Neil Younger paid tribute to a fellow Canadian songwriting legend on Tuesday (Might 2) in a sentimental publish devoted to his good friend, late singer Gordon Lightfoot. “I simply spoke to Gordon just a few weeks again and he sounded blissful, though he had cancelled some exhibits and was re-organizing his touring. I used to be saddened once I discovered right now of his passing,” Younger wrote of Lightfoot, the “If You Might Learn My Thoughts” songwriter who died on Monday at age 84.
“Gordon was an ideal Canadian artist. A songwriter with out parallel, His melodies and phrases had been an inspiration to all writers who listened to his music, as they are going to proceed to be by means of the ages,” continued Younger, 77, who was born in Toronto. There’s a distinctive and fantastic feeling to Gordon’s music. Lightfoot is a Canadian legend.”
Younger coated Lightfoot’s “Early Morning Rain” and “If You Might Learn My Thoughts” on his 2014 lo-fi covers album A Letter Dwelling.
Lightfoot lately canceled a deliberate upcoming U.S. and Canada tour dates on account of well being points. “Gordon Lightfoot broadcasts the cancellation of his U.S. and Canadian live performance schedule for 2023,” a press release learn on the time. “The singer is at the moment experiencing some well being associated points and is unable to substantiate rescheduled dates presently.”
Younger joined quite a few different artists and admirers singing Lightfoot’s praises, together with Billy Joel, who coated the people singer’s 1971 Billboard No. 5 hit “If You Might Learn My Thoughts” in a house recording with the caption, “Unhappy morning over right here. Relaxation simple Gordon Lightfoot. So unhappy to listen to of the dying of Gordon Lightfoot. He was a lifelong musical hear of mine…”
Seated at a black grand piano, Joel sang the traces, “For those who might learn my thoughts, love/ What a story my ideas might inform/ Similar to an previous time film/ ‘Bout a ghost from a wishing nicely/ In a fort darkish or a fortress sturdy/ With chains upon my ft/ You understand that ghost is me/ And I’ll by no means be let out/ So long as I’m a ghost, you’ll be able to’t see.”
Watch Joel’s tribute right here.
