Why is Canada so special? Neil Young, Joni Mitchell, Bryan Adams, Shania Twain, Rush, The Band, Celine Dion, Leonard Cohen, and, of course, Gordon Lightfoot, to name a few. Today we are going to look at just one of them as we seek out the Top 10 Gordon Lightfoot songs.
During the 60s and 70s, some singers and songwriters shaped the era. In some cases, they even helped to reform political and social opinions. Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell, John Lennon, Neil Young, Leonard Cohen, and Gordon Lightfoot. Four of those six are Canadian. Must be something in the water over there.
Dylan Said
“When Gordon Lightfoot sings one of his songs, I just want it to go on forever.” Praise indeed. But we know what he means. Lightfoot helped to define a generation and became a Folk-Rock legend.
He wrote some of those poignant and memorable songs that are remembered for their beauty and style. So, let’s take a look at just some as I try to pick Gordon Lightfoot’s top ten songs from dozens that qualify.
28 Best Gordon Lightfoot Songs of All Time
1 Seven Island Suite
A song from one of his greatest albums, Sundown, released in 1974. This is one of his songs where he is sending a message out to people who will listen. He does this differently than perhaps Bob Dylan. The great man could be quite brutal with his lyrics, but Gordon Lightfoot takes a softer approach.
“Think of the air you’re breathing in, think of the time you waste – Think of the right and wrong and consider the frown on your face.” He is talking about the end of things, having priorities in the wrong place, and not getting caught up in materialism. But also about not putting too much trust in people. A familiar theme he often used.
“Brothers will desert you when your nights turn long and cold.” It is also about appreciating the natural things around us, which are far more important than what the shopping mall offers.
2 Home From The Forest
Songwriters have often used the despair suffered by the homeless and those down on their luck as subject matter. However, few take it on like Gordon Lightfoot. His words show empathy and understanding of their plight that most others don’t find.
This is one of those songs taken from his album, The Way I Feel, released in 1967. If you have never heard this song before and fancy a good weep, then this is the one that will do it.
The story is about a homeless man wandering the streets…
“Oh, the neon lights were flashin’ – And the icy wind did blow – The water seeped into his shoes – And the drizzle turned to snow.” People do what most do and just stare at him, “A dozen faces stopped to stare – But no one stopped to speak.” The nights bring no answers as he tries to sleep, “And he wondered how it happened – That he’d ended up this way.”
And finally, as the old man dies alone, “And to an old forgotten soldier – The dawn will come no more.” Very few can write lyrics like that and keep their sincerity.
3 Summertime Dream
This song was not released as a single and is taken from his 12th album of the same name, released in 1976. The album was #1 in Canada and #12 in America. The album was special, and in the mid-70s when most would agree he was at the peak of his popularity. Also on this album were songs like “Spanish Moss.”
This was an interesting period in his career as he began to leave his acoustic guitar-only Folk music behind. He started to introduce an electric guitar as well to his songs and his live shows.
Gordon was doing what Bob Dylan had done a decade earlier…
Dylan had been loudly booed for that decision by those who saw him as only a protest singer with acoustic and harmonica. Times had changed, and Lightfoot eased across the boundaries with no problems.
If you are a fan of Gordon Lightfoot, then this album should be in your collection. In some ways, this is a throwback to those happy old Folk music days with a simple tune and rattling guitar. Try to be sad when you are listening to this. You can’t; it’s just not possible.
4 Beautiful
Not all of his work was based on observations of what was going on around him. He could also write a great love song, and “Beautiful” is a good example of that. It was taken from the album Don Quixote in 1972. He has such a distinctive chord style with a unique structure he is instantly recognizable. This is one of those. It couldn’t really be anyone else.
The single reached #13 in Canada and #58 in America, so modestly successful. However, the album was a bit of a breakthrough for him in some ways. It was #1 in Canada and reached #42 in America. Also, it made #44 in the UK, his first success there on the album chart.
5 Daylight Katy
Let’s move on now to another great album, Endless Wire, where this track comes from. This is a song that is all about a girl’s relationship with the sea. There are probably more explanations I am sure that I cannot offer, unfortunately. But, it doesn’t matter. Explanations are not necessary. Just lie back and enjoy the genius in one of the best Gordon Lightfoot songs.
This is one of those songs that Bob Dylan was referring to, I am sure. You just don’t want it to end. A classic song by Gordon Lightfoot. The orchestrations at the end come as a bit of a surprise when they come in. But they just add that little bit extra.
6 The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald
This is a song with a tragic storyline that has become one of Gordon Lightfoot’s most famous songs. It was included on the album Summertime Dream from 1976.
The song, though not completely historically accurate, is based on the loss of the Great Lakes cargo ship, the Edmund Fitzgerald. She was lost in a storm along with all 29 crew on Lake Superior. The song is exceptionally poignant for Lightfoot since he loves sailing.
In some ways, a ‘Dylanesque’ historical encounter…
A classic track that is as much a poem as a song. It reached #1 in Canada, as you might expect. But it also made it to #2 in America. And it charted in the UK at #46.
A real folk story-type song has its atmosphere suddenly changed towards the end with drums and electric guitar. In a way, it makes the sound rather sinister and in keeping with the story. One of his greatest pieces of work and easily one of the Top 10 Gordon Lightfoot songs.
7 Song for a Winter’s Night
This is one of the songs that is described by its title. One for sitting around a fire on that cold evening with someone special. I first heard the song in 1967 while still at school by a guy called Kenny Rankin, who released it on his first album, Mind-Dusters. Gordon Lightfoot wrote the song and included it on his album, The Way I Feel, also in 1967.
The song is about someone reading a letter from someone who is away, and he feels lonely. Lightfoot expresses the feeling beautifully in the lyrics.
“The smoke is rising in the shadows overhead – My glass is almost empty – I read again between the lines upon the page – The words of love you sent me – If I could know within my heart – That you were lonely too – I would be happy just to hold the hands I love – On this winter night with you.” Spectacularly brilliant.
8 Early Morning Rain
This is one of the songs from early in his career that caught people’s attention. It was included on his first album from 1966, simply called Lightfoot. It has since been included on compilation albums of his best material.
A common enough tale of someone sitting and watching planes take off sitting on the grass. He has not done so well, is lonely, and is a long way from home. As always, Gordon Lightfoot takes you to a place with lyrics where you can imagine being in the person’s shoes.
“Hear the mighty engines roar – See the silver wing on high – She’s away and westward bound – Far above the clouds, she’ll fly – Where the morning rain don’t fall – And the sun always shines – She’ll be flying o’er my home – In about three hours time.” It has been covered by just about everyone except my dog, including Judy Collins and Elvis Presley.
9 If You Could Read My Mind
Getting to the end now, and this is one of the greatest Gordon Lightfoot songs, in my opinion. It was released in 1970 as a single and reached #1 in Canada, #5 in America, and #30 in the UK. It came from his album, Sit Down Young Stranger.
In my opinion, one of the biggest musical rip-offs ever. Whitney Houston’s “Greatest Love Of All” song fifteen years later took sections of “If You Could Read My Mind” note for note.
This is a song about lost love in which he uses unusual imagery to paint his word picture. A master songwriter at work.
10 Sundown
Let’s finish this list with a personal favorite and his only American #1 hit. It was also #1 in Canada, #4 in Australia, and #33 in the UK. “Sundown” was taken from the album of the same name, which incidentally was also the name of his boat.
The song appears to be about jealousy as he sat at home writing music, and his girlfriend of the time went out with some other girlfriends. It almost feels like a written warning, “Sundown, you’d better take care – If I find you been creepin’ round my back stair.”
Maybe it’s that feeling of paranoia about someone you care about that I think many of us have felt. A masterful song and a great way to finish.
11Rainy Day People
12I’m Not Sayin’
13Christian Island (Georgian Bay)
14Canadian Railroad Trilogy
15Cold on the Shoulder
16Don Quixote
17Alberta Bound
18Steel Rail Blues
19Black Day in July
20The Circle Is Small
21Sundown’s a Golden Hour
22Did She Mention My Name?
23The Watchman’s Gone
24Bitter Green
25The Pony Man
26Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald (Live at Massey Hall)
27For Lovin’ Me
28In My Fashion
Want More Music That Paints a Picture?
Well, check out our thoughts on the Top 10 Songs About Storms, the Best Songs About Fall, the Top Songs About Hurricanes, the Top Songs About Jealousy, and Songs About Wolves for more songs bursting with imagery.
28 Most Popular Gordon Lightfoot Songs – Final Thoughts
Songs that never end. Bob Dylan, as I mentioned, said that about Gordon Lightfoot’s songs, but I don’t think he needs to worry. Lightfoot has given us a legacy of great songwriting that will last into the future, wherever great music is listened to.
I could have quite easily created another list of his outstanding material. So, if you want to listen to these tracks and others, I did not have room to include, Gord’s Gold would be a great buy. You will not be disappointed.
Until next time, happy listening.
