Gordon Lightfoot was behind many of the iconic folk-rock songs that defined the genre. He’s without a doubt one of Canada’s greatest songwriters of all time, and younger fans continue to find fresh interest in his music from the 1960s and 1970s. If you want to start getting into Gordon Lightfoot’s discography, these four songs are absolutely essential listening. Let’s dive in!
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1. “If You Could Read My Mind”
Lightfoot was doing well in Canada for a while, but it was “If You Could Read My Mind” from 1970 that piqued interest in his music among listeners down south. The song was a big US hit that peaked at no. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100 that year. It is still closely associated with Christmas celebrations today. “If You Could Read My Mind” definitely leans more toward country than folk rock, but it’s an unmistakable Lightfoot classic.
2. “Rainy Day People”
Ever find yourself looking out of a window during a rainstorm, mulling over the negative aspects of your life? You’re not alone. Lightfoot’s 1975 track “Rainy Day People” is more or less a staple item in any melancholy playlist, and it’s still a dreamy classic today.
Though, the lyrics of this song are more positive than you’d think. Lightfoot croons on this track about people who always seem to be there when you need them.
3. “Anything For Love”
This essential Gordon Lightfoot song was released in 1986 and is a later-career hit that proved the folk-rock icon still had some killer songwriting chops. David Foster contributed to this stunning track, and the addition of the Grammy-winning producer’s talent was a smart move.
This song, though, isn’t exactly folk-rock. Lightfoot went with the ebb and flow of music and inspiration, after all. By the 1980s, he had moved away from folk-rock a bit and focused more on contemporary songwriting. It was a good transition; Lightfoot knew how to make relatable, beautiful music in a wealth of different genres.
4. “Ribbon Of Darkness”
This gorgeous track was originally a hit song for Marty Robbins in the mid-1960s, though it was written by Lightfoot himself. Eventually, his own performance rivaled the original recording. Lightfoot knew how to access tenderness and vulnerability in a way that translated beautifully in his music, and “Ribbon Of Darkness” is a very stark example of that.
Photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images
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