Song#: 0978
Date: 04/03/1982
Debut: 80
Peak: 50
Weeks: 8
Genre: Singer/Songwriter
Pop Bits: Lightfoot is often considered one of Canada's best songwriters. He is revered in his homeland and has even been called a "national treasure." Performing with folk groups and solo around Canada in the 60s, his popularity grew and in 1966 he issued his first solo album, "Lightfoot!" Several chart singles and albums followed throughout the remainder of the decade, but success in the US eluded him. That changed in 1970 when his single "If You Could Read My Mind" reached #5 on the US pop chart. He would have three more US Top 10's including the #1 "Carfree Highway" (1974) and what would arguable become his most famous song, "The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald" (#2, 1976). His popularity decreased in the late 70s with his pop/folk music falling out of favor. He had been absent from the pop chart for four years before this single from his LP "Shadows" got him into the Top 50 (#17 AC). It would be his last single to reach the US chart.
ReduxReview: Lightfoot has a distinctive nasally voice that is easily recognized. When it's paired with one of his great tunes, the combo is hard to resist. If the song is not that interesting, his voice can be a bit grating (for me). This song is semi-interesting with Lightfoot's voice sounding a bit pinched. It's a listenable outing but nothing that would gain new fans.
ReduxRating: 5/10
Trivia: Although it took until 1970 for Lightfoot to reach the US pop chart, as a songwriter he was having success on the US country chart. In 1965, country star Marty Robbins reached #1 with Lightfoot's "Ribbon of Darkness." The following year, George Hamilton IV hit #9 with "Early Morning Rain."
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