If You Could Read Gordon Lightfoot’s Mind, This Is the Tale His Thoughts Could Tell

Washington Post ^ | November 2 | Don McLeese

[Dawgreg]

I could listen to that song all day. I was curious to when that song was released and discovered it was released in December, 1970. That was the Month and Year of my birth. Yes, I’m old:)

I had to grin at this line. Honey, you’re not old. You’re only 5 months older than our daughter........lol. I’ve always loved that song though even though I didn’t think about the true meaning of it but knew it was a very sad situation especially the line where he says ‘I don’t know where we went wrong but the feelings gone and I just can’t get it back’ and that just tore my heart up. Thank God we’ve never had to go through any heartbreak like that. We’ve had 51 years together. The Edmund Fitzgerald is a very haunting song. He makes you feel like you’re there and want so much to save those 29 brave men. I didn’t know Mr. Lightfoot attended the memorial every year. Thanks for telling me and darlin’ you enjoy the music of the past and keep it going for us REALLY old folks. Those songs have stood the test of time and new generations should enjoy them........;)

[SunkenCiv]

His kazoo-like nasal singing voice was never a big favorite of mine. Some years ago Lightfoot did a show in Grand Rapids, but he didn't like Jonathan Edwards as the opening act , due to the song "Shanty" (known for decades as "the Friday song") and got him removed from the bill.

[CrimsonTidegirl]

Wow, congrats on the 51 years together! Quite an accomplishment, especially these days.

Another interesting fact that I forgot to tell you: Since “If You Could Read Mind” was about his divorce, after his children became adults, they requested he change the line “The feelings that you lack” to “The feelings that we lack” when he plays the song live. He graciously complied. Obviously, that is a emotional song for them.

Unfortunately, they just don’t make quality music like they used to.

[Dawgreg]

Unfortunately, they just don’t make quality music like they used to.

You’ve got that right. I still love my 60’s, 70’s and some 80’s music because our daughter would blast VanHalen and Journey all over the house. I’ve got it all, even Be-Bop. Comes a time when you’re glad to have it because it takes you back to some very good times in your life like dating, proms, graduations, marriage, babies, etc. I always loved Steely Dan and when Walter Becker passed recently I decided to take my Steely Dan CD and play it while granddaughter and I make our weekly/daily
shopping trips and errands before she goes back to college at Texas A&M. Well Deacon Blues is one of my very favorites and I found out Alabama is a rival.....don’t know if that’s true or if it’s just in some students heads but she said she could live without the song and I told her I wouldn’t play it so much from here on out.......I lied.......now we just laugh about it......;)

[CrimsonTidegirl]

LOL. I like Deacon Blues, for obvious reasons:)

Bama fans don’t consider A&M a rival but I can’t speak for A&M fans.

I’m like you in that my musical tastes are very diverse. I have a strange memory in that I can hear a song from the late 70’s or 80’s and it will bring back a certain memory, no matter how trivial. At the same time, I have problems remembering what happened yesterday, lol.

For instance, I can actually remember playing some of my older sister’s 45’s when I was in Second grade and my dad, who was the town police chief, received a call that my elementary school was on fire. The record I was playing was Andy Gibb’s “Love is Thicker Than Water”. I can’t believe I remember that. Every time I hear that song, I remember standing outside the school watching the fire.

It’s very strange how music can do that.

[exit82]

So, that was you, huh? ;)

[Dawgreg]

I have everything from Motown, Beatles, Be-Bop, Sinatra, Nat King Cole the list goes on. Thinking about what you said about a song triggering a memory....when Hub and I were dating “Summer In The City” was hot and that’s what makes me think of our courtship. Thinking back any old 60’s song could have done it but that one is burned into my mind. Your dad was police chief? My Hub was a police officer for 30 years, our son is a police officer as well as our son-in-law and our grandson is a jailer and when he reaches the ripe old age of 21 next month, he’ll start applying for different police departments. Small world.......;) BTW, “Love Is Thicker Than Water” by Andy Gibb is one of my favorite songs.

[CrimsonTidegirl]

Yes, my dad was a police chief of our small town until his death in 1979, when I was eight. I also have a cousin who is a police officer in the town where I currently live. Yes, definitely a small world:)

I will pray for the safety for your son, son-in-law and grandson. Law enforcement is much more dangerous these days.

I love “Summer in The City”:) You sound like myself when it comes to liking different kinds of music. If it’s a good song then I don’t care what genre it is.

[Dawgreg]

If it’s a good song then I don’t care what genre it is.

That’s the way I feel and I thank you for your prayers. You’re so right about the danger police and first responders face today. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving and keep in touch........;)

[CrimsonTidegirl]

Thank you and a great Thanksgiving to you and your family also:)

I hope to speak with you again. I love to discuss music:)

[Dawgreg]

I hope to speak with you again. I love to discuss music:)

Anytime. I’ll be right ‘chere.............;)

[DoodleDawg]

Happy birthday to him. I picked up my liking for Gordon Lightfoot from my dad, though I've never admitted to him that two of his favorites - Sundown and Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald - are two of my least favorite.

[DoodleDawg]

Did She Mention My Name, Triangle, High and Dry, In My Fashion, Alberta Bound, The Auctioneer, Rainy Day People, Cotton Jenny, All The Lovely Ladies, The House You Live in, and on, and on, and on.