"Cobwebs and Dust", just because it's repetitious. And although it's probably sacreligious to admit, I can't stand "Sundown"!

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"Cobwebs and Dust", just because it's repetitious. And although it's probably sacreligious to admit, I can't stand "Sundown"!

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I think it's okay to dislike Sundown. I recall, when I was younger, feeling uncomfortable with the lyrics...perhaps too risque! (Of course these days, compared to the offensiveness of much of contemporary music, it sounds like a Disney tune.) Now I more appreciate the production, the musicianship, and its place within a great album. And some of the lyrics are actually kind of cool ("...when I feel like I'm winning when I'm losing again.")

I think it's okay to dislike Sundown. I recall, when I was younger, feeling uncomfortable with the lyrics...perhaps too risque! (Of course these days, compared to the offensiveness of much of contemporary music, it sounds like a Disney tune.) Now I more appreciate the production, the musicianship, and its place within a great album. And some of the lyrics are actually kind of cool ("...when I feel like I'm winning when I'm losing again.")

I just thought of a Lightfoot song which may be my least favorite of all: "Rainbow Trout" from Cold On The Shoulder. The melody and lyrics are...well, let's just say I don't enjoy that particular track.

I just thought of a Lightfoot song which may be my least favorite of all: "Rainbow Trout" from Cold On The Shoulder. The melody and lyrics are...well, let's just say I don't enjoy that particular track.

quote:Originally posted by Restless:
I think it's okay to dislike Sundown. I recall, when I was younger, feeling uncomfortable with the lyrics...perhaps too risque! (Of course these days, compared to the offensiveness of much of contemporary music, it sounds like a Disney tune.) Now I more appreciate the production, the musicianship, and its place within a great album. And some of the lyrics are actually kind of cool ("...when I feel like I'm winning when I'm losing again.")

No, it's not the lyrics necessarily, I just felt that the tune was well, contrived. Gord last scored a top-10 hit in 1971 with "If You Could Read My Mind", and I felt perhaps there were some "suits" at WB hinting his next album ("Sundown") may be his last on Reprise if it didn't produce a hit. I've never been a big fan of "hook" tunes, and "Sundown" certainly qualifies as that. The musicianship was it's usual impeccable self, so there's no complaints there.

By the way, if your moniker "Restless" is taken from the GL tune, that's one of my favorites.

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quote:Originally posted by Restless:
I think it's okay to dislike Sundown. I recall, when I was younger, feeling uncomfortable with the lyrics...perhaps too risque! (Of course these days, compared to the offensiveness of much of contemporary music, it sounds like a Disney tune.) Now I more appreciate the production, the musicianship, and its place within a great album. And some of the lyrics are actually kind of cool ("...when I feel like I'm winning when I'm losing again.")

No, it's not the lyrics necessarily, I just felt that the tune was well, contrived. Gord last scored a top-10 hit in 1971 with "If You Could Read My Mind", and I felt perhaps there were some "suits" at WB hinting his next album ("Sundown") may be his last on Reprise if it didn't produce a hit. I've never been a big fan of "hook" tunes, and "Sundown" certainly qualifies as that. The musicianship was it's usual impeccable self, so there's no complaints there.

By the way, if your moniker "Restless" is taken from the GL tune, that's one of my favorites.

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Westernstar9,

I don't care for "Sundown" either and for the same reasons that you stated. I seem to recall making this same statement some time ago in another thread with a different cast of characters and was fried royally http://www.corfid.com/ubb/eek.gif

My least favorite GL tune is Black Day in July. I know the historical value, but I just cant handle the repetativeness and the overall mood of the song. It really drags me out. But thats the only one! As I am a songwriter myself, I know the importance of some of the unique lyrics that make a song. When I hear that someone is not fond of the song 'The Last Time I saw her face',I can almost bet they've never walked through a rain drenched forest.

My least favorite GL tune is Black Day in July. I know the historical value, but I just cant handle the repetativeness and the overall mood of the song. It really drags me out. But thats the only one! As I am a songwriter myself, I know the importance of some of the unique lyrics that make a song. When I hear that someone is not fond of the song 'The Last Time I saw her face',I can almost bet they've never walked through a rain drenched forest.

I don't like MAY I at all....
I get the feeling he threw that song together just to fill a contractual agreement or something.

COBWEBS AND DUST is another clunker. The repetition is monotonous, and I also get the feelign he threw in the other instrument just to address the monotony of the song.

ANYTHING FOR LOVE though, is one of my favorite songs by Lightfoot...for what that's worth.

I don't like MAY I at all....
I get the feeling he threw that song together just to fill a contractual agreement or something.

COBWEBS AND DUST is another clunker. The repetition is monotonous, and I also get the feelign he threw in the other instrument just to address the monotony of the song.

ANYTHING FOR LOVE though, is one of my favorite songs by Lightfoot...for what that's worth.

I have been a lightfoot fan, in earnest, since 1968, and frankly, there are no real "clunkers" because almost every song contains a line or phase that is interesting. There are some songs, however, that I would rather pass up; May I is one, and two others that readily come to mind are Slide on Over and I Want to Hear It From You.

If I may make a few comments about some of the worst songs noted in this post, I would need to start with I'm Not Supposed to Care, the lyrics are simply poetic and grabs at the heart, and the guitar lines and chord progressions are brillant.

A Lesson in Love is a great tune, with a very clever lyric, just listen; poor Jenny Lind.

Anything For Love is another wonderful song, again, if you listen and take in the music coupled with the poetry of the lyric, it speaks for itself.

Rainbow Trout; rather clever and it does have a lasting musical hook.

Too Late for Prayin', what can you say, this song is great, deep, and an individual interpretation can change as one's perception of life shifts. This song says too much at times; even the obvious.

I have been a lightfoot fan, in earnest, since 1968, and frankly, there are no real "clunkers" because almost every song contains a line or phase that is interesting. There are some songs, however, that I would rather pass up; May I is one, and two others that readily come to mind are Slide on Over and I Want to Hear It From You.

If I may make a few comments about some of the worst songs noted in this post, I would need to start with I'm Not Supposed to Care, the lyrics are simply poetic and grabs at the heart, and the guitar lines and chord progressions are brillant.

A Lesson in Love is a great tune, with a very clever lyric, just listen; poor Jenny Lind.

Anything For Love is another wonderful song, again, if you listen and take in the music coupled with the poetry of the lyric, it speaks for itself.

Rainbow Trout; rather clever and it does have a lasting musical hook.

Too Late for Prayin', what can you say, this song is great, deep, and an individual interpretation can change as one's perception of life shifts. This song says too much at times; even the obvious.

I'm wearing my flak jacket, so here's the list of songs I skip over for whatever reason (I'm such a huge fan that maybe I've heard them too many times):

Baby Step Back
Make Way for the Lady
Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald (sorry folks, but like Warren Zevon's 'Werewolves of London', it's one of those 'career' songs that just HAS to be played at every show)
Ode to Big Blue
Cherokee Bend
Endless Wire
Whispers of the North
On Yonge Street
And, yes...that "Canary Yellow Canoe" song.

Well, his worst song is still better than my best because my best hasn't been written yet. Mainly because I haven't written any. But there is a song I can certainly say is not my favorite-- My Pony Won't Go. (It sounds like it went, but in a different sense of the term)

Hello everyone..have been away from the web page for sometime for one reason or another and realize how much I missed it. Now, must agree with Kevin, Black Day in July is one that is usually skipped over, puts me in a "black" mood. On the other hand, SUNDOWN has the best intro and just yesterday in my car I replayed it over and over. Can't imagine what people thought seeing me in my car moving to the music. GL will be in PA three times in the next few months and I am so disappointed I won't make any of the shows.

Hello everyone..have been away from the web page for sometime for one reason or another and realize how much I missed it. Now, must agree with Kevin, Black Day in July is one that is usually skipped over, puts me in a "black" mood. On the other hand, SUNDOWN has the best intro and just yesterday in my car I replayed it over and over. Can't imagine what people thought seeing me in my car moving to the music. GL will be in PA three times in the next few months and I am so disappointed I won't make any of the shows.

Any of the tunes where rhymes are forced to sound pastoral and folkie (Wild Strawberries, Canary Yellow...). Best tunes have strong melody and conversational lyrics (Don Quixote - although very good as poetry, Sundown, even Dream Street Rose - a very under appreciated tune).

"Canary Yellow Canoe" does it for me. I usually love anything he does, though.

"Canary Yellow Canoe" does it for me. I usually love anything he does, though.

sorry, restless, but i strongly disagree with "rainbow trout" as a skip-worthy song. it is simple but has a cute, underlying story to it. it's not meant to be epic.
among my least favorites:

baby step back
ringneck loon
canary yellow canoe
cold on the shoulder (sometimes)

*Also, watchman, i totally agree with your summary of the time factor; it really can change one's perception of a song.

sorry, restless, but i strongly disagree with "rainbow trout" as a skip-worthy song. it is simple but has a cute, underlying story to it. it's not meant to be epic.
among my least favorites:

baby step back
ringneck loon
canary yellow canoe
cold on the shoulder (sometimes)

*Also, watchman, i totally agree with your summary of the time factor; it really can change one's perception of a song.

i don't understand why most say that canary yellow canoe is one of his worst songs. It's simple, catchy and probabaly recorded in the name of fun!
I like it. Anyone else?