Today’s post is a tribute to Gordon Lightfoot, a Canadian folk singer who passed away this week.
One of his most popular songs “If You Could Read My Mind” is a favorite of mine. I once had it on a “create” playlist – songs that make me want to write or just feel inspired and appreciative of the beauty of music.
I’m grateful I got to see him sing this song (and others) in person several years ago.
This week when I listened to “If You Could Read My Mind” several times in tribute, I found myself analyzing why it spoke to me so well.
The X factor for me (besides the great voice, hinted at drama, satisfying melody) is because it makes me imagine a book and a movie.
The song goes through so much!
It starts out as a dark, fairy tale or ghost story, from inside his mind:
“In a castle dark or a fortress strong
With chains upon my feet”
Then it moves into reading her mind, with her version of heartache like a “paperbook novel, the kind the drugstore sells…”
He may be the hero in this book, but as we know “Heroes often fail”
“And you won’t read that book again
Because the ending’s just too hard to take”
As books often get turned into movies, so does this song!
The next part is him imagining himself in a movie.
This is my favorite part!!
“I’d walk away, like a movie star
Who gets burned in a three way script
Enter number two
A movie queen to play the scene
Of bringing all the good things out in me”
So the situation is now a love triangle; character two was such a blessing to him, but she ends up with the other guy.
The song wraps up with reflections of how the “feelings are just gone” on both sides, and they “can’t get it back.”
I found out this week (had never really researched it before) that the song is about the demise of his first marriage. Sad for sure, but what beauty came out of it too.
Rest peacefully, Gordon Lightfoot!
You can find the full lyrics here.