Sundown (Gordon Lightfoot song)

"Sundown" is a song by Canadian folk artist Gordon Lightfoot, from the titular album, released as a single in March 1974.

"Sundown"
Single by Gordon Lightfoot
from the album Sundown
B-side	"Too Late for Prayin'"
Released	March 25, 1974
Genre	Folk rock[1] country rock
Length	3:37
Label	Reprise
Songwriter(s)	Gordon Lightfoot
Producer(s)	Lenny Waronker
Gordon Lightfoot singles chronology
"Can't Depend on Love" (1973) "Sundown" (1974) "Carefree Highway" (1974)

"Sundown" reached number one on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and easy listening charts^[2] and number 13 on the Hot Country singles chart,^[3] as well as number one in Canada on RPM's national singles chart. It was Lightfoot's only single to reach number one on the Hot 100.

Content

The lyrics describe a troubled romantic relationship (often cited as Cathy Smith), with the narrator recounting an affair with a "hard-loving woman [who's] got me feeling mean".

In a 2008 interview, Lightfoot said:

I think my girlfriend was out with her friends one night at a bar while I was at home writing songs. I thought, 'I wonder what she’s doing with her friends at that bar!' It's that kind of a feeling. 'Where is my true love tonight? What is my true love doing?'^[4]

Personnel

Engineered by Lee Herschberg
Recorded at Eastern Sound Studios, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

• Gordon Lightfoot: Lead and background vocals, 12-string guitar
• Red Shea: Lead electric guitar
• Terry Clements: Lead acoustic guitar
• John Stockfish: Bass
• Jim Gordon: Drums

Chart performance

Weekly charts Weekly chart performance for "Sundown" Chart (1974) Peak position Australia (Kent Music Report)[5] 4 Canadian RPM Top Singles[6] 1 Canadian RPM Adult Contemporary[7] 2 Canadian RPM Country Tracks[8] 4 Germany (GfK)[9] 30 Ireland (IRMA)[10] 14 Netherlands[11] 16 New Zealand (Listener)[12] 2 South Africa (Springbok Radio)[13] 1 UK Singles Chart[14] 33 US Billboard Hot 100[15] 1 US Easy Listening (Billboard)[16] 1 US Hot Country Songs (Billboard)[17] 13 Yugoslavian Singles Chart 2 2023 weekly chart performance for "Sundown" Chart (2023) Peak position US Hot Rock & Alternative Songs (Billboard)[18] 11

The handwritten lead sheet for the song (now located in Massey Hall) Year-end charts Year-end chart performance for "Sundown" Chart (1974) Rank Australia (Kent Music Report)[19] 35 Canadian RPM Top Singles[20] 3 South Africa[21] 4 US Billboard Hot 100[22] 27 US Cashbox Top 100 32

Certifications

Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
United States (RIAA)[23]	Gold	1,000,000^
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

In popular culture

The song was featured prominently in the 2024 vampire-themed horror film Salem's Lot, as well as in the film's trailer.

Other versions

• Nana Mouskouri recorded a French version, "L'Amour, c'est comme l'été", on her 1974 album Que Je Sois Un Ange.
• The musical project/collaboration of singer-songwriters Elwood covered the song in 2000. This version peaked at number 33 on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart on July 8, 2000.^[24]
• American country music singer Deryl Dodd's version of the song peaked at number 59 on Billboard's Hot Country Singles and Tracks chart in 1999. It was later included on his album, Pearl Snaps (2002).
• Danish supergroup Dalton covered the song on their first album, Dalton, released in 1992, under the title "Selskabsmadonna".
• American country music singer Charles Wesley Godwin covered the song through Amazon Original Music in 2024.

See also

• List of Hot 100 number-one singles of 1974 (U.S.)
• List of number-one adult contemporary singles of 1974 (U.S.)
• List of RPM number-one singles of 1974