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Sundown (Gordon Lightfoot song)

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"Sundown"
Single by Gordon Lightfoot
from the album Sundown
B-side"Too Late for Prayin'"
ReleasedMarch 25, 1974
Genre
Length3:37
LabelReprise
Songwriter(s)Gordon Lightfoot
Producer(s)Lenny Waronker
Gordon Lightfoot singles chronology
"Can't Depend on Love"
(1973) 		"Sundown"
(1974) 		"Carefree Highway"
(1974)

"Sundown" is a song by Canadian folk artist Gordon Lightfoot, from the titular album, released as a single in March 1974.

"Sundown" reached No. 1 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and easy listening charts[2] and No. 13 on the Hot Country singles chart,[3] as well as No. 1 in Canada on RPM's national singles chart. It was Lightfoot's only single to reach No. 1 on the Hot 100.

Content

The lyrics describe a troubled romantic relationship (often cited as Cathy Smith), with the narrator recounting an affair with a "hard-loving woman [who's] got me feeling mean".

In a 2008 interview, Lightfoot said:

I think my girlfriend was out with her friends one night at a bar while I was at home writing songs. I thought, 'I wonder what she’s doing with her friends at that bar!' It's that kind of a feeling. 'Where is my true love tonight? What is my true love doing?'[4]

Personnel

Engineered by Lee Herschberg
Recorded at Eastern Sound Studios, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

  • Gordon Lightfoot: Lead and background vocals, 12-string guitar
  • Red Shea: Lead electric guitar
  • Terry Clements: Lead acoustic guitar
  • John Stockfish: Bass
  • Jim Gordon: Drums

Chart performance

Certifications

Region Certification Certified units/sales
United States (RIAA)[23] Gold 1,000,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

The song was featured prominently in the 2024 vampire-themed horror film Salem's Lot, as well as in the film's trailer.

Other versions

  • The musical project/collaboration of singer-songwriters Elwood covered the song in 2000. This version peaked at No. 33 on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart on July 8, 2000.[24]
  • American country music singer Deryl Dodd's version of the song peaked at #59 on Billboard's Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart in 1999. It was later included on his album, Pearl Snaps (2002).
  • Danish supergroup Dalton covered the song on their first album Dalton released in 1992, under the title "Selskabsmadonna".
  • American country music singer Charles Wesley Godwin covered the song through Amazon Original Music in 2024.

See also

References

  1. ^ Breihan, Tom (May 23, 2019). "The Number Ones: Gordon Lightfoot's "Sundown"". Stereogum. Retrieved June 19, 2023. "Sundown" is a pretty atypical piece of mid-'70s folk-rock.
  2. ^ Whitburn, Joel (2004). The Billboard Book of Top 40 Hits: Eighth Edition. Record Research. p. 368.
  3. ^ Whitburn, Joel (2004). The Billboard Book Of Top 40 Country Hits: 1944-2006, Second edition. Record Research. p. 201.
  4. ^ Fink, Matt (1 January 2008). "Gordon Lightfoort: Sunrise to Sundown". American Songwriter. Retrieved 14 September 2018.
  5. ^ Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992. Australian Chart Book. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
  6. ^ "RPM Top Singles - Volume 21, No. 17". Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved November 7, 2024.
  7. ^ "RPM Adult Contemporary - Volume 21, No. 13". Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved November 7, 2024.
  8. ^ "RPM Country Singles - Volume 21, No. 12". Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved November 7, 2024.
  9. ^ "Gordon Lightfoot – Sundown" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved May 9, 2023.
  10. ^ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Gordon Lightfoot". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved May 9, 2023.
  11. ^ "Top 40". Top40.nl. Retrieved 2016-10-10.
  12. ^ "flavour of new zealand - search listener". Flavourofnz.co.nz. Retrieved 2016-10-10.
  13. ^ "SA Charts 1965–March 1989". Retrieved 5 September 2018.
  14. ^ "Gordon Lightfoot | full Official Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved May 9, 2023.
  15. ^ "Gordon Lightfoot Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved May 9, 2023.
  16. ^ "Gordon Lightfoot Chart History: Adult Contemporary". Billboard. Retrieved May 9, 2023.
  17. ^ "Gordon Lightfoot Chart History (Hot Country Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved May 9, 2023.
  18. ^ "Gordon Lightfoot Chart History (Hot Rock & Alternative Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved May 9, 2023.
  19. ^ "National Top 100 Singles for 1974". Kent Music Report. December 30, 1974. Retrieved January 15, 2022 – via Imgur.
  20. ^ "Image : RPM Weekly - Library and Archives Canada". Bac-lac.gc.ca. 17 July 2013. Retrieved 2016-10-10.
  21. ^ "Top 20 Hit Singles of 1974". Retrieved 26 September 2018.
  22. ^ "Top 100 Hits of 1974/Top 100 Songs of 1974". Musicoutfitters.com. Retrieved 2016-10-10.
  23. ^ "American single certifications – Gordon Lightfoot – Sundown". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved August 15, 2024.
  24. ^ "Elwood - Chart history". Billboard. 2000-07-08. Retrieved 2016-10-10.
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