If You Could Read My Mind
Gordon Lightfoot
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If you could read my mind love What a tale my thoughts could tell Just like an old time movie About a ghost from a wishing well In a castle dark or a fortress strong With chains upon my feet You know that ghost is me And I will never be set free As long as I'm a ghost you can see If I could read your mind love What a tale your thoughts could tell Just like a paperback novel The kind the drugstore sells When you reach the part where the heartaches Come the hero would be me Heroes often fail And you won't read that book again Because the ending's just to hard to take I walk away like a movie star Who gets burned in a three way script Enter number two, a movie queen To play the scene of bringing all the good things out in me But for now love lets be real I never thought I could act this way And I've got to say that I just don't get it I don't know where we went wrong But the feelings gone and I just can't get it back If you could read my mind love What a tale my thoughts could tell Just like an old time movie about a ghost from a wishing well In a castle dark or a fortress strong With chains upon my feet The story always ends And if you read between the lines You'll know that I'm just trying to understand The feeling that you left I never thought I could feel this way And I've got to say that I just don't get it I don't know where we went wrong But the feeling's gone And I just can't get it back
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Written by: Gordon Lightfoot
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
10 facts about this song
Artist Background"If You Could Read My Mind" is a song by Canadian singer-songwriter Gordon Lightfoot, who is recognized as one of the most significant musicians in the folk-pop genre and has been referred to as Canada's greatest songwriter.
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Release and SuccessThe song was released in 1970 on his album "Sit Down Young Stranger," which was later renamed after the hit song due to its soaring popularity. It remains Lightfoot's best-known song internationally.
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Chart Performance"If You Could Read My Mind" reached No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and was also a top 10 hit in Canada and Australia, cementing his wide-reaching appeal.
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Lyrics and InterpretationThe song is known for its introspective lyrics that evoke both romance and melancholy. Lightfoot was inspired to write the song by his then-end of his first marriage.
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Critical AcclaimThe song has been lauded for its poetic lyrics, catchy melody, and Lightfoot's emotive vocals. It has been praised as a ‘masterpiece’ and ‘quintessential folk-pop’.
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Cultural Impact"If You Could Read My Mind" has been covered by over 100 artists, including Barbra Streisand, Johnny Cash, Liza Minnelli, and more recently by the indie rock band Stars. This shows its enduring impact in popular music.
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Use in MediaThe song has been featured in numerous films, commercials, and TV shows, demonstrating its staying power and broad appeal.
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Live PerformancesEven in his later years, Gordon Lightfoot frequently includes "If You Could Read My Mind" in his live performances, indicating the song's importance in his repertoire.
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Album ArtThe album cover of "Sit Down Young Stranger," features a contemplative and somber Lightfoot, fitting the reflective and introspective themes of "If You Could Read My Mind."
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RecognitionThe song was inducted into the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2003.
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Citation
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"If You Could Read My Mind Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 4 May 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/2742787/Gordon+Lightfoot/If+You+Could+Read+My+Mind>.
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