This beautifully made documentary about Gordon Lightfoot came as a bit of a revelation for me. I never really listened to Lightfoot too closely growing up, but summer songs like Sundown were always playing on the radio at the cottage in Georgian Bay, drifting out from open windows over the Precambrian rocks. It was part of the atmosphere, even if I didn’t always stop to focus on the man behind the music.
Ironically, Sundown isn’t featured in the film, possibly due to licensing issues. Still, the documentary hardly suffers for it. It paints a vivid portrait of Lightfoot as an artist deeply shaped by his times—and, in turn, shaping those times through music. One of the most striking inclusions is Early Morning Rain, a song that captures something wonderfully folkie and Canadian at the cusp of the jet age. It evokes a quiet yearning that feels both timeless and grounded in the shifting technological realities of the 1960s.
What struck me most was Lightfoot's work ethic in the craft of songwriting, and how sincere he comes across in the film. There’s no pretense, no rockstar bravado—just a man reflecting on his journey with surprising humility and honesty. He openly discusses the shadier aspects of his past, including his love of the bottle. But more impressive than the admission is the fact that he quit cold turkey. That takes a kind of resolve you don’t see every day, especially in the music world.
There’s also a nostalgic pull here for anyone interested in Canada’s musical heritage. I couldn’t help but wish I could travel back in time to visit The Riverboat in Toronto—an iconic venue that served as a hub for so many emerging talents. I noticed Bruce Cockburn’s name on the billboard in one shot. What an incredible time that must have been. To witness those early days when folk music was still raw and electric with possibility... it fills me with wonder just thinking about it.
In short, If You Could Read My Mind is more than just a documentary. It’s a window into a time, a sound, and a soul. Whether you're a longtime fan or someone like me—who absorbed Lightfoot's music through cultural osmosis—you’ll likely walk away with a deeper appreciation for a man whose voice helped define a generation.
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