"Circle of Steel" is a real bruiser. I first heard it after my mother bought Gord's Gold back in 76 (I was 10). I was familiar with all of his hits through the radio, but I was struck by the landscapes of all those numbers I hadn't heard before--especially Circle of Steel. It's a song that has stuck with me, even moreso when I finally became a father.

"Deck the Halls was the song they played in the flat next door where they shout all day."

"A child is born to a welfare case where the rats run around like they own the place."

"The sun hits the handle of her heirloom cup."

I will always be moved by this utterly relentless song. It is one of the most evocative things I have ever heard--a Dickensian gem.

I have to go hug my boy now.

"Circle of Steel" is a real bruiser. I first heard it after my mother bought Gord's Gold back in 76 (I was 10). I was familiar with all of his hits through the radio, but I was struck by the landscapes of all those numbers I hadn't heard before--especially Circle of Steel. It's a song that has stuck with me, even moreso when I finally became a father.

"Deck the Halls was the song they played in the flat next door where they shout all day."

"A child is born to a welfare case where the rats run around like they own the place."

"The sun hits the handle of her heirloom cup."

I will always be moved by this utterly relentless song. It is one of the most evocative things I have ever heard--a Dickensian gem.

I have to go hug my boy now.

The song "The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald" has haunted me since childhood (it was played a lot on the radio at the time). I remember standing still in Woolworths when I was about 8 so I could listen to the whole thing. It is utterly beautiful. He conveys the lonely, cold peril of that night without reducing the lyrics to schmaltz (which a lesser wordsmith might so easily have done). I think any human being with a grain of empathy for their fellow man can't help but be moved by his eloquence.

The song "The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald" has haunted me since childhood (it was played a lot on the radio at the time). I remember standing still in Woolworths when I was about 8 so I could listen to the whole thing. It is utterly beautiful. He conveys the lonely, cold peril of that night without reducing the lyrics to schmaltz (which a lesser wordsmith might so easily have done). I think any human being with a grain of empathy for their fellow man can't help but be moved by his eloquence.

I love almost all of his songs. But there are a couple that really speak to me for reasons I can't even explain. Minstrel of the Dawn is one. I think it's the musical genius that does it for me. Every time I hear that song I am amazed. The other song is Don Quiote. It speaks a different message to me each time I hear it. Most of his songs do that for me. No matter what year it is or what is going on in my life, the music, and especially the lyrics, seem to fit. They make me think. I usually end up finding solutions for my problems. I raised my daughter on GL. She spent every penny she had to buy the boxed set for me for my birthday. This will always be my treasured gift from her. Not so much because of the music, but for 20 years of her and I sharing a love of the same music. Not many mothers and daughters can say the same thing. That's what is special about Gordon Lightfoot.

I love almost all of his songs. But there are a couple that really speak to me for reasons I can't even explain. Minstrel of the Dawn is one. I think it's the musical genius that does it for me. Every time I hear that song I am amazed. The other song is Don Quiote. It speaks a different message to me each time I hear it. Most of his songs do that for me. No matter what year it is or what is going on in my life, the music, and especially the lyrics, seem to fit. They make me think. I usually end up finding solutions for my problems. I raised my daughter on GL. She spent every penny she had to buy the boxed set for me for my birthday. This will always be my treasured gift from her. Not so much because of the music, but for 20 years of her and I sharing a love of the same music. Not many mothers and daughters can say the same thing. That's what is special about Gordon Lightfoot.

They are all outstanding, but 3 really jump to the forefront of my Gordon Lightfoot psyche. Those three songs so deeply touch me, enthrall my emotional senses, reach down into my bare being and expose it only as Gordon Lightfoot's pure lyricistic magnificence can, that merely talking about these psychological works of art bring water to my eyes and force me to swallow.
The poetic masterpieces are, in random order, Sit Down Young Stranger, Someone To Believe In, and Summer Side of Life.
I was so touched and honoured at being able to actually share some of the feeling about those songs personally with Gord, and tell him of the barrels and barrels of tears I had shed while those songs bathed me in the fluidity of his masterful lyrics and crying guitar.
He sang those songs for me. He knew not who I was, he knew not the crushing pain I had lived and was living, yet somehow he knew to put those words to music and make them find me.
What's most important though, is now he knows, and forever we shall be be like some kind of long distance brothers, caring for and deeeply respecting one another's reason for being in this world, even though our eyes have never even met. they never have to.
Thank you Gord. Thank you for your music. But more importantly, thank you for letting me tell you how much it has done in keeping me alive so I could grow and watch my family grow too.

Love, your brother in spirit as only you and I can know, Mike

They are all outstanding, but 3 really jump to the forefront of my Gordon Lightfoot psyche. Those three songs so deeply touch me, enthrall my emotional senses, reach down into my bare being and expose it only as Gordon Lightfoot's pure lyricistic magnificence can, that merely talking about these psychological works of art bring water to my eyes and force me to swallow.
The poetic masterpieces are, in random order, Sit Down Young Stranger, Someone To Believe In, and Summer Side of Life.
I was so touched and honoured at being able to actually share some of the feeling about those songs personally with Gord, and tell him of the barrels and barrels of tears I had shed while those songs bathed me in the fluidity of his masterful lyrics and crying guitar.
He sang those songs for me. He knew not who I was, he knew not the crushing pain I had lived and was living, yet somehow he knew to put those words to music and make them find me.
What's most important though, is now he knows, and forever we shall be be like some kind of long distance brothers, caring for and deeeply respecting one another's reason for being in this world, even though our eyes have never even met. they never have to.
Thank you Gord. Thank you for your music. But more importantly, thank you for letting me tell you how much it has done in keeping me alive so I could grow and watch my family grow too.

Love, your brother in spirit as only you and I can know, Mike

My favs have been, of course, The Wreck, the Pony Man, and If You Could Read My Mind. The wreck has the most mystical and ominous sounding music in it. As if the lyrics weren't descriptive enough, the "windy" noises created by Gordon really takes you to that November night. Jump ahead to 2004, I am a 37 year old first time mother of a 13 month old. My fav song to sing to her is Pony Man. She gets so still in my arms when I sing it and you can tell that the lyrics totally pacify her. She had a somewhat painful medical procedure at 8 months of age and the doctors told me to sing to her. When I started to sing the Pony Man, her wailing was reduced to little sobs, even at that young age. I had to bring in the lyrics for the staff at my daughters next visit!

My favs have been, of course, The Wreck, the Pony Man, and If You Could Read My Mind. The wreck has the most mystical and ominous sounding music in it. As if the lyrics weren't descriptive enough, the "windy" noises created by Gordon really takes you to that November night. Jump ahead to 2004, I am a 37 year old first time mother of a 13 month old. My fav song to sing to her is Pony Man. She gets so still in my arms when I sing it and you can tell that the lyrics totally pacify her. She had a somewhat painful medical procedure at 8 months of age and the doctors told me to sing to her. When I started to sing the Pony Man, her wailing was reduced to little sobs, even at that young age. I had to bring in the lyrics for the staff at my daughters next visit!

I'm from england and the only times i've ever heard Gordie are on our 2/3 CDs (The combination of "early lightfoot" [which is actually lightfoot for anyone in canada or the USA] and "sunday concert", the other Album is The Way I feel)

So i haven't actually heard most of the songs you've talked about and although i have heard of "wreck of the edmund fitzgerald" i haven't heard it.

My favourite songs would have to be: Crossroads
Bitter Green
Steel Rail Blues
and The Canadian Railroad trilogy
(and maybe home from the forest)

I'm from england and the only times i've ever heard Gordie are on our 2/3 CDs (The combination of "early lightfoot" [which is actually lightfoot for anyone in canada or the USA] and "sunday concert", the other Album is The Way I feel)

So i haven't actually heard most of the songs you've talked about and although i have heard of "wreck of the edmund fitzgerald" i haven't heard it.

My favourite songs would have to be: Crossroads
Bitter Green
Steel Rail Blues
and The Canadian Railroad trilogy
(and maybe home from the forest)

My favorite song is Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald. I grew up on Lake Superior, and it is one of those stories we still all talk about, even to this very day. He captured the heartbreak and loss everyone suffered that fateful day. Thank you sir! My father knew some of those men. He said it was a fitting tribute.

My favorite song is Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald. I grew up on Lake Superior, and it is one of those stories we still all talk about, even to this very day. He captured the heartbreak and loss everyone suffered that fateful day. Thank you sir! My father knew some of those men. He said it was a fitting tribute.

I never really get tired of listening to "Seven Island Suite". A masterpiece of a song.

I never really get tired of listening to "Seven Island Suite". A masterpiece of a song.

I guess my favorite is a toss between Summer Side of Life & Early Morning Rain.

But the most haunting for me is Circle of Steel.

I come from a good family but I have a sister who is bi-polar and has a lot of trouble just living in the world. She is also a single mother and my heart bleeds for her and her children.

That song just haunts me because it describes her to a tee and makes me think of her situation. It just shows Gordon empathizes with people.

I guess my favorite is a toss between Summer Side of Life & Early Morning Rain.

But the most haunting for me is Circle of Steel.

I come from a good family but I have a sister who is bi-polar and has a lot of trouble just living in the world. She is also a single mother and my heart bleeds for her and her children.

That song just haunts me because it describes her to a tee and makes me think of her situation. It just shows Gordon empathizes with people.

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).]

My favorite song, I think, is If You Could Read my Mind. I like it because....well...I dunno,it`s one of those songs you just automatically like!

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).]

My favorite song, I think, is If You Could Read my Mind. I like it because....well...I dunno,it`s one of those songs you just automatically like!

tatoo

lyrically its brilliant... and, like many of his songs, i really identified with its theme.

on tattoo his baritone voice is an excellent marriage of masculinity and sesitivity...

to me, what lighfoot is ALL ABOUT.

and the harmonic flow of the descending guitar lines in the bridge/chorus is beautiful and classic.

it brings tears to my eyes, as many of his song can do...

"time has been wasting away... you know time doesnt wait for someone to find what theyre after"

rand z (tropical soul)

tatoo

lyrically its brilliant... and, like many of his songs, i really identified with its theme.

on tattoo his baritone voice is an excellent marriage of masculinity and sesitivity...

to me, what lighfoot is ALL ABOUT.

and the harmonic flow of the descending guitar lines in the bridge/chorus is beautiful and classic.

it brings tears to my eyes, as many of his song can do...

"time has been wasting away... you know time doesnt wait for someone to find what theyre after"

rand z (tropical soul)

Definitely Canadian Railroad Trilogy. It's such an incredibly magnificent chronicling of the development of the Canadian Railroad, and it elicits such emotion and paints such a clear picture of the scenes that must have existed during that time. The music in many places seems to replicate the accelerating movement of a train, and I just think it's a spectacular achievement. Many of his songs are prettier, but I don't think any is better.

Definitely Canadian Railroad Trilogy. It's such an incredibly magnificent chronicling of the development of the Canadian Railroad, and it elicits such emotion and paints such a clear picture of the scenes that must have existed during that time. The music in many places seems to replicate the accelerating movement of a train, and I just think it's a spectacular achievement. Many of his songs are prettier, but I don't think any is better.

I like the song If You Could Read My Mind.I like it because.... Well...I dunno, it`s one of those songs you just automatically like!
http://www.corfid.com/ubb/wink.gif

I like the song If You Could Read My Mind.I like it because.... Well...I dunno, it`s one of those songs you just automatically like!
http://www.corfid.com/ubb/wink.gif

At this moment, my favourite song is The Wreck of The Edmund FItzgerald. It is a wonderful sweeping tale of courage and loss. Mr Lightfoot's gift for melody shines in this song. He has captured the feel of the water and the swell of the waves. For me, the most powerful moment is this line; Does anyone know where the love of God goes when the waves turn the minutes to hours. It speaks volumes. Another poetic twist, although this is a question, it is phrased as a statement. Again, it speaks volumes

At this moment, my favourite song is The Wreck of The Edmund FItzgerald. It is a wonderful sweeping tale of courage and loss. Mr Lightfoot's gift for melody shines in this song. He has captured the feel of the water and the swell of the waves. For me, the most powerful moment is this line; Does anyone know where the love of God goes when the waves turn the minutes to hours. It speaks volumes. Another poetic twist, although this is a question, it is phrased as a statement. Again, it speaks volumes

Marvellous insight, Marc.

The Wreck is always in my revolving list of favourites, and always will be. It is a very powerful story of courage and loss, told with an amazing amount of class and respect.

Marvellous insight, Marc.

The Wreck is always in my revolving list of favourites, and always will be. It is a very powerful story of courage and loss, told with an amazing amount of class and respect.

I love the Wreck most of all, and any one of Gord's ship songs. ( I can't imagine the juxtaposition of hearing it in Woolworth's as a previous post says)
Then Seven Island Suite and Ghosts of Cape Horn and the Trilogy. A nod goes to Don't Beat Me Down as a favorite underrated song.
I go more for the upbeat ones than the slow romantic tunes and the big radio hits.
I love Whispers of the North as well and Boathouse. But I never tire of the Wreck, imagining those huge waves and that awful cold water.

"Superior sings in the rooms of her icewater mansion"
________
Jaguar Xk120

I love the Wreck most of all, and any one of Gord's ship songs. ( I can't imagine the juxtaposition of hearing it in Woolworth's as a previous post says)
Then Seven Island Suite and Ghosts of Cape Horn and the Trilogy. A nod goes to Don't Beat Me Down as a favorite underrated song.
I go more for the upbeat ones than the slow romantic tunes and the big radio hits.
I love Whispers of the North as well and Boathouse. But I never tire of the Wreck, imagining those huge waves and that awful cold water.

"Superior sings in the rooms of her icewater mansion"

Drink Yer Glasses Empty

When a good man, a huge fan of Gord's, died on StormKing he wasn't hear'n this cd. I always thought this song his swan/epithet. Smokejumpers n'hotshots, drink yer glasses girls and boys it's time to hit the sky.

Drink Yer Glasses Empty

When a good man, a huge fan of Gord's, died on StormKing he wasn't hear'n this cd. I always thought this song his swan/epithet. Smokejumpers n'hotshots, drink yer glasses girls and boys it's time to hit the sky.

Rainy Day People. There enough "sunshine" everywhere.

Rainy Day People. There enough "sunshine" everywhere.

There are just so many beautiful Lightfoot songs, which makes it such a great question to ponder. I especially enjoy "Wild Strawberries." The melody and lyrics are splendidly soothing. I can listen to Gordi for hours, and often times I do. He seems to have a song that suits any feeling a person may have.

There are just so many beautiful Lightfoot songs, which makes it such a great question to ponder. I especially enjoy "Wild Strawberries." The melody and lyrics are splendidly soothing. I can listen to Gordi for hours, and often times I do. He seems to have a song that suits any feeling a person may have.

My favorite Gordon Lightfoot song has changedin the last few months. Right now I am 16 and my dad would always play Gordon's Gold in the car, and I memorized all the lyrics to the songs. Between then and a few months ago, my favorite song was Circle of Steel, because of its vivid imagery, especially in the last verse. But, since I have fallen deeply in love with someone, softly is my new favorite song, and The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face is the runner up

My favorite Gordon Lightfoot song has changedin the last few months. Right now I am 16 and my dad would always play Gordon's Gold in the car, and I memorized all the lyrics to the songs. Between then and a few months ago, my favorite song was Circle of Steel, because of its vivid imagery, especially in the last verse. But, since I have fallen deeply in love with someone, softly is my new favorite song, and The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face is the runner up