Gordon Lightfoot – Sundown

About the song

Released in 1974 as the lead single for its namesake album, Gordon Lightfoot’s “Sundown” paints a poignant portrait of a love teetering on the edge. It’s a song that resonated deeply with audiences, propelling it to the top spot on both the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and Easy Listening charts, a feat unmatched by any other Lightfoot single.

While the song itself doesn’t explicitly name the woman in question, speculation often centers around Lightfoot’s then-girlfriend, Cathy Smith. The lyrics delve into the anxieties and suspicions that plague a troubled relationship. The narrator describes a “hard-loving woman” who awakens a darkness within him, leaving him feeling “mean.”

Lightfoot himself, in a 2008 interview, revealed the inspiration behind the song stemmed from a solitary night spent writing music while his girlfriend enjoyed an evening out. He confessed to wondering what she was doing and who she was with, a sentiment that encapsulates the song’s essence – the gnawing insecurity and possessiveness that can cloud love.

“Sundown” is more than just a catchy tune. It’s a captivating exploration of human emotions, particularly the jealousy and suspicion that can fester within romantic relationships. The song’s success lies not only in its musicality but also in its ability to capture a universal experience, making it relatable to listeners across generations.

Video

Lyrics

I can see her lying back in her satin dress
In a room where you do what you don’t confess

Sundown, you better take care
If I find you been creeping ’round my back stairs
Sundown, you better take care
If I find you been creeping ’round my back stairs

She’s been looking like a queen in a sailor’s dream
And she don’t always say what she really means

Sometimes I think it’s a shame
When I get feeling better when I’m feeling no pain
Sometimes I think it’s a shame
When I get feeling better when I’m feeling no pain

I can picture every move that a man could make
Getting lost in her loving is your first mistake

Sundown, you better take care
If I find you been creeping ’round my back stairs
Sometimes I think it’s a sin
When I feel like I’m winning when I’m losing again

I can see her looking fast in her faded jeans
She’s a hard loving woman, got me feeling mean

Sometimes I think it’s a shame
When I get feeling better when I’m feeling no pain
Sundown, you better take care
If I find you been creeping ’round my back stairs
Sundown, you better take care
If I find you been creeping ’round my back stairs
Sometimes I think it’s a sin
When I feel like I’m winning when I’m losing again