One of Lightfoot's most personal songs, this is about the break-up of his first marriage - a common theme in many of his songs. In the liner notes of his box set, "Songbook", he describes it as "A song about the failure of marriage." Written in 1969, the song has been recorded more than 100 times, first by Lightfoot himself for "Sit Down Young Stranger".
The album was not a commercial success, but after the song reached No. 5 on the US singles chart in 1971, the album was renamed after the song and re-released, reaching No. 12 in the pop charts. The best it did in the UK was No. 30 in the same year, though it did spend a full 9 weeks in the chart. It seemed as though "If You Could Read My Mind" was everywhere in the early months of 1971.
Its appeal crossed genres and age groups, and its simplicity and acoustic arrangement fitted in nicely with the burgeoning 'singer/songwriter' scene then storming the airwaves and record stores. "If You Could Read My Mind" was not the first track released as a single from this album - Lightfoot's recording of Kris Kristofferson's soon-to-be-classic "Me and Bobby McGee", the only non-original in this collection, preceded it but barely dented the charts.
Other recordings include those by Carroll Baker, Glen Campbell, 'The Bells', Johnny Mathis, Liza Minelli, Barbara Streisand and Andy Williams. Instrumental arrangements have been recorded by Herb Alpert, John Arpin, James Last, 'The Boss Brass' and others.
This song was also used in the Canadian feature film "Paperback Hero" in 1975. Johnny Cash covered this song on his last album before he died in 2003 - "American V: A Hundred Highways". http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/If_You_Could_Read_My_Mind
My immature 16 to 19 year old brain confused him with the jazz band leader Terry Lightfoot, or at least I may have thought he was related to him. Which explains why I always skipped anything with him singing and playing. I have only done a catch-up in the last few years, and am impressed with what I've found second time around.
21 Comments (since 4 Oct 2014)
leejohnson
One of Lightfoot's most personal songs, this is about the break-up of his first marriage - a common theme in many of his songs. In the liner notes of his box set, "Songbook", he describes it as "A song about the failure of marriage." Written in 1969, the song has been recorded more than 100 times, first by Lightfoot himself for "Sit Down Young Stranger".
leejohnson
The album was not a commercial success, but after the song reached No. 5 on the US singles chart in 1971, the album was renamed after the song and re-released, reaching No. 12 in the pop charts. The best it did in the UK was No. 30 in the same year, though it did spend a full 9 weeks in the chart. It seemed as though "If You Could Read My Mind" was everywhere in the early months of 1971.
leejohnson
Its appeal crossed genres and age groups, and its simplicity and acoustic arrangement fitted in nicely with the burgeoning 'singer/songwriter' scene then storming the airwaves and record stores. "If You Could Read My Mind" was not the first track released as a single from this album - Lightfoot's recording of Kris Kristofferson's soon-to-be-classic "Me and Bobby McGee", the only non-original in this collection, preceded it but barely dented the charts.
leejohnson
Other recordings include those by Carroll Baker, Glen Campbell, 'The Bells', Johnny Mathis, Liza Minelli, Barbara Streisand and Andy Williams. Instrumental arrangements have been recorded by Herb Alpert, John Arpin, James Last, 'The Boss Brass' and others.
leejohnson
This song was also used in the Canadian feature film "Paperback Hero" in 1975. Johnny Cash covered this song on his last album before he died in 2003 - "American V: A Hundred Highways". http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/If_You_Could_Read_My_Mind
The1960s
I first heard this on the Uk TV show 'Trigger Happy TV' and have loved it ever since
TragicBeauty
why i love TIMJ... where else would Utah Saints be followed by Gordon Lightfoot??
tpjdavies
Just wonderful
totty01843
haven`t heard this for time.........
nighty
Love this
ErnieBilko
Beautiful song...
Avante
A favorite :D
HaveACuppaTea
Haha, yeah, I always think of 'Trigger Happy TV' when I hear this.
21schizoid
Well Lee, this is just a gorgeous track in every way. Pretty sure I didn't appreciate it when it was released, but the older me gets it... :-D
mikelowe
A very under appreciated song writer. Good antidote to Prog Weekend!!!
lynn200
a lovely reminder of good times.....thx
MrUmlaut
Gordon Lightfoot is basically a musical superhero.
leejohnson
My immature 16 to 19 year old brain confused him with the jazz band leader Terry Lightfoot, or at least I may have thought he was related to him. Which explains why I always skipped anything with him singing and playing. I have only done a catch-up in the last few years, and am impressed with what I've found second time around.
heatherrings
I've always loved this song. :-)
PeteLaberge
A favourite since I was a kid....
Marlboroman_Mat
Thanks for this.... a great classic that never lost it's appeal.