S$# 051 Gordon Lightfoot | Hey You

On his 1980 album, Dream Street Rose, Gordon Lightfoot brought a more laidback feel to his songs than he had on the rockier previous outing, Endless Wire.

Hey You, a track from DSR, is a fine example of the Canadian bard's songcraft. It's not a really well known song (certainly not as well known as the songs of the same name by Pink Floyd and BTO!) in Gords' canon. But I've always liked it since I first heard it 2½ decades ago. It's probably my favourite track from the album.

The song has a roots feel. There's nice interplay between Pee Wee Charles's pedal steel and the guitar work of Gord and Terry Clements. Gord's vocals on this positive - but in no way treacly - love song sound clear and confident.

Hey you, upon this ship of fools
I have found you bending your own rules
Thank you, I don't mind if I do
Dream a while of the lovin' that we knew

There was such a flaming time
I never will forget
It was all so easy then
This is my one regret

Hey you, my angel in blue
Mother Nature saved her best for you
Green grow the lilacs on the wall
Heaven help them, catch them as they fall

Hey you, angel in disguise
What is your angle what is your surprise
Hey you, fever that is mine
What is your game plan what is your design

Reality brings mystery
And ne'er the twain shall meet
And all of my wild horses
Cannot pull you off your feet

Hey you, angel on my mind
All around me til the end of time
Thank you, I don't mind if I do
Dream a while of the lovin' that we knew

There was such a flaming time
I never will forget
It was all so easy then
This is my one regret

Hey you, my angel in blue
I'm entangled, tell me what to do
Green grow the lilacs on the wall
Heaven help them, catch th em as they fall

Hey You is available on the Dream Street Rose CD.