Dear Frank,
Why do I like Gordon Lightfoot? Is there enough space here for me to write a book?
I think at first I was drawn to his voice, the rich baritone of the 70's easy listening stations. He has the kind of voice that makes me want to listen to the lyrics. He has a voice of wisdom.
Compared to any other music of any other kind that I've listened to, Gord paints a picture of the world I would like to live in. It's not a perfect world: you're heart can still get broken, you can be standing in the early morning rain, with a dollar in your hand and pockets full of sand, so to speak. But then that would just make you a Rainy Day Person, and that's OK. In Gord's world, you can be a sad, wandering loner, even "s*** out of luck" (Seven Island Suite), but there is a certain beauty to it, a sense of hope.
I like Gordon Lightfoot's music because on some level we are the same person. He writes the music I wish I could. He is courageous in doing this, for truly authentic music is bound to be loved by some and hated by others.
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