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

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?

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?

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.

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.

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

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

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

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

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.

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.

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!!

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,
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.

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:
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.

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,
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

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...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!

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!

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!

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!

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!

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!