Gordon Lightfoot is a Canadian icon. 🇨🇦 This song was about the breakup of his marriage. He just passed last year. He created so many beautiful songs and he is considered folk rock.
I didn't know that about him. The first time I heard this was in the late 70's not sure when it was released, but I did look for other music I he had played and sung. I loved him the first time I heard him, awesome voice, very talented man. RIP Gordan Lightfoot, there will never be another like you.
Yep, once you hear this song once, you’ll never forget it. At the end I also saw a clip for James Taylor. If you haven’t listened to him yet you need to. He’s had hits that I’m sure you’ve heard. IMO he’s one of the greatest folk writers and musicians. He was also married years ago to Carly Simon.
I've always thought that the "And I just don't get it" was an amazing line - how often do we do things that surprise us, that we never thought we'd do, when emotions are engaged? And amidst all the interpersonal drama, we have the personal questioning and grieving as we learn something surprising about ourselves.
Bob Dylan said, “When I listen to a Gordon Lightfoot song, I wish it would never end”. And Dylan also said, “Gordon Ightfoot died without ever having written a bad song”.
Gordon Lightfoot is his real name. He died in May 2023. If You Could Read My Mind was written about his divorce. When he performed the song, he made a change to the lyrics: at the request of his daughter: The line "I'm just trying to understand the feelings that you lack" is altered to "I'm just trying to understand the feelings that we lack." Bob Dylan called him one of his favourite songwriters and said, "I can't think of any Gordon Lightfoot song I don't like. Every time I hear a song of his, it's like I wish it would last forever.... "
Wow. That’s my favorite line. It actually fits my ex husband and years later, my daughter. Lack of empathy and feelings. It’s something I can’t wrap my head around. It’s devastating. I guess he cheated I was disappointed to find out. So his daughter’s request makes sense. Thanks for sharing that.
Gordon Lightfoot is an icon. He was a troubadour, a poet, a storyteller..a deep thinker and an easy to listen to musician. His music has no label.. It is Gordon..as real as real can be. He is missed... A LEGEND!!!!!
Despite his serious health challenges and a distinctive, warm tenor voice that had grown thinner over the years, Lightfoot was a road warrior who loved to tour and perform live. Indeed, he continued to do so until several weeks before his death of natural causes in a Toronto hospital on May 1, 2023 at age 84. RIP Gordon Lightfoot, an iconic Canadian folksinger-songwriter known for his evocative, poetic and stirring songs.
I had the great fortune to see him perform live in December 2022. His concert was a lesson in music theory, progressing through his songbook in order of key. It was magical. His voice wasn’t as rich as in his youth, but had so much soul.
Lightfoot was classified as Folk, folk rock, country, soft rock, pop. "The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald" is one of the best story telling songs in existence.
70 year old here. Gordon Lightfoot was my hero singer songwriter right out of high school. He is the reason I found out I could sing. Then later play guitar and write songs. Used to play this song all the time. One of the first songs I learned to play back in 1973.
Gordon Lightfoot died may 1 2023 this song tears me up every time I hear it he wrote this song on his own divorce. It’s such a beautiful song I love his voice
My mom is an evangelical right-winger and I'm an atheist leftist about the only thing we agree on is Gordon Lightfoot. We were lucky enough to see him live a few times before he passed. My favorite Lightfoot song is Carefree Highway.
At least you have GL. But GL does not really make sense, from an atheist perspective. Unless you're a cultural Christian, then I guess his music makes more sense.
A controversy around this song shows how much of a stand-up guy Gordon Lightfoot was. He sued the writers of Whitney Houston's 'Greatest Love Of All' for lifting 24 bars from 'If You Could Read My Mind'. When Houston was nominated for the Grammy in 1987 for 'Greatest Love Of All', she started receiving criticism. Lightfoot dropped the lawsuit because he didn't want the blowback on her to jeopardize her chances at the grammy. He was a class act.
It's a lot like "Wicked Game". One of *those* songs. Love starts off with butterflies in the stomach, and ends in a dark room with a bottle of whiskey and this song on repeat.
I tear up whenever I hear this. He wrote this about his divorce. Gord was an amazing singer/songwriter.🕯Check out the epic Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald, based on an actual event. Some of the best lyrics ever. Bob Dylan was a fan of Gordon's, that tells you something.
Eh... has Canada ever produced a decent artist or band? ... (pause... wait for it..........) Yes, I am fcking with you. It's actually amazing for the size of the population how many top flight entertainers of all styles and genres Canada has produced. Musicians/bands, actors, comedians. I don't know what's going on there now with that wacko nutsack leading the country but overall Canada really knows how to embrace creativity. And of course support it with laws that support Canadian artists. The list of killer Canadian entertainers is long. I've had "California Dreamin", with Canadian Denny Doherty, stuck in my head for 3 days.
Yes, Gordon Lightfoot is his real name. One of my favorite artists. I saw him in concert in the mid-90's and he sounded just as great. I think his most powerful song is "The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald". He donated the proceeds of the song to the families of those lost and remained close to them until his death last year at age 84. RIP Gordon, you are missed.
Lightfoot made his international breakthrough in the early 1970s with his 1971 hit single “If You Could Read My Mind”. During the early-mid-1970s, he followed that up with such songs as “Carefree Highway,” (an amazing song! My personnal favorite), “Rainy Day People,” and “The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald.” His 1974 album Sundown and its title track both topped the Billboard charts.
I love all 3 songs but the Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald is one I could never forget. I live in Michigan & saw the Edmund Fitzgerald a couple years before it sank . It was at the Soo Locks & we have a picture with a little bit of its name because it was so big.
In 1965, Bob Dylan's manager signed Gordon Lightfoot and then mega studio United Artists came calling. His debut album, Lightfoot!, followed the next year. More than 30 years later, his friend Bob Dylan inducted Lightfoot into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame, calling him "a rare talent and all that." 😊
Bro if this is your first time hearing ol Gordo then you've got some listening to do! The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald, Sundown, Carefree Highway, Black Day in July, to name a few. He was a great storyteller and songwriter and in my opinion the world is a better place for having him in it.
Bob Dylan declared Lighrfoot to be his favourite songwriter. His biggest hit was Sundown inspired by his brewing jealousies about Cathy Smith (who was later found guilty of complicity in the death of John Belushi). The song is about his divorce. When I was teen (now 70), his song Canadian Railroad Trilogy was a staple in every for every high school choir. He was not great on relationships since his music was not just his top priority but it was what he was. He had a strange reputation for his live concerts. They were either amazing or terrible. My sister saw him and he scolded the audience for not clapping enough. I saw him and he was not happy to be there. There was a party he wanted to be at instead. Regardless he is still one of my favourites and he literally has hours and hours of top quality music to listen to. I don't believe he had one bad song.
Gordon Lightfoot was a prolific songwriter, both lyrics and music. He has written some of the most beautiful love songs ever written. The Last Time I Saw Her; Softly; Beautiful. Even if you don’t want to react to those songs, take a listen. You can play them for your lovely wife. The ghost and the wishing well reference is from the 1947 film “The Ghost and Mrs. Muir”, starring Rex Harrison, and Gene Tierney. Gordon Lightfoot was born in 1938, and passed away in 2023 at the age of 84. The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald, a song many others mentioned in their comments, is Gordon Lightfoot’s storytelling at its greatest, and is definitely worth listening to.
Gordan Lightfoot, God rest his soul, was one of Canada's finest singing and guitar-playing storytellers. A one-of-kind writer and performer. I get a warm feeling whenever I hear someone just discovering him for the first time. You have a wonderful repertoire of amazing music to hear.
he's in a class by himself. One of the most famous songwriters who ever lived. His music was the narration of my childhood....he wrote so many songs I love.....Beautiful, Sundown, Bitter Green, the Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald, Carefree Highway, Morning Rain, Rainy Day People....when he finally got Songwriter in Canada Bob Dylan is the one who presented it. What a treasure. Just his voice alone. Lovely. If anyone could write a gorgeous song about a breakup this is it.
Gordon Lightfoot is my wife's favorite artist and he is Indigenous Canadian and we are proud that he is Canadian ❤❤❤❤. He has a lot of awesome songs she can sit and listen to him all day long 😂 2:06
Indigenous? Are you sure? I haven't heard anyone else make that statement so looked it up. I believe he is of Scottish/British descent. But if you have information to share if love to be able to deepen my knowledge.
This song was Gordon Lightfoot's very first Top 40 hit in America. He was a Canadian Singer-Songwriter. The song did peaked at the #5 spot on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the spring of 1971. He passed away last year at the age of 83. A beautiful song indeed!!! RIP Gordon Lightfoot
Lightfoot was a poet and a storyteller. That acoustic guitar sound adds an ambience to the mournful sorrow, loss and melancholy of end of a marriage. When my sister got divorced, she said it was like mourning a death. All his songs make convey emotion. You know it’s good when the feelings you take away, are the feelings that created the song. I get your play list is full of upbeat music but add this one for the man’s talent alone. RIP Gordon Lightfoot. ❤
Gordon Lightfoot (yes, that was his "real" name, not a stage name) was a true troubadour. He wrote songs that reflected his life as well as other true events. This song was one of my favorites when I was in my teens. I think the angst he is expressing about the breakup of his marriage is similar to the angst that teenagers feel about life in general.
In 1986, Lightfoot was inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame inducted by longtime friend and confessed admirer Bob Dylan, he aptly described Lightfoot as “somebody of rare talent.”
In my mind, Gordon Lightfoot, Jim Croce, John Denver, James Taylor and Harry Chapin were master lyricists and iconic storytellers during that era. Great reaction. Keep them coming. - Hawk
RIP, Gordon Lightfoot. I got to see him in the 80s and he was an amazing performer. An amazing writer. This song, “The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald” and “Sundown” are fantastic!
Gordon's real name is, in fact, Lightfoot. I knew 2 of his cousins when I was a child, one was a friend of my Dad's another a teacher at my school. My Dad, Mom and I got to see a surprise mini-concert when I was a kid (he did it for his cousin who gave my Dad the heads-up). He actually performed at a mall bookstore run by his cousin. That was the day I fell in love with his music. There are actually a few movies about a ghost in a wishing well. The best, IMHO, is "The Time of Their Lives" starring Abbott and Costello.
A 🇨🇦 here from Ontario who was a teenager in the late 60s early 70s and Gordon was extremely enjoyed by some of my friends at that time. I was not into him then. I was the Beatles. Now I really appreciate his song writing and voice and think he is one of the best. Music means something different today as to when you were a kid. I enjoy the lyrics more today. Back then we always considered Gordon a folk singer but I am not schooled in music. ♥️ from a 🇨🇦 Grammy
Gordon Lightfoot is an icon! If he didn't sing it, someone else did. Bob Dylan was probably one of his biggest fans. My favorite songs from Gordon is "Don Quixote," "Affair on 8th Avenue," "Song For A Winter's Night," and Peter, Paul, and Mary's cover of his song "Early Morning Rain." That "Gord's Gold" album is a good one! "Sundown" and "Carefree Highway" are others you can't miss!
That is his real name. When I was 9yrs old in 1970, i heard this song on the radio and fell in love. I have been a fan of his ever since. Saw him in concert here in Portland, Maine, in 2011. One of the best I've been to and I've been to many in my 63 years 😊
One of my favorite songs of all time. It's still on my regular play list. Along with a dozen others. One of the original singer songwriters, and one of the many Canadian musicians that changed everything about the 1970's musically. Lightfoot is one of the musical genius icons of my generation.
While he's known primarily for this song and The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald, there are so many great Gordon Lightfoot songs like "Sundown", "Early Morning Rain", "Rainy Day People:, "Carefree HIghway". He wrote a song that became a hit for Peter, Paul & Mary, "For Lovin' Me". Bob Dylan liked it and told his manager, who helped LIghtfoot get his first album made.
He was a Master Singer Songwriter,Musician,Performer . He stayed true to his style throughout all the changing times of the 60s through the 21 century . His insights, intelligence, integrity and solid masculinity was comfortable to all . The man was and always will be Legendary
Lightfoot is a Canadian singer/songwriter who bridged folk and soft rock. He was played on 60’s-70’s FM radio that wasn’t so specific in type and genre. He had a long music making career, dying May 23. One of his first produced songs was “In the Early Morning Rain,” covered by folk and pop artists. One of the best and highly revered songwriters of the last 60 years.
Gordon Lightfoot was my mom's favorite artist, and definitely one of my favorites as well. You nailed it: his message and his voice both grab you and it has impact.
You can listen to this song a hundred times and still appreciate something new that pops out… that picking guitar, the way the strings reinforce the melody and often parallel the guitars. Yeah, the song’s about his breakup with his wife. After 50+ years, this remains one of the best written pop songs ever. When he passed last year, Bob Dylan said he stands in awe of Gordo, and that in his mind, he never wrote a bad song. Billy Joel said Lightfoot was one of his heroes, and that he tried to write songs as good as Gordo.
This was my favorite song for a while when it came out; I was in junior high school at the time. It's orchestrated so beautifully with the strings, and the lyrics are also quite visual and literary. Not long before he died, I had commented that on another video of that song on his official channel, and he actually replied to me! He thanked me for enjoying his work. What a thrill! Gordon Lightfoot was in the large '70s genre of musicians known as "singer-songwriters." There were many, many great ones in that era. Billy Joel's early work was in that vein. James Taylor, Dan Fogelburg, Paul Simon, and so, so many others. Jim Croce was another great one, taken from us by a plane crash. Harry Chapin was yet another we lost too soon, while he was helping someone else after a traffic accident. Harry's "Cat's in the Cradle" song stole the limelight, but try listening to his song "Mr. Tanner" and not having a tear come to your eye. You're dipping a toe into a very large ocean of great music!
Canada's greatest songwriter, right here. Gordon Lightfoot (and yes that is his real name) is a folk hero and his songs are great to hear while on the road and is a calming presence. This is a rabbit hole you will NEVER regret delving into
Gordon Lightfoot was one of Bob Dylan's favorite songwriters. Dylan said each time he listened to a Lightfoot song, whether it be anything, from ‘Carefree Highway’ to ‘Rainy Day People’, he “wished it would last forever”.
If You Could Read My Mind" is a song by Canadian singer-songwriter Gordon Lightfoot. Lightfoot wrote the lyrics while he was reflecting on his own divorce. It reached No. 1 on the Canadian Singles Chart on commercial release in 1970 and charted in several other countries on international release in 1971.
THIS is the ONE song where i wish I was not deaf in one ear and could hear stereo - then I could hear those beautiful acoustic guitars and strings all layered in the background the way they are supposed to be heard. Still, grateful I can actually hear how beautiful a song it is.
I completely feel the same way. Albeit a sad subject, he's writing from the perspective of his marriage dissolving, it is still a beautiful song. The melody, instrumentation and his voice all work perfect together. I think what makes it not so sad is that it's performed in A major chords mostly, that tends to be associated with more bright/hopeful music. Also, his choice of words don't convey negativity even though it's not an ideal situation most people don't want to have happen. It's done in such a relatable and kind way, that it is comforting to me. I've been in a relationship with someone I care about and we realized we weren't going to make each other happy. He is an amazing human and I have so much respect for him, but we weren't meant to be together romantically, although we sure did try. Decoupling wasn't easy, but it ended up being what was best.
Early Morning Rain, Did She Mention My Name, Song for a Winter's Night, and Ribbon of Darkness are just a few of the songs written and recorded by Gordon from over 500 songs that he wrote. His influence was noted by Billy Joel, Dan Fogelberg and too many others to mention here. Top artists like Bob Dylan and Peter, Paul, and Mary recorded his songs. His is Canada's national treasure, as well as the world's. One of a kind. I never get tired of his songs and Gord's Gold is a must-have! Thanks for reacting to this amazing, beautiful artist.
He released a double album, Gord's Gold, back in the 70s and there is NOT a bad track on it. Every song is crafted both lyrically and musically to sheer perfection.
I've heard this song like a million times and I still get chills. Please also check out, Black Day in July, Bitter Green, Sundown, That's What you Get For Loving Me....
The great Canadian songwriters: Joni Mitchell, Neil Young, Gordon Lightfoot. And many more! Bob Dylan himself inducted Gord into the Cdn songwriters hall of fame.
Gordon Lightfoot is from Orellia, Onratio, his heritage is Scottish - Canadian. Canada. The name Lightfoot is more of a native Canadian name, as well as Scottish. He move to USA to pursue his musical career, but only lasted a short period of time before returning back to his beloved Cnada. 1938 - 2023. RIP 🙏🇨🇦 GORDON. His top rated song was SUNDOWN. His lyrics, voice, and playing guitars were well respected around the world. His style or genre was folk- based easy - listening.
This was the song my best friend's husband would sing for her regarding how he felt about her. It was one of the last songs he recorded himself singing for her before he passed away this past December. He loved performing on his acoustic 12 string, and this song is perfect for that guitar.
Love Gordon Lightfoot, another one of my favorites when I'm driving distance at night. Saw him in concert late in his life, even then he was spectacular. Brings me back to listening to the radio when I was a little kid in the 1970s in my dad's 1966 Barracuda.
Gordon Lightfoot. What a voice. Storyteller. Grew up on his music as it happened. What a talent. Joni Mitchell a other singer songwriter from Canada. Not Country. Just a great voice
It may be because I am Canadian and we have a quota to play Canadian content on our airwaves, but this man was one of the very best story tellers to ever make music. If you jump down the Gordon Lightfoot rabbit hole you will not be disappointed.
Just want to be sure you know, since I commented on “simple man” that I believe as a mom of a grown man, she is with you and your family. She knows the man you’ve become and she’s PROUD of you. No need for a response. My heart needs you to know…
I love my fellow Canadian Gordon Lightfoot!! He was such a phenomenal folk singer/songwriter/musician and his music is so special to me!! Thank you BP!!
i love all Gordon Lightfoot music, which I have listened to since very early 70s, but this is my absolute favorite. It was the first I heard of GL, and it is timeless. He wrote this after going through a divorce.
Gordon Lightfoot had one of the smoothest voices, and his guitar playing is lovely. I could listen to him for hours! p.s. Gord's Gold is an awesome collection of his works, but there is so much.
He was a professional square dancer in Canada before he started recording music. That one surprised me. So he had a lot of Country influences. But, I would say he was an easy listening genre. He passed away at an old age a couple years back. He was his own genre. Today I am realizing how much I miss him. You got me where it is tender BP.
I was able to see Gordon Lightfoot in concert twice, and he was simply astonishing. His cadence and way with words set him apart from some of the other artists of his time. Sadly, he passed away this past year and I think he leaves a hole were "troubadour" is in the dictionary. I'm glad you took the time to really listen to his lyrics. If you're interested, try listening to "Sundown" and "The Wreck of The Edmund Fitzgerald", a song he wrote about the sinking of a ship in The Great Lakes; might just give you those goosebumps again.
Gordon Lightfoot is a Canadian folk rock icon...up there with Joni Mitchell and Neil Young. He passed away last year. One of the greatest singer/songwriters ever. You should check out the 'Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald'. True story and all the money made was donated to the surviving families of the lost sailors. He is truly missed. 🇨🇦
Gordon Lightfoot pioneered Folk Rock he's an amazing Canadian with a huge catalogue he also wrote many songs for other artists including Elvis Presley ❤🇨🇦
This song is kind of like an impressionist painting, only with words. I don't think the words tell everything, but they give you an emotional impression that tells the story on an emotional level, that he wanted to tell.
Yes!! I've been waiting for u to check him out! He has so many great songs! The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald, Sundown, Carefree Highway, Early Morning rain! Someone else I think u would like is Dan Fogelberg! Leader of the Band & Longer are two of my favorites by him!
Gordon Lightfoot was such a terrific singer/song writer/musician. HIs hometown was Orillia, Ontario, Canada, where he frequently returned to perform. His funeral was held a few blocks from the Orillia Opera House - in front of which stands a bust of him. Among his other songs are "Rainy Day People", "Sundown" & "The Wreck of the Edmond Fitzgerald". Rest in peace Mr. Lightfoot.
Gord's Gold is such a good album. Gordon Lightfoot and his 12 string acoustic ... just amazing. Legend. This is on my Sunday Morning chill ... washing dishes and straightening up stuff around the house playlist.
