Gordon Lightfoot on Justin Bieber and Today's Music Industry
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- čas přidán 13. 08. 2015
- Gordon Lightfoot talks about his classic songs, how Canada has changed and the music business today.
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About ten years ago or so, Gordon was set to play a concert out on the west coast here. I didn't really have the money to go but I was worried I might never get the opportunity again so I dug deep, sold a few things I didn't really love and managed to scrape together enough cash to buy tickets for myself, my wife and my mother and the three of us went to see him to celebrate my mother's birthday. I have plenty of regrets in my life, but selling things to find a way to see Gordon play is not one of them.
We’re so fortunate to have had this man as our poet laureate for over 50 years. As Canada continues to change and grow, I hope his legacy endures - I think it will. RIP to a true Canadian icon.
It will
Gordon Lightfoot is one of God's many gifts to mankind.
Amen !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
agreed...
Hope Scandinoval to CND
Hope Scandinoval yup!♡
Definitely.
I am struck by his genuine humility and gentle spirit. Man, we sure lost a good one, but his music will live forever.
He's in a whole different league from Bieber, but it shows he's a humble guy. I don't even think of Gordon Lightfoot as a singer. He's a real troubador. A true bard.
There is a tradition, and a word for it, far better and older than a bard or troubadour. Gordon Lightfoot is a wandering Minstrel bringing new thoughts to the countryside as he goes.
@TheJR1948 The Bob Dylan Influence
Still so cool and from a generation that gave us Bob Dylan, The Beatles, CNSY, The Byrds hell the whole British Invasion. Gordon Lightfoot came out of the Villiage folk scene. He has really with stood the test of time. God Bless Him! Peace, M.A.
WELL SAID, JAY !!!!!!!
@@mickwest7918 Yeah, the times they are a-changing. They're always changing, aren't they?
Brings a tear to my eye. So classy, so humble and soooooo talented. R.I.P dear sir, it was an honour to have listened to you for the last 50 years.
I have had the honor and privilege to have met Mr Lightfoot a number of times over the years. He has always been incredibly kind to me. He has been my favorite male singer/songwriter for 50 years...and my 2nd favorite isn't even close!!
Gordon LIghtfoot is so kind. I can't believe the guy was trying to get him to diss a fellow musician. Well playing, Mr. Lightfoot, no need to diss Bieber to make yourself look good. You're a legend already.
Very humble man... he's written some incredibly great songs. It's poetry, really. Love him.
Really awesome that Elvis loved Early Morning Rain!!!!!
Gordon Lightfoot is a Canadian national treasure!
He is a legend.
I agree and I think he’s a treasure for all who appreciate him and his music. We’re fortunate to be alive and are able to enjoy what he has graciously shared with us.
A world treasure, but thank Canada for him.
he is FAR too classy to take the "hate on the new generation" bait. Well done, Gord.
He is sincere when he says he enjoys the young people's music. I'm a musician and started playing in 1960 and I listen to today's pop music and thoroughly enjoy it. They are very good at what they do. That's not being classy just being sincere and having a great love for music. All music.
Well said I couldn't have said it any better you or Gordon!
Yes. Gordon Lightfoot is just too classy to put anybody else down. He's too much of a gentleman (like my dear father) to go there. I've got to get his new albums and get caught up. I'm listening to his Canada Day appearance every night. Tag Along is my new obsession. Love it that Sunday Morning Comin' Down is one of his favorite songs. Kristopher's Why Me Lord is probably another one. The first one tells my story before AA, the 2nd one after. Love ya, GL, and look forward to seeing you on stage again. Thanks for the memories.....
I think of people like Lightfoot as very top tier, elite class creators (with Paul Simon and Garfunkel, James Taylor, and many others, etc)... Listen to his performances then go listen to Bieber's...
Idk... Hearing people I respect give such jaw-dropping different opinions (even the musician above in the replies)... I guess music is just all completely subjective appreciation... It's just SO, SO difficult to believe that there is no objective greatness attatched to such refined high iq/eq writers and artists, as opposed to rich kiddies playing on their Korgs and laying down a bunch of pre-rendered samples and single layer beats; writing classless songs about superficial cringe and materialism... The exaltation of such soulless efforts are affronts to life itself and the divine spirit within each of us.
As far as MY worthless opinion, as a lifelong musician and lyricist, goes, it's like hearing a musician like Mozart and a poet like Yates, both, together, praising a monkey banging on a drum while grunting.
It's very difficult for me to empathize with, in just about every conceivable way. I understand exactly what people like Bieber's lyrics mean (I HAVE stopped to look at many of today's lyrics) and I know how to appreciate the style of music (I mean, who wouldn't know how to? It appeals to the 2 year old in all of us... It's to music as porno is to film. We all understand how porno can be appreciated...) But whatever... I mean, to me, it's truly disturbing and a thundering desecration to put Bieber next to Lightfoot... Okay, enough. I'm done now. Sry.
@@luceatlux7087 Very well written comment. I'm with you and also a musician. I have no problem with today's pop stars and rappers, but to even suggest any kind of artistic equivalence between them and the likes of Lightfoot is disrespectful and insulting. There is absolutely such a thing as superior music and lyricism, just like there is superior cuisine, fashion, film-making...and any other art form.
His hide has aged a bit, but the light in his eyes is just as bright.
Sunday morning coming down. Love it? Lived it ! ! !
Good interview. It centered on Gordon and music, no BS.
yeah, more awake than most of the millennial trash....
Alcohol tends to age yuh mercilessly. Glad he kicked it. Or we wouldn’t have him.
And, the interviewing pair let HIM TALK! GOOD JOB!
His music is a gift to us all!! Thank you Canada for giving him to the world!!
Gordon Lightfoot... his persona is a truthful one and encompasses him and his music and lyrics, he's such the humble natural and honest performer and I thank him a thousand times for his music and kind heart! Peace.
Thank you Mr.Lightfoot for all you have written. You have inspired alot of people with your clear stories put to music. I remember vividly lying on the floor of my dad's car when I was around 5years old,I heard "if you could read my mind" for the first time and fell in love with all the texture and colour that you put into it is so emotionally beautiful!
He's a true Canadian treasure, never another like him.
He was before my time as I really did'nt start my music craze as a kid until late 70's but just purchased my first Gordon Lightfoot lp just two weeks ago and I'm amazed at his music, his character and realizing he is a folk history legend makes me want every lp he has written! I totally understand how he changed the way music came into the 20th century and how it influenced our parents. He leaves me humbled and wanting more than the one song hit on the radio!
He had like a dozen hits
a DOZEN?? Try several dozen!
No kidding. I was blown away by how prolific he is & how it escaped my attention for the first few years he was on the charts.I was soon copying his albums to cassette, to make it easier & more convenient to listen.
It's tremendous you recognize the impact the "old" music had on so many of us. Lightfoot is probably the most melodic of the 70s artists and great on the 12 string. He sings the Canadian legend.
try his album "Summertime Dream"
Gord is an exceptionally thoughtful guy. He doesn't say or sing an unnecessary word.
Saw him perform live in 2016. Just amazing the talent is still outstanding. Truly a legend and such a beautiful voice. God bless this man
Saw him perform in person in Portland Maine a number of years ago. Marvelous. 2 1/2 hours of music and they didn't take a break. Gordon has a timeless appeal/
1974 I am 17 yrs old with my 1968 Roadrunner and turn on my AM-FM radio cruising the Rickenbacker Causeway in Miami and listen to Carefree Highway . 61 now and every time i hear it takes me back to 1974 .
I am a Filipino visiting Canada: I love Canada’s National Treasure the golden voiced Gordon Lightfoot- from the late 50’s when he started music until today and still touring!!! I hope to see him at Massey this year and hear him sing my first GL song “If You Could Read My Mind”. I will trek to Orillia before I go back to the Philippines to feel first hand my hero’s birth place!!!!
I'm SO glad to hear him say good things about Justin Bieber. What a class act.Bieber is actually very talented, it is easy to mock him, but Gordon is comfortable enough in his own skin to praise Bieber. Unlike, for example, Maynard James Keenan, who, when Bieber said he was a Tool fan, took the opportunity to minimize Bieber. I never thought much about Bieber until I actually took the time to listen to some of his work, and when he went on SNL and made fun of himself, he won me over.
Humble, classy man. Love his music, always have, always will
That's so awesome. Perhaps the most intriguing aspect is how he straight up quoted Taylor Swift and referenced Beyonce's tactic, and praised Justin Bieber. I hope they somehow find out that a legend like Lightfoot had those things to say about them. That would be incredibly humbling.
The sad reality of it is that they probably have little idea who this legend is, and probably have less respect for him.
His song had feelings to them, not like the garbage we have today
Richard R., You are so right! 🤗
WELL SAID, RICHIE !!!!!!
Amazing to listen to a true musical genius discuss music with such humility. One of the greatest ever in any genre.
Humble genius, with the integrity and intelligence to recognize talent even in the present day.
A wonderful human being! An unequaled song writer/performer. God rest his soul. Amen.
Always have loved Gordon Lightfoot's music. One of the truly great ones. Oh Canada!
He seems at peace and that is a great place to be.
2:53 What a stand up guy he was. A baby bat falls from the ceiling while he was performing, but it doesn't throw him off. He tried to save it. It was alive😮😊
Yes that moved me too.💞🦇🙏🏻
To paraphrase Bob Dylan, ‘Gordon writes songs you never want to end’.
I love this man. May he rest in peace. God speed Mr. Lightfoot.
There were some beautiful pictures of Lightfoot in his 'music room' with the closing shots-love his music.
His style and voice are one of a kind. Remarkable!
Thank you Canada for giving the world such a treasure.
Thats all I got
What a wonderful human soul.
*"Canadian Railroad Trilogy"* is among my favourite songs by Gordon Lightfoot.
Take out ‘by Gordon Lightfoot’ and I agree
Jason Carpp
Beautiful is my favorite
@@ralex3697 That's another awesome song by Gordon Lightfoot. :)
amazing man, brilliant interviewer, he lets the man speak. overall spectacular experience
Fucking Legend, and definitely not a moron.
Why is Lightfoot wrong to have an opinion. Seems to me he knows a thing or two about musicians.
Talent-less? I don't like Bieber either, but he most certainly has talent. He has amazing control over his voice, and sings very very well. Like his music or not, it is rather dishonest to say he has no talent.
bucky468 That's the thing. Talent, and whether you like his stuff or not are two different things. He has lots of talent. I don't like his music either, but I'm not going to say he's not talented. He's also a little shit sometimes, and I wouldn't mind backhanding him.
bucky468 Didn't know they were still together. Heh. And no, it likely won't last. Hell, many many celeb relationships tend to lapse quickly.
Gordon Lightfoot has been with me my whole life,his voice soothes me and comforts me,when i was a kid ,and still to this day,thanks to an older brother,who would play his albums,and I couldnt keep my eyes open and i remember falling asleep many times to his voice ,he is the greatest talent to come outta canada,even tho neil and leonard and bruce,and joni are all great ,gord rules
That's such a sweet story. I had older siblings who turned me on to 60's and 70's music at a young age, and I remember Gordon had a way to make me feel like everything was going to be okay when I heard his songs. We had lost our father in 1975, and I could also relate to many of the songs back then about heartache and loss. It seems like some songwriters can write music and words that can make one more aware of feelings deep inside... and that is a good thing.
Spoken like a true gentleman.
A great character to match his great talent. Affable, relaxed and not a derogatory thing to say about other singers.
I was lucky to see this wonderful singer. To me he's a music treasure. No one will ever be like him.
I was lucky to see him last night in Atlanta. I'm glad he included our city on his tour. Great songs.
This guy is a "Masterpiece"!! Born and raised in Canada!
When I found out he was Canadian. I bought cassettes and CDs on my trips to Canada.
I always knew he was Canadian. Carefree Hwy is about a road in Az very close to where I live. I always think of that road when I hear the song, but I I always thought it was a coincidence. Turns out, the song is actually about the road in Az
Not a huge Gordon fan but the older I get I find myself gravitating towards singer songwriters. Glad I am discovering his work. Awesome interview too
Good for you, sir! I find the older I get, the more variety I prefer. Which for me means....gulp!......I am taking a leap into the current artists out there. What I can say....technology is awesome, and you can find some really good music that is current if you search hard. It won't be popular, but it can be outstanding. Oh, Charly Puth is pretty good.
I have a feeling you'll be really liking him, the more you hear. There really just isn't anyone like him.
I love this interview so much! Also, the fact that the first song that came to his mind was Kris Kristofferson's "Sunday Mornin' Comin' Down" and that is just so beautiful and could quite possibly be the first song title to come out of my mouth as well were someone to ask me that very same question.
What a humble, honest man. And a superstar.
A cool guy, who seems unaffected by his success.
completely unaffected, a humble man from a great Canadian town. As a sign of his modesty. He played a show at the Gordon Lightfoot Theatre in Orillia and said several times how it was an honour to be there performing there as if he owed us something
he never runs after success That s the reason why many songs are not well known
U GOT THAT RIGHT, EVIL !!!!!!!
What a lovely, soulful man. Thank you Gordon.
nobody sounds like this guy...a unique voice...
This man is the embodiment of "keeping it real"...authenticity...and doing so in a game...industry...whatever you want to call it...where that is both a rarity and example to follow...in truth not just in the industry he has worked in for decades but life in general.
Saturday’s Clothes is still a song I listen to all the time. If Your Could Read My Mind,and The Circle Is Small are also at the top of my list but Beautiful may be his best work!!!!!
Gordon Lightfoot seems like a righteous dude.
What a class act. Love this guy
MY FAVORITE WRITER/SINGER/PERFORMER, A SPECIAL MAN UNMATCHED IN MY OPINION, RISES ABOVE THE REST!
What a wonderful humble man and such a great songwriter and vocalist. I saw Gordon in concert, outdoors, sometime around 75/76, it started to rain and we begged for Rainy Day People. He said he hadn’t played it in sometime but would give it a try. ❤
If You Could Read My Mind is the first song I heard by him. I must have been 12. Bought his album. I still love that song to this day and I'm almost 65. The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald is great too. His masterpiece I would say. Saw him in concert maybe 10 years ago. Wonderful experience. RIP Gordon. What a beautiful man.
Man such an amazing humble man. Pure Canadian treasure! my 8 year old just found The Wreck of the Edmond Fitzgerald and it is now her favorite song.
Gordon Lightfoot, definitely one of greats!
wonderful down to earth man!
Pure Canadian.
~ Sundown and other records by Lightfoot I still have and enjoy. It was all about his music, and it still is. Real singing, analogue sounds, real instruments played by human beings, and the voices: all just as they came from the vocal cords with no enhancement. It is just about good, real music from the heart. Thank you, Gordon Lightfoot! Cheers, DAVEDJ ~
I am an American but no one speaks to me like Gordon Lightfoot
Gordon Lightfoot is one of the best musicians and human beings ever, that's no small feat.
I have been listening and loving his songs since elementary school. I am now one month shy of 63.
Got a year on ya. Saw him several times in concert, fell over drunk once, sang more of his songs than anyone else. In early wee hours when the mind won't sleep, I sometimes hear him singing around a campfire on Isle Royale to a small group of friends. Fell out of a chair when I heard McLachlan's version of the classic Song for a winter's night - his poetry mimics Rembrandt - the painter of man. Down to earth, workin the land, trying desperately to maintain real loving relationships with a woman. We all try, don't we?
I became a singer/songwriter because of Gordon Lightfoot and a greatest hits album from K-Tel I received at the age of ten.
Gordon is such a great song writer and singer .I hope he is still around for a long time from now.
This is so interesting he's such a gentle person and seems so kind!
I just watched some young people doing reaction videos listening to 'If I could read your Mind' and they were genuinely moved by a song written around 1970. It was moving to see.
What a gift Mr. Lightfoot has left us. His music was made by the heart and will endure to the end. I'm so sorry to see you go, Mr. Lightfoot but I'm hoping to meet up with you sometime soon. God bless. 🙏
Yeah.....I "fell over", but I recovered. What a kind, soulful man.
What great poetry. He's a real gift to music. His songs will live on and on. My personal favorite is "beautiful"
Gordon is a music legend!
Wow he seems so cool. I have loved his music for so many decades. If you could read my mind Was the song I played over anf over on the record when i was a kid. Its what made me feel music and inspired me to want to play music probably when was only 4 or 5 years old. his voice was so smooth. Now the new music lacks feeling.
A man whose music taps into so many emotions.
Gord's amazing! Saw him several times in concert and got to meet him, Terry (God rest his soul) and Rick many, many years ago after a show in Saratoga, NY. So mellow and down to earth! Just a fantastic human being.
Tried to save a baby bat that fell from the rafters. Classic Gord.
He was too much to put into words! RIP Mr. Lightfoot; your memory and your music will live on!
That music always takes me to a good place. Gordon Lightfoot, wow what an gifted artist. How does good music bring us to such amazing states of mind?
Around 1979 or 1980, I watched Gordon's HBO concert at my home. I'd already come to enjoy his music, but hadn't really thought much about it. But I was really surprised at the huge number of great & memorable & timeless classics he kept pulling up, all from his own imagination & hard work, and it was then that I realized he must be the human equivalent of Canada's National Treasure. I like him and his music more now than I ever did. Where will we be someday, when he's no longer with us? We'll always be mourning his loss, I think, but we'll be forever grateful that he was born.
I have loved his music since the 70's. It is timeless.
I'm great fan of Gordon's.I have many of his recordings which I still enjoy listening to. Great talent. He seems to me like an introvert, private, shy person. I Don't understand how could he enjoy listening to Justin Bieber, though.
I'd love to have a beer with this man.
I'LL LET EM KNOW !
maybe two?
He drinks scotch only, no burbon.
he was an alkie..
sundown is about alcoholism
One of the all time great singers and songwriter. So sad that few if any of the younger generation cannot sing anything like this. All it is now is that silly wrap music that anyone can sing. No thought behind songs if you could even call them songs. Youngsters have got so much to learn they have no idea what music is.
It’s true contemporary popular music is really lacking quality. The major record labels control what gets pumped out through pop radio. Those record labels are owned by shareholders with no interest in well produced music. Much different from 50 years ago when record companies were owned by music lovers. They invested in things like artist development and a real production staff. Today the companies actually discourage artists from developing themselves. They don’t want the mold broken so they can keep releasing 5 min trinkets of commercial garbage and laughing their way to the bank. Also that’s why they work with silly people like Justin Bieber. Cheers!
One of worlds greatest, he will be missed but his music will last for ever. R.I.P. Gorden.
I never thought my feelings of admiration and respect for Gordon Lightfoot could grow even stronger but this interview proved me wrong. An amazing human being, brilliant songwriter and singer. One of the few people I wish I could have met and talked to. I miss him as if I knew him personally - his songs gave me so much joy.
I think Gordon Lightfoot stated plainly and humbly why his songs have the impact they do in the context of folk music: he was influenced by Bob Dylan's practice to use everyday language used by everyday people. That's not just a Dylan thing; that's the essence of folk music. I think he'll be remembered like Stephen Foster has been, long after he departs the mortal realm.
Welp.
I've enjoyed his music for many decades and just read his new biography. Excellent!
I'd love to go canoeing with him on the Bowron Lake chain for a few days.
Never, never, will there be an artist of this magnitude. A star in the very meaning of the word.
Nice interview. Gordon seemed like a happier person the older he got. That's a blessing at least.Lots of memories in these songs from another time. Grateful ♥︎.
I think you're right. Stopping drinking in the mid-'80s, I think, made him a much happier man.
Gord's a national treasure.
You can still buy the original version, I bet.
I agree, but being from the USA, I like to think of him as a 'Continental Treasure' - love almost everything he's done. Another reason to envy Canada.
I'd say a UNIVERSAL treasure!
In 50 years who’s going to care about Justin Bieber, Miley Cyrus or Snoop Dogg or any other forgotten so called musicians. Let’s keep good and real music alive for the new generation.
Nice to hear Phil Ochs getting a mention. I found a clip of Gordon Lightfoot singing Changes it was a shortened version but good.
An Iconic Balladeer. One of the very best ever.
I have always been in love with Gordon Lightfoot. RIP Gordon RIP😢😢😢😢
He's a great talent and from the most beautiful country on Earth to boot, God blesses many but a very few to Gordons degree
We saw his concert in Charleston - we were awestruck!
Was great to meet Mr Lightfoot today :)
To be Canadian is to love the music of this legend Gordon Lightfoot! What a career and influence to us all
I love Gordon Lightfoot and his music. What a gift he gave us. He was such a bright light!
I got to meet Gordon Lightfoot when He came to Cincinnati and played Music Hall, super nice guy shook my hand and signed my box set I had brought along, my wife’s hand was the first one He shook as a gentleman he said lady’s first. Great Guy.