Does anybody know if this song is about a particular event? And if so, what? Or is it just made up?

Does anybody know if this song is about a particular event? And if so, what? Or is it just made up?

Black Day in July is about the riots that occurred in Detroit in the summer of 1967. Apparently, police raided a black club and things got out of hand. It went on for a few days and the military was called in to restore order. It was very violent, many business were destroyed, and about 43 people were killed. You can find a lot of information about the event just by doing an internet search for Detroit riots or 1967 Detroit riots. Incidently, I read an interview with Gord in which he indicated that he doesn't play that song anymore since it is such a sensitive issue.

Black Day in July is about the riots that occurred in Detroit in the summer of 1967. Apparently, police raided a black club and things got out of hand. It went on for a few days and the military was called in to restore order. It was very violent, many business were destroyed, and about 43 people were killed. You can find a lot of information about the event just by doing an internet search for Detroit riots or 1967 Detroit riots. Incidently, I read an interview with Gord in which he indicated that he doesn't play that song anymore since it is such a sensitive issue.

ah, that makes sense. I remember when I was a young lad that my parents and I were in detroit visiting and they just barely got out before some horrible race riots got out of hand. I wonder if that was it? Thanks for the info, my wife has an old l.p. with that on it, and I hear it on an oldies station once in a great while.

ah, that makes sense. I remember when I was a young lad that my parents and I were in detroit visiting and they just barely got out before some horrible race riots got out of hand. I wonder if that was it? Thanks for the info, my wife has an old l.p. with that on it, and I hear it on an oldies station once in a great while.

Gord could write about another source of riots in Detroit:
The Tigers winning the World Series
The Pistons winning the NBA Championship
For all the glee surrounding this, it got pretty ugly.

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Gord could write about another source of riots in Detroit:
The Tigers winning the World Series
The Pistons winning the NBA Championship
For all the glee surrounding this, it got pretty ugly.

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about 40 african americans and other immigrants were murdered during the riots. A 4 year old black girl was shot! most of these people were killed for no reason exept for being african american.

William N Dalton died 7/26/67 at 12:45am. Walking the streets after 9:30pm, Dalton was accused by the police of being a curfew violator. At this point, he was allegedly marched for a few feet, shoved against a wall, and told to run if he wanted. He refused to run. A policeman fired a shot into Willie, from close range. The police report claimed that he was an arsonist and was attempting to flee from the police. When instructed to halt, he kept moving and was shot. The police report lists his death as a “Justifiable Homicide”.

about 40 african americans and other immigrants were murdered during the riots. A 4 year old black girl was shot! most of these people were killed for no reason exept for being african american.

William N Dalton died 7/26/67 at 12:45am. Walking the streets after 9:30pm, Dalton was accused by the police of being a curfew violator. At this point, he was allegedly marched for a few feet, shoved against a wall, and told to run if he wanted. He refused to run. A policeman fired a shot into Willie, from close range. The police report claimed that he was an arsonist and was attempting to flee from the police. When instructed to halt, he kept moving and was shot. The police report lists his death as a “Justifiable Homicide”.

I would think he meant a bad day when he sings black day. The word black in this case has nothing to do with race.

Gord has always been aware in his songs of those who are mistreated or the "have-nots". Many of his songs deal with these social issues

I would think he meant a bad day when he sings black day. The word black in this case has nothing to do with race.

Gord has always been aware in his songs of those who are mistreated or the "have-nots". Many of his songs deal with these social issues

you know i was just thinking recently because Gordon wasn't all that well know in the US in the 60s and had not this song been banned, i wonder if there might of been a possibility this might have beena breakthrough hit for him? and not IYCRMML. correct me if but abreviation is wrong. sometimes i've heard when a song or album get's so much conterversey, it will get people's attention and makes them wanna buy it.

you know i was just thinking recently because Gordon wasn't all that well know in the US in the 60s and had not this song been banned, i wonder if there might of been a possibility this might have beena breakthrough hit for him? and not IYCRMML. correct me if but abreviation is wrong. sometimes i've heard when a song or album get's so much conterversey, it will get people's attention and makes them wanna buy it.

quote:Originally posted by young stranger:
Black Day in July is about the riots that occurred in Detroit in the summer of 1967. Apparently, police raided a black club and things got out of hand. It went on for a few days and the military was called in to restore order. It was very violent, many business were destroyed, and about 43 people were killed. You can find a lot of information about the event just by doing an internet search for Detroit riots or 1967 Detroit riots. Incidently, I read an interview with Gord in which he indicated that he doesn't play that song anymore since it is such a sensitive issue.
wonder why he would stop playing it just because of that?

quote:Originally posted by young stranger:
Black Day in July is about the riots that occurred in Detroit in the summer of 1967. Apparently, police raided a black club and things got out of hand. It went on for a few days and the military was called in to restore order. It was very violent, many business were destroyed, and about 43 people were killed. You can find a lot of information about the event just by doing an internet search for Detroit riots or 1967 Detroit riots. Incidently, I read an interview with Gord in which he indicated that he doesn't play that song anymore since it is such a sensitive issue.
wonder why he would stop playing it just because of that?

Probably stopped playing in later years because it's one of the few songs he's written that is so very topical, and if you weren't there (in the 60s) it has less resonance. Love songs, meanwhile, are timeless.

Probably stopped playing in later years because it's one of the few songs he's written that is so very topical, and if you weren't there (in the 60s) it has less resonance. Love songs, meanwhile, are timeless.

I remember this song and its era very well. In fact, this was the song that got me interested in Lightfoot.
As children we were taken to Detroit summers on vacation...we even stayed one of the main riot points, the Algiers Motel. After 1967 we were never taken back again. There was considerable discussion & backlash at the time regarding this song...especially with the many race riots in the summer of '68. Since LIghtfoot had lived in Detroit, I assume he wrote this from a personal point of view. I was working in a radio station in the early 70's and remember hearing that stations in the US had been told by their management not to play it...so I went and bought the album...and still have it!!

I remember this song and its era very well. In fact, this was the song that got me interested in Lightfoot.
As children we were taken to Detroit summers on vacation...we even stayed one of the main riot points, the Algiers Motel. After 1967 we were never taken back again. There was considerable discussion & backlash at the time regarding this song...especially with the many race riots in the summer of '68. Since LIghtfoot had lived in Detroit, I assume he wrote this from a personal point of view. I was working in a radio station in the early 70's and remember hearing that stations in the US had been told by their management not to play it...so I went and bought the album...and still have it!!

you know hearing the song for the 1st time today, the song sounds a little strange though it's not a bad song either. he keeps repeating the title of the songs and while it's not unusual in most songs to have the title of them to be repeated, in this case it does. the totle also seems odd. i probably would of called it Riots In Detroit or Summertime Riots.

you know hearing the song for the 1st time today, the song sounds a little strange though it's not a bad song either. he keeps repeating the title of the songs and while it's not unusual in most songs to have the title of them to be repeated, in this case it does. the totle also seems odd. i probably would of called it Riots In Detroit or Summertime Riots.

bhil3...as in phony as a 3 dollal bhil??

Another contreversial song Gordie wrote is Heavan Help The Devil. It is about the Iranian prisioners. I just wish there was a cure for the common war.

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Sidney Freedmen

'Sit Down Young Stranger' and visit The Home Page Of Gordon Lightfoot

quote:Originally posted by Sidney Freedmen:
Another contreversial song Gordie wrote is Heavan Help The Devil. It is about the Iranian prisioners. I just wish there was a cure for the common war.



you mean "about the hostages held by the Iranians" right ?

Bill http://www.corfid.com/ubb/smile.gif