Gordon Meredith Lightfoot Jr. was born on November 17, 1938 in Orillia, Ontario. The Canadian treasure has one of those voices that created the soundtrack of the lives of anyone growing up in the 1970s.
Gordon Lightfoot created some of the most popular songs of the era, including “Sundown,” “If You Could Read My Mind,” “Early Morning Rain,” and “The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald.” Although I never sought out his albums, I can sing along with many of the songs written and recorded by this legendary singer-songwriter.
This 1972 performance captures Lightfoot at one of the peaks of his career. It features many of his classic songs, and it is great to see him doing a full show. Check it out.
Although Lightfoot has had some health issues lately, he is still touring and creating new music.
Chimesfreedom previously reported on how Bruce Springsteen was inspired by the Harry Potter books to write a song that he later offered to one of the films in the franchise. But, as fate would have it, director Christopher Columbus turned down the offer. But now the song, “I’ll Stand By You,” has finally found a movie home in the upcoming Blinded by the Light (2019).
“I’ll Stand By You” is one of seven Springsteen songs that will appear on the soundtrack to the coming of age story in Blinded by the Light. Reportedly, in addition to some official versions of songs, the soundtrack will include some rarities (including the first performance of “The River” from the No Nukes 1979 concert at Madison Square Garden).
George Harrison passed away in 2001 before his induction at the 2004 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame ceremony. So, his former Traveling Wilburys colleagues Tom Petty and Jeff Lynne led an all-star group, including Steve Winwood and Prince, for a rousing performance of “While My Guitar Gently Weeps.”
Come listen for Tom Petty’s haunting vocals, but stay for Prince’s amazing guitar solo at the end. Seriously, do not stop before Prince takes over.
The rest of the Beatles initially were not very impressed with “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” when Harrison first played it for them in 1968. But the song became one of their classics, with Eric Clapton playing on the original Beatle version.
On May 1, 1973, Bruce Springsteen took the stage of the Ahmanson Theatre in Los Angeles. Columbia Records was hosting a “Week to Remember Showcase.” And Springsteen was one of Columbia Records’ newest artists at the time.
Now, Springsteen is making available videos of the performance. Below is his performance of one of my favorite Springsteen tracks, “Thundercrack.” Check it out.
One of the nice movie surprises of recent years is Hell or High Water (2016), directed by David Mackenzie and starring Chris Pine, Ben Foster, Jeff Bridges, and Gil Birmingham. Besides being an excellent movie, the film makes great use of a beautiful song too.
The movie, about two brothers who rob banks in order to keep one bank from foreclosing on family land, features a beautiful scene between the two brothers with a wonderful song about dying in the background. It is Gillian Welch’s haunting voice on her song, “I’m Not Afraid to Die.”
The song works well in the film, portraying the bond between the two brothers and highlighting the risks they are taking. There is a overall sadness to the film that reflects on hard times for struggling people who are often left behind in modern society. Hell or High Water deals with nuances, even while the movie written by Taylor Sheridan also features action. The characters are flawed and human, even the sheriff played by Bridges.
So “I’m Not Afraid to Die” works well against the West Texas landscape. There are moments of confidence in the song written by Welch and David Rawlings, as you can see in the title about not being afraid.
Forget my sins upon the wind; My hobo soul will rise; Lie-d Lie-d Lie I’m not afraid to die.
Yet Welch’s voice reveals a deep sadness underlying the boast. And if you listen carefully, you find some fears: “Sometimes it finds me fast asleep,/ And wakes me where I lie.”
“I’m not Afraid to Die” works like some of the best hymns. It finds faith within doubt, buried deep within a melody and voice that comforts you while confronting the terrors of this world.
Above, Welch and Rawlings perform “I’m Not Afraid to Die” in Atlanta at Variety Playhouse. “I’m Not Afraid to Die” originally appeared on Welch’s 1998 album Hell Amongst the Yearlings.
Hell or High Water has a great soundtrack. What is your favorite song from the movie? Leave your two cents in the comments.
