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Early Morning Rain
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Wikipedia article
'"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
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.[http://www.americansongwriter.com/2008/01/gordon-lightfoot-extended-interview/ Gordon Lightfoot: Extended Interview ] Retrieved 29 June 2015. 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, "Ill put him over here in his crib, and Ill write myself a tune." "Early Morning Rain" was the result.
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 a railroad yard attempting to 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.
Notable recordings and performances
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 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'.[http://www.allmusic.com/album/catch-the-wind-r1888338 We Five, 'Catch the Wind] Retrieved 28 February 2012.
Hit singles
*1965 Peter, Paul and Mary No. 91 on the 'Billboard' Hot 100[http://www.allmusic.com/artist/peter-paul-and-mary-p2102/charts-awards/billboard-singles Peter, Paul and Mary charting singles] Retrieved 28 February 2012.*1966 George Hamilton IV No. 9 on the country chart[http://www.allmusic.com/artist/george-hamilton-iv-p24401/charts-awards/billboard-singles George Hamilton IV charting singles] Retrieved 28 February 2012.
*1971 Oliver, 'Prism' No. 38 on the adult contemporary chart and No. 124 on the Billboard Hot 100[http://musicvf.com/Oliver.art Oliver Chart Singles Discography] Retrieved 11 March 2012.
*2005 Paul Weller No. 40 in the United Kingdom
Appearances on hit albums
*1965 Ian & Sylvia, 'Early Morning Rain' No. 77 on the 'Billboard' 200[http://www.allmusic.com/artist/ian-sylvia-p2016/charts-awards Ian & Sylvia charting albums] Retrieved 28 February 2012.*1965 Judy Collins, 'Fifth Album' No. 69 on the Billboard 200[http://www.allmusic.com/artist/judy-collins-p1949/charts-awards Judy Collins charting albums] Retrieved 28 February 2012.
*1965 Peter, Paul and Mary, 'See What Tomorrow Brings' No. 11 on the Billboard 200[http://www.allmusic.com/artist/peter-paul-and-mary-p2102/charts-awards Peter, Paul and Mary charting albums] Retrieved 28 February 2012.
*1966 Chad & Jeremy, 'Distant Shores' No. 61 on the Billboard 200[http://www.allmusic.com/artist/chad-jeremy-p3860/charts-awards Chad & Jeremy charting albums] Retrieved 28 February 2012.
*1966 George Hamilton IV, 'Steel Rail Blues' No. 3 on the Country Albums chart[http://www.allmusic.com/artist/george-hamilton-iv-p24401/charts-awards George Hamilton IV charting albums] Retrieved 28 February 2012.
*1967 Roy Drusky, 'Now is a Lonely Time' No. 31 on the USA Country.
*1970 Rank Strangers "Country Our Way" No. 2 on the Swedish chart list
*1970 Bob Dylan, 'Self Portrait' No. 4 on the Billboard 200[http://www.allmusic.com/artist/bob-dylan-p4147/charts-awards Bob Dylan charting albums] Retrieved 28 February 2012.
*1971 Jerry Reed, 'Ko-Ko Joe' No. 153 on the Billboard 200, No. 7 on Country Albums[http://www.allmusic.com/artist/jerry-reed-mn0000334644/awards Jerry Reed charting albums] Retrieved 30 June 2013.
*1972 Elvis Presley, 'Elvis Now' No. 43 on the Billboard 200[http://www.allmusic.com/artist/elvis-presley-p5175/charts-awards Elvis Presley charting albums] Retrieved 28 February 2012.
*1973 Jerry Lee Lewis, 'The Session' No. 37 on the Billboard 200[http://www.allmusic.com/artist/jerry-lee-lewis-p4753/charts-awards Jerry Lee Lewis charting albums] Retrieved 28 February 2012.
*1975 Gordon Lightfoot, 'Gord's Gold' No. 34 on the Billboard 200[http://www.allmusic.com/artist/gordon-lightfoot-p2053/charts-awards Gordon Lightfoot charting albums] Retrieved 28 February 2012.
*1977 Elvis Presley, 'Elvis in Concert' No. 5 on the Billboard 200
*2002 Eva Cassidy, 'Imagine' No. 1 on UK album charts
*2004 Wendy Matthews, 'Caf Naturale' No. 42 on the Australian Album Charts
*2004 Paul Weller, 'Studio 150' No. 2 on the UK album charts
*2014 Neil Young, 'A Letter Home' No. 13 on the Billboard 200
*2016 Billy Bragg and Joe Henry, "Shine a Light: Field Recordings from the Great American Railroad" No. 28 on the UK Album Charts
See also
*List of train songs
References
Category:1964 songs
Category:Songs written by Gordon Lightfoot
Category:Gordon Lightfoot songs
Category:Cameo (band) songs
Category:We Five songs
Category:Peter, Paul and Mary songs
Category:George Hamilton IV songs
Category:Oliver (singer) songs
Category:Chad & Jeremy songs
Category:Bob Dylan songs
Category:Elvis Presley songs
Category:Jerry Lee Lewis songs
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