on guitar. I was very ill one winter and confined to bed for 10 days the only thing I could do was listen to a radio. I was 14 years old at the time . A local station played If You Could Read My Mind a couple of times a day and that was a time I looked forward to and I forgot about my pain for those few minutes when that song played. That was my inroduction to Gordon Lightfoot.Christian Island is another one of those songs that takes me away to another place and paints pictures in my mind so srongly that I feel transported to the place Gord is singing about and I'm onboard ship with him sailing down the western wind and liking the mood I'm in. Brave Mountaineers makes me feel like a young boy again and the scenes Gordon describes are very much like my own childhood. The run of great albulms from Summer Side Of Life,Don Q.,Old Dan's,and Sundown is so strong that few other singer-songwriters come close except fellow Canadiens Neil Young and Joni Mitchell and the great body of work Elton John put together in the 70's and Bob Dylans run in the 60's. Gordon Lightfoot is truly one of the greatest as singer,songwriter,performer and what a natural God given voice! I saw many concerts in the 70's at the Syria Mosque in Pittsburgh, Pa. but my favorite was 75 or 76 I can't remember for sure. I think it was the tour to promote Cold On The Shoulder and I witnessed something at Gord's show that I had never seen before. During any show the police or security guards would look bored out of their minds or dead serious about being the authority figures in charge. At that show I actually saw them listen and respond to Gordon Lightfoot like he was their grandson stopping by to sing a few tunes. They were just mesmerized by his performance as we all were. I remember telling my friends that it felt like we were all in this big living room and Gordon was giving a private concert to some old friends. I guess that's what it was. I remember a fan had done an oil painting on a huge canvass and presented to Gordon during the show. Also,Gordon brought his daughter out to sit on the piano bench with him while he sang Fine As Fine Can Be to her. It seemed like she was about 10 years old at the time but my memory might be off there. What I do remember is it was my favorite Syria Mosque show. They tore down the Mosque some years ago but they're not getting that show from me, I'm gonna carry that one with me till I'm tore down. It's the Same Old Loverman signing off for now. I could go on and on about the man and his music but so could you so I'll Go My Way.

[chris]

Kenton,
Can I just say that was a great post! I have the same memory of hearing IYCRMM and being transfixed and sort of coming of age in the 70s with Gordon Lightfoot and all that great music and the great concerts. I never saw him play the piano in concert. Maybe some day. Some of my favorite songs come off the Cold on the... album with the beutiful piano playing. Your post really took me back. Thanks.

chris

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"It took most of my time to do what never was done" -- GL

[regression@hotmail.com]

My favorite Lightfoot song would be,"If you could read my mind" Because the mind is so deep and complex, yet it does have all of lifes answers. Yet we spend so much times asking silly questions and arguing over slight misunderstandings.It would be so much easier if we all knew exactly what was on the other persons mind.

[Wes Steele]

To the above post:

It would be no fun then....

Wes

[Dementyev]

Don Quixtoe- if you've every actually read the enough of the book (I did the entire unabridged version) this song seems to capture a good portion of the overall mood of the entire book, its uncanny. The part about 'shouting across the ocean to the shore till he can shout no more' and 'in vain to search again' are the most obvious elements, but its a lot more than that.

[Dementyev]

Don Quixtoe- if you've every actually read the enough of the book (I did the entire unabridged version) this song seems to capture a good portion of the overall mood of the entire book, its uncanny. The part about 'shouting across the ocean to the shore till he can shout no more' and 'in vain to search again' are the most obvious elements, but its a lot more than that.

[dill23]

I have to go with NewRhythm on this one. I do every song in the catalog and Softly is by far the one that does it for me. He's right, from a mans' point of view your damn lucky if just once in your life you can experience this kind of a love or event. Thank God there are women in the world who have the kindness of heart to give a man this, even if it only happens once, he'll carry it with him the rest of his life.

Rob Wells

"Whispers the breeze in her passing..."

[Rob Wells]

I have to go with NewRhythm on this one. I do every song in the catalog and Softly is by far the one that does it for me. He's right, from a mans' point of view your damn lucky if just once in your life you can experience this kind of a love or event. Thank God there are women in the world who have the kindness of heart to give a man this, even if it only happens once, he'll carry it with him the rest of his life.

Rob Wells

"Whispers the breeze in her passing..."

[Jennifer]

My favorite GL song is
Seven Island Suite.
He really hits the heart of matters
there.
Could listen to it over & over.

[Algeh]

WRECK OF EDMUND FITZGERALD.
I've always heard the song while growing up, just never really paid any mind to it. Then one night I was watching a documentary on PBS on the Fitzgerald, and Gord's song was playing throughout the documentary. I was really in tune to the ship and how the crew and captain felt while going through the ordeal. Gordon was able to capture that feeling and put it into words and rhyme with the right mix of twangle and jangle. Since that night, Gordon Lightfoot has been top on my list of favorite artist. I'm still learning about him and his music, but the more I learn, the more I relate, understand, and appreciate. Thanks for the opputunity.
P.S.
When or will Gord ever come south (New Orleans, Baton Rouge area)?
thanks - Earl

[earlybird]

WRECK OF EDMUND FITZGERALD.
I've always heard the song while growing up, just never really paid any mind to it. Then one night I was watching a documentary on PBS on the Fitzgerald, and Gord's song was playing throughout the documentary. I was really in tune to the ship and how the crew and captain felt while going through the ordeal. Gordon was able to capture that feeling and put it into words and rhyme with the right mix of twangle and jangle. Since that night, Gordon Lightfoot has been top on my list of favorite artist. I'm still learning about him and his music, but the more I learn, the more I relate, understand, and appreciate. Thanks for the opputunity.
P.S.
When or will Gord ever come south (New Orleans, Baton Rouge area)?
thanks - Earl

[DJL]

Too many to mention them all but:
'Sit Down Young Stranger' by far the best out and out folk song.
'Redwood Hill' I think the best of the country style songs.
'Seven Island Suite' not sure which category this fits into but this is my overall favourite - for now anyway.
My favourite album must be 'Sundown' all great songs with much variety.

[A Painter]

Too many to mention them all but:
'Sit Down Young Stranger' by far the best out and out folk song.
'Redwood Hill' I think the best of the country style songs.
'Seven Island Suite' not sure which category this fits into but this is my overall favourite - for now anyway.
My favourite album must be 'Sundown' all great songs with much variety.

[BigFitz]

I am a firm believer in the dynamic and everchanging Lightfoot favorite, but I just realized that I really really love "The Watchman's Gone". Sometimes when I hear that song, I am just totally surprised that radio stations don't play it constantly. Mr. Potter had a really good point in another discussion forum, when he mentioned an all Gordo radio station. Wow, that would be amazing! Further, I have to agree with "A Painter". "Seven Island Suite" is truly an amazing piece of literature, set to brilliant music! I was recently asked by some young Lightfoot fans, "This music is great, but what would you call it?" Naturally I responded, "It's just the genius known as Lightfoot", but the question prompted deeper thought. as "A Painter" points out, he bridges many types of musical artistry. While I'd classify him by and large as a folk artist, his greatness certainly transcends boundaries.

"As I leave you in the sunset
Got one more nothi' I'd like to say
'You don't know me
A son of the sea am I'"
-GL

[bobo]

I am a firm believer in the dynamic and everchanging Lightfoot favorite, but I just realized that I really really love "The Watchman's Gone". Sometimes when I hear that song, I am just totally surprised that radio stations don't play it constantly. Mr. Potter had a really good point in another discussion forum, when he mentioned an all Gordo radio station. Wow, that would be amazing! Further, I have to agree with "A Painter". "Seven Island Suite" is truly an amazing piece of literature, set to brilliant music! I was recently asked by some young Lightfoot fans, "This music is great, but what would you call it?" Naturally I responded, "It's just the genius known as Lightfoot", but the question prompted deeper thought. as "A Painter" points out, he bridges many types of musical artistry. While I'd classify him by and large as a folk artist, his greatness certainly transcends boundaries.

"As I leave you in the sunset
Got one more nothi' I'd like to say
'You don't know me
A son of the sea am I'"
-GL

[thumbs]

My favorite song today is Rainbow Trout from, I believe, from Cold On The Shoulder.

'She said, please, please, I've lost my way, the current is too strong. In the name of love kind sir I pray, in the name of love.'

GL

[potter]

My favorite song today is Rainbow Trout from, I believe, from Cold On The Shoulder.

'She said, please, please, I've lost my way, the current is too strong. In the name of love kind sir I pray, in the name of love.'

GL

[john]

Yarmouth Castle is a great one. I can really feel that old rusty boat catching on fire. Has to be one of my favorites although I'm pretty hooked on the whole new album(Painter Passing Through)

It's nice to read all these great posts!

[chris]

Potter,
I'm with you on Rainbow Trout. I could listen to that over and over and over... COTS is one of my favorite albums. When I hear it I always wonder what kind of mind could come up with such a song. The line about that goes all dolled up like a blue eyed pup looking for something to spill... also great.

chris

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"It took most of my time to do what never was done" -- GL

[Roger]

I like pretty much everything, of course...but I thought I'd mention some of my particular favorites, especially the ones that no one else has mentioned yet. I really, really like the songs In A Windowpane and Apology from Sunday Concert. I'm in this incredibly complicated relationship with someone right now, and at various points, the lines
"wanting someone to be with me in the light of this uncertain time
waiting by the window for the man inside to please make up his mind"
(from In A Windowpane) and the lines
"But I could not go inside
I heard the sound of laughter
and the rustle of her hair upon his skin"
(from Apology)
really reasonated with me. I also really like "Walls". And anything from Don Quixote or Dream Street Rose will always remind me of riding around in the car with my mother when I was a little girl...we bought everything on records, and dad made a tape with one album on one side and the other one on the other, and it lived in our car for months. I can make a semi-credible attempt at singing pretty much anything off those albums...well, except for Auctioneer....never did quite catch all the lyrics in the chanted part...I swear, singing along with Gordon Lightfoot tapes all these years is probably why my voice is so low now....

Oh, I also very much like the song "Affair On 8th Avenue" I'm not entirely sure why, but the lines
"how long, said she
can a moment like this
belong to someone
what is wrong, what is right
when to live or to die
we must almost be born"
really seem to stick in my head....I'm not entirely sure what they mean, but they stick there all the same. Why is it so easy to remember Gordon Lightfoot lyrics and so diffcult to remember my PIN number? *sigh*.

[Laurie]

My favorite GL song is "Minstrel of the Dawn." I was 13 years old the first time I heard it, about 17 years ago. It was the first song that hit me right between the eyes as far as lyrics go. The freedom it describes is something I have craved and pondered for many years. Since then, music and song lyrics, all different kinds, have been the bridges that connect all the parts of my life. For every experience I've had, good and bad, there are song lyrics that help me to understand my life better. Many of Gordon's songs have helped me in this way. "Minstrel of the Dawn" was the first. I've been reading a great deal lately about Woody Guthrie - does anyone know if "Minstrel" was written about anyone in particular? It could've been written about Woody. He was a great champion of songs that help us to understand our world. At any rate, I love this song, and it makes me think about true freedom every time I hear it. The freedom of "just wanting life and nothing more."

Laurie
watersedge7@yahoo.com

[M.A.]

I have far too many favorite Lightfoot tunes. It depends entirely on my attitude and mood on a given day. Right now, I'm in the mood to hear "Restless." Beautiful song. One of the best of 1990s Gordon (and an excellent concert tune.

[vlmagee]

To Laurie: I have always been certain that the minstrel Gordon was writing about in Minstrel Of The Dawn is himself. Read through the lyrics with that in mind, and see if you don't agree.

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Valerie Magee

[A Painter]

Laurie / Val,
I must admit, I always thought 'Minstrel' was about Gordon but now you've got me thinking - Dylan or Guthrie - perhaps? No, it must be about Him. Although D & G were both great song writers, I would not class them as Minstrels. Could they make the guitar sing (or ring)? I'm sure that if the song was about someone else, it would have got a mention in the sleeve notes - if it was about Him, it probably wouldn't.


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"some people join the party, and others say goodnight"

[vlmagee]

Further evidence re: Minstrel. Notice that he is also the "ghost" in If You Could Read My Mind, on the same album. Surely there is no doubt that IYCRMM is about him!

------------------
Valerie Magee

[A Painter]

Val,
Although I would love to agree with you, I'm not sure it's as simple as that. When writing songs it is very easy to fall into the trap of using words, a collection of words, or chord sequences that work well. Think about, or listen to:
"now it's midnight on the open sea and the moon is shining bright..." (Yarmouth Castle), then listen to "when it's midnight on the meadow and the cats are in the shed..." (Pony Man). Somewhat alike?
Proves nothing I know - except that re-cycling can't be bad!


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"some people join the party, and others say goodnight"

[Elton fan in USA]

How about "Too many clues in this room"? I know that is an odd choice for favorite song, but the guitars sound scary to me. If I was a musician, I would love to play that tune.

[jrehfeld@ptialaska.net]

At one of the many Gordon Lightfoot concerts I attended I was lucky enough to have procured front row center seats. When the people around me started to shout out names of songs as requests, I threw caution to the wind and requested that he sing, Hail Hero. I have only heard the song one time as it was the opening track to a movie of the same title. (With Michael Douglas as a young vet returning home from the Viet Nam conflict if I remember correctly.) To this day I am certain that Mr. Lightfoot heard me because he looked straight at me and gave me a very strange look...like, "Where in the world did you dig that up?" The movie ended with Wherefore and Why. Hail Hero, may not be my favorite GL tune and I am not even sure that he wrote it, but I would very much like to hear it again because I believe it is the one single recorded GL tune that I have heard only one time. I would love it if someone could shed some light on my dilemma.
...My favorite GL tune? Would have to say, Sit Down Young Stranger. I played it for a person who needed my help and in a small way it enabled us to connect.
"We treated him so badly
How could he wish us well" Kurt.

[vlmagee]

Hail Hero is discussed at length in another thread. The only place you will find it is in the movie soundtrack. The movie is long out of print, but copies are sold regularly at Ebay (they usually go for about $20). Lightfoot wrote the lyrics only.

He probably looked at you the way he did (I think that's called a "withering" look) because he thought you were nuts* to ask for that one. (He is not one to keep his feelings hidden). He has often said that he submitted three songs for that movie; and that they chose Hail Hero and left the two best for him. What were the other two? Why they were Sit Down Young Stranger and Don Quixote. (I have asked him for SDYS several times. He was doing it in concert in 1998, and he read my request and did it for me both times that I asked).

*I am NOT making fun of you at all. I like Hail Hero too!

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Valerie Magee

[CraigArtzner]

I'd have to say my favorite Lightfoot song is "Rainy Day People" off Gord's 1975 release "Cold On the Shoulder." This was the first song of his that I listened to (I heard it on an a.m. radio station) and it's the one that made me get out my uncle's old reel-to-reels and listen to more songs. Eventually I found myself buying the albums that I didn't already have on reels.

[Rage]

my fave song is 'if you could read my mind' it's haunting and brilliant. I love it

Love,
Ben, Leicester England

[Rage]

my fave song is 'if you could read my mind' it's haunting and brilliant. I love it

Love,
Ben, Leicester England

[T young]

quote:Originally posted by bobo:
I am a firm believer in the dynamic and everchanging Lightfoot favorite, but I just realized that I really really love "The Watchman's Gone". Sometimes when I hear that song, I am just totally surprised that radio stations don't play it constantly. Mr. Potter had a really good point in another discussion forum, when he mentioned an all Gordo radio station. Wow, that would be amazing! Further, I have to agree with "A Painter". "Seven Island Suite" is truly an amazing piece of literature, set to brilliant music! I was recently asked by some young Lightfoot fans, "This music is great, but what would you call it?" Naturally I responded, "It's just the genius known as Lightfoot", but the question prompted deeper thought. as "A Painter" points out, he bridges many types of musical artistry. While I'd classify him by and large as a folk artist, his greatness certainly transcends boundaries.

"As I leave you in the sunset
Got one more nothi' I'd like to say
'You don't know me
A son of the sea am I'"
-GL

[T young]

quote:Originally posted by bobo:
I am a firm believer in the dynamic and everchanging Lightfoot favorite, but I just realized that I really really love "The Watchman's Gone". Sometimes when I hear that song, I am just totally surprised that radio stations don't play it constantly. Mr. Potter had a really good point in another discussion forum, when he mentioned an all Gordo radio station. Wow, that would be amazing! Further, I have to agree with "A Painter". "Seven Island Suite" is truly an amazing piece of literature, set to brilliant music! I was recently asked by some young Lightfoot fans, "This music is great, but what would you call it?" Naturally I responded, "It's just the genius known as Lightfoot", but the question prompted deeper thought. as "A Painter" points out, he bridges many types of musical artistry. While I'd classify him by and large as a folk artist, his greatness certainly transcends boundaries.

"As I leave you in the sunset
Got one more nothi' I'd like to say
'You don't know me
A son of the sea am I'"
-GL

[Teresa]

The Watchman's Gone is a wonderful song. I love many, many Lightfoot songs and it is very hard to pick just one song - but the Watchman's Gone never got the play it deserved on the radio. Gordon Lightfoot songs define who I was, and am.

quote:Originally posted by bobo:
I am a firm believer in the dynamic and everchanging Lightfoot favorite, but I just realized that I really really love "The Watchman's Gone". Sometimes when I hear that song, I am just totally surprised that radio stations don't play it constantly. Mr. Potter had a really good point in another discussion forum, when he mentioned an all Gordo radio station. Wow, that would be amazing! Further, I have to agree with "A Painter". "Seven Island Suite" is truly an amazing piece of literature, set to brilliant music! I was recently asked by some young Lightfoot fans, "This music is great, but what would you call it?" Naturally I responded, "It's just the genius known as Lightfoot", but the question prompted deeper thought. as "A Painter" points out, he bridges many types of musical artistry. While I'd classify him by and large as a folk artist, his greatness certainly transcends boundaries.

"As I leave you in the sunset
Got one more nothi' I'd like to say
'You don't know me
A son of the sea am I'"
-GL

[Teresa]

The Watchman's Gone is a wonderful song. I love many, many Lightfoot songs and it is very hard to pick just one song - but the Watchman's Gone never got the play it deserved on the radio. Gordon Lightfoot songs define who I was, and am.

quote:Originally posted by bobo:
I am a firm believer in the dynamic and everchanging Lightfoot favorite, but I just realized that I really really love "The Watchman's Gone". Sometimes when I hear that song, I am just totally surprised that radio stations don't play it constantly. Mr. Potter had a really good point in another discussion forum, when he mentioned an all Gordo radio station. Wow, that would be amazing! Further, I have to agree with "A Painter". "Seven Island Suite" is truly an amazing piece of literature, set to brilliant music! I was recently asked by some young Lightfoot fans, "This music is great, but what would you call it?" Naturally I responded, "It's just the genius known as Lightfoot", but the question prompted deeper thought. as "A Painter" points out, he bridges many types of musical artistry. While I'd classify him by and large as a folk artist, his greatness certainly transcends boundaries.

"As I leave you in the sunset
Got one more nothi' I'd like to say
'You don't know me
A son of the sea am I'"
-GL

[JayK]

quote:Originally posted by Paul J. B.:
I would have to say I don't know my favorite GL song. There are so many that I could call my favorites, but right now I will say Hi'way Songs. Its just a great song to drive to. I spend alot of time driving. I first heard this song when I got his box set. tomorrow I'll probably have a new favorite, so I'll have something else to talk about.

Paul J.B.-Given you spend a lot of time driving,you might like "Long Thin Dawn" and/or "Mountains and Maryann"

[JayK]

quote:Originally posted by Paul J. B.:
I would have to say I don't know my favorite GL song. There are so many that I could call my favorites, but right now I will say Hi'way Songs. Its just a great song to drive to. I spend alot of time driving. I first heard this song when I got his box set. tomorrow I'll probably have a new favorite, so I'll have something else to talk about.

Paul J.B.-Given you spend a lot of time driving,you might like "Long Thin Dawn" and/or "Mountains and Maryann"

[Jim]

JayK I would have to say I love that song. It is just one of many of his great driving songs. I forget wich post it is, but I made mention of that song in a post I made recently. I appreciate your response greatly.It is always great to hear from someone else who likes Gordon as much as myself. Keep on listening.

------------------
"If people could look into each other's eyes
What a wonderful place this world would be"
GL

[Paul J B]

JayK I would have to say I love that song. It is just one of many of his great driving songs. I forget wich post it is, but I made mention of that song in a post I made recently. I appreciate your response greatly.It is always great to hear from someone else who likes Gordon as much as myself. Keep on listening.

------------------
"If people could look into each other's eyes
What a wonderful place this world would be"
GL

[BigFitz]

Theresa - I'm glad to hear you agree about the "Watchman"!

I recently heard a classic and was reminded again of why I love Gord's music so. That song is the beautiful picture painted in words and music called, "Song For a Winter's Night". His work is so prolific, that it's actually possible to forget about great songs like this, and then when you stumble upon them again, you feel the excitement of discovery all over again. This song really showcases his ability to make the listener feel as though they are really there. His descriptions of every detail - the light, the fire, the weather - even the level in his glass - really makes you understand his point. Actually, surprisingly enough, I heard this song was written in a hotel room during a rainstorm in Cleveland!

Another long time favorite of mine is surely the lesser known "On Susan's Floor". The warmth his voice conveys when he tells this wonderful musical story is touching. Susan must have been a fantastic person. I find that his music inspires that same comfortable and welcoming feeling he describes her home as providing.

"In the mornin' I'd go on
Buyin kingdoms with my songs
Knowin' I'd be back in just awhile"
-GL

[Steve]

Now I hate to be a wet blanket, but "On Susan's Floor" was one of those rarities - GL singing someone else's song - in this case the late, indeed great Shel Silverstein. That Don Quixote album is perhaps the best thing he's ever done, though as has been pointed out it was part of an incredible run in the early to mid 70s. "Don Quixote" is likely my favorite song, but there are loads of other heavy contenders - "Miguel," "Go My Way" - oh if I get started I could go for days...

[Simone]

Whoa! "On Susan's Floor" not a Lightfoot song? This comes as a shock, as that is one of my favorites, and it really seemed like a Gord song to me .

"The Watchman's Gone" is another favorite. (Trying to pick just one is like trying to eat one potato chip.) There have been a few occasions when I found myself driving on a wide open road with the sun shining and that song comes on my cassette player, and it practically lifts me and the entire car up into the ether. I confess I don't know what the song is really about, maybe someone can tell me, but the line, "It feels so good knowing the watchman's gone," has spoken to me when I was having a rare moment of delicious freedom amid a hectic schedule. I'm also fond of the lines,

"There's a train down at the station
come to carry my bones away"

and

"If you find me feeding daisies
please turn my face up to the sky"

These seem to be about death but somehow in a good-natured way (forgive me if I'm getting this wrong) and they carry such powerful images.

[steve]

On Susan's Floor describes a woman who actually took in many young struggling folk and country singers. GL told the story at a concert in Buffalo in the mid 70's

[fezo]

Now I'm the first Steve that posted about "On Susan's Floor," but not the second. Obviously Gordon has many fans named Steve.

Oh, I've always thought that "The Watchman's Out" is one of his most under appreciated song. Sundown may be that rarity of rarities of a performer's best work also being his most popular.

Let's see - other really underappreciated songs... "Long Way Back Home" from "Back Here on Earth," "Black Day in July," probably because it's considred dated, but I played it one night during the Ridney King riots and folks found it quite up to date), "Ordinary Man" from Don Quixote....and on it goes....

"Oh say can you see
My best friend is me
I'm a friend I can use"

"It's that lonesome, restless feeling
That you feel unfer the gun
And it leads me to the highway
But it keeps my body warm."

GL

[Bob from Westphalia, Mich]

Without a doubt, my favorite is The Wreck Of The Edmund Fitzgerald. Although no one will ever truely know the thoughts of Captain Ernest McSorley and his crew of 28 brave men, or even if they knew what hit them till they found themselves some 500 feet below the surface of Lake Superior, Gordon tells, what I believe to be, a very realistic tale of what may have happened on November 10th, 1975.

The closest ship to the Fitzgerald, on that fateful night, was the Arthur M. Anderson with Captain Bernie Cooper at the wheel. The last words heard by Cooper, from the Fitzgerald were "We're holding our own". Then there was silence. What exactly caused the Fitzgerald to go under has been greatly scrutinized, and still is to this day. With literally thousands and thousands of sunken ships laying on the bottom of the Great Lakes.....if it weren't for Gordon Lightfoot, would the sinking of the S.S. Edmund Fitzgerald be as popular as it is.....I think not. God Bless you Captain McSorley and crew, and God Bless all who've lost their lives on the Lakes.

------------------
The house you live in will never fall down, if you pity the stranger that stands at your door.....GL

[Simone]

"It's that lonesome, restless feeling
That you feel under the gun
And it leads me to the highway
But it keeps my body warm."

GL

Yeah, I agree Fezo. "Ordinary Man" ranks right up there as a great GL song. I've always particularly loved those lines you included from the song about the "lonesome, restless feeling" and the highway. And I really enjoy the guitars in that song.....as I do in so many GL songs!

[fezo]

On the Edmund Fitzgerald - good points. The amazing thing to me is that after all these years (it will be 25 years in November) and underwater robots and what have you the conclusions on the cause are as follows:

"She might have broke up
Or she might have capsized
She may have broke deep and took water."

Amazing. I've read loads on the Fitzgerald ("Big Fitz" they called it) and have seen "the faces and the names" and it amazes me how well GL nailed that in so short a time. In a post somewhere else around here I mentioned that I had the privledge to see him (one of many times) in late November of 1975. He started talking a little bit about the Fitzgerald, starting playing chords on his guitar and muttering some half formed verses and then said "it's something I'm working on." When I picked up "Summertime Dream" the day it was released I ws stunned with what had happened with "what he was working on." He had the basic structure of the song figured out and had let a capacity crowd at Avery Fisher Hall inside the songwriter's mind for half a minute. I will never forget that.

[vlmagee]

Wow fezo! That's a wonderful memory. At Wayne Francis' web site he lists the Avery Fisher Hall concerts in 1975 as on 11/21 and 11/22. I think the 22nd was the Saturday ... the song was inspired by the Newsweek article in the issue dated 11/24, and I think that it hit the newstands on the Saturday before the cover date. (Lightfoot has also said that he read the article 12 days after the shipwreck, having first heard about it on TV the evening it happened).

That means that he played a bit of it for you on the day he decided to write it! Amazing. Then he went home, finished it in a couple of days, and recorded it for posterity.

------------------
Valerie Magee

[fezo]

quote:Originally posted by steve:
On Susan's Floor describes a woman who actually took in many young struggling folk and country singers. GL told the story at a concert in Buffalo in the mid 70's

That's true. I asked him once about 'Susan' and he told me the same story.

------------------

[Simone]

Right now, this is an easy question. Tomorrow, it will be a hard one. As my musical tastes evolve and my life ever changes, my love for different Lightfoot songs seem to change. That is the beauty of his music. I am glad there has been many postings regarding "Minstrel of the Dawn."
Right now, that one does it for me. I sometimes think it is autobiographical, yet other times I wonder. I guess I can sum it up by quoting one line from "Minstrel."
...AND IF YOU MEET HIM YOU WILL BE, THE VICTIM OF HIS MINSTREL SEED... This has happened to all of us, if not in person, in our minds and in our hearts. Thanks Gord.

[Hannah]

My favorite Gordon Lightfoot song is the Canadian Railroad Trilogy. The song appeals to me threefold. The first reason is the rythm. He has perfectly captured the rythim of a train on guitar. The second is that he captured a piece of history. Rarely is this part of history captured in music. The popular media for railroad history is film or book. And the third reason I like this song is personal. I grew up idolizing my father and his love for the railroad. It brings back many memories of my father's late nights building his model railroad.

[rainydayperson]

A lot of emphasis has been placed on the Man's words, and indeed they are brilliant, but for me the whole package includes the music, and we forget sometimes how gifted a musical brain we're dealing with. Can I suggest three songs that have not been mentioned much? Spanish Moss, Looking at the Rain and Now and Then. They have a common thread of love lost - and marvellous use of major seventh chords. The chord sequence in Spanish Moss I could play all day, and the way major sevenths come in the middle of the other two really reinforces the mellow mood.
GL is certainly master musical composer, carefully selecting the right chords, melody and rhythm for each song/story. I love his maj7, m7, sus4, and come to think of it, any other chord he uses!

------------------
Bless you all and keep you on the road to better things

[Longboarder32]

My favorite Lightfoot tune is 10 DEGREES AND GETTING COLDER, it is such a good song. I am just a Lightfoot fan, but I think that song is awesome.

[Anne]

Beautiful and The Last Time I Saw Her are two of my perennial favorites. It all depends on what is happening in my life at the time. I first heart GL in 1968 when my older brother brought home a recording of Softly and CRT. I fell in love with the man, his music and lyrics at that time, when I was only in 7th grade!

I am newly registed, and have been following this site since last November. I can't believe how lucky I am to find fans that feel the same way about this man who has meant so much to me throughout my life. I hope to hear from many of you, including lams, Chris, Florian, Val, etc. You all have so much to offer in the way of information, interesting tidbits, etc. I just saw Gord in Lincoln City, Oregon on April 14, and it was great, as usual. I have been to 7-8 concerts over the years, have not always been close to a venue, but lately have decided to take the time to seek him out, no matter where he is. My husband and I traveled over 6 hours to make it to Lincoln City. My only disappointment with Lincoln City was that Gord only sang for a little less than 90 minutes, and took no intermission, which he usually seems to do. He seemed a bit tired at first, but warmed up nicely. He had two shows to do the next day, so maybe he was pacing himself. Unfortunately I couldn't stay for the next day. I would be interested in hearing from anyone who saw him on April 14 or 15. There has been a lot of discussion at this site about Gord's voice changing over the years. I agree, but haven't we all had a few changes? I saw him at the Universal Amphitheater in Universal Studios, Cal, in the mid-70's, where he was, unfortunately, struggling with his issues with alcohol at the time, and he had a lot of trouble remembering many of the lyrics to his songs. Many songs went unfinished at that concert, and he and the band just started up with another one each time he got off track. I would rather see him today, sober and a little older and wiser, than during those difficult times in the past, even if the voice is not as deep and resonant as it has been in the past. I have loved ones who have triumphed over addictions, and I can't say how much I admire their tenacity and strength in overcoming such a difficult time in their lives. "Hats off to you, Gord", you will always have my admiration for all that you have accomplished, both personally and professionally!

[This message has been edited by Anne (edited April 20, 2000).]

[Roxane in Texas]

It's interesting to me to read all the comments about this artist who has touched my heart and soul for so many years. As many of you note, it's hard to think of a Lightfoot song that's not really wonderful. One of my personal favorites, though, is Old Dan's Records--it ignites appealing images of simpler times and a sense of continuity that comes through in all his music. Christian Island is another favorite as are The Last Time I Saw Her and Beautiful. Thanks to Mr. Lightfoot for so many years of such beautiful music.

[jay]

At about 12 or 13 years of age, I recall sitting in our car on a cold and gray South Dakota morning while my father went into a store to do some errand. The most beautiful song was played on the car radio: I waited anxiously for the DJ to tell me the name of the song and the artust. But he never did.

Years later, as a 19 year old in the summer of 1975, I went to a record store in Minneapolis to see what they had on Gordon Lightfoot> I had heard some of his popular songs and wanted to hear more. So I come to this album titled "The Very Best of Gordon Lightfoot" and think that is just what I need, a greatest hits album. Iflipped it over and began to read titles: Did She Nention My Name, I'm Not Sayin',Canadian Railroad Trilogy, Walls, Wherefore and Why, and other songs that I hadn't heard of.

And then I saw it. The fourth song on side two. I knew it had to be the song from long ago on that cold and blustery day. "The Last Time I Saw Her."

I listened to that album countless times and soon began adding others to my collection. And Gord has been a favorite ever since. But for all of Gord's songs that I have loved, many of them mentioned in other posts, none can ever match the affection I have for "The Last Time I Saw Her."

"Resting on the frozen ground
The seeds of love lie cold and still
Beneath a battered marking stone
It lies forgotten."

Don't we all have such a stone somewhere in our hearts?


________
COLORADO DISPENSARY (http://colorado.dispensaries.org/)

[2Much2Lose]

Jay,
What a beautiful story!

My current favorite premiered on Songbook, "Too Much To Lose," and in particular, the lyric "the dustcloud on the edge of town is me."

But it's probably my favorite because the newly released oldies on Songbook allowed me to travel back to the early Lightfoot years and hear his great lyrics sung when he still had a great voice. Not that I mind his current voice, but time has taken somewhat of a toll.

More objectively, "Beautiful" is my alltime favorite, "IYCRMM" I could listen to forever, and my favorite song when I'm driving a long distance is "Alberta Bound" (even if I'm headed the other direction).

Although I loved IYCRMM, when that song came out I rarely shelled out for an album when I only liked one song and IYCRMM was the only single I knew from that album. Ironically, the song that hooked me was GL's version of "Me and Bobby McGee," which I already knew of thru Pearl's (Janice Joplin) very different recording. I remember listening to GL's version in a record store, then waiting to hear the next song (Approaching Lavender). When I loved that song, I proceeded to listen to half the album in the record store. I promptly bought it.

The other song that hooked me was "Canadian Railroad Trilogy." A friend of mine could play and sing it pretty well, and I used to love to sing along. Still do, nearly thirty years laters.

Best regards, 2Much2Lose

[This message has been edited by 2Much2Lose (edited May 14, 2000).]

[Seven Islander]

My favorite song, after listening to GL and playing his songs on my old Yamaha guitar for 27 years, is Seven Islands Suite. The chord progression is very dramatic. Lyrically it is exciting too-I can see the fiery autumn colors and smell the harbor smells. I am landlocked here in Wyoming and it was GL who first opened my imagination to the Sea. All of his sea ballads are marvelous-the Edmund Fitz, the Yarmouth Castle, Christian Island...and I can't take a sip of good Scotch without thinking of GL somehow.

[jay]

I posted my sentimental favorite above. And I have read (again) all of the other posts, and I am a little surprised at the relative lack of attention paid to the following songs:
Canadian Railroad Trilogy: powerful subject, powerful music, powerful lyrics, and powerful performance. Didn't I read once that he wrote it for Expo 68? Just a GREAT song right up to the climax ("ON the mountaintops we stand/ All the world at our command/ We have opened up the soil? With our teardops . . . and out toil!!!) Then the repeat of the first verse and the haunting ending. I hav e probably listened to this song more than any other, and LOUDLY!!

Early Morning Rain: A great song that gave Gord one of his early hands up the ladder.

The Way I Feel: Either version. I will never get tired of hearing this song.

Carefree Highway: One of the best songs off of the most popular album. Vintage Gord.

Like most of you you, the problem here is where to start and where to end. The list of great songs goes on . . .


________
Marijuana medical (http://medicalmarijuana.us/)

[MDLemmer]

Been listening to Gordon since childhood, and I love them all, but Welcome To Try on WFY really moves me. It sounded too much like my own life at the time. I wonder what prompted GL to write that one. I was in alot of pain at the time. Saw Gordon in Cheyenne WY in fall of '94, what a great show. And how cool to see his band all together after all these years!

[jayws]

I have been a fan for my entire 26 years and I agree that it is very hard to choose one, but I think Shadows would have to be right there.

[jayws]

I have been a fan for my entire 26 years and I agree that it is very hard to choose one, but I think Shadows would have to be right there.

[Dickman]

My favorite Gordon Lightfoot song was one that wasn't written by him. But no one has covered "Me & Bobby McGee" better than Gordon Lightfoot did. Not even Janis Joplin's cover surpasses Lightfoot's rendition of Kris Kristoffserson's country classic. Check it out on the "Sit Down Young Stranger" album. I also Don Quixote--one of the first songs I learned to play on the guitar. Great song!

[Steve R]

My favorite Gordon Lightfoot song was one that wasn't written by him. But no one has covered "Me & Bobby McGee" better than Gordon Lightfoot did. Not even Janis Joplin's cover surpasses Lightfoot's rendition of Kris Kristoffserson's country classic. Check it out on the "Sit Down Young Stranger" album. I also Don Quixote--one of the first songs I learned to play on the guitar. Great song!

[WillieMaysFan]

This is my first reply as I just found the site and signed up. I don't know if there are others my age (24) who belong to the group, I find that there are not too many my age who even know who Gordon Lightfoot is. Well, as many of the replies stated, it is so difficult to pick a favorite Lightfoot song. When I think about it, I always come back to the song that caused me to go out and get my first lightfoot album.
Carefree Highway was one of those songs that I remember hearing on the radio when I was very young. I was too young to comprehend Lightfoot's music then, but his incredible sound stuck with me and one day I decided to get Gord's Gold since it also had Sundown and If You Could Read My Mind, the only Lightfoot songs I knew at the time. What a pot of gold (no pun intended) I stumbled onto. I didn't even realize at the time that the songs on that album were not original recordings. So now my Lightfoot collection has increased quite a bit and every time I get another of his albums I find another gem. This fact above all is what proves to me that he is the greatest songwriter ever and in my opinion the best singer as well (what a voice!).
So Carefree Highway wins for me because of the feeling that it evokes about the very early days of my life (I'm talking like 4 or 5 years old). My favorite line is right in the beginning, "...I wonder how the old folks are tonight.." It's hard to pu into words how that line makes me feel, it reminds me of simpler times and respect.
But there are so many great songs, one that I think is absolutely beautiful is Approaching Lavender. That song is the way I like to hear Lightfoot sing, I really like Sit Down Young Stranger for the same reason.
Well, if anyone bothered to read my two cents on the topic and my introduction of myself, thank-you. It is really nice to see how many people admire Lightfoot's work, still it doesn't seem that enough people appreciate his music. I will try not to be so long-winded in future replies.

[young stranger]

This is my first reply as I just found the site and signed up. I don't know if there are others my age (24) who belong to the group, I find that there are not too many my age who even know who Gordon Lightfoot is. Well, as many of the replies stated, it is so difficult to pick a favorite Lightfoot song. When I think about it, I always come back to the song that caused me to go out and get my first lightfoot album.
Carefree Highway was one of those songs that I remember hearing on the radio when I was very young. I was too young to comprehend Lightfoot's music then, but his incredible sound stuck with me and one day I decided to get Gord's Gold since it also had Sundown and If You Could Read My Mind, the only Lightfoot songs I knew at the time. What a pot of gold (no pun intended) I stumbled onto. I didn't even realize at the time that the songs on that album were not original recordings. So now my Lightfoot collection has increased quite a bit and every time I get another of his albums I find another gem. This fact above all is what proves to me that he is the greatest songwriter ever and in my opinion the best singer as well (what a voice!).
So Carefree Highway wins for me because of the feeling that it evokes about the very early days of my life (I'm talking like 4 or 5 years old). My favorite line is right in the beginning, "...I wonder how the old folks are tonight.." It's hard to pu into words how that line makes me feel, it reminds me of simpler times and respect.
But there are so many great songs, one that I think is absolutely beautiful is Approaching Lavender. That song is the way I like to hear Lightfoot sing, I really like Sit Down Young Stranger for the same reason.
Well, if anyone bothered to read my two cents on the topic and my introduction of myself, thank-you. It is really nice to see how many people admire Lightfoot's work, still it doesn't seem that enough people appreciate his music. I will try not to be so long-winded in future replies.

[paradoxides]

"...the thing that I call living is just being satisfied with knowing I've got no one left to blame...."

Y.S., I must say that seeing GL perform that song live was by far a highlight of my life. My dad and I are determined to go to Arizona one day, just to travel the carefree highway. I love that song, one of my all time favourites.

and yes, a little more investigation through the previous posts on this site will determine that there are many people around your age who are devoted GL fan (myself, at 22, included).

[Pirate Queen]

"...the thing that I call living is just being satisfied with knowing I've got no one left to blame...."

Y.S., I must say that seeing GL perform that song live was by far a highlight of my life. My dad and I are determined to go to Arizona one day, just to travel the carefree highway. I love that song, one of my all time favourites.

and yes, a little more investigation through the previous posts on this site will determine that there are many people around your age who are devoted GL fan (myself, at 22, included).

[page]

"Does anyone know where the love of God goes when the waves turn the minutes to hours?" - The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald -

This song especially resonates with me, having spent my first 18 years growing up and sailing on the east coast of Lake Michigan. I know first-hand how quickly weather conditions change on the mighty and powerful Great Lakes. Great Lakes freighters (ore carriers) were a daily part of my life during the time I lived in Michigan. In 1997, on a return trip to Michigan, my sister and I visited the Shipwreck Museum located at Whitefish Point, MI. This wonderful museum houses the bell recovered from the "Big Fitz". The bell is encased in glass, and is the focal point of the museum. Very moving... Thank you, Mr. Lightfoot, for the poignant way you have honored the 29 souls who perished that dreadful day, November 10, 1975, on Lake Gitche Gumee...

Another classic, "If You Could Read My Mind" continues to blow me away each time I hear it. I was living in Connecticut at the time, and was desperately trying to sort out what has turned out to be the most meaningful relationship of my life, when this song helped clarify certain aspects of this relationship, which eventually ended. Heard Gord perform this song at the Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford, Connecticut! A truly memorable evening!

Two more favorites: "Poor Little Allison" and the extremely touching, "I'm Not Suposed to Care"....

Thank you, Gordon Lightfoot, for touching my life in so many ways for so many years!

Rock On, and May the Wind Be at Your Back...

Cheers! from Colorado!

-Susan

[Susan Hopkins]

"Does anyone know where the love of God goes when the waves turn the minutes to hours?" - The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald -

This song especially resonates with me, having spent my first 18 years growing up and sailing on the east coast of Lake Michigan. I know first-hand how quickly weather conditions change on the mighty and powerful Great Lakes. Great Lakes freighters (ore carriers) were a daily part of my life during the time I lived in Michigan. In 1997, on a return trip to Michigan, my sister and I visited the Shipwreck Museum located at Whitefish Point, MI. This wonderful museum houses the bell recovered from the "Big Fitz". The bell is encased in glass, and is the focal point of the museum. Very moving... Thank you, Mr. Lightfoot, for the poignant way you have honored the 29 souls who perished that dreadful day, November 10, 1975, on Lake Gitche Gumee...

Another classic, "If You Could Read My Mind" continues to blow me away each time I hear it. I was living in Connecticut at the time, and was desperately trying to sort out what has turned out to be the most meaningful relationship of my life, when this song helped clarify certain aspects of this relationship, which eventually ended. Heard Gord perform this song at the Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford, Connecticut! A truly memorable evening!

Two more favorites: "Poor Little Allison" and the extremely touching, "I'm Not Suposed to Care"....

Thank you, Gordon Lightfoot, for touching my life in so many ways for so many years!

Rock On, and May the Wind Be at Your Back...

Cheers! from Colorado!

-Susan

[Tracey Tripp]

I really love all of Lightfoots music, but for me "If You Could Read My Mind" has to be my favorite... I was formally introduced to his music by a friend who considers it to be his "reflective music". His older brother was the ultimate cowboy, rode bulls, was a world champ. Bodie was his hero, but was gunned down in the front pasture of their ranch, died in Rob E's arms. His hero failed, & was the "ghost from the wishing well". I can't do the story justice, but when Rob E. gets reflective about Bodie, Lightfoot is sure to follow, set on repeat & he will soon come out of it.
The music is incredible, my husband is the lead singer in a Power Blues, Texas Blues & Classic Rock band "MIDNIGHT LIGHTNING", I am now trying to convince them to try some Lightfoot. There is no one covering his music in our area. But I get a shock everytime I hear it played in a store or on one of the casinos (boats). My parents thought it was hilarious when I brought Gord's Gold to them at 27 yrs. old & thought I had discovered this great 'new' artist... they were in their 60's & knew all of the songs! Was my face red!!!

[Tracey Tripp]

I really love all of Lightfoots music, but for me "If You Could Read My Mind" has to be my favorite... I was formally introduced to his music by a friend who considers it to be his "reflective music". His older brother was the ultimate cowboy, rode bulls, was a world champ. Bodie was his hero, but was gunned down in the front pasture of their ranch, died in Rob E's arms. His hero failed, & was the "ghost from the wishing well". I can't do the story justice, but when Rob E. gets reflective about Bodie, Lightfoot is sure to follow, set on repeat & he will soon come out of it.
The music is incredible, my husband is the lead singer in a Power Blues, Texas Blues & Classic Rock band "MIDNIGHT LIGHTNING", I am now trying to convince them to try some Lightfoot. There is no one covering his music in our area. But I get a shock everytime I hear it played in a store or on one of the casinos (boats). My parents thought it was hilarious when I brought Gord's Gold to them at 27 yrs. old & thought I had discovered this great 'new' artist... they were in their 60's & knew all of the songs! Was my face red!!!

[Mary Ann from Atlanta, GA]

Oh, my GOD! How on earth can one pick a favorite GL song? As many of the others have mentioned, the first GL song I heard was IYCRMM on the radio back when I was in high school. Later, a friend had the Sundown 8-track (now, I'm really telling my age) and we practically wore it out as we 'cruised' our favorite stomping grounds. I have a cassette that my brother made for me, and it is a
compilation of his albums and I named it "Assorted Gord". I still have it and still play it regularly in the house, but in my car I have graduated to CD's and I have his latest 3 always at hand.
If I had to choose a favorite category, it would be his "ship and sail" songs. On the other hand, I'm absolutely enthralled with his ballads- Cherokee Bend, Canadian RR Trilogy, Don Q., Fitz, Bitter Green, etc.
And has there ever been a story teller/songwriter who twists a phrase as eloquently as GL? ie:RATR - 'even though your mother was your maker from her apron strings you pass'; CRRT - 'long before the white man and long before the wheel when the green dark forest was too silent to be real'; W&W - 'and then I saw the sunrise above the cotton sky like a candycane delight'; GOCH - 'all around old Cape Horn ships of the line, ships of the morn, some who wish they'd never been born, they are the ghosts of Cape Horn"; AIA - 'all I'm after is to be the flame in your tatoo'. I could go on. I just wish when he came to Atlanta, I could for once get a seat up close and sing along with him without having to hear the clink of silverware and smell candlewax. Such are the woes of having him appear at a "dinner theatre", I suppose.

[Mary Ann from Atlanta, GA]

Oh, my GOD! How on earth can one pick a favorite GL song? As many of the others have mentioned, the first GL song I heard was IYCRMM on the radio back when I was in high school. Later, a friend had the Sundown 8-track (now, I'm really telling my age) and we practically wore it out as we 'cruised' our favorite stomping grounds. I have a cassette that my brother made for me, and it is a
compilation of his albums and I named it "Assorted Gord". I still have it and still play it regularly in the house, but in my car I have graduated to CD's and I have his latest 3 always at hand.
If I had to choose a favorite category, it would be his "ship and sail" songs. On the other hand, I'm absolutely enthralled with his ballads- Cherokee Bend, Canadian RR Trilogy, Don Q., Fitz, Bitter Green, etc.
And has there ever been a story teller/songwriter who twists a phrase as eloquently as GL? ie:RATR - 'even though your mother was your maker from her apron strings you pass'; CRRT - 'long before the white man and long before the wheel when the green dark forest was too silent to be real'; W&W - 'and then I saw the sunrise above the cotton sky like a candycane delight'; GOCH - 'all around old Cape Horn ships of the line, ships of the morn, some who wish they'd never been born, they are the ghosts of Cape Horn"; AIA - 'all I'm after is to be the flame in your tatoo'. I could go on. I just wish when he came to Atlanta, I could for once get a seat up close and sing along with him without having to hear the clink of silverware and smell candlewax. Such are the woes of having him appear at a "dinner theatre", I suppose.

[2Much2Lose]

Heard Gord perform this song at the Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford, Connecticut
\
To Susan,
Was this back in 1970 or 1971? I was there way back then. It was my first concert ever and has remained a vivid memory since.
Jenney

[Jenney]

Heard Gord perform this song at the Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford, Connecticut
\
To Susan,
Was this back in 1970 or 1971? I was there way back then. It was my first concert ever and has remained a vivid memory since.
Jenney

[charlene]

Mary Ann-
I can't even envision sitting through a concert with anything like dinner theatre chaos going on. I would be a stark raving lunatic before it was over. I don't even want to know anyone is in the audience with me, never mind drinking, eating etc. Oh my God I'd likely kill someone! I will be seeing Gord at Mariposa in July - an outdoor festival - I am already anxious about it - will people sit and shutup or yap and sing and walk around annoying the life out of me? I really hate to be annoyed whenever Gord is singing - whether it's live or "Memorex"! - ask my kids. When it comes to Gord I get on one track and don't veer off it. I listen and I breathe. That's it! LOL
Char

[charlene]

Mary Ann-
I can't even envision sitting through a concert with anything like dinner theatre chaos going on. I would be a stark raving lunatic before it was over. I don't even want to know anyone is in the audience with me, never mind drinking, eating etc. Oh my God I'd likely kill someone! I will be seeing Gord at Mariposa in July - an outdoor festival - I am already anxious about it - will people sit and shutup or yap and sing and walk around annoying the life out of me? I really hate to be annoyed whenever Gord is singing - whether it's live or "Memorex"! - ask my kids. When it comes to Gord I get on one track and don't veer off it. I listen and I breathe. That's it! LOL
Char

[Tom]

Charlotte,
I don't know how it is where you are, but down here, there would certainly be
a lot of yapping and walking going on. It makes me want to shout "Shut up and sit down! Can't you see the man is singing!!!" but of course, that wouldn't be polite. I envy you seeing him in July. It seems Gord tours here about every two years and has a knack of coming at the very time I'm on vacation, so I haven't seen him since early '90s (when I rushed back from Texas just to catch his performance that very night). That was the year I took my mother with me and got so tickled at her for saying "how nice his tush looked in those jeans". This from my mother!
LOL,
Mary Ann

[Mary Ann]

Charlotte,
I don't know how it is where you are, but down here, there would certainly be
a lot of yapping and walking going on. It makes me want to shout "Shut up and sit down! Can't you see the man is singing!!!" but of course, that wouldn't be polite. I envy you seeing him in July. It seems Gord tours here about every two years and has a knack of coming at the very time I'm on vacation, so I haven't seen him since early '90s (when I rushed back from Texas just to catch his performance that very night). That was the year I took my mother with me and got so tickled at her for saying "how nice his tush looked in those jeans". This from my mother!
LOL,
Mary Ann

[Tom]

regarding the above post . . .
Sorry, I meant for that to be for Charlene, not Charlotte.
mah

[Mary Ann]

regarding the above post . . .
Sorry, I meant for that to be for Charlene, not Charlotte.
mah

[charlene]

Mary Ann;
I have ALWAYS thought Gord looked good from BOTH sides! Even now that I am a mother of a 16 year old who thinks I am nuts for being nuts about ALL of Gord! LOL
Char

[charlene]

Mary Ann;
I have ALWAYS thought Gord looked good from BOTH sides! Even now that I am a mother of a 16 year old who thinks I am nuts for being nuts about ALL of Gord! LOL
Char

[Texas T-Dirt III]

An impossible ask. It varies with my mood. However "Affair on 8th Avenue" and "I'm not supposed to care" always make me think about a certain lady. The perfume that she wore lingered on long after she'd gone and I'm really not supposed to care. But I do.

Another track helped me considerably when I was leading my first school ski trip, from England to Italy. I was VERY nervous. Just as the bus pulled out, the radio started playing "Carefree Highway" - an amazing coincidence
(1) because British radio didn't exactly overdose on Gordie
(2) to play that particular track.

I took this as a good omen and the trip went fine. This year I completed my 20th trip - all thanks to Gordie playing "Carefree Highway" at the start of the first one !!

[NeilPoulsom]

An impossible ask. It varies with my mood. However "Affair on 8th Avenue" and "I'm not supposed to care" always make me think about a certain lady. The perfume that she wore lingered on long after she'd gone and I'm really not supposed to care. But I do.

Another track helped me considerably when I was leading my first school ski trip, from England to Italy. I was VERY nervous. Just as the bus pulled out, the radio started playing "Carefree Highway" - an amazing coincidence
(1) because British radio didn't exactly overdose on Gordie
(2) to play that particular track.

I took this as a good omen and the trip went fine. This year I completed my 20th trip - all thanks to Gordie playing "Carefree Highway" at the start of the first one !!

[RBENGALS@AOL.COM]

I ONLY HAVE A COUPLE OF GL CDS. BUT I LIKE OLD DANS RECORDS & CIRCLE OF STEEL. OLD DANS RECORDS IS A FUN SONG TO DRIVE WITH. BUT I DO LIKE ALL THE OTHER SONGS ALSO. THOSE WOULD HAVE TO BE MY FAVORITE THOUGH. SOME OF THE SONGS OTHER PEOPLE LIKE THE MOST I HAVE NEVER HEARD BEFORE. THE LYRIC SECTION REALLY HELPS ME THROUGH THE GORDS GREATEST HITS VOLUME II. I JUST DISCOVERED THIS SITE AND I REALLY LIKE IT. I THOUGHT I WAS THE ONLY PERSON LEFT WHO LIKES GL. RICH FROM INDIANA

[RBENGALS@AOL.COM]

I ONLY HAVE A COUPLE OF GL CDS. BUT I LIKE OLD DANS RECORDS & CIRCLE OF STEEL. OLD DANS RECORDS IS A FUN SONG TO DRIVE WITH. BUT I DO LIKE ALL THE OTHER SONGS ALSO. THOSE WOULD HAVE TO BE MY FAVORITE THOUGH. SOME OF THE SONGS OTHER PEOPLE LIKE THE MOST I HAVE NEVER HEARD BEFORE. THE LYRIC SECTION REALLY HELPS ME THROUGH THE GORDS GREATEST HITS VOLUME II. I JUST DISCOVERED THIS SITE AND I REALLY LIKE IT. I THOUGHT I WAS THE ONLY PERSON LEFT WHO LIKES GL. RICH FROM INDIANA

[Gary J]

This is tough. We all like so many songs for different reasons. It might be best to divide Lightfoot into three periods: early, middle and more recent.

Early Period - Pussywillows & Cat-tails

Middle Period - Old Dan's Records

More Recent Period - Tattoo

[Gary J]

This is tough. We all like so many songs for different reasons. It might be best to divide Lightfoot into three periods: early, middle and more recent.

Early Period - Pussywillows & Cat-tails

Middle Period - Old Dan's Records

More Recent Period - Tattoo

[sundownbuff]

Old Dan's Records is one of my favourite GL albums, and in particular I have always really liked "Farewell to Annabelle". The only copy I have of this is my old scratchy LP, and I have never yet been successful in finding a CD version of this song or album. It seems in every new collection of GL songs, including his very comprehensive box set, FtA is never included. Any ideas why or have I just not looked hard enough?

[Dickman]

Old Dan's Records is one of my favourite GL albums, and in particular I have always really liked "Farewell to Annabelle". The only copy I have of this is my old scratchy LP, and I have never yet been successful in finding a CD version of this song or album. It seems in every new collection of GL songs, including his very comprehensive box set, FtA is never included. Any ideas why or have I just not looked hard enough?

[Stephanie]

The reasons I have for my fave Gord songs are a little diffrent than the rest of y'alls, but bear with me. I think my favorite songs are "Race Among the Ruins" and "Summertime Dream" because they remind me of my father. My dad is a huge Gord fan and I grew up listening to his albums. We lived on a little farm in rural Iowa and the most exciting times for me was when Dad would get out his records in the evenings when he came home from farming and our whole family would spend the evening together, listening to music. "Summertime Dream" and "RATR" were my favorites when I was a little girl and I remember sitting on the living room floor with headphones on for hours, just listening. Everytime I hear one of those songs, it brings me to tears and makes me remember how wonderful family is and what a blessed childhood I had.

[Stephanie]

The reasons I have for my fave Gord songs are a little diffrent than the rest of y'alls, but bear with me. I think my favorite songs are "Race Among the Ruins" and "Summertime Dream" because they remind me of my father. My dad is a huge Gord fan and I grew up listening to his albums. We lived on a little farm in rural Iowa and the most exciting times for me was when Dad would get out his records in the evenings when he came home from farming and our whole family would spend the evening together, listening to music. "Summertime Dream" and "RATR" were my favorites when I was a little girl and I remember sitting on the living room floor with headphones on for hours, just listening. Everytime I hear one of those songs, it brings me to tears and makes me remember how wonderful family is and what a blessed childhood I had.

[charlene]

I don't now what it is but I still can't believe the love that people have for Gord from all over the world! It just about kills me to think that he is so beloved - to the degree (never more) that I love him. It is beyond my understanding, well no I understand it but I just am amazed! You people are just incredible and it is an affirmation of my faith in my love and admiration for Gord that so many others feel the same. It's that "Same Old Obsesssion"
It warms my heart and makes me smile - it really does!
The blessing of Gord in my life is not something that can be measured in any way. It just IS.
Char

[charlene]

I don't now what it is but I still can't believe the love that people have for Gord from all over the world! It just about kills me to think that he is so beloved - to the degree (never more) that I love him. It is beyond my understanding, well no I understand it but I just am amazed! You people are just incredible and it is an affirmation of my faith in my love and admiration for Gord that so many others feel the same. It's that "Same Old Obsesssion"
It warms my heart and makes me smile - it really does!
The blessing of Gord in my life is not something that can be measured in any way. It just IS.
Char

[charlene]

I don't now what it is but I still can't believe the love that people have for Gord from all over the world! It just about kills me to think that he is so beloved - to the degree (never more) that I love him. It is beyond my understanding, well no I understand it but I just am amazed! You people are just incredible and it is an affirmation of my faith in my love and admiration for Gord that so many others feel the same. It's that "Same Old Obsesssion"
It warms my heart and makes me smile - it really does!
The blessing of Gord in my life is not something that can be measured in any way. It just IS.
Char

[charlene]

I don't now what it is but I still can't believe the love that people have for Gord from all over the world! It just about kills me to think that he is so beloved - to the degree (never more) that I love him. It is beyond my understanding, well no I understand it but I just am amazed! You people are just incredible and it is an affirmation of my faith in my love and admiration for Gord that so many others feel the same. It's that "Same Old Obsesssion"
It warms my heart and makes me smile - it really does!
The blessing of Gord in my life is not something that can be measured in any way. It just IS.
Char

[Mary Ann]

There are many of Gordon's songs that have sustained me. Some I could curl up into like a small child seeking comfort. In that vein I would have to say that "Brave Mountaineers" always makes me feel safe. I never had much of a childhood, and that one simple and sincere song has always given me a place to go home to, whether it ever existed in "real life" or not.

[page]

There are many of Gordon's songs that have sustained me. Some I could curl up into like a small child seeking comfort. In that vein I would have to say that "Brave Mountaineers" always makes me feel safe. I never had much of a childhood, and that one simple and sincere song has always given me a place to go home to, whether it ever existed in "real life" or not.

[gathrb]

How can you pick the "best" Gordon Lightfoot song? You can't...I love them all at different times. I am one of Gordon's biggest fans and have seen him many, many times in concert and have never been disappointed. All I can do is write my favorite Gord song at the moment...right now I'm intriguied by the first song on Disc 1 of songbook "Remember Me" his voice doesn't even sound like Gordon...it's a pretty song that relaxes me. Also, for some strange reason I'm liking "Canery Yellow Canoe" the last song on Disc 3. Gord really rocks out on that song...I will always like his electric guitar "flirtation" he had...my favorite Gord album(I wish was on CD)is "SALUTE"...you got a lot more living to do!!

[Tom]

How can you pick the "best" Gordon Lightfoot song? You can't...I love them all at different times. I am one of Gordon's biggest fans and have seen him many, many times in concert and have never been disappointed. All I can do is write my favorite Gord song at the moment...right now I'm intriguied by the first song on Disc 1 of songbook "Remember Me" his voice doesn't even sound like Gordon...it's a pretty song that relaxes me. Also, for some strange reason I'm liking "Canery Yellow Canoe" the last song on Disc 3. Gord really rocks out on that song...I will always like his electric guitar "flirtation" he had...my favorite Gord album(I wish was on CD)is "SALUTE"...you got a lot more living to do!!

[Tom]

Tom,
I just recently purchased the Songbook box set and heard "Remember Me" for the first time. I was in my car and backing out of a parking space in a lot and nearly forgot to put on the brakes when this smooth, crooning voice came out of my speakers and sounding very much like Marty Robbins. (No, I didn't hit anybody.)
It was incredible! Chill bumps broke out on me and I began to squeal like a teenie-bopper. This couldn't be Gord!, I thought, but as I continued to listen, I was able to discern the Gord I was used to hearing. I'm glad that selection was included in Songbook.

[Mary Ann]

Tom,
I just recently purchased the Songbook box set and heard "Remember Me" for the first time. I was in my car and backing out of a parking space in a lot and nearly forgot to put on the brakes when this smooth, crooning voice came out of my speakers and sounding very much like Marty Robbins. (No, I didn't hit anybody.)
It was incredible! Chill bumps broke out on me and I began to squeal like a teenie-bopper. This couldn't be Gord!, I thought, but as I continued to listen, I was able to discern the Gord I was used to hearing. I'm glad that selection was included in Songbook.

[gathrb]

Mary Ann:
I thought it sounded like Jim Reeves. The sound is so polished, so un-Lightfoot. Yet something about it i like, the second song too. I think I read that there was another 45rpm from that session that I wish was included in Songbook. Like you said, its important to hear the sound the studios were forcing on him, that he rejected and went back to coffee houses until he could get his own sound.

[Tom]

Mary Ann:
I thought it sounded like Jim Reeves. The sound is so polished, so un-Lightfoot. Yet something about it i like, the second song too. I think I read that there was another 45rpm from that session that I wish was included in Songbook. Like you said, its important to hear the sound the studios were forcing on him, that he rejected and went back to coffee houses until he could get his own sound.

[Tom]

Tom,
Did I say that? Oh yeah, I guess I did only you said it much better.
I don't know that much about Jim Reeves- although I have heard that
early Gord has been compared to him. I would like to have heard the
others cuts too.
Mary Ann

[Mary Ann]

Tom,
Did I say that? Oh yeah, I guess I did only you said it much better.
I don't know that much about Jim Reeves- although I have heard that
early Gord has been compared to him. I would like to have heard the
others cuts too.
Mary Ann

[gathrb]

Mary Ann...your too kind! On page 13 of "Songbook" it talks about his 1st commercially released song "This is My Song", have you ever heard it? I wish it was on the box-set, also like to hear the 1st song he ever wrote "Hoola Hoop Song". When I first got the box-set I thought "(Remember Me)I'm The One" was going to be the Dean Martin hit "(Remember Me)I'm The One Who Loves You"...TOTALLY DIFFERENT!

[Tom]

Mary Ann...your too kind! On page 13 of "Songbook" it talks about his 1st commercially released song "This is My Song", have you ever heard it? I wish it was on the box-set, also like to hear the 1st song he ever wrote "Hoola Hoop Song". When I first got the box-set I thought "(Remember Me)I'm The One" was going to be the Dean Martin hit "(Remember Me)I'm The One Who Loves You"...TOTALLY DIFFERENT!

[gathrb]

Mary Ann...your too kind! On page 13 of "Songbook" it talks about his 1st commercially released song "This is My Song", have you ever heard it? I wish it was on the box-set, also like to hear the 1st song he ever wrote "Hoola Hoop Song". When I first got the box-set I thought "(Remember Me)I'm The One" was going to be the Dean Martin hit "(Remember Me)I'm The One Who Loves You"...TOTALLY DIFFERENT!

[Tom]

Mary Ann...your too kind! On page 13 of "Songbook" it talks about his 1st commercially released song "This is My Song", have you ever heard it? I wish it was on the box-set, also like to hear the 1st song he ever wrote "Hoola Hoop Song". When I first got the box-set I thought "(Remember Me)I'm The One" was going to be the Dean Martin hit "(Remember Me)I'm The One Who Loves You"...TOTALLY DIFFERENT!

[gathrb]

Mary Ann...your too kind! On page 13 of "Songbook" it talks about his 1st commercially released song "This is My Song", have you ever heard it? I wish it was on the box-set, also like to hear the 1st song he ever wrote "Hoola Hoop Song". When I first got the box-set I thought "(Remember Me)I'm The One" was going to be the Dean Martin hit "(Remember Me)I'm The One Who Loves You"...TOTALLY DIFFERENT!

[Tom]

Mary Ann...your too kind! On page 13 of "Songbook" it talks about his 1st commercially released song "This is My Song", have you ever heard it? I wish it was on the box-set, also like to hear the 1st song he ever wrote "Hoola Hoop Song". When I first got the box-set I thought "(Remember Me)I'm The One" was going to be the Dean Martin hit "(Remember Me)I'm The One Who Loves You"...TOTALLY DIFFERENT!

[gathrb]

Mary Ann...your too kind! On page 13 of "Songbook" it talks about his 1st commercially released song "This is My Song", have you ever heard it? I wish it was on the box-set, also like to hear the 1st song he ever wrote "Hoola Hoop Song". When I first got the box-set I thought "(Remember Me)I'm The One" was going to be the Dean Martin hit "(Remember Me)I'm The One Who Loves You"...TOTALLY DIFFERENT!

[Tom]

Mary Ann...your too kind! On page 13 of "Songbook" it talks about his 1st commercially released song "This is My Song", have you ever heard it? I wish it was on the box-set, also like to hear the 1st song he ever wrote "Hoola Hoop Song". When I first got the box-set I thought "(Remember Me)I'm The One" was going to be the Dean Martin hit "(Remember Me)I'm The One Who Loves You"...TOTALLY DIFFERENT!

[page]

Jenney:

Re: Shakespeare Theatre performance in Stratford, Connecticut... it was in either 1970 or '71 as you said... I can't be sure. I DO remember an evening filled with wonderful music provided by a very soulful GL.

Cheers! from Colorado
-Susan

[Susan Hopkins]

Jenney:

Re: Shakespeare Theatre performance in Stratford, Connecticut... it was in either 1970 or '71 as you said... I can't be sure. I DO remember an evening filled with wonderful music provided by a very soulful GL.

Cheers! from Colorado
-Susan

[Tom]

Tom,
Okay, okay . . . I heard you the first time (lol at the repeats). No, unfortunately I have not heard any of Gord's first recordings. I wouldn't know where to even look for those. Matter of fact, I have a cassette of Songbook (not the box set) from way back and just recently it took a nose dive from the heat. Most of what I hear now is a bunch of chirping sounds. That and Gord's voice don't mix well. I had to ditch it. Unfortunately, I can't find a copy anywhere to replace it with.
BTW, Tom . . . you should register, (I can say this now since I just recently registered myself) you have some good input.

[Mary Ann]

Tom,
Okay, okay . . . I heard you the first time (lol at the repeats). No, unfortunately I have not heard any of Gord's first recordings. I wouldn't know where to even look for those. Matter of fact, I have a cassette of Songbook (not the box set) from way back and just recently it took a nose dive from the heat. Most of what I hear now is a bunch of chirping sounds. That and Gord's voice don't mix well. I had to ditch it. Unfortunately, I can't find a copy anywhere to replace it with.
BTW, Tom . . . you should register, (I can say this now since I just recently registered myself) you have some good input.

[charlene]

It's hard to pinpoint one favorite song because there are about 100 that I could relate to but here are a couple in mind:

Mountains and Maryanne
Ten Degrees and Colder
Summer Side of Life
Circle is Small
Seven Island Suite

thanks to everyone for all their posts everywhere.

[dave]

It's hard to pinpoint one favorite song because there are about 100 that I could relate to but here are a couple in mind:

Mountains and Maryanne
Ten Degrees and Colder
Summer Side of Life
Circle is Small
Seven Island Suite

thanks to everyone for all their posts everywhere.

[~The Gypsy~]

So many people, so many struggling for THE answer. How about revising the topic to "Favorite Lightfoot Song Of The Day & Why?"

------------------
"Is there someone sewing seams through all my hopes..."

[shipwrecked00]

So many people, so many struggling for THE answer. How about revising the topic to "Favorite Lightfoot Song Of The Day & Why?"

------------------
"Is there someone sewing seams through all my hopes..."

[Protocol]

I remember leaving Alberta by train. I left my girlfriend and it was to be a long ride to Toronto. The only music I brought with me was Gord's Gold Volume 2. Many songs were fitting for this trip. I still listen to the album on a frequent basis. I cant imagine to describe how it makes it all feel like yesterday thought its been 3 years.

[kentra]

I remember leaving Alberta by train. I left my girlfriend and it was to be a long ride to Toronto. The only music I brought with me was Gord's Gold Volume 2. Many songs were fitting for this trip. I still listen to the album on a frequent basis. I cant imagine to describe how it makes it all feel like yesterday thought its been 3 years.

[Hydroman]

Favorite Song: "Wreck..."

Why? It is the first song I can remember hearing _ever_. I can still recall the images that came to my mind when I heard it. I many ways, I believe thath that song has had a profound impact on my love and respect of the water. It's wierd.

Other than that song, "Pony Man", It just make me want to be a kid again. Whimsical... innocent, yet somewhat sad in retrospect.

[Adam]

Favorite Song: "Wreck..."

Why? It is the first song I can remember hearing _ever_. I can still recall the images that came to my mind when I heard it. I many ways, I believe thath that song has had a profound impact on my love and respect of the water. It's wierd.

Other than that song, "Pony Man", It just make me want to be a kid again. Whimsical... innocent, yet somewhat sad in retrospect.

[Steve]

I love all of Gordon Lightfoot's songs,but I have to say that the one that really touches my heart is "the house you live in"

"and the house you live in will nver fall down, if you pity the stranger who stands at your/gate/door"

Good advice for us all!!


Protocol

------------------

[Protocol]

I love all of Gordon Lightfoot's songs,but I have to say that the one that really touches my heart is "the house you live in"

"and the house you live in will nver fall down, if you pity the stranger who stands at your/gate/door"

Good advice for us all!!


Protocol

------------------

[Steve]

Hello everyone, how are you? I just got off the phone with Barry Harvey(Gord's Manager) really nice guy! I was just talking to him about an idea for wonderful Gordon Lightfoot website and if I could rely on him for resource material, he said "possibly"! If anyone would like to help or contribute to this venture please submit your comments,views ideas etc.. to myself via email,none will be ignored! I think Barry was a little surprised when I told him some aquaintences of mine owned and co-owned Grant Avenue Studios in Hamilton. They produced Gord's last album "Painter Passing Through"

I also want to devise a way for Gord to get his fan mail via the internet,(if he is game for it)so he can pick and choose the letters he gets with minimal time consumption!
the website will also feature the City of Orillia as well! I have been a songwriter/musician since the age of seven,I had(they were all stolen) all of Gordies records ,8tracks, etc.. so given this I would eventually like to put together a Gordon Lightfoot tribute band,if you can offer any support,services etc.. it would be greatly appreciated,if you are a musician,give me a list of instruments you can play etc.. Your heart has to really be in this!!! I am learning to play the hammered dulcimer,and will eventually be producing Gord's music on dulcimer,I'll keep you informed!! As for my favorite song,I love all of them,but I would have to say it is " The house you live in"

This song really touches my heart! "and the house you live in will never fall down if you pity the stranger who stands at you door!"

Good advice for us all!!

I work in Toronto as a web designer, this site is great,but I want to add so much more, for example http://www.corfid.com/ubb/tongue.gifeople will be able to click on a song( not download) and listen to it! They will be able to buy his cd's etc.. online, and anything written about him(Gordon Lightfoot - A Canadian Legacy) for example!

So tell me what you think, okay?


Thanks... Protocol
"and the house you live in will never fall down if you pity the stranger who stands at you door!"



------------------

[Protocol]

Hello everyone, how are you? I just got off the phone with Barry Harvey(Gord's Manager) really nice guy! I was just talking to him about an idea for wonderful Gordon Lightfoot website and if I could rely on him for resource material, he said "possibly"! If anyone would like to help or contribute to this venture please submit your comments,views ideas etc.. to myself via email,none will be ignored! I think Barry was a little surprised when I told him some aquaintences of mine owned and co-owned Grant Avenue Studios in Hamilton. They produced Gord's last album "Painter Passing Through"

I also want to devise a way for Gord to get his fan mail via the internet,(if he is game for it)so he can pick and choose the letters he gets with minimal time consumption!
the website will also feature the City of Orillia as well! I have been a songwriter/musician since the age of seven,I had(they were all stolen) all of Gordies records ,8tracks, etc.. so given this I would eventually like to put together a Gordon Lightfoot tribute band,if you can offer any support,services etc.. it would be greatly appreciated,if you are a musician,give me a list of instruments you can play etc.. Your heart has to really be in this!!! I am learning to play the hammered dulcimer,and will eventually be producing Gord's music on dulcimer,I'll keep you informed!! As for my favorite song,I love all of them,but I would have to say it is " The house you live in"

This song really touches my heart! "and the house you live in will never fall down if you pity the stranger who stands at you door!"

Good advice for us all!!

I work in Toronto as a web designer, this site is great,but I want to add so much more, for example http://www.corfid.com/ubb/tongue.gifeople will be able to click on a song( not download) and listen to it! They will be able to buy his cd's etc.. online, and anything written about him(Gordon Lightfoot - A Canadian Legacy) for example!

So tell me what you think, okay?


Thanks... Protocol
"and the house you live in will never fall down if you pity the stranger who stands at you door!"



------------------

[BigFitz]

In the past, I've always listened to Gord's older efforts, but lately I've been more deeply exploring some of his more recent tunes. I really love "I'll Tag Along" off of "East of Midnight". What a great song! It's so calm, yet resolute - it just expresses such a pleasant emotion.

"If you ever thurn that page again
And you need a friend
If you ask me I'll tag along."

Bobo

[bobo]

In the past, I've always listened to Gord's older efforts, but lately I've been more deeply exploring some of his more recent tunes. I really love "I'll Tag Along" off of "East of Midnight". What a great song! It's so calm, yet resolute - it just expresses such a pleasant emotion.

"If you ever thurn that page again
And you need a friend
If you ask me I'll tag along."

Bobo

[Dan]

BOBO,

I can't agree with you more. That is one of my all-time favorites.

Dan

[timconnelly]

Oh Wow! what one is my favorite??
Good question!!. I really do love all of them.
I think I got just about every GL album there is to get. But for my real favorite, it would have to be "Song for a Winter's Night". I don't know why?, I just love the song and it brings back memories as many of Gordon's songs do.
This is a great board, I'll make sure is in my favorites.

[Kim]

Oh Wow! what one is my favorite??
Good question!!. I really do love all of them.
I think I got just about every GL album there is to get. But for my real favorite, it would have to be "Song for a Winter's Night". I don't know why?, I just love the song and it brings back memories as many of Gordon's songs do.
This is a great board, I'll make sure is in my favorites.

[Spooky]

While anyone who knows me would probably say my favorite of Gordon Lightfoot songs would be one of the gloomy or dark ones.. Something like Edmund Fitzgerald, or Ghosts of Cape Horn perhaps.. my favorite song is The Pony Man. Evoking the kind of innocence that really tugs at the heart of someone who actually remembers the magic of childhood, the song hits all those fantasies of extreme youth. I remember the time when a pirate ship loaded down with apple pies would have been a much more important dream than breaking 50 grand a year or getting a new SUV. And you know what... even at 30 something, there are lots of times when it's still a better fantasy.

When I was growing up in Central Kansas, there was a man who lived in my little town, everyone called him Pony Man Jack. He ran the pony rides at all the local events. None of Pony Man Jack's ponies ever flew, nor did jack ever hoop and holler at Mr. Moon's front door, but in the children's minds... well who's to say?

Gordon Lightfoot has many songs that invade the adult heart and mind, many of them perhaps hit too many still raw nerves to be my favorite. So I choose one that affirms the child that still lives in all of us. Even those of us who have grown into fine cynics of our age.

[Spooky]

While anyone who knows me would probably say my favorite of Gordon Lightfoot songs would be one of the gloomy or dark ones.. Something like Edmund Fitzgerald, or Ghosts of Cape Horn perhaps.. my favorite song is The Pony Man. Evoking the kind of innocence that really tugs at the heart of someone who actually remembers the magic of childhood, the song hits all those fantasies of extreme youth. I remember the time when a pirate ship loaded down with apple pies would have been a much more important dream than breaking 50 grand a year or getting a new SUV. And you know what... even at 30 something, there are lots of times when it's still a better fantasy.

When I was growing up in Central Kansas, there was a man who lived in my little town, everyone called him Pony Man Jack. He ran the pony rides at all the local events. None of Pony Man Jack's ponies ever flew, nor did jack ever hoop and holler at Mr. Moon's front door, but in the children's minds... well who's to say?

Gordon Lightfoot has many songs that invade the adult heart and mind, many of them perhaps hit too many still raw nerves to be my favorite. So I choose one that affirms the child that still lives in all of us. Even those of us who have grown into fine cynics of our age.

[Wingdrops]

Protocol -

I think I mentioned in one of my posts that Gord announced at a concert I attended in March that House You Live In was his mother's all-time favorite. He then added somberly, "She's gone now." He then paused, turned to the band and said, "So why the hell are we doing it?" LOL

Great song.



------------------
"And the laughter came too easy for life to pass me by." - SDYS

[2Much2Lose]

Protocol -

I think I mentioned in one of my posts that Gord announced at a concert I attended in March that House You Live In was his mother's all-time favorite. He then added somberly, "She's gone now." He then paused, turned to the band and said, "So why the hell are we doing it?" LOL

Great song.



------------------
"And the laughter came too easy for life to pass me by." - SDYS

[Summerside]

Impossible!! There are so many... a song for every mood or situation, and my favorite will change as life changes. But, to name a few:
Beautiful
Pony Man
Softly
I'll Tag Along
Alberta Bound (for toe tapping)
AND ON, AND ON, AND ON!!!!

[Margie]

Impossible!! There are so many... a song for every mood or situation, and my favorite will change as life changes. But, to name a few:
Beautiful
Pony Man
Softly
I'll Tag Along
Alberta Bound (for toe tapping)
AND ON, AND ON, AND ON!!!!

[Sheila Ann]

Just came across this site -- and I have to say I totally enjoyed reading all the posts! The trip it took me on remembering so many of his songs from a time when my life was far more simple and relaxed. When I put on a cd, I think "Oh, this is my favorite"! Then the next track plays and I say the same thing over! However, I guess I have to say his rendition of Early Morning Rain is my favorite. But asking a fan to pick just one is like asking someone how much you can love....it is a wonderful question to ponder.

[scottwp]

Just came across this site -- and I have to say I totally enjoyed reading all the posts! The trip it took me on remembering so many of his songs from a time when my life was far more simple and relaxed. When I put on a cd, I think "Oh, this is my favorite"! Then the next track plays and I say the same thing over! However, I guess I have to say his rendition of Early Morning Rain is my favorite. But asking a fan to pick just one is like asking someone how much you can love....it is a wonderful question to ponder.

[megareal]

Many tender moments in my life closely associate with the song "Affair on 8th Avenue", so I am told, especially the perfume...I truly find this song quite tender, quite soft and realistic and one of my all time favorites.
It reminds me that memories are sweet when lived well. Also, I'd like to add that, "Race Among the Ruins" adds light to many events in my life. "Lazy Morning" reminds me of those Saturday or Sunday mornings in the hot, hazy summers in Chicago where I get to sleep in and lay on the bed with my eyes staring up at the ceiling wondering "does she (he) still remember me." And the "Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald" of my dearest Danny who lost friends on the ship, and who leaves me feeling like a wreck. Aah, the sweet pain of tenderness with an alcoholic. Finally, I'd like to add, "Cold on the Shoulder" for likely reasons. Danny, if only you could "read my mind" when you are "stone cold sober."

[megareal]

Many tender moments in my life closely associate with the song "Affair on 8th Avenue", so I am told, especially the perfume...I truly find this song quite tender, quite soft and realistic and one of my all time favorites.
It reminds me that memories are sweet when lived well. Also, I'd like to add that, "Race Among the Ruins" adds light to many events in my life. "Lazy Morning" reminds me of those Saturday or Sunday mornings in the hot, hazy summers in Chicago where I get to sleep in and lay on the bed with my eyes staring up at the ceiling wondering "does she (he) still remember me." And the "Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald" of my dearest Danny who lost friends on the ship, and who leaves me feeling like a wreck. Aah, the sweet pain of tenderness with an alcoholic. Finally, I'd like to add, "Cold on the Shoulder" for likely reasons. Danny, if only you could "read my mind" when you are "stone cold sober."

[MargeB]

My favorite Lightfoot song? Well, out of them all, and there are fewer that I don't like than a list that I like, I think my two most favorites are: Old Dan's Records because of the upbeatness of the song and it has that great banjo part that I really really love, and Beautiful, simply because it is.
margeb

[MargeB]

My favorite Lightfoot song? Well, out of them all, and there are fewer that I don't like than a list that I like, I think my two most favorites are: Old Dan's Records because of the upbeatness of the song and it has that great banjo part that I really really love, and Beautiful, simply because it is.
margeb

[MargeB]

My favorite Lightfoot song? Well, out of them all, and there are fewer that I don't like than a list that I like, I think my two most favorites are: Old Dan's Records because of the upbeatness of the song and it has that great banjo part that I really really love, and Beautiful, simply because it is.
margeb

[MargeB]

My favorite Lightfoot song? Well, out of them all, and there are fewer that I don't like than a list that I like, I think my two most favorites are: Old Dan's Records because of the upbeatness of the song and it has that great banjo part that I really really love, and Beautiful, simply because it is.
margeb

[Brian Hamilton]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Florian:
[B]What is your favorite Lightfoot Song & Why?

My favorite Gordon Lightfoot song is one he definitely wrote, but I am not sure he ever recorded himself:

"Weeping Willows, Cattails" was recorded by Jane Olivor on her Colombia Records album "The Best Side of Goodbye" in the late seventies. The lyrics are exquisite and the melody fluid and dreamlike.

I found no mention of this song on this very nicely done site, or elsewhere on the web.

[Brian Hamilton]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Florian:
[B]What is your favorite Lightfoot Song & Why?

My favorite Gordon Lightfoot song is one he definitely wrote, but I am not sure he ever recorded himself:

"Weeping Willows, Cattails" was recorded by Jane Olivor on her Colombia Records album "The Best Side of Goodbye" in the late seventies. The lyrics are exquisite and the melody fluid and dreamlike.

I found no mention of this song on this very nicely done site, or elsewhere on the web.

[charlene]

The song title is "Pussy Willows, Cattails".
I haven't heard that name (Jane Olivor) for ages. What a tremendous voice!
Char

[charlene]

The song title is "Pussy Willows, Cattails".
I haven't heard that name (Jane Olivor) for ages. What a tremendous voice!
Char

[rainydayperson]

Char...Did you ever hear "Last Time I Felt Like This" by Johnny Mathis and Jane Olivor?
What a haunting song.

As for the original topic..."Spanish Moss",
or "Triangle" for the way they make me feel.
I leave earth during both of those songs.
I've been listening to "Bells of The Evening"
and "Fine as Fine Can Be" a lot lately too.

Forgive my ignorance but what does LOL mean?

[classicmixdj]

Char...Did you ever hear "Last Time I Felt Like This" by Johnny Mathis and Jane Olivor?
What a haunting song.

As for the original topic..."Spanish Moss",
or "Triangle" for the way they make me feel.
I leave earth during both of those songs.
I've been listening to "Bells of The Evening"
and "Fine as Fine Can Be" a lot lately too.

Forgive my ignorance but what does LOL mean?

[Sheila Ann]

LOL=laughing out loud
FYI, there are a whole bunch of abbreviations under Information & Archive...IYCRMM...on the Home page of this site. Just another thing that makes this site so good!

[rainydayperson]

Many Thanks.

[classicmixdj]

Many Thanks.

[charlene]

LOL = Love of Lightfoot!
and laughing out loud
and love on line
but I like the first one best!
LOL
Char

[charlene]

LOL = Love of Lightfoot!
and laughing out loud
and love on line
but I like the first one best!
LOL
Char

[Brian Hamilton]

Wow! Thanks very much for that info, Charlene. That's probably why I haven't been able to locate the sheet music for this incredible song. Jane recorded it as "Weeping Willows, Cattails," changing the lyric as well, apparently.

Yes, I agree, she has a tremendous voice! I am eager to see her again soon here in LA. I've been in touch with her assistant--she's touring a limited amount, mostly on the east coast lately. No albums likely soon :-(

quote:Originally posted by charlene:
The song title is "Pussy Willows, Cattails".
I haven't heard that name (Jane Olivor) for ages. What a tremendous voice!
Char

[Brian Hamilton]

Wow! Thanks very much for that info, Charlene. That's probably why I haven't been able to locate the sheet music for this incredible song. Jane recorded it as "Weeping Willows, Cattails," changing the lyric as well, apparently.

Yes, I agree, she has a tremendous voice! I am eager to see her again soon here in LA. I've been in touch with her assistant--she's touring a limited amount, mostly on the east coast lately. No albums likely soon :-(

quote:Originally posted by charlene:
The song title is "Pussy Willows, Cattails".
I haven't heard that name (Jane Olivor) for ages. What a tremendous voice!
Char

[rainydayperson]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by classicmixdj:
[B]Char...Did you ever hear "Last Time I Felt Like This" by Johnny Mathis and Jane Olivor?
What a haunting song.

Charlene???

[classicmixdj]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by classicmixdj:
[B]Char...Did you ever hear "Last Time I Felt Like This" by Johnny Mathis and Jane Olivor?
What a haunting song.

Charlene???

[rainydayperson]

Listening to WFY tonight on the disc drive and thinking "Only Love Would Know" is one beautiful song. I'm not entirely sure I understand it though. Seems to be about unrequited love with one who is not available. Any explanations from those that peruse this site would be appreciated.

[classicmixdj]

Listening to WFY tonight on the disc drive and thinking "Only Love Would Know" is one beautiful song. I'm not entirely sure I understand it though. Seems to be about unrequited love with one who is not available. Any explanations from those that peruse this site would be appreciated.

[charlene]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by classicmixdj:
[B]Char...Did you ever hear "Last Time I Felt Like This" by Johnny Mathis and Jane Olivor?
What a haunting song.
Charlene???

it rings a bell..I have a couple of old cassettes of hers in a box somewhere and I think J.M. might be on one of them. He is so lovely to listen to.
Char

[This message has been edited by charlene (edited August 31, 2000).]

[charlene]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by classicmixdj:
[B]Char...Did you ever hear "Last Time I Felt Like This" by Johnny Mathis and Jane Olivor?
What a haunting song.
Charlene???

it rings a bell..I have a couple of old cassettes of hers in a box somewhere and I think J.M. might be on one of them. He is so lovely to listen to.
Char

[This message has been edited by charlene (edited August 31, 2000).]

[Robin Shepard]

I saw Gordon Lightfoot in concert just recently after 25 years. (I saw him in 1974 and 1975.) I had lost sight of him until "Songbook" came out, then I rediscovered why I have carried this man's lyrics in my head most of my life. He is above all else, a chronicler of the lost, lonely, and dispossesed. There is solitude, longing, pain, regret, and humility in his songs. There are moments of great joy, but I love him best when he speaks through the chords of a broken heart. Some of my favorites: Too Late for Prayin'; Now and Then; The Circle is Small; Affair on 8th Avenue; Talking in Your Sleep; and basically anything on Summer Side of Life, Don Quixote, and Old Dan's Records. A great, soulful man. A poet. A painter passing through.

[Robin Shepard]

I saw Gordon Lightfoot in concert just recently after 25 years. (I saw him in 1974 and 1975.) I had lost sight of him until "Songbook" came out, then I rediscovered why I have carried this man's lyrics in my head most of my life. He is above all else, a chronicler of the lost, lonely, and dispossesed. There is solitude, longing, pain, regret, and humility in his songs. There are moments of great joy, but I love him best when he speaks through the chords of a broken heart. Some of my favorites: Too Late for Prayin'; Now and Then; The Circle is Small; Affair on 8th Avenue; Talking in Your Sleep; and basically anything on Summer Side of Life, Don Quixote, and Old Dan's Records. A great, soulful man. A poet. A painter passing through.

[joveski]

favourite songs seem to change week to week, but at the moment:
Salute - general catchy mainstream pop/rock tune
farewell anabel - don't know why, but it does something to me, especially when it starts soiund more intense when the 3rd verse
auctioneer - don't need to say why!, but I was thinking. Does anyone know exactly what he sings between verses?. I know the price increases as it goes, but the rest sounds the same each time. I've got a fair idea, but if anyone knows word-for-word what he says, can you let me know?
The favourite at the moment is I'd rather press on. I love the way it plods along, and especially the "don't wanna rest easy" part.
Long thin dawn and Old dan's records are also getting a lot of playing time

[Jason t.]

My favorite ones have got to be "Canadian Railroad Trilogy" and "Cotton Jenny". Being a guitarist myself, I am in awe at the handiwork of Mr. Lightfoot and Terry Clements. I saw Gordon in '90 and I was totally floored. He recreated the exact sounds of the original recordings, but with only a four-piece band backing him up. I remember when they were performing "Sundown", Terry got a huge round of applause after the solo (note for note, I might add).

[Jason t.]

My favorite ones have got to be "Canadian Railroad Trilogy" and "Cotton Jenny". Being a guitarist myself, I am in awe at the handiwork of Mr. Lightfoot and Terry Clements. I saw Gordon in '90 and I was totally floored. He recreated the exact sounds of the original recordings, but with only a four-piece band backing him up. I remember when they were performing "Sundown", Terry got a huge round of applause after the solo (note for note, I might add).

[Ralphy]

"The Wreck Of Big Fitz" is my favorite one by GL. I love so many others by him as well. I've loved ore boats ever since I was a kid back in the early 70s (thats as far back I can remember). Big Fitz has always been my favorite one. I live right on the "big lake", three miles from Silver Bay, where the Fitz loaded taconite on a regular basis. Every now and then when I know that the Reserve (one of the Fitz's fleet sisters that also is really the only laker on the lakes today that closely resembles the Fitz), is comming in to Silver Bay, to load, I go down to the harbor and pretend that its the Fitz comming in. I have a friend in Beaver Bay, who worked on her in the summer of 1969. If the Fitz were still plying the lakes today, she would have an extended hull and a self unloader. In my heart, the Fitz is alive and well. I will be at Split Rock in November, as usual, to celebrate life. God Bless everyone everywhere, and pray for world peace and believe that it will happen. Peace will happen!

[Ralphy]

"The Wreck Of Big Fitz" is my favorite one by GL. I love so many others by him as well. I've loved ore boats ever since I was a kid back in the early 70s (thats as far back I can remember). Big Fitz has always been my favorite one. I live right on the "big lake", three miles from Silver Bay, where the Fitz loaded taconite on a regular basis. Every now and then when I know that the Reserve (one of the Fitz's fleet sisters that also is really the only laker on the lakes today that closely resembles the Fitz), is comming in to Silver Bay, to load, I go down to the harbor and pretend that its the Fitz comming in. I have a friend in Beaver Bay, who worked on her in the summer of 1969. If the Fitz were still plying the lakes today, she would have an extended hull and a self unloader. In my heart, the Fitz is alive and well. I will be at Split Rock in November, as usual, to celebrate life. God Bless everyone everywhere, and pray for world peace and believe that it will happen. Peace will happen!

[DaringDo]

My favorite GL song to listen to would be Shadows. I like so many of them but I have a real good feeling about that song. When I play them on the guitar, I like The Wreck, Cotton Jenny, Don Quixote, Summertime Dream, Steel Rail Blues, Old Dan's Records, Carefree Highway, and all the popular ones. But I always play Early Morning Rain, no matter what. If I pick up the guitar that's the one that gets played. I play it with a capo on the second fret, using the cords that the Kingston Trio use. A fella who use to play with the Irish Minstrels showed me how to play it that way in an Irish Pub called Cary's on the South Side of Chicago late one Saturday Night.

[KarlsKorner]

My favorite GL song to listen to would be Shadows. I like so many of them but I have a real good feeling about that song. When I play them on the guitar, I like The Wreck, Cotton Jenny, Don Quixote, Summertime Dream, Steel Rail Blues, Old Dan's Records, Carefree Highway, and all the popular ones. But I always play Early Morning Rain, no matter what. If I pick up the guitar that's the one that gets played. I play it with a capo on the second fret, using the cords that the Kingston Trio use. A fella who use to play with the Irish Minstrels showed me how to play it that way in an Irish Pub called Cary's on the South Side of Chicago late one Saturday Night.

[Luca]

I love Canadian Railroad Triology, I cant put my finger on why but I think its a beautiful song the way it tells the story of the road workers

[Luca]

I love Canadian Railroad Triology, I cant put my finger on why but I think its a beautiful song the way it tells the story of the road workers

[ughugh]

The very first time I heard "If you could read my mind" I fell in love with his voice and his ability to express such a way that not every song writer can. He has a very soothing voice, and I just listen to that song over and over! No song has ever come close to reaching that bottomless pit of mine nor ever will!!

Greetings to his fans!!
<S>
Maria




------------------
The face is the mirror of the mind and eyes without speaking confess the secrets of the heart

[MariaLuvBug]

The very first time I heard "If you could read my mind" I fell in love with his voice and his ability to express such a way that not every song writer can. He has a very soothing voice, and I just listen to that song over and over! No song has ever come close to reaching that bottomless pit of mine nor ever will!!

Greetings to his fans!!
<S>
Maria




------------------
The face is the mirror of the mind and eyes without speaking confess the secrets of the heart

[barton]

quote:Originally posted by NewRhythm:
Hello!
I would say "Softly" has been my fav. for a while. Although I'm not the cheatin' kind I can almost picture what she looks like. I can visualize the whole song as if it were real. I can almost see her lips in the shadows and that perfume.....Not many songs can yank you into a dreamworld. This one does it for me. The other one I like is "Beautiful" which I attempt to sing to my wife!

[barton]

quote:Originally posted by NewRhythm:
Hello!
I would say "Softly" has been my fav. for a while. Although I'm not the cheatin' kind I can almost picture what she looks like. I can visualize the whole song as if it were real. I can almost see her lips in the shadows and that perfume.....Not many songs can yank you into a dreamworld. This one does it for me. The other one I like is "Beautiful" which I attempt to sing to my wife!

[Biz_29]

Songs grow like legends for each individual. Without your being aware of it they gather the feelings and events at the time of listening (especially if love is felt for the music). Later, perhaps only when much later, that music still contains the distilled remnants of those feelings and memories. The first time I heard Dylan's Positively 4th Street played I connected it instantly to a specific time and location in my childhood. Though I would have sworn I'd never heard the song before.
But I digress.
My vote: Summer Side of Life

[Scott]

Songs grow like legends for each individual. Without your being aware of it they gather the feelings and events at the time of listening (especially if love is felt for the music). Later, perhaps only when much later, that music still contains the distilled remnants of those feelings and memories. The first time I heard Dylan's Positively 4th Street played I connected it instantly to a specific time and location in my childhood. Though I would have sworn I'd never heard the song before.
But I digress.
My vote: Summer Side of Life
________
buy vapor genie (http://vaporizers.net/vapor-genie)

[joveski]

This changes week to week, but at the moment it's Sea of tranquility. I managed to get DSR and shadows burnt onto CD and it sounds great. I just love that hanuting feel to the music and the powerful voice.

[portacker@aol.cm]

Lately, I have been singing "Ghosts of Cape Horn". I sail often on the Clearwater, a 100 ft wooden sailing sloop, with a tradional gaff rig, and the song just seems to fit. There is aways music on board, and the meter of the songs works well as a hauling shanty (that is, a song used to keep the sailors in unison when they pull together on a line.)

[portacker@aol.cm]

Lately, I have been singing "Ghosts of Cape Horn". I sail often on the Clearwater, a 100 ft wooden sailing sloop, with a tradional gaff rig, and the song just seems to fit. There is aways music on board, and the meter of the songs works well as a hauling shanty (that is, a song used to keep the sailors in unison when they pull together on a line.)

[mbmjg]

Looking back one day "If You Could Read My Mind" will probably still be my all-time favorite. It makes me wonder how he gets through it without crying. But "Welcome To Try", from Waiting for You, is right up there. I figured it out on both the piano and guitar because I think that song should last. It's great and should not be overlooked. I mean, that chord progression! How do you get things like that?

[mbmjg]

Looking back one day "If You Could Read My Mind" will probably still be my all-time favorite. It makes me wonder how he gets through it without crying. But "Welcome To Try", from Waiting for You, is right up there. I figured it out on both the piano and guitar because I think that song should last. It's great and should not be overlooked. I mean, that chord progression! How do you get things like that?

[BlueHighways]

I've never had a definitive favorite Lightfoot tune; so many are so marvelous. "IYCRMM" introduced me to him, and "Minstrel of the Dawn" and "Ordinary Man" made me a lifer! But my favorites come and go in streaks. These past months, my Gord cravings varied from "Knotty Pine" to "Too Much To Lose" (I try to imagine it as part of the "Cool Hand Luke" soundtrack; it was the film's loss) to "Whisper My Name" to "Mother of a Miner's Child" (would I love to hear THAT in concert again) to the acoustic version of "East of Midnight" (a wonderful Lightfoot fan kindly sent me a copy; it beats the album version hands down!)

But I've gotta say, after watching the CBC version of the Reno concert, I got goosebumps hearing only one song: "Restless." He played that at his Grand Forks, N.D., concert a few years ago, and I had a similar reaction. I was extremely fortunate to meet him after the concert, and I asked him where he came up with the inspiration for "Restless." He said he couldn't say for sure offhand, couldn't really explain it. It just came out a good tune. I thought he was being modest. I told Gord I had virtually every album he'd made, and had just purchased the United Artists compilation. He groaned...but then seemed genuinely grateful when I told him how much I liked "Restless," "I'll Tag Along" and a few other newer songs.

Keep writing, GL!

[BlueHighways]

I've never had a definitive favorite Lightfoot tune; so many are so marvelous. "IYCRMM" introduced me to him, and "Minstrel of the Dawn" and "Ordinary Man" made me a lifer! But my favorites come and go in streaks. These past months, my Gord cravings varied from "Knotty Pine" to "Too Much To Lose" (I try to imagine it as part of the "Cool Hand Luke" soundtrack; it was the film's loss) to "Whisper My Name" to "Mother of a Miner's Child" (would I love to hear THAT in concert again) to the acoustic version of "East of Midnight" (a wonderful Lightfoot fan kindly sent me a copy; it beats the album version hands down!)

But I've gotta say, after watching the CBC version of the Reno concert, I got goosebumps hearing only one song: "Restless." He played that at his Grand Forks, N.D., concert a few years ago, and I had a similar reaction. I was extremely fortunate to meet him after the concert, and I asked him where he came up with the inspiration for "Restless." He said he couldn't say for sure offhand, couldn't really explain it. It just came out a good tune. I thought he was being modest. I told Gord I had virtually every album he'd made, and had just purchased the United Artists compilation. He groaned...but then seemed genuinely grateful when I told him how much I liked "Restless," "I'll Tag Along" and a few other newer songs.

Keep writing, GL!

[hillierd96.fsnet.co.uk]

Well, here we are merely a week and a day from the 25th anniversary of the sinking of "Big Fitz". I guess that's what triggered me to start thinking about it again. My absolute favorite song in consideration of all song writers and musicians who have ever put pen to paper, is "The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald", I still get chills whenever I hear those haunting words of the song. Gordon has captured, not merely a SONG - but an emotion; a memorial tribute not limited merely to a ship or a crew - but to all of the men of the sea who have lost their lives to the cold, dark ---- deep. The song is haunting and deeply moving, and it tells the story so well - as only Gordon Lightfoot could.
Johnfirebird

[Johnfirebird]

Well, here we are merely a week and a day from the 25th anniversary of the sinking of "Big Fitz". I guess that's what triggered me to start thinking about it again. My absolute favorite song in consideration of all song writers and musicians who have ever put pen to paper, is "The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald", I still get chills whenever I hear those haunting words of the song. Gordon has captured, not merely a SONG - but an emotion; a memorial tribute not limited merely to a ship or a crew - but to all of the men of the sea who have lost their lives to the cold, dark ---- deep. The song is haunting and deeply moving, and it tells the story so well - as only Gordon Lightfoot could.
Johnfirebird

[nwasinger]

My favorite Gordon Lightfoot song (as you've probably all assertained by now) Is "THE WRECK OF THE EDMUND FITZGERALD". I like the song so well because at the time I heard it I was in the U.S. Marine Corps, headed for my new duty post located in Okinawa, Japan.The lyrics were so hauntingly melodic and the story told so well, well, it just sent shivers down my spine, especially since I was on a light destroyer out in the middle of the Pacific Ocean! I also became a huge Gord fan after that, seeking out everything the artist had done. While Mr. Lightfoot has certainly written and produced many wonderful songs, none of them have grabbed me the way "THE WRECK" did, before or since. You never hear the song on any radio station, you can't seem to find it on any album... it is almost as if the song itself were a ghost. This only seems to add to the allure of what, in my mind, is one of the greatest lyrical stories ever told.

------------------
Turtle_07_Oh

[Dean Cook]

My favorite Gordon Lightfoot song (as you've probably all assertained by now) Is "THE WRECK OF THE EDMUND FITZGERALD". I like the song so well because at the time I heard it I was in the U.S. Marine Corps, headed for my new duty post located in Okinawa, Japan.The lyrics were so hauntingly melodic and the story told so well, well, it just sent shivers down my spine, especially since I was on a light destroyer out in the middle of the Pacific Ocean! I also became a huge Gord fan after that, seeking out everything the artist had done. While Mr. Lightfoot has certainly written and produced many wonderful songs, none of them have grabbed me the way "THE WRECK" did, before or since. You never hear the song on any radio station, you can't seem to find it on any album... it is almost as if the song itself were a ghost. This only seems to add to the allure of what, in my mind, is one of the greatest lyrical stories ever told.

------------------
Turtle_07_Oh

[Seth]

My favorite Gordon Lightfoot song is Canandian Railroad Trilogy(or is that three songs?). It is my favorite because it is a simply great piece of songwriting, it is epic, I love trains, and because unlike many of his contemporaries, he does not treat industry and technological advancement as evil. He is a true minstrel, without a self- serving ideology, and this song is a great example of that.

[Seth]

My favorite Gordon Lightfoot song is Canandian Railroad Trilogy(or is that three songs?). It is my favorite because it is a simply great piece of songwriting, it is epic, I love trains, and because unlike many of his contemporaries, he does not treat industry and technological advancement as evil. He is a true minstrel, without a self- serving ideology, and this song is a great example of that.

[Railroadtracks]

I'm wondering if anybody can help me out...
I'm looking for the meaning behind the song Sundown....

Is it simply about GL's relationship with a woman... or is there a deeper meaning?

[Railroadtracks]

I'm wondering if anybody can help me out...
I'm looking for the meaning behind the song Sundown....

Is it simply about GL's relationship with a woman... or is there a deeper meaning?

[steggy]

For me, it's a tossup between "Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald" and "Canadian Railroad Trilogy." Both of these tell great tales of courage, suffering and sacrifice. However, if forced to a choice, it would be "Canadian Railroad Trilogy."

You see, this song is especially meaningful to me because my ancestors were all Canadians and most of them were railroaders. My great-great-grandfather, great-grandfather, grandfather and several uncles were railroaders -- some on the Canadian National and others on the Canadian Pacific. As a child, I remember taking the train to go see Grandma and Grandpa in Gananoque (Ont.) in the late 1940's and early 1950's. Grandpa, who had retired as an engineer from the Canadian National, had lots of stories and old pictures that could keep a small boy fascinated for hours on end. Plus, this was when steam locomotives were still in operation and he'd take me down to the roundhouse to see the smoking giants. Years later, I too would become involved with railroading, and even lived out a boyhood dream by actually getting to run a train!

So, for me, Gordon's story of the great undertaking in the 1880's that resulted in the trans-Canada railroad is with a doubt the best of the many stories he has told through song and verse.

[steggy]

For me, it's a tossup between "Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald" and "Canadian Railroad Trilogy." Both of these tell great tales of courage, suffering and sacrifice. However, if forced to a choice, it would be "Canadian Railroad Trilogy."

You see, this song is especially meaningful to me because my ancestors were all Canadians and most of them were railroaders. My great-great-grandfather, great-grandfather, grandfather and several uncles were railroaders -- some on the Canadian National and others on the Canadian Pacific. As a child, I remember taking the train to go see Grandma and Grandpa in Gananoque (Ont.) in the late 1940's and early 1950's. Grandpa, who had retired as an engineer from the Canadian National, had lots of stories and old pictures that could keep a small boy fascinated for hours on end. Plus, this was when steam locomotives were still in operation and he'd take me down to the roundhouse to see the smoking giants. Years later, I too would become involved with railroading, and even lived out a boyhood dream by actually getting to run a train!

So, for me, Gordon's story of the great undertaking in the 1880's that resulted in the trans-Canada railroad is with a doubt the best of the many stories he has told through song and verse.

[Guido]

Too many to list really. As I grew up listening to Lightfoot, since the day I was brought home from the Hospital, almost 30 years ago.

I have many favorites, as my father (who went to Highschool with Lightfoot) would listen to him all the time, and would very often point out to me where and why Gord wrote the song. For example, he'd say to me... "Gord wrote this one about Marchmount." Which is a small community outside of Orillia.

I can remember being little and hearing the song "You are what I am" comming from dads old cassette player when he would be working in the basement on his day off.

I guess it's hard to say what my exact favorite one is, as I love so many for so many different reasons, but I like Summer Side Side of Life, Go, go round and I'd do it again.

Gordon truly is the best thing that ever came out of Orillia... It's just too bad that here he gets overshadowed by Stephen Leacock and stuff. It's really a shame, and I wished our City council would start a museam or something.... Heck, they even took down the signs "Home of Gordon Lightfoot" as you are coming into town.

Sad.

But in my mind, Gordon is the best folk singer to step into the spotlight.

[Orillia Boy]

Too many to list really. As I grew up listening to Lightfoot, since the day I was brought home from the Hospital, almost 30 years ago.

I have many favorites, as my father (who went to Highschool with Lightfoot) would listen to him all the time, and would very often point out to me where and why Gord wrote the song. For example, he'd say to me... "Gord wrote this one about Marchmount." Which is a small community outside of Orillia.

I can remember being little and hearing the song "You are what I am" comming from dads old cassette player when he would be working in the basement on his day off.

I guess it's hard to say what my exact favorite one is, as I love so many for so many different reasons, but I like Summer Side Side of Life, Go, go round and I'd do it again.

Gordon truly is the best thing that ever came out of Orillia... It's just too bad that here he gets overshadowed by Stephen Leacock and stuff. It's really a shame, and I wished our City council would start a museam or something.... Heck, they even took down the signs "Home of Gordon Lightfoot" as you are coming into town.

Sad.

But in my mind, Gordon is the best folk singer to step into the spotlight.

[SilverHeels]

Hi Orillia Boy,
welcome to this great site for Lightfoot
followers.
I was staggered to hear the signs have
been taken down as I was looking forward
to having my photo taken standing beneath/beside it when I come over next year.
Why did they take them down? That is an
an insult to Gordon Lightfoot. Maybe we should get a petition
going and send it to the Council. Who do we
need to address to?

[Carlos Mendes-Rosa]

Are you sure the government took the signs down? Could it be some crazed fans (no one on this site of course). I wanted to take a photo of the signs on Carefree Highway (AZ) but somehow they always seem to "vanish" and probably adorn the homes of many Lightfoot fans. Had to settle for a photo underneath the big sign on the interstate but it wasn't a good experience as the semi trucks about blew me over!

[supaiblue]

Are you sure the government took the signs down? Could it be some crazed fans (no one on this site of course). I wanted to take a photo of the signs on Carefree Highway (AZ) but somehow they always seem to "vanish" and probably adorn the homes of many Lightfoot fans. Had to settle for a photo underneath the big sign on the interstate but it wasn't a good experience as the semi trucks about blew me over!

[charlene]

I have several shots of Orillia and Marchmont etc. from this past July at Mariposa.
If Florian wants he can post them. Florian do you have them saved or should I re-send them to you?
Char

[charlene]

I have several shots of Orillia and Marchmont etc. from this past July at Mariposa.
If Florian wants he can post them. Florian do you have them saved or should I re-send them to you?
Char

[Guido]

Well, Orillia is quite a strange place... I don't understand why they are as backwards as they are. From what I've been told there is about 10 families with "All the money" and they control what goes on... It took 2 generations to change the "Tourist and retirement town" stature the town started to create just after WWII. But hey, it's where I live.

The city put up new signs about a year and a half ago, and I haven't seen the "Home of Gordon Lightfoot" Signs since.

Here is the Orillia City website, and it looks to me as if it's the one city council has put up.
http://www.city.orillia.on.ca/

I don't know why Gord always seems to take a backseat to others from Orillia, although in the past 5 - 10 years he's got a hiking trail named after him, as well as a small auditorium in the Opera House.

Heck when he helped finace a hockey rink here about 25 years ago, all they did was put up a picture and small plaque saying that he helped them out...

But as soon as Brian Orser (He's not even from Orillia, just practiced there) won silver for figure skating at the Olympics, they renamed the same rink "The Brian Orser Arena"

Orillia is definatly strange... As I said before, I'd love to see a Gordon Lightfoot Museum or even a Statue...

If you all start a petition, I'll sign it. I think it's a shame on how they treat him myself.

At anyrate, I don't mind taking pictures for people to scan in, but Orillia is now under about 6 - 8 inches of snow. I think you'd like pictures better from the summer.

But I'm on my way to Orillia, to my parents place tonight, as soon as I post this here. I'll see if my Dad has any good pictures of Orillia, Or the Mill at Marchmount, or Coldwater... (All the surrounding areas)

Problem is, is that I don't have a scanner. Also too, I would just like to tell the webmaster that I like is trivia page. I only scored 9, but I had to laugh, cause I did better than my Dad. http://www.corfid.com/ubb/smile.gif

At anyrate I have really hard question for people.... I don't know if the webmaster wants to post it or not, but if he does, I can send it to him.

I might be able to come up with a highschool picture of Gord if I can get access to a scanner.

At anyrate, I'm off, and let me know if you start a petition, I'll gladly sign, and can even "Hand deliver" it to the mayor or bring it up at a City Hall meeting, (which is televised locally) if we get enough names.

[Orillia Boy]

Well, Orillia is quite a strange place... I don't understand why they are as backwards as they are. From what I've been told there is about 10 families with "All the money" and they control what goes on... It took 2 generations to change the "Tourist and retirement town" stature the town started to create just after WWII. But hey, it's where I live.

The city put up new signs about a year and a half ago, and I haven't seen the "Home of Gordon Lightfoot" Signs since.

Here is the Orillia City website, and it looks to me as if it's the one city council has put up.
http://www.city.orillia.on.ca/

I don't know why Gord always seems to take a backseat to others from Orillia, although in the past 5 - 10 years he's got a hiking trail named after him, as well as a small auditorium in the Opera House.

Heck when he helped finace a hockey rink here about 25 years ago, all they did was put up a picture and small plaque saying that he helped them out...

But as soon as Brian Orser (He's not even from Orillia, just practiced there) won silver for figure skating at the Olympics, they renamed the same rink "The Brian Orser Arena"

Orillia is definatly strange... As I said before, I'd love to see a Gordon Lightfoot Museum or even a Statue...

If you all start a petition, I'll sign it. I think it's a shame on how they treat him myself.

At anyrate, I don't mind taking pictures for people to scan in, but Orillia is now under about 6 - 8 inches of snow. I think you'd like pictures better from the summer.

But I'm on my way to Orillia, to my parents place tonight, as soon as I post this here. I'll see if my Dad has any good pictures of Orillia, Or the Mill at Marchmount, or Coldwater... (All the surrounding areas)

Problem is, is that I don't have a scanner. Also too, I would just like to tell the webmaster that I like is trivia page. I only scored 9, but I had to laugh, cause I did better than my Dad. http://www.corfid.com/ubb/smile.gif

At anyrate I have really hard question for people.... I don't know if the webmaster wants to post it or not, but if he does, I can send it to him.

I might be able to come up with a highschool picture of Gord if I can get access to a scanner.

At anyrate, I'm off, and let me know if you start a petition, I'll gladly sign, and can even "Hand deliver" it to the mayor or bring it up at a City Hall meeting, (which is televised locally) if we get enough names.

[Dan O'Malley]

One truly great song of Gord's that rarely gets a mention is "The Patriot's Dream", along with "Tattoo", one of the few songs to literally bring a tear to my eye. I'm not ashamed to admit it!

[Dan O'Malley]

One truly classic Lightfoot song rarely mentioned is "The Patriot's Dream". What a blinder!!

------------------
Dan O'Malley

[Florian]

Hi Orillia Boy,

I am glad to hear you liked the quiz. It's been a longterm project for me to update this section, so please send me the "tricky" questions you have. Just make sure you include the correct answer http://www.corfid.com/ubb/wink.gif

Hi Charlene,

I do have all emails archived, however, if it possible for you to resend them to me, I can put them online right away.

[SilverHeels]

Florian, can we get a petition started
for the GOrd signs to be replaced in
Orillia, or even better, a statue erected.
The man has done so much for the town and
for Canada, he deserves no less.
I really like the idea of a statute.
What d'you think?

[cuda]

God, what a tough question, so many great songs. I guess I'd have to say "Afair on Eighth Avenue" Just amazing. Such an artist!!!!!

[JOE]

God, what a tough question, so many great songs. I guess I'd have to say "Afair on Eighth Avenue" Just amazing. Such an artist!!!!!

[philcee99@yahoo.co.uk]

I have been watching Trigger Happy TV recently on Channel 4 in England. Each week, a backing track comes on and by the power of the internet, I have found out that it is "if you could read my mind love" by a certain Gordon Lightfoot.

I have heard this song before but it is only now that I have realised its power: it is one of those rare songs that makes you stop and wonder what lifes all about. It touches and draws out a feeling of falibility. It makes me feel sad yet complete. This may sound like pretentious bullshit but sat here it is very difficult to convey the emotions that this song stirs. On Monday morning I will be straight down to the record shop to get this song and albeit belatedly, introduce myself to this great songwriter. The greatest song ever!!! philcee99@yahoo.co.uk

[philcee99@yahoo.co.uk]

I have been watching Trigger Happy TV recently on Channel 4 in England. Each week, a backing track comes on and by the power of the internet, I have found out that it is "if you could read my mind love" by a certain Gordon Lightfoot.

I have heard this song before but it is only now that I have realised its power: it is one of those rare songs that makes you stop and wonder what lifes all about. It touches and draws out a feeling of falibility. It makes me feel sad yet complete. This may sound like pretentious bullshit but sat here it is very difficult to convey the emotions that this song stirs. On Monday morning I will be straight down to the record shop to get this song and albeit belatedly, introduce myself to this great songwriter. The greatest song ever!!! philcee99@yahoo.co.uk

[Fugi]

Hey one and all. My favorite Lightfoot song is The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald. Now, everyone thinks I'm morbid because of that, but it's not the case at all. I pretty much grew up on that song. I'm from Michigan, where the event of the song takes place, and my grade school music teacher had us listen to that song every year, like music history, ya' know?? Well, anywho, I like the song, even though it's so sad. Maybe that's part of the reason I like it, because it makes one stop and think and reflect and ponder and empathize, especially young impressionable grade school kids! http://www.corfid.com/ubb/smile.gif Anywho, Mr. Lightfoot is swell!! Woo-hoo!

visit me at http://Calcio_2.tripod.com

[Fugi]

Hey one and all. My favorite Lightfoot song is The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald. Now, everyone thinks I'm morbid because of that, but it's not the case at all. I pretty much grew up on that song. I'm from Michigan, where the event of the song takes place, and my grade school music teacher had us listen to that song every year, like music history, ya' know?? Well, anywho, I like the song, even though it's so sad. Maybe that's part of the reason I like it, because it makes one stop and think and reflect and ponder and empathize, especially young impressionable grade school kids! http://www.corfid.com/ubb/smile.gif Anywho, Mr. Lightfoot is swell!! Woo-hoo!

visit me at http://Calcio_2.tripod.com

[Brady Bunch]

Anne -- I too saw Gordon in Lincoln City. We got to sit in the front row for his second concert on Saturday night, a magical event for me. It was the first time I'd seen him since 1982, so changes have happened! He seemed a bit tired at that one too, did 90 minutes straight. I left my business card, with requests written on the back, on the stage. He picked it up about 1/2 way through the concert, and I almost died right there. He read one of the titles out loud, "Never Too Close," said they'd done that one in the earlier show and "good songs are like tires, they must be rotated." Then, he put MY card in his back pocket!! I leaned over to my husband and loudly whispered "my business card is next to Gordon's rear!!" Char, are you listening? I didn't get to meet him as I had hoped, but this series of events was a big enough thrill for me for the evening. I kept waiting for him to call me at work, but he hasn't yet (LOL).

As for my favorites (plural, not singular), IYCRMM, Seven Island Suite, The Watchman's Gone, I'm Not Supposed To Care, If Children Had Wings, All I'm After, Same Old Obsession, Hi'Way Songs, Lazy Mornin' (beautiful piano work by Gord), The Circle is Small, Circle of Steel, to name just a few!!

He is simply the best, isn't he? I'm like you, Char, I feel so lucky and blessed to have his music in my life. I feel sorry for people who don't appreciate him!! Also, I have a 16 at home who thinks my obsession is nuts. Oh well...

[Brady Bunch]

Anne -- I too saw Gordon in Lincoln City. We got to sit in the front row for his second concert on Saturday night, a magical event for me. It was the first time I'd seen him since 1982, so changes have happened! He seemed a bit tired at that one too, did 90 minutes straight. I left my business card, with requests written on the back, on the stage. He picked it up about 1/2 way through the concert, and I almost died right there. He read one of the titles out loud, "Never Too Close," said they'd done that one in the earlier show and "good songs are like tires, they must be rotated." Then, he put MY card in his back pocket!! I leaned over to my husband and loudly whispered "my business card is next to Gordon's rear!!" Char, are you listening? I didn't get to meet him as I had hoped, but this series of events was a big enough thrill for me for the evening. I kept waiting for him to call me at work, but he hasn't yet (LOL).

As for my favorites (plural, not singular), IYCRMM, Seven Island Suite, The Watchman's Gone, I'm Not Supposed To Care, If Children Had Wings, All I'm After, Same Old Obsession, Hi'Way Songs, Lazy Mornin' (beautiful piano work by Gord), The Circle is Small, Circle of Steel, to name just a few!!

He is simply the best, isn't he? I'm like you, Char, I feel so lucky and blessed to have his music in my life. I feel sorry for people who don't appreciate him!! Also, I have a 16 at home who thinks my obsession is nuts. Oh well...

[bacall]

Picking just one favorite song is like just eating one potato chip , very difficult. On the other hand , a short list might be a better topic . My favorites include Beautful , Song For A Winters Night , IYCRMM , Don Quixote , and CRT . "The house you live in will never fall down if you pity the stranger who stands at the gate "

------------------
Vern

[charlene]

Brady Bunch!
how cool! send me your e-mail - I'll send you an appropriate picture!
westbrd@sprint.ca
chr

[charlene]

Brady Bunch!
how cool! send me your e-mail - I'll send you an appropriate picture!
westbrd@sprint.ca
chr

[Ken Bailey]

My favorite (of the many Gordon Lightfoot compositions I LOVE) is "Looking at the rain" (a lesser known song from the album "Don Quioxte"). Sometimes he can just paint a picture that goes beyond what words can: this one, a powerful picture of a person trying to cope with the loss of a love. The words, the melody, and the rise and fall of the strings come together to make this song at once sad and beautiful. Haunting, really. I don't think Gordon Lightfoot has ever gotten the credit he deserves. As a composer, he is on the same shelf and Lennon/McCartney, and Shakespere. I hope he keeps writing for decades to come.

[Ken Bailey]

My favorite (of the many Gordon Lightfoot compositions I LOVE) is "Looking at the rain" (a lesser known song from the album "Don Quioxte"). Sometimes he can just paint a picture that goes beyond what words can: this one, a powerful picture of a person trying to cope with the loss of a love. The words, the melody, and the rise and fall of the strings come together to make this song at once sad and beautiful. Haunting, really. I don't think Gordon Lightfoot has ever gotten the credit he deserves. As a composer, he is on the same shelf and Lennon/McCartney, and Shakespere. I hope he keeps writing for decades to come.

[Megan]

I really like Song for a Winter's Night. It is a beautiful song with good and pretty words and it now holds special meaning for me and a friend that I am about to lose.

[Megan]

I really like Song for a Winter's Night. It is a beautiful song with good and pretty words and it now holds special meaning for me and a friend that I am about to lose.

[sdpops]

Winters night,, Gordon is a fantastic song writer, one I admire a great deal., quote:Originally posted by Florian:
What is your favorite Lightfoot Song & Why?

(topic originated by Wes Steele)


[This message has been edited by Florian (edited February 26, 2000).]

[sdpops]

Winters night,, Gordon is a fantastic song writer, one I admire a great deal., quote:Originally posted by Florian:
What is your favorite Lightfoot Song & Why?

(topic originated by Wes Steele)


[This message has been edited by Florian (edited February 26, 2000).]

[earlymorningrain]

i first heard gl in 1968 and the first song i heard was ballad of yarmouth castle.so this would have to be my favorite gl song.i have been listening to gl ever since.

[osubear]

i first heard gl in 1968 and the first song i heard was ballad of yarmouth castle.so this would have to be my favorite gl song.i have been listening to gl ever since.

[Rebecca]

Mine is an oldie: "The Last Time I Saw Her."
The song is very emotional, and very visually striking, when one listens to it, and closes their eyes. I would have loved to have made this into a video, many years ago...perhaps, even now. It's a wonderfully crafted song, and has held up well over the test of time.

------------------

[bacall]

Mine is an oldie: "The Last Time I Saw Her."
The song is very emotional, and very visually striking, when one listens to it, and closes their eyes. I would have loved to have made this into a video, many years ago...perhaps, even now. It's a wonderfully crafted song, and has held up well over the test of time.

------------------

[Philip]

East of Midnight. The best. Great instrumental feel with soaring vocals. I have played Gords' music on the streets of S.F. in the 70's. I wish I had used this one.