"Does anyone know where the love of God goes when the waves turn the minutes to hours?" - The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald -

This song especially resonates with me, having spent my first 18 years growing up and sailing on the east coast of Lake Michigan. I know first-hand how quickly weather conditions change on the mighty and powerful Great Lakes. Great Lakes freighters (ore carriers) were a daily part of my life during the time I lived in Michigan. In 1997, on a return trip to Michigan, my sister and I visited the Shipwreck Museum located at Whitefish Point, MI. This wonderful museum houses the bell recovered from the "Big Fitz". The bell is encased in glass, and is the focal point of the museum. Very moving... Thank you, Mr. Lightfoot, for the poignant way you have honored the 29 souls who perished that dreadful day, November 10, 1975, on Lake Gitche Gumee...

Another classic, "If You Could Read My Mind" continues to blow me away each time I hear it. I was living in Connecticut at the time, and was desperately trying to sort out what has turned out to be the most meaningful relationship of my life, when this song helped clarify certain aspects of this relationship, which eventually ended. Heard Gord perform this song at the Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford, Connecticut! A truly memorable evening!

Two more favorites: "Poor Little Allison" and the extremely touching, "I'm Not Suposed to Care"....

Thank you, Gordon Lightfoot, for touching my life in so many ways for so many years!

Rock On, and May the Wind Be at Your Back...

Cheers! from Colorado!

-Susan

I really love all of Lightfoots music, but for me "If You Could Read My Mind" has to be my favorite... I was formally introduced to his music by a friend who considers it to be his "reflective music". His older brother was the ultimate cowboy, rode bulls, was a world champ. Bodie was his hero, but was gunned down in the front pasture of their ranch, died in Rob E's arms. His hero failed, & was the "ghost from the wishing well". I can't do the story justice, but when Rob E. gets reflective about Bodie, Lightfoot is sure to follow, set on repeat & he will soon come out of it.
The music is incredible, my husband is the lead singer in a Power Blues, Texas Blues & Classic Rock band "MIDNIGHT LIGHTNING", I am now trying to convince them to try some Lightfoot. There is no one covering his music in our area. But I get a shock everytime I hear it played in a store or on one of the casinos (boats). My parents thought it was hilarious when I brought Gord's Gold to them at 27 yrs. old & thought I had discovered this great 'new' artist... they were in their 60's & knew all of the songs! Was my face red!!!

I really love all of Lightfoots music, but for me "If You Could Read My Mind" has to be my favorite... I was formally introduced to his music by a friend who considers it to be his "reflective music". His older brother was the ultimate cowboy, rode bulls, was a world champ. Bodie was his hero, but was gunned down in the front pasture of their ranch, died in Rob E's arms. His hero failed, & was the "ghost from the wishing well". I can't do the story justice, but when Rob E. gets reflective about Bodie, Lightfoot is sure to follow, set on repeat & he will soon come out of it.
The music is incredible, my husband is the lead singer in a Power Blues, Texas Blues & Classic Rock band "MIDNIGHT LIGHTNING", I am now trying to convince them to try some Lightfoot. There is no one covering his music in our area. But I get a shock everytime I hear it played in a store or on one of the casinos (boats). My parents thought it was hilarious when I brought Gord's Gold to them at 27 yrs. old & thought I had discovered this great 'new' artist... they were in their 60's & knew all of the songs! Was my face red!!!

Oh, my GOD! How on earth can one pick a favorite GL song? As many of the others have mentioned, the first GL song I heard was IYCRMM on the radio back when I was in high school. Later, a friend had the Sundown 8-track (now, I'm really telling my age) and we practically wore it out as we 'cruised' our favorite stomping grounds. I have a cassette that my brother made for me, and it is a
compilation of his albums and I named it "Assorted Gord". I still have it and still play it regularly in the house, but in my car I have graduated to CD's and I have his latest 3 always at hand.
If I had to choose a favorite category, it would be his "ship and sail" songs. On the other hand, I'm absolutely enthralled with his ballads- Cherokee Bend, Canadian RR Trilogy, Don Q., Fitz, Bitter Green, etc.
And has there ever been a story teller/songwriter who twists a phrase as eloquently as GL? ie:RATR - 'even though your mother was your maker from her apron strings you pass'; CRRT - 'long before the white man and long before the wheel when the green dark forest was too silent to be real'; W&W - 'and then I saw the sunrise above the cotton sky like a candycane delight'; GOCH - 'all around old Cape Horn ships of the line, ships of the morn, some who wish they'd never been born, they are the ghosts of Cape Horn"; AIA - 'all I'm after is to be the flame in your tatoo'. I could go on. I just wish when he came to Atlanta, I could for once get a seat up close and sing along with him without having to hear the clink of silverware and smell candlewax. Such are the woes of having him appear at a "dinner theatre", I suppose.

Oh, my GOD! How on earth can one pick a favorite GL song? As many of the others have mentioned, the first GL song I heard was IYCRMM on the radio back when I was in high school. Later, a friend had the Sundown 8-track (now, I'm really telling my age) and we practically wore it out as we 'cruised' our favorite stomping grounds. I have a cassette that my brother made for me, and it is a
compilation of his albums and I named it "Assorted Gord". I still have it and still play it regularly in the house, but in my car I have graduated to CD's and I have his latest 3 always at hand.
If I had to choose a favorite category, it would be his "ship and sail" songs. On the other hand, I'm absolutely enthralled with his ballads- Cherokee Bend, Canadian RR Trilogy, Don Q., Fitz, Bitter Green, etc.
And has there ever been a story teller/songwriter who twists a phrase as eloquently as GL? ie:RATR - 'even though your mother was your maker from her apron strings you pass'; CRRT - 'long before the white man and long before the wheel when the green dark forest was too silent to be real'; W&W - 'and then I saw the sunrise above the cotton sky like a candycane delight'; GOCH - 'all around old Cape Horn ships of the line, ships of the morn, some who wish they'd never been born, they are the ghosts of Cape Horn"; AIA - 'all I'm after is to be the flame in your tatoo'. I could go on. I just wish when he came to Atlanta, I could for once get a seat up close and sing along with him without having to hear the clink of silverware and smell candlewax. Such are the woes of having him appear at a "dinner theatre", I suppose.

Heard Gord perform this song at the Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford, Connecticut
\
To Susan,
Was this back in 1970 or 1971? I was there way back then. It was my first concert ever and has remained a vivid memory since.
Jenney

Heard Gord perform this song at the Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford, Connecticut
\
To Susan,
Was this back in 1970 or 1971? I was there way back then. It was my first concert ever and has remained a vivid memory since.
Jenney

Mary Ann-
I can't even envision sitting through a concert with anything like dinner theatre chaos going on. I would be a stark raving lunatic before it was over. I don't even want to know anyone is in the audience with me, never mind drinking, eating etc. Oh my God I'd likely kill someone! I will be seeing Gord at Mariposa in July - an outdoor festival - I am already anxious about it - will people sit and shutup or yap and sing and walk around annoying the life out of me? I really hate to be annoyed whenever Gord is singing - whether it's live or "Memorex"! - ask my kids. When it comes to Gord I get on one track and don't veer off it. I listen and I breathe. That's it! LOL
Char

Mary Ann-
I can't even envision sitting through a concert with anything like dinner theatre chaos going on. I would be a stark raving lunatic before it was over. I don't even want to know anyone is in the audience with me, never mind drinking, eating etc. Oh my God I'd likely kill someone! I will be seeing Gord at Mariposa in July - an outdoor festival - I am already anxious about it - will people sit and shutup or yap and sing and walk around annoying the life out of me? I really hate to be annoyed whenever Gord is singing - whether it's live or "Memorex"! - ask my kids. When it comes to Gord I get on one track and don't veer off it. I listen and I breathe. That's it! LOL
Char

Charlotte,
I don't know how it is where you are, but down here, there would certainly be
a lot of yapping and walking going on. It makes me want to shout "Shut up and sit down! Can't you see the man is singing!!!" but of course, that wouldn't be polite. I envy you seeing him in July. It seems Gord tours here about every two years and has a knack of coming at the very time I'm on vacation, so I haven't seen him since early '90s (when I rushed back from Texas just to catch his performance that very night). That was the year I took my mother with me and got so tickled at her for saying "how nice his tush looked in those jeans". This from my mother!
LOL,
Mary Ann

Charlotte,
I don't know how it is where you are, but down here, there would certainly be
a lot of yapping and walking going on. It makes me want to shout "Shut up and sit down! Can't you see the man is singing!!!" but of course, that wouldn't be polite. I envy you seeing him in July. It seems Gord tours here about every two years and has a knack of coming at the very time I'm on vacation, so I haven't seen him since early '90s (when I rushed back from Texas just to catch his performance that very night). That was the year I took my mother with me and got so tickled at her for saying "how nice his tush looked in those jeans". This from my mother!
LOL,
Mary Ann

regarding the above post . . .
Sorry, I meant for that to be for Charlene, not Charlotte.
mah

regarding the above post . . .
Sorry, I meant for that to be for Charlene, not Charlotte.
mah

Mary Ann;
I have ALWAYS thought Gord looked good from BOTH sides! Even now that I am a mother of a 16 year old who thinks I am nuts for being nuts about ALL of Gord! LOL
Char

Mary Ann;
I have ALWAYS thought Gord looked good from BOTH sides! Even now that I am a mother of a 16 year old who thinks I am nuts for being nuts about ALL of Gord! LOL
Char

An impossible ask. It varies with my mood. However "Affair on 8th Avenue" and "I'm not supposed to care" always make me think about a certain lady. The perfume that she wore lingered on long after she'd gone and I'm really not supposed to care. But I do.

Another track helped me considerably when I was leading my first school ski trip, from England to Italy. I was VERY nervous. Just as the bus pulled out, the radio started playing "Carefree Highway" - an amazing coincidence
(1) because British radio didn't exactly overdose on Gordie
(2) to play that particular track.

I took this as a good omen and the trip went fine. This year I completed my 20th trip - all thanks to Gordie playing "Carefree Highway" at the start of the first one !!

An impossible ask. It varies with my mood. However "Affair on 8th Avenue" and "I'm not supposed to care" always make me think about a certain lady. The perfume that she wore lingered on long after she'd gone and I'm really not supposed to care. But I do.

Another track helped me considerably when I was leading my first school ski trip, from England to Italy. I was VERY nervous. Just as the bus pulled out, the radio started playing "Carefree Highway" - an amazing coincidence
(1) because British radio didn't exactly overdose on Gordie
(2) to play that particular track.

I took this as a good omen and the trip went fine. This year I completed my 20th trip - all thanks to Gordie playing "Carefree Highway" at the start of the first one !!

I ONLY HAVE A COUPLE OF GL CDS. BUT I LIKE OLD DANS RECORDS & CIRCLE OF STEEL. OLD DANS RECORDS IS A FUN SONG TO DRIVE WITH. BUT I DO LIKE ALL THE OTHER SONGS ALSO. THOSE WOULD HAVE TO BE MY FAVORITE THOUGH. SOME OF THE SONGS OTHER PEOPLE LIKE THE MOST I HAVE NEVER HEARD BEFORE. THE LYRIC SECTION REALLY HELPS ME THROUGH THE GORDS GREATEST HITS VOLUME II. I JUST DISCOVERED THIS SITE AND I REALLY LIKE IT. I THOUGHT I WAS THE ONLY PERSON LEFT WHO LIKES GL. RICH FROM INDIANA

I ONLY HAVE A COUPLE OF GL CDS. BUT I LIKE OLD DANS RECORDS & CIRCLE OF STEEL. OLD DANS RECORDS IS A FUN SONG TO DRIVE WITH. BUT I DO LIKE ALL THE OTHER SONGS ALSO. THOSE WOULD HAVE TO BE MY FAVORITE THOUGH. SOME OF THE SONGS OTHER PEOPLE LIKE THE MOST I HAVE NEVER HEARD BEFORE. THE LYRIC SECTION REALLY HELPS ME THROUGH THE GORDS GREATEST HITS VOLUME II. I JUST DISCOVERED THIS SITE AND I REALLY LIKE IT. I THOUGHT I WAS THE ONLY PERSON LEFT WHO LIKES GL. RICH FROM INDIANA

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

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!