The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald........thank you Mr. Lightfoot for being part of my youth and also part of growing my appreciation for music. RIP
It should be his Top 15 songs; they missed a couple.
Being in Michigan and surrounded by Yoopers when it happened, we’d vote for the Edmund Fitzgerald song.
“Critics” are readily criticized.
I agree. Bad ass breakup song - amazing melody, unsurpassed poetry and beautiful too. He’s one of few 70s artists my born in 1979 wife can tolerate. The high pitched voices of Neil Young, BeeGees, Andy van Warmer et al drive her mad. Gord had a manly voice to the nines.
Sundown was just huge. And it so fit in with the times.
My favorite isn’t listed but it should be. You can just picture everything he is singing about. Well, at least I can. “Song for a Winter’s Night”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JRIlTvYp0ok
They missed “Carefree Highway”.
ping
Bogus list if “Beautiful” isn’t listed ...
Canadian Railroad Trilogy was my favorite
He was a great folk singer. Even his tunes that had drums and more musicians sounded folkie. I even like that commie lesbian Joan Baez. Some of her tunes from the 60s and 70s. She did a double album of Bob Dylan tunes that was A+.
Best tune on that is “Love is Just a Four Letter Word”
LIVE with Earl Scruggs and his boys..... A great version!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dnVDI5USgiE
Her father, Albert Baez (1912–2007), was born in Puebla, Mexico,[14] and grew up in Brooklyn, New York. Her mother was from Scotland.
His songs are so well constructed and his lyrics echo the human experience so well that it is very difficult to say which are his top songs.....
Some examples...
Circle of Steel....describes the way Canada handled some of their welfare cases
Black Day in July....Race riot in Detroit and resultant questions and misgivings...
Ballad of Yarmouth Castle....his first ship sinking tragedy song...mentions the captain deserting the sinking cruise/gambling ship
The Gypsy....what happens when someone wants to know their future
Summer Side of Life....seems to be a song about “Shell shock” or PTSD
Leaves of Grass....the outcome of brave soldiers, and hopes for a better future
Echoes of Heroes....honoring soldiers of WW1 and WW2...very sad
Pony Man....sweet naive childhood dreams....
Redwood Hill...man converses with Mother Nature...lots of bluegrass covers on this song
10 Degrees and getting Colder....Love, Hope, and Deception on the Road....getting Colder in a personal way...not just the temperature
Really thoughtful, beautiful stuff...none like him at all.
My vote goes to “Early Morning Rain.”
Wait! Lightfoot had 10 songs? Who knew?
I was always partial to Don Quixote. Canadian Railroad trilogy is what Canadians gave him an award for if I remember right.