The many covers of Gordon Lightfoot's If You Could Read My Mind

The many covers of Gordon Lightfoot's If You Could Read My Mind.
The true test of a great song is whether or not it stands up under any genre. Gordon Lightfoot had more than his fair share of great songs, but "If You Could Read My Mind" is one of his most enduring. The song, released in 1970, has been covered more than 330 times, from disco to country to dance.
We've compiled just a few of those covers here. Tell us your favourite Lightfoot cover in the comments.
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[@stephenzeoli8117]

This just demonstrates that no one was better than Gordon Lightfoot. We are so lucky for his genius and talents.

[@brucewessel7753]

If you could read my mind. A lovely, beautiful, sweet song . Top ten for me

[@TheMonolake]

What a hauntingly beautiful song

[@hairdowntohere]

such a great artist Gordon Lightfoot was, condolences to his Family and Friends R.I.P. 💔

[@heygetoffmylawn1572]

A genius has left his legacy in the music he wrote…and will still be with us. Excellent background tunes…listen when you are shopping or in an elevator chances are it’s a song he wrote.

[@sydneym4527]

These are all great tributes to such a wonderful artist. I miss Gordon Lightfoot :(

[@sillyme8302]

Nobody did it better than Gordon.

[@guttertoad383]

Literally the only one that comes close is Johnny Cash.

[@ingefranz2013]

Thanks. This Song is worth repeating over and over again.

[@daudder]

RIP to a master storyteller, singer and Canadian icon

[@DoctorJoanieTool]

I wish there’d be a concert or special honoring him. And stream it or air on PBS etc

[@gregdee9085]

...and CBC right??

[@DoctorJoanieTool]

@@gregdee9085 ABSOLUTELY

[@christymcdaniel3906]

It also sounds awesome as a disco like song

[@markpaul1154]

Rose Cousins takes it somewhere else and it shivers down your spine. Supple timing changes and a build up that makes you wait.

[@markthibault8579]

Agreed. It's on another level.

[@davidcoleman3661]

No one can beat Gordon’s original version. The timbre of his voice and the emotion he conveys will never be surpassed. Minelli’s version is just plain wrong! RIP Gordon you are sorely missed. Regrettably many of the megastars of the 1970s are leaving us. The world is a sadder place without their music.

[@doughliciouscookies8830]

One of my favorite songs. Rip

[@Ice_Karma]

Having just done a search here on TH-cam for "gordon lightfoot if you could read my mind"... you guys got most of this footage _from TH-cam,_ didn't you. 🤣 _Requiescas in pace,_ Gordon; you will be sorely missed.
(Yes, _requiescas._ I'm saying "may YOU rest in peace", not "may HE rest in peace".)

[@marks6663]

It goes to prove that if a song is catchy enough it can be done in any genre.

[@rachelfarmer0277]

😮 had no idea that Gordon wrote this. Love it. RIP Gordon ❤🇨🇦🙏

[@Bohonk212]

Liza....coke..it's a helluva drug!

[@coolhandchunk]

We need City and Colour to put out a tribute album of some of Gordon's greatest songs.... if anyone knows Dallas, put the bug in his ear!

[@TheMonolake]

Thx great

[@christymcdaniel3906]

Liza Minnelli's version is hilarious

[@lessthanbrilliant3672]

No kidding. I watched SCTV all the time as a kid, now I finally know where Jackie Rogers Jr came from.

[@jasper_north]

Did one also… only 58 seconds… my only video on my tiny channel lol.

[@dalew5832]

Neil Young, BRUTAL

[@troywest1077]

The only version that exists is Gordon Lightfoot.

[@jdnolin4852]

He wrote a masterpiece, when a song is covered over and over, it's a highest honor for a song writer. I really enjoyed the versions by Olivia Newton John and Viola Wills, while not part of the clip Crystal Gayle, had a really good version, did not enjoy the Liza Minelli version, you really have to work to mess up a song that well written.

[@austriaaustria2679]

Thnx for this potpourri

[@martinaak2539]

🙂

[@davymag3476]

why leave out the cash cover?

[@commodoreRumbleshanks]

I think they were trying to highlight just how good Gordon actually was that's why the others are mid at best. Including Cash's cover would kinda ruin it as it's the only cover that reeks of raw emotion like the original. In my mind there's only Lightfoot's and Cash's versions

[@kieranmcdonald8132]

You missed James Last's effort !!! probably the only one that surpassed Gordons.

[@benwilliams647]

The late Gordon Lightfoot did it best for this song, I feel.

[@greathodgy22]

Get rid of Liza Minnelli . . . .

[@petercena9497]

So overrated.

[@norinecook844]

Lizafyed version is great!

[@JerseyCityGuy]

Lol. All the others were a joke