Gordon Lightfoot Forums - View Single Post - two most similar songs, and why you feel they are similar

Auburn Annie · 03-17-2003, 11:30 AM

From http://www.corfid.com/gl/biography.htm

In April of 1987, Lightfoot filed a lawsuit against Michael Masser, alleging that Masser's song "The Greatest Love of All" (recorded by Whitney Houston) stole twenty-four bars from Lightfoot's 1969 hit "If You Could Read My Mind." According to Maclean's, Lightfoot commented, "It really rubbed me the wrong way. I don't want the present-day generation to think that I stole my song from him." Unlikely, though Lightfoot himself has always remained cautious and questioning about the industry. Said Toronto promoter Bernie Fiedler, "I don't think Gordon realizes that he has a tremendous talent. When intelligentsia of the music business courted him, he felt threatened. He's a cautious man who won't take chances."

No word on how this played out - if it went further than filing there probably would have been more about it in the news. Anyone know?

03-17-2003, 11:30 AM	#10
Auburn Annie Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Upstate New York Posts: 3,101	From http://www.corfid.com/gl/biography.htm In April of 1987, Lightfoot filed a lawsuit against Michael Masser, alleging that Masser's song "The Greatest Love of All" (recorded by Whitney Houston) stole twenty-four bars from Lightfoot's 1969 hit "If You Could Read My Mind." According to Maclean's, Lightfoot commented, "It really rubbed me the wrong way. I don't want the present-day generation to think that I stole my song from him." Unlikely, though Lightfoot himself has always remained cautious and questioning about the industry. Said Toronto promoter Bernie Fiedler, "I don't think Gordon realizes that he has a tremendous talent. When intelligentsia of the music business courted him, he felt threatened. He's a cautious man who won't take chances." No word on how this played out - if it went further than filing there probably would have been more about it in the news. Anyone know?