Summertime Dream – Part 3

I think what I enjoy most about Gordon Lightfoot’s music is its bittersweetness and the way he’s able to empathize with the highs and lows of being human. In reviewing Frank Sinatra’s 1965 album September of My Years a music critic wrote: “Sinatra’s verdict? Life is unfair… but beautiful” and that’s how I feel when listening to the songs of Gordon Lightfoot. People don’t want music that makes them feel happy all the time; human beings are more complex than that. They also want to feel sadness, longing, and dream about what was- and what might have been. Like Sinatra and other great storytellers, relating complex feelings of joy and disappointment are Gordon Lightfoot’s bread and butter.

Perhaps no song better illustrates the world of Gordon Lightfoot than “Carefree Highway” in which the narrator confesses: “Now the thing that I call living is just being satisfied with knowing I got no one left to blame.” There are worse philosophies. Despite some health scares during the 2000’s, Gordon Lightfoot is still writing, recording, and touring today (at the age of 79) and Canada- and the world- are better for it. Here are some more of my favorite Gordon Lightfoot songs. Enjoy!

01. Gordon Lightfoot – “Second Cup of Coffee” (1972)
02. Gordon Lightfoot – “Ordinary Man” (1972)
03. Gordon Lightfoot – “Same Old Loverman” (1971)
04. Gordon Lightfoot – “Looking at the Rain” (1972)
05. Gordon Lightfoot – “Miguel” (1971)
06. Gordon Lightfoot – “On Susan’s Floor” (1972)
07. Gordon Lightfoot – “Ode to Big Blue” (1972)
08. Gordon Lightfoot – “Tattoo” (1983)
09. Gordon Lightfoot – “Carefree Highway” (1974)
10. Gordon Lightfoot – “Early Morning Rain” (1975)

Gordon Lightfoot, Bob Dylan, and Roger McGuinn

Listen to the playlist on Spotify...

... or check out the playlist on YouTube

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Recommended Links:

Gordon Lightfoot Talks Sadness, Regret, and Maritime Disasters