"Song for a winter's night" by Gordon Lightfoot

[goblinonacloud]

Gordie may not sing as he used to but his music will live forever no matter who sings it. In fact, the fact that others WANT to sing Lightfoot's music says it all. This is the only song of Gord's that makes me cry for all those I loved and lost long ago..

[jellyrollmoretonne]

I came here by accident looking for Gordie. I shall be more careful from now on.

[cwazymbfan]

Yeah, this isno good after hearing Gordon's for all these years.

[RJK4321]

Good freaking grief people. This is a BEAUTIFUL INTERPRETATION of a masterpiece.....bravo.....fant­astic......I am SURE Gordon would be moved as well. Are some of you deaf? Seriously. Take the time to complain about clicking and having it not be Gordon? Gordon's version is a click away. Shut up already. Taste.....look it up.

[19finbar]

I never new Sara did a version it's wonderful. Gord's is still the best

[ugmodude]

to dislike Sarah's version of "Winter's Night" is to dislike Joe Cocker's version of the Beatles' "WALHFMF"...

[roachcoachman]

this is awful

[Nashman018]

Pretty Please take Gordon Lightfoot's name off this. I don't want to get into who is better and all that crap, but it does a disservice to the Lightfoot fans who want to hear his version and then click on this...er um version.

[1niftyjay]

What the heck is this?

[yamahonkawazuki]

@1niftyjay It sucks when one comes searching for gordon lightfood doing this song , for gordon going this song HIMSELF, and we find sarah mclachlan doing the song hersself. HOWEVER she did the song well Eh?, BUT i wish i would have found her doing this song by clicking on this , and not clicking on this by looking for gordon lightoof. ahh well. Cest la vie. lol.

[AegisNova]

@1niftyjay Music.

[Gustavo54918]

in my country do not have snow.

Shit.

[liblabyt]

PLEASE change the name of this video. PLEASE. PLEASE. This is lovely but I'm looking for Gordon Lightfoot.  And maybe someone's looking for Sarah McLachlan. PS She's got great taste in material. This is one of Gordo's best songs.

[woodbinedrinker]

WHAT IS THIS SHIT!?!

It's Sarah McChicken, the founder of the lesbian "Lilith Faire" movement.

Yuk!

Change the name of this vid.

[yoohoo909]

Some Artist try to emulate the song as closely as possible. Other's feel the need to personalize it to make it different or have a different take on the song. (think about this: why get a painting or drawing when you can get a photograph?) I think Ms McLachlan's version is beautifully done and conjures a different visualization.

I also think Gordon Lightfoot's original is incredible.

[pmedic063252]

I think Sarah butchered the crap out of this song.

[DLRisVH]

Well I guess the hairy armpitted Lilith Fair followers can have their "Gordy" cover tune. If I heard this version on the radio I couldn't change the station fast enough.

Nice try Sarah, please stay away from Gord's catalogue....

[jmacleve]

I like it. Is it Gordon Lightfoot? No. But I still like it.

[HereticThreads]

Pathetic.



[HereticThreads]

Why? This is a fiasco. Woman.

[Illinois219]

Caterwauling, nasal desecration of a wonderful song. 

[ldiedt]

Ghastly.

[jeeps1936]

Sarah is a good artist, but this is dreadful. Sorry folks, it just is. Affected, missing the point, and paying no attention to the words, except to misunderstand them.

[TheByzantineEmo]

lol i live 20 min from greenesboro....interesting

[MegaCalabash]

This is all wrong. sorry.

[blackjemcat]

The first version a person hears is usually the one they like the best - my favourite is that sung by Nana Mouskouri - I'm showing my age saying that, but I still think it can't be bettered. Nana also recorded a French version which is just as beautiful because I don't understand the words, just love the voice. Also, I've never heard the original sung by composer.

[Illinois219]

@blackjemcat Lightfoot's rendition is the gold standard.

[7466309change]

when young winter is sooo nice in the woods with my dogs burn a camp fire they in my old winter coats.Yes no doggie coat bought.i used mine.we say til dark listen to wind chimes trew pines.

[acho17]

I have heard this version before Gordon's and I, too, feel the pacing and reflective mood it conveys fits the feel of the lyrics and atmosphere of a winter night more than his higher energy version.

[SamGVCC]

Re: AWOL-- "Sarah has a way of deconstructing songs she covers and putting them back together in her own way. ..it's her own spin. I love Gordon's original, but I like this take on it, too."

This is the most level-headed post amongst the vitriol. Sarah's version was the first I heard, and quickly grew to love it. Very sultry and purring... and it does invoke an intimate, pleasant imagery. I finally heard Gordon's version, and while it's also good- it's not as pleasing to the ear. YMMV.

[rainbowsparkles1983]

this is the best version by far

[rainbowsparkles1983]

this is by far the best version

[UrbanDragon]

I seriously think that Sarah's cover fits the lyrics better than Gordon's upbeat version.

[madgrad100]

No no no! If you're going to inflict Sarah McLachlan on us, you HAVE to warn us in the title!

[CompVid101]

@madgrad100 - double like. I enjoy McLachlan but would have appreciated some warning here that this was not GL. I always like an artist trying to do something original with familiar material, but this just misses the mark for me. Typical post-1980s over-produced and under-considered version. Breathy non-singing substitutes for the genuine, haunted emotion of GL's original.

[iceaxe56]

yeah this is bad--who is she trying to copy enya

[NowIAmAwake]

This is horrible.

It doesn't even deserve the name cover.

The people that messed around with the original song of Gordon Lightfoot should be ashamed of this rubbish.

[AbsentWithoutLeaving]

Ooops, forgot what I originally meant to say, which is that The Cinera should not have titled this post "Song for a Winter's Night by Gordon Lightfoot" since he is clearly not performing the song. Yes, he wrote it, but by titling it that way, you get a lot of hits by people (llike me!) who expect to hear Gordon's version, and they tend to get snarky when they don't get that. ^_^

[AbsentWithoutLeaving]

Sarah has a way of deconstructing songs she covers and putting them back together in her own way. Alot of times they seem to bear no relation, or at least very little relation, to the original at all..it's her own spin. I love Gordon's original, but I like this take on it, too.

[celticteigyr]

I like both versions (Lightfoot and McLachlan). Both bring a 'feeling' that is appropriate for the lyrics yet well suited for the singer. Gordan seems more happy, festive even. Sarah's is more yearning- reflective. The one that I think is better, really depends on my mood at the moment.

Personally, I don't mind if someone doesn't like one or the other. The sound is different enough to where it would not appeal to someone with particular taste. IMO, I'd hate to hear it as Hip Hop or Bluegrass.

[tnskonz]

I like both this version and Gordon's, but the pulse of this one has a wonderful lulling effect - like a rocking feeling. The two versions are so different - like two different songs. I find this is one is sensual - the other more poetic...hard to put in to words.

[1960tinotiger]

sweet soft.

[SlaveScreams]

RUINED. The title should not mention Gordon Lightfoot. 

[KokotTheMonkey]

LIAR!!!

[crazyj1127]

sucks!!

[TampaRed]

This is garbage.

[HolyMotherofGrid]

@TampaRed You, sir or madam, are entitled to your opinion..but to flatly state that a particular version of a song is "garbage", is just plain ignorant and uncalled for. This is one interpretation of a great song, and to my mind it has moments of genius and tenderness sprinkled thoughout, which QUITE make up for its somewhat commercial sound in places. I particularly like the beginning: the harmony is exquisite, and is presented in little "starbursts" of sound which i find quite haunting!

[TampaRed]

@HolyMotherofGrid So, then are those with opinions, which I suppose you believe they're entitled to, and flatly state that this particular version of a song is "magnificent", also ignorant? Is that too uncalled for?

[HolyMotherofGrid]

@TampaRed When saying something derogatory, it is polite to say that it is an opinion - and in my opinion politeness, courtesy and respect a things which are all too often neglected in this world-especially the online world where folks are invisible and often anonymous to varying degrees. To flatly state that something is "garbage", is grossly impolite in and of itself - not stating that that's just your opinion, is adding insult to injury. When saying something positive, more leeway is given.

[TampaRed]

@HolyMotherofGrid Why would it be misunderstood without stating it that it isn't my opinion? Do you believe people really need that much hand-holding? It's not impolite. I didn't say it directly to Sarah McLachlan, or direct the comment at any person here on the board. I stated in no uncertain terms how I feel about the song. I'm just as entitled to state such as directly as I wish as anyone who simply says the is "brilliant." I thoroughly disagree that things positive provide more leeway.

[HolyMotherofGrid]

@TampaRed In contemporary North American society, many would agree with your position.  That said, i and many others believe in the notion of "civilization", which has the same root to it as "civility". That said, if you insist on skulking around the internet making insulting remarks (and you cannot rationally disagree with the thesis that calling something "garbage" without offering anything constructive or offsetting, is insulting to anyone who happens to enjoy it, i can't stop you.

[TampaRed]

@HolyMotherofGrid Then it must be rationalized that anyone calling the song brilliant without adding anything constructive is insulting to those who find the song anything else but.

I think we'll have to agree to disagree but I'll say why I dislike the song. It's convoluted with a contrived melody of echoes and effects attempting vainly to envoke wintry emotions. The recording itself is compressed (common these days, unfortunately) making the vocal track overbearing and diluting the music.

[katkingdec8]

Ah quit your whining! This version is incredible! I love both versions!

[emaclynch]

why did you fuck this song up.please stop

[AllManWeather]

I'm Lightfoot's biggest fan but this version is beautiful too -love the double voicing and by the way was'nt Gordon's original version partly spoilt by that high pitched percussion thing running all the way through ?Either way you can't hinder the power and influence of a really brilliant song.

[carzyyouth27]

i do like gordon's verson a lot better please leave the song to the original poet!!!

[Sumer61]

It's Sara McLachlan, not Gordon Lightfoot!

He wrote the song, but it's being sung BY Sarah McLachlan.

[MootkaRootka]

Soft, gentle like falling snow. Sara's voice is beautiful in this version. Really, like it!

[Thevoiceofreasonful]

She sings it well but the double version spoils it big time.....this song needs to flow seamlessly..

[spock8131]

One of the most feeling.

[spock8131]

Your Faithful .

[64fairlane305]

oh no, not that terrible version again, give me ol Gord

[Avillageidiot59]

This is my absolutely favourite G.L. song. I only have it on a compact cassette. Its too bad all of his albums haven't been released on CD (or have they?).

I don't even have a cassette deck anymore!

[badnewsBH]

@Avillageidiot59 You can definitely find Gord's stuff on CD. I have almost everything he ever recorded for studio albums.  Look for the "United Artists Years" collection and many others on Amazon. :)

[PauleQueenie]

Mozart does not compose any song any more, however countless philarmonic orchestra have played his music as a sign of enchantement and thankfullness for his work and compositions. In the 21st century similar behaviour can be attirbuted to singers such as your dear Mr lightfoot and Ms Mclachlan. I am sure Ms Mclachlan has less of a problem with copyright towards Mr Lightfoot than many people I know and don't know personally.

I mean the law is really lame where I live.

Great song well sung.

[parksvillefireman]

made my comment so maybe they could fix the title..."Song for a winter's night" by Gordon Lightfoot

yes he wrote it but as we both know its not who is singing it... having a hard time finding a copy of Gordon singing it..

[pentaman24]

WMG owns the rights and took all their music off Youtube last year.

[PhantomP63]

There's been some kind of agreement that lets people put music back in videos as long as they give credit.. or something. Sorry I don't know more specifically..

[TheWheelchairMan]

I know its still a cover artist, but check out a guy on youtube called "7761864". He sounds just like Lightfoot back in the day.

[spinztarella]

There was a beautiful video here last year with GL's vocals and I was smart enough to download it :)

[parksvillefireman]

a wonderful song but this is not gordon lightfoot singing this..

[marshmallowwar]

the worst part about this cover is that it's replaced the authentic lightfoot versions on youtube, to the point that I had to give up my search and go dig out my gord's gold LP. shame on you ms. mclachlan

[stapme]

You've got to be kidding..she sounds like she got into her kids ridlin before she started recording. mushhhhhh

[tubelizzie]

you've got to be kidding-yes, lightfoot wrote a beautiful song but he sings it way too fast and with no atmosphere-and if you listen to the lyrics, mclaughlan has captured the webs of snow, the burning flame, the echoing, the breath of the song and of the desperate yearning for a lover..it's called a "Song for a Winter's Night"-not song for on top of a runaway train-which is what Lightfoot's song sounds like-i can't even listen to it..sorry gord

[havi70]

Personally, Gordon Lightfoot's original can't be beat, except maybe Tony Rice's version. I give her credit for trying, but I just don't see her lonely in a cabin, lol.

[birdmanofbooze]

@havi70 right on, can't picture it either, or with a glass of booze near empty........

[nalm2025]

@havi70 i agree, this is pretty nice but I prefer Goron's simple unpretentious version any day

[trikalee23]

@havi70 I feel that (rather useless) desire to kindly yet firmly disagree with you. :) I had never heard of Gordon Lightfoot before, so I looked-up his version...and sorry to say, it more than pales in comparison to this amazing Sarah McLachlan masterpiece. If Mr.Lightfoot composed this glorious song, then I have got to give him a huge pat on the back at least, though. I LOVE THIS SONG...probably my favorite for the Christmas season! Anyway...just had to defend my favorite singer, Sarah. :)

[mJeanninem]

@trikalee23 You should have heard him do this when his voice was full and strong. More recent posts here of him are thin and weak in comparison. But in the sixties, seventies - wow. I'm not crazy about this version, but I'm happy to hear it again. A beautiful song.

[dkeimoh82]

I respect Sarah McLachlan but I was looking for the Gordon Lightfoot version and I'm almost positive it's not up on youtube. It's a shame because he does it best (considering it's his song)

[spunkysmum]

Oh, you are so right. I suspect that you were inspired as I was by the winter weather to look for this wonderful song by Gordon Lightfoot - talented as Sarah McLachlan is, this version does little to satisy the longing for the real deal. I have not found him singing it here either but I have seen some passable covers that are more satisfying than this version.

[bsteinagel]

I think both Gordon's and Sarah's versions are unique in their own way and therefore, are both valid. Music is a universal language and should be expressed freely. Kudos to both performers for doing this song.

[GOTME188]

I think all you need do is listen to Gordon Lightfoot talk about why he wrote this song. He has done this on many occassions in the media in Canada.

[boiledfroggy]

I can't understand why the people who have commented against this are so hateful about it. I think its wonderful!

[TheMidnightBell07]

Hey, I guess they are kind of upset because the author said gordon lightfoot and this ain't he. I hate it when someone says it's gonna be an artist and it turns out not to be but it's not just the siger it's the arrangement I want to hear. People change things to suit them but Gordon suits and this unfortunately doesn't

[namniekib]

LAME,whiney version of a great song!

[GOTME188]

This attempt is terrible.... not what the song intended in any way, manner or form...

[bsteinagel]

GOTME188, how do you know what the writer of the song originally intended? Did you write it for Gordon Lightfoot? Music is for personal expression. If Sarah McLachlan feels most connected to this song by performing it this way, than kudos to her for arranging it this way. Your attempt to quantitatively judge this song has failed.

[bigfurlan]

NO GOOD.

[spunkysmum]

I agree. It's no reflection on Ms. McLachlan's talent or artistry, but this version is an extremely disappointing substitute for the real deal. Like I said above, in my search here I have found versions sung by guys in their garages with their guitars that came a lot closer.

[111oooo]

@spunkysmum Gotta disagree, I love this version (and yes I am a long time LIghtfoot fan). Matter of opinion but I really think this is beautiful and the best cover I have heard.

[ShastymiCnasty]

doesn't hold a torch to Gordon's version.... You should put his version up here instead.

[dan1427]

it does though and no, you should not- there are others who do that, just take a look and pick from the related videos.

[JustStoppedBy1]

This is from the CD, "Wintersong" (Sarah McLachlan) original song by Gordon Lightfoot. For anyone who enjoys having music fill their home at the Holidays, this CD/album makes for a beautiful and peaceful addition to their collection. Also, McLachlan does a lovely/sad cover of Joni Mitchell's "River" on the album.

[krankensteinrocks]

this shit sucks for air. it is so bad i cant imagine what the idiots who did this were thinking. the absolute worst thing ive ever heard. gordon should sue for defamation of a wonderful song

[spicoli534]

agreed

[ldiedt]

Horrible.

[HolyMotherofGrid]

You never know what you might stumble across on Youtube!! I heard this marvellously wistful and harmonious version of this Lightfoot classic many many years ago, but promptly lost track of who performed it. Now i know, and can relive some good memories associated with it. Thanks a lot for posting this!!!

[rve61]

Talk about a hack job it turns a well balanced lightfoot song into a moaning episode for two second tier singers.The Cal Berkley capella group sounds better then the mush sisters

[ickyboo]

This song is by Sarah McLachlan and Jewel does backing. Without Sarah covering this song I would have never discovered Gordan Lightfoot! so ease up on her

[tehssy]

predobra je pijesma ...super je svaka čast...

[terrafirma91]

Who sings this? Sarah "whom"? It's a stellar composition that Lightfoot wrote, and sang so well. I'm just confused of who this artist is.

[escott33]

sarah mclachlan

[terrafirma91]

@escott33: Thank you. It's a very impressionable rendition of a masterfully written song.

[SparklyMusicGoddess]

That would be Sarah McLaghlan.

I'd be very curious to hear Gordon's version of it.

Beautiful lyrics.

[BruinLZ]

I still like Gord's the best, it is the original but I agree that this is a wonderful composition and find that Sarah has made it her own...nicely done

[mdumas43073]

Ah, but *which* version of Gord's? The original 1967 recording on "The Way I Feel", or the 1975 version from "Gord's Gold"?

I'm partial to the latter, myself.

[surfside48]

I have the 1975 version on cassette tape. Mostly worn with time and those winters in upstate NY. I bought Gord's 4 CD titled SONGBOOK recently, and this song is only A little different sounding, maybe his voice aging, or the HD sound. Still, he sings with A soft voice that could melt snow, if we get any. I now live in Surfside Beach, SC.

[downhill240]

I'm amazed by the silly remarks here. This is a beautiful arrangement. I'm sure Gordone Lightfoot would say so too.

[downhill240]

Iv'e not heard Gordons song before so I can say without bias that this was a beautiful number done by this singer! Now I got to go listen to Lightfoots "cover" of this! Lovely production. Thanks you for sharing.

[Nashman018]

This is a butchery of a great Gordon Lightfoot song. The poster should remove and retitle it "Song for a winter's night" cover/ hack job.

[songblam]

Nice...different, it works, is Sarah...is beautiful...

[randycmu]

Leave the Gordon tune to Gordon. It's almost sacrelious to mess with such perfection. Note to Sarah: Go back to singing your own songs.

[duinnerfs]

Someday Lightfoot will kick the bucket, does that mean his songs sink and be lost, as long as he gets the recognition there is nothing wrong with another's interpretation. . .

[kevinyomofo]

I concur.

[MusicallyDetermined]

I love Sarah, bur this version of one of the all time classics is too far away from the mood and setting. This version sounds like her animal shelter version, like somewhere between cat fight and purring... There's nothing resembling winter in this version, except maybe a nuclear winter...

[laura9111]

yes this is sarah mclachlan, and I like it better than gordon lightfoots version. but you should put that its not him singing so people arent confused about the 'silly girls' singing.

[amzip16]

love this version ^^ <3

[catbrush123]

I love Gordon Lightfoot's own way of singing his song and I like this too. Its different! Very nice.

[MIKECNW]

I expexcted to heat Lightfoot and not a bunch of silly girls singing.

BTW does anyone have Lightfoots original recording of the song?

[alikahl]

That's Jann Arden singing! My favourite singer...

I think now... now I wonder if it's Sarah... think it's Sarah?

Ok it's Sarah...?

[Paris11loves]

It's Sarah :)

[rhiakolareny]

This sounds more like a combination of two recordings... There's a deep voice in there that isn't in the Sarah Mclachlan recording.

[patybear]

After listening to this,I'd have to agree with the gang.Imitation may be the highest form of flattery,but NOT in this case.

Forgive her,Gordon Lightfoot.She knows not what she does.  patybear

[slayerfanboy]

anyone who says McLachlan's version isn't absolute perfection is deaf.

[vocalist1952]

What an insult to the haunting romantic and spine tingling version from Gordon Lightfoot. Why do people have to try and put a so called pop sound to such terrific classics. Not impressed at all.

[crowleysridgegirl]

Good grief,what a mess that gal made of Lighfoot! Scenes were pretty,but,what the----!!

[TampaRed]

Christ, what an insult to the Great Canadian Balladeer.

[cookerg]

This is the Sarah Mclachlan version

[TampaRed]

Yep, and it sucks.