[charlene]

I'm befuddled why it's ok to say a song is "classic American" but that's not nationalism. Yet when another opinion that it is not "American" is stated it is then considered nationalism and too deep.

Nope - you weren't supposed to think of him any way you didn't want to. Or in a way which didn't occur to you. But he is Canadian with all that inherently brings to the song writing table, regardless of what you did or didn't think.
I'm well aware of where Gord's performed over the years and the impact it had on his career and where his tours take him these days.
Sundown was also a hit here in Canada, as were many of his other tunes .
Being from Canada makes him a "Canadian" performer/artist. A huge number of his tunes and for that matter his recognition factor is his writings about Canada - people, places, nature, geography, history. It's one facet of his writing that is mentioned quite a lot by his worldwide audiences and music critics, many describing him as a Canadian songwriter - not just meaning his nationality. He also refers to places in the U.S. and around the world, writing from a Canadian mindset.
He is unabashedly Canadian. His Canadianism is reflected in his music just as Toby Keith's Americanism is in his songs. He writes what he knows and lives in his own country where he grew up and that coloured his views. In Lightfoot tunes that tell of American events they are written/interpreted with a Canadian perspective and tone.
Are British rock groups songs also referred to as classic American rock? Australian? Canadian rock groups like The Guess Who, Bryan Adams, Bachman Turner Overdrive -
Are their hit songs American rock? (this rationale applies to other music genres as well)
There is a nationalism about music..regardless of what kind of music it is. There's British rock, folk, pop, blues, country as surely as there is American folk, rock, pop, blues, country and as well there is Canadian folk, rock, pop, blues, country etc.....because a person doesn't acknowledge it doesn't mean it doesn't exist.
What makes a song "American" rock? Is it because it was a hit in the U.S. regardless of the artists' origin? That's enough to claim it as such?
I would think American rock would be Springsteen, Tom Petty, etc. for example. I refer to their songs as rock. American rock. Different than British rock. Different than Canadian rock. I am aware however that they are American artists and altho they have had hit songs here I don't refer to them as classic 'Canadian' rock songs as I would for Canadian rock artists such as Bryan Adams, The Hip, Rush, etc.
Are Beatles songs 'classic American rock songs' because they had huge success in America? No - they are British rockers -they are classic British rock songs. They have an identity of their own.
Many would argue that where an artist comes from defines their 'sound' in their songs. (musically and lyrically) And if that performer remains in their home country this may be even moreso.
The cultural happenings in countries and even in specific areas of each country played a huge part in the sound/songs written. This was especially true from the 30's onward I think. These site specific events (war/the Depression/political events, etc.) play into the 'sound/feel' of each individual artist.
Because a songs’ lyrics don't reference an artist's home country does not negate the 'sound/feel' their music has that identifies them as Canadian/American/British etc.
Prior to being catapulted into international stardom when an American radio station played one of his tunes please remember that Lightfoot was already a star at home in Canada for several years. He wasn't an obscure artist begging for recognition or for his career to 'break open.' The evolution of his career saw his music become known worldwide, his tours took him global and he sold a lot of records. Records full of the songs of a Canadian musician, writing from/with a Canadian sensibility and perspective about the things that mattered to him in his life. His Canadian life that shaped his thoughts, opinions and words and that still do to this day. Just like Springsteen, Tom Petty, Alan Jackson, Billy Joel, John Mellencamp et al write with their own life experiences and influences that come with living in the U.S.
They may write about events in other countries but it with their own personal uniqueness..and much of that relates to their nationality and a life lived in their home country where politics, education, and society shaped their thoughts and how they express themselves.
re: "American anything" - the discussion is about the song, not the man. We know he is Canadian. I don't agree the song is "American" of any kind of musical genre, be it pop, folk, easy listening, contemporary.. Like art and literature, music has a nationality.
And as discussed before, Lightfoot music, tho classified most of the time as 'folk' music almost always defies that description. Lightfoot music is a genre unto itself. Perhaps ‘folk rock’ best describes many of his tunes when speaking of their ‘musical’ genre.
His music has, still does and always will cross international borders, that's not in question.
I am questioning the labeling of a particular song as "American." My question is not meant as an insult.
It seems that saying his music is Canadian is nationalism even though saying it is "American" as the critic did, is not, and it must not be commented upon. Wow.
I think SUNDOWN is not "American, Rock, or American Rock"..
I think it IS a classic though.