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==Background== |
==Background== |
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Lightfoot wrote and composed the song in 1964, but its genesis took root during his 1960 sojourn in Westlake, Los Angeles. Throughout this time, Lightfoot sometimes became homesick and would go out to the [[Los Angeles International Airport]] on rainy days to watch the approaching aircraft.<ref>[http://www.americansongwriter.com/2008/01/gordon-lightfoot-extended-interview/ Gordon Lightfoot: Extended Interview ] Retrieved 29 June 2015.</ref> The imagery of the flights taking off into the overcast sky was still with him when, in 1964, he was caring for his 5-month-old baby son and he thought, "I’ll put him over here in his crib, and I’ll write myself a tune."<ref>{{cite web |last1=Fink |first1=Matt |title=Gordon Lightfoot: Sunrise to Sundown |url=https://americansongwriter.com/gordon-lightfoot-sunrise-to-sundown/ |website=American Songwriter |access-date=29 December 2020}}</ref> "Early Morning Rain" was the result. |
Lightfoot wrote and composed the song in 1964, but its genesis took root during his 1960 sojourn in Westlake, Los Angeles. Throughout this time, Lightfoot sometimes became homesick and would go out to the [[Los Angeles International Airport]] on rainy days to watch the approaching aircraft.<ref>[http://www.americansongwriter.com/2008/01/gordon-lightfoot-extended-interview/ Gordon Lightfoot: Extended Interview ] Retrieved 29 June 2015.</ref> The imagery of the flights taking off into the overcast sky was still with him when, in 1964, he was caring for his 5-month-old baby son and he thought, "I’ll put him over here in his crib, and I’ll write myself a tune."<ref>{{cite web |last1=Fink |first1=Matt |title=Gordon Lightfoot: Sunrise to Sundown |url=https://americansongwriter.com/gordon-lightfoot-sunrise-to-sundown/ |website=American Songwriter |date=5 August 2020 |access-date=29 December 2020}}</ref> "Early Morning Rain" was the result. |
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The lyrics suggest someone down on his luck, standing at an airport fence and observing the thunderous takeoff of a [[Boeing 707]] jet airliner. The general narrative of the song can be taken as a jet-age musical allegory to a [[hobo]] of yesteryear lurking around [[classification yard|a railroad yard]] attempting to [[freighthopping|surreptitiously board and ride]] a freight train to get home. Lightfoot reflects that being able to capture this narrative was due to his steady improvement as a songwriter.{{citation needed|date=November 2015}} |
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==Notable recordings and performances== |
==Notable recordings and performances== |
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The version by [[Ian & Sylvia]] reached #1 on the Canadian AC charts, August 2, 1965.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/obj/028020/f2/nlc008388.5598.pdf| title=RPM AC Singles - August 2, 1965}}</ref> [[Peter Paul and Mary]]'s version of the song was recorded in August 1965, reaching No. 39 in [[RPM (magazine)|Canada]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://rpmimages.3345.ca/pdfs/Vol+4%2C+No.+10+-+Week+of+November+1st%2C+1965.pdf| title=RPM Magazine - November 1, 1965 - page 5}}</ref> and No. 91 on the [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]]. The next year, [[George Hamilton IV]]'s version hit No. 9 on the [[Hot Country Songs|US country chart]]<ref>[http://www.allmusic.com/artist/george-hamilton-iv-p24401/charts-awards/billboard-singles George Hamilton IV charting singles] Retrieved 28 February 2012.</ref> In April 1971, [[Oliver (singer)|Oliver]]'s version hit No. 38 on the [[Adult Contemporary (chart)|US adult contemporary chart]].<ref>[http://musicvf.com/Oliver.art Oliver Chart Singles Discography] Retrieved 11 March 2012</ref> [[Paul Weller]] took the song to No. 40 in the United Kingdom in 2005.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.officialcharts.com/search/singles/early-morning-rain/ | title=Early morning rain | full Official Chart History | Official Charts Company | website=[[Official Charts Company|Official Charts]] }}</ref> Notably, [[Elvis Presley]] recorded and played the song live dozens of times. Under the title "Dans la brume du matin" (''in the morning mist''), the French cover of this song was a hit in France by [[Joe Dassin]]. |
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{{Infobox song |
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| name = Early Morning Rain |
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| cover = |
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| alt = |
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| type = single |
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| artist = [[George Hamilton IV]] |
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| album = Steel Rail Blues |
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| B-side = Slightly Used |
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| released = August 1966 |
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| format = |
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| recorded = |
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| studio = |
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| venue = |
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| genre = [[Folk music|Folk]] |
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| length = {{Duration|m=2|s=45}} |
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| label = [[RCA Records|RCA]] |
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| ⚫ | |||
| producer = [[Chet Atkins]] |
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| prev_title = Steel Rail Blues |
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| prev_year = 1966 |
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| next_title = Urge for Going |
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| next_year = 1967 |
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}} |
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In 1965, the Canadian husband and wife duo [[Ian & Sylvia]] were the first artists to release this song. There was over a year's time lag between their recording and Lightfoot's release in 1966. [[Peter Paul and Mary]]'s version of the song was also recorded in 1965, reaching No. 91 on the [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]] in that year. The [[Grateful Dead]] also recorded the song in 1965, and [[We Five]] released a version on their 1970 album, ''Catch the Wind''.<ref>[http://www.allmusic.com/album/catch-the-wind-r1888338 We Five, ''Catch the Wind] Retrieved 28 February 2012.</ref> [[Elvis Presley]] recorded the song on 15 March 1971, and included it on his album [[Elvis Now]]. It became a staple of his live performances in the second half of the 1970s. |
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===Hit singles=== |
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*1965 – [[Peter, Paul and Mary]] – No. 91 on the [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]]<ref>[http://www.allmusic.com/artist/peter-paul-and-mary-p2102/charts-awards/billboard-singles Peter, Paul and Mary charting singles] Retrieved 28 February 2012.</ref> |
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*1966 – [[George Hamilton IV]] – No. 9 on the [[Hot Country Songs|country chart]]<ref>[http://www.allmusic.com/artist/george-hamilton-iv-p24401/charts-awards/billboard-singles George Hamilton IV charting singles] Retrieved 28 February 2012.</ref> |
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*1971 – [[Oliver (singer)|Oliver]], ''Prism'' – No. 38 on the [[Adult Contemporary (chart)|adult contemporary chart]] and No. 124 on the Billboard Hot 100<ref>[http://musicvf.com/Oliver.art Oliver Chart Singles Discography] Retrieved 11 March 2012.</ref> |
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*2005 – [[Paul Weller]] – No. 40 in the United Kingdom<ref>https://www.officialcharts.com/search/singles/early-morning-rain/</ref> |
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==See also== |
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*[[List of train songs]] |
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==References== |
==References== |
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{{George Hamilton IV}} |
{{George Hamilton IV}} |
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{{Peter, Paul and Mary}} |
{{Peter, Paul and Mary}} |
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{{Great Speckled Bird}} |
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{{Paul Weller}} |
{{Paul Weller}} |
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{{Authority control}} |
{{Authority control}} |
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[[Category:Songs written by Gordon Lightfoot]] |
[[Category:Songs written by Gordon Lightfoot]] |
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[[Category:Gordon Lightfoot songs]] |
[[Category:Gordon Lightfoot songs]] |
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[[Category:Cameo (band) songs]] |
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[[Category:We Five songs]] |
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[[Category:Peter, Paul and Mary songs]] |
[[Category:Peter, Paul and Mary songs]] |
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[[Category:George Hamilton IV songs]] |
[[Category:George Hamilton IV songs]] |
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[[Category:Oliver (singer) songs]] |
[[Category:Oliver (singer) songs]] |
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[[Category: |
[[Category:2005 singles]] |
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[[Category: |
[[Category:Paul Weller songs]] |
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[[Category:Elvis Presley songs]] |
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[[Category:Jerry Lee Lewis songs]] |
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Latest revision as of 08:36, 16 October 2024
| "Early Morning Rain" | |
|---|---|
| Song by Gordon Lightfoot | |
| from the album Lightfoot! | |
| Released | 1966 |
| Songwriter(s) | Gordon Lightfoot |
"Early Morning Rain," sometimes styled as "Early Mornin' Rain," is a song written, composed, and recorded by Canadian singer-songwriter Gordon Lightfoot. The song appears on his 1966 debut album Lightfoot! and, in a re-recorded version, on the 1975 compilation Gord's Gold.
Background
[edit]Lightfoot wrote and composed the song in 1964, but its genesis took root during his 1960 sojourn in Westlake, Los Angeles. Throughout this time, Lightfoot sometimes became homesick and would go out to the Los Angeles International Airport on rainy days to watch the approaching aircraft.[1] The imagery of the flights taking off into the overcast sky was still with him when, in 1964, he was caring for his 5-month-old baby son and he thought, "I’ll put him over here in his crib, and I’ll write myself a tune."[2] "Early Morning Rain" was the result.
Notable recordings and performances
[edit]The version by Ian & Sylvia reached #1 on the Canadian AC charts, August 2, 1965.[3] Peter Paul and Mary's version of the song was recorded in August 1965, reaching No. 39 in Canada,[4] and No. 91 on the Billboard Hot 100. The next year, George Hamilton IV's version hit No. 9 on the US country chart[5] In April 1971, Oliver's version hit No. 38 on the US adult contemporary chart.[6] Paul Weller took the song to No. 40 in the United Kingdom in 2005.[7] Notably, Elvis Presley recorded and played the song live dozens of times. Under the title "Dans la brume du matin" (in the morning mist), the French cover of this song was a hit in France by Joe Dassin.
References
[edit]- ^ Gordon Lightfoot: Extended Interview Retrieved 29 June 2015.
- ^ Fink, Matt (5 August 2020). "Gordon Lightfoot: Sunrise to Sundown". American Songwriter. Retrieved 29 December 2020.
- ^ "RPM AC Singles - August 2, 1965" (PDF).
- ^ "RPM Magazine - November 1, 1965 - page 5" (PDF).
- ^ George Hamilton IV charting singles Retrieved 28 February 2012.
- ^ Oliver Chart Singles Discography Retrieved 11 March 2012
- ^ "Early morning rain | full Official Chart History | Official Charts Company". Official Charts.
