I had another song in mind for today, but it left my mind about 10:30 last night when I got a ‘breaking news’ notification that one of my favourite musicians, Gordon Lightfoot, had died. NOT GORDON … NOOOooooooooo 😭
This is but a small tribute to the man and his music, but I couldn’t simply let his death go unremarked. As I have said about so many others before him, he left us a legacy of beautiful music that will live on long past his death.
A few things I learned last night about Gordon Lightfoot:
- To Canadians, he was a legend, a hero. But his response to that was down-to-earth: “Sometimes I wonder why I’m being called an icon, because I really don’t think of myself that way. I’m a professional musician, and I work with very professional people. It’s how we get through life.”
- He wrote his first song while still in high school, about the Hula Hoop craze with a catchy last line: “I guess I’m just a slob and I’m gonna lose my job, ’cause I’m Hula-Hula-Hoopin’ all the time.”
- A consummate entertainer to the end, Lightfoot doggedly refused to give up live shows. He toured the U.K. for the first time in 35 years in 2015, and two years later was part of Canada’s 150th birthday celebrations in Ottawa. He released Solo in 2020, a collection of studio recordings that he had kicking around in the vaults for several years. In 2010, he vowed to keep playing up to 70 gigs a year “because I love doing it.”
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau tweeted …
“We have lost one of our greatest singer-songwriters. Gordon Lightfoot captured our country’s spirit in his music – and in doing so, he helped shape Canada’s soundscape. May his music continue to inspire future generations, and may his legacy live on forever. To his family, friends, and many fans across the country and around the world: I’m keeping you in my thoughts at this difficult time.”
And even horror writer Stephen King weighed in …
“Gordon Lightfoot has died. He was a great songwriter and a wonderful performer. Sundown, you better take care/If I catch you creepin’ ’round my back stairs.”
In 2010, reports of his death were greatly exaggerated but believed even by his friends. Turns out it was a Twitter prank that went viral. When he was finally contacted, Lightfoot responded: “I’m fine, everything is good. I’m in great health. I was quite surprised to hear the news myself … I haven’t had so much airplay on my music now for weeks.”
There is so much more I could write about the man, but I think that for tonight I prefer to let his music do the talking. If you’re interested, I did come across a fairly comprehensive bio on the CBC (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation) website. And now … the music.
R.I.P. Mr. Lightfoot … thank you for all the wonderful music!
Filosofa's Word 
We saw him at the beginning of his career, in Kingston, Ontario, at Queen’s University, and then at the end, several years ago, here in Ottawa, Ontario at the National Arts Centre. He was a poet and wrote the stories in his songs that were meaningful for Canadians. He will be missed.
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Wow … what a treat to have seen him twice in person! Yes, he was one of the greats and will be sorely missed, but he left behind a legacy that won’t soon be forgotten.
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Not only was he a wonderful singer/songwriter, but a humble man who represented Canada well. I love his music and have been singing it for the last few days. Great share, Jill.
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Thanks, Carla! I completely agree!!! Like you, I’ve had his music in my head for the past several days, but I sing it only in my head, so as not to make the cats start hissing and yowling!!! 🤣
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Thanks Jill. We lost a legend for sure. Stephen King quoted the perfect song, one of my favorites. He will be sadly missed and his timeless music will live on. ❤
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Yes, I love that one too! He has so many I loved that it’s hard to choose! He will be missed, but he lives on through his music. ❤
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Our nation is in mourning. Was very sad to have read the news of his passing last night.
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I can only imagine. I was deeply saddened to read about his death! But smile, my friend, for we’ll always have him in his music!
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Except for the last one, I knew all the songs you shared here. I did not know who sang it… now I do. A wonderful heritage he left us.
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Definitely so … like so many others who have died, he will live on through his music and he had a vast & varied repertoire!
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That’s the wonderful thing about artists, their work will live on.
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Pingback: ♫ Gordon Lightfoot — A Brief Tribute ♫ | Ned Hamson's Second Line View of the News
Jill, many thanks. We are of like minds today to honor Gordon Lightfoot. You did clarify something for me. My wife and I saw him about a dozen years ago, but a key reason was with thought he had died. You noted the death hoax back in 2010, so that may have reeled us in. His concert was wonderful, as he took time between songs to share insight. He altered one song the way Elvis covered it and he was appreciative of Peter Paul and Mary singing another. His body of work is extensive with something for every one. Thanks, Keith
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Indeed we were, and not surprisingly. I wasn’t aware of the death hoax in 2010 until I read about it last night, either. Apparently some woman posted it on Twitter, it went viral, and even the media picked up on it. The woman was booted from Twitter (that was back when they had a few standards) but never punished by the law. Yes, he was a versatile talent with, as you say, something for everyone! He will live on through his music, though.
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When my wife read and related his passing last night, I asked her, “What song immediately came to your mind?” Her song was “If You Could Read My Mind”. Mine was “Sundown.” Spent a worthwhile hour last night reading about him and listening to his music. Another one gone. Sigh. Hugs and cheers
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I think mine would have been either “Sundown” or else “The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald”. I was surprised by the sense of loss I immediately felt upon hearing of his death … you’d think I’d be used to it by now, after so many of the great ones have died. Hugs and cheers, Michael
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After hearing of so many deaths and pondering how the net feeds us such news, I think my walls are growing thinner. Instead of being inured, I’m more sensitized to it. Don’t know if I’m the norm or if it’s a generational matter…just thoughts. Hugs and cheers, Jill.
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I feel the same. Perhaps it’s that once there were so many, and now the numbers are dwindling. Soon, who will be left?
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Yes, and interesting, because on some level, perhaps we think of them as the people who shaped us. If no one remains who shaped us, what will we become?
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Old geezers sitting on the front porch singing the songs of our youth, while our grandchildren roll their eyes and pledge never to be like us!
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As it was and shall ever probably be.
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OMG I loved him. Being from Buffalo, I heard his tunes ALL THE TIME. He was the VERY BEST. I cried when I heard he had died. I knew it was coming. But still I cried.
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So did I, Polly … so did I.
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In my mind, he reached perfection when he wrote and sang Black Day in July. I thought he captu4ed the horror of racism extremely well. Unfortubately, no one listened… And look where we are today. One step forward, five steps back!
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Thanks for sharing it, rg!
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Musically, it isn’t one I care much for, but it is a good song because of the message it carries. You’re right, he captured the racism of the time … wait, of the time? We’re still there today, it’s just somewhat more disguised I guess. Anyway, you’re right, it’s a very worthy song.
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A sad loss. I’ve always liked his music and his wonderful voice. As I said to Keith earlier, my favourite of his is Canadian Railroad Trilogy.
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Indeed it is a sad loss. I almost added the Canadian Railroad Trilogy to this post, but its length deterred me, for I’ve found most people prefer a song that is around 3 minutes. And, since I was playing 4 songs, I thought it might be overkill.
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I tend to shy away from long songs too, so I know what you mean. A good way to get round that which has worked for me is to provide a link in the text rather than embed the video. It makes the post seem shorter too.
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There’s a thought … next time I’m posting multiple songs, I’ll try that with one or more. Thanks!
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It isn’t as immediate as embedding but if the reader is interested they’ll click on it anyway.
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I’m always amazed to find that when I include a link within a post, I later find that only 4 or 5 people actually bothered to click the link. But, as you say, if they’re interested, they’ll click.
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I find the same, but I’m not sure how much we can trust WordPress stats though. They can sometimes look very strange.
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True enough. Mind keep telling me that my views have increased 25%, but I’m still falling below the 200 mark, when I used to always have around 250. WP plays games, for sure.
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One of our best and will greatly missed.
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Agreed 100%!
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feeling the loss tonight
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Me too, Paul. Too many are leaving us, and today’s music is just not the same … at least to me. But … we have their legacy and can hear them any time.
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Yes, they remain and we re-member them.
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