Favorite Lightfoot Song & Why? II

[WillieMaysFan]

This is my first reply as I just found the site and signed up. I don't know if there are others my age (24) who belong to the group, I find that there are not too many my age who even know who Gordon Lightfoot is. Well, as many of the replies stated, it is so difficult to pick a favorite Lightfoot song. When I think about it, I always come back to the song that caused me to go out and get my first lightfoot album.
Carefree Highway was one of those songs that I remember hearing on the radio when I was very young. I was too young to comprehend Lightfoot's music then, but his incredible sound stuck with me and one day I decided to get Gord's Gold since it also had Sundown and If You Could Read My Mind, the only Lightfoot songs I knew at the time. What a pot of gold (no pun intended) I stumbled onto. I didn't even realize at the time that the songs on that album were not original recordings. So now my Lightfoot collection has increased quite a bit and every time I get another of his albums I find another gem. This fact above all is what proves to me that he is the greatest songwriter ever and in my opinion the best singer as well (what a voice!).
So Carefree Highway wins for me because of the feeling that it evokes about the very early days of my life (I'm talking like 4 or 5 years old). My favorite line is right in the beginning, "...I wonder how the old folks are tonight.." It's hard to pu into words how that line makes me feel, it reminds me of simpler times and respect.
But there are so many great songs, one that I think is absolutely beautiful is Approaching Lavender. That song is the way I like to hear Lightfoot sing, I really like Sit Down Young Stranger for the same reason.
Well, if anyone bothered to read my two cents on the topic and my introduction of myself, thank-you. It is really nice to see how many people admire Lightfoot's work, still it doesn't seem that enough people appreciate his music. I will try not to be so long-winded in future replies.

[young stranger]

This is my first reply as I just found the site and signed up. I don't know if there are others my age (24) who belong to the group, I find that there are not too many my age who even know who Gordon Lightfoot is. Well, as many of the replies stated, it is so difficult to pick a favorite Lightfoot song. When I think about it, I always come back to the song that caused me to go out and get my first lightfoot album.
Carefree Highway was one of those songs that I remember hearing on the radio when I was very young. I was too young to comprehend Lightfoot's music then, but his incredible sound stuck with me and one day I decided to get Gord's Gold since it also had Sundown and If You Could Read My Mind, the only Lightfoot songs I knew at the time. What a pot of gold (no pun intended) I stumbled onto. I didn't even realize at the time that the songs on that album were not original recordings. So now my Lightfoot collection has increased quite a bit and every time I get another of his albums I find another gem. This fact above all is what proves to me that he is the greatest songwriter ever and in my opinion the best singer as well (what a voice!).
So Carefree Highway wins for me because of the feeling that it evokes about the very early days of my life (I'm talking like 4 or 5 years old). My favorite line is right in the beginning, "...I wonder how the old folks are tonight.." It's hard to pu into words how that line makes me feel, it reminds me of simpler times and respect.
But there are so many great songs, one that I think is absolutely beautiful is Approaching Lavender. That song is the way I like to hear Lightfoot sing, I really like Sit Down Young Stranger for the same reason.
Well, if anyone bothered to read my two cents on the topic and my introduction of myself, thank-you. It is really nice to see how many people admire Lightfoot's work, still it doesn't seem that enough people appreciate his music. I will try not to be so long-winded in future replies.

[paradoxides]

"...the thing that I call living is just being satisfied with knowing I've got no one left to blame...."

Y.S., I must say that seeing GL perform that song live was by far a highlight of my life. My dad and I are determined to go to Arizona one day, just to travel the carefree highway. I love that song, one of my all time favourites.

and yes, a little more investigation through the previous posts on this site will determine that there are many people around your age who are devoted GL fan (myself, at 22, included).

[Pirate Queen]

"...the thing that I call living is just being satisfied with knowing I've got no one left to blame...."

Y.S., I must say that seeing GL perform that song live was by far a highlight of my life. My dad and I are determined to go to Arizona one day, just to travel the carefree highway. I love that song, one of my all time favourites.

and yes, a little more investigation through the previous posts on this site will determine that there are many people around your age who are devoted GL fan (myself, at 22, included).

[page]

"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

[Susan Hopkins]

"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.

[2Much2Lose]

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

[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

[charlene]

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

[charlene]

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

[Tom]

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

[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

[Tom]

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

[Mary Ann]

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

[charlene]

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

[charlene]

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

[Texas T-Dirt III]

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 !!

[NeilPoulsom]

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