Gordon Lightfoot’s music has been covered by a number of artists. Here are 10 popular renditions

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Music legend Gordon Lightfoot, who died Monday evening at 84 years old, leaves behind a rich legacy of work that helped shaped the folk music genre and shared stories of Canadian experiences on the world stage.

The artist isn’t only beloved here, though — dozens of musicians around the world have showed their appreciation for his music with their own renditions of his songs. Here are 10 great examples.

1. Elvis Presley — “Early Mornin’ Rain”

“Early Mornin’ Rain” by Elvis Presley

Among the numerous covers of Lightfoot’s despondent “Early Morning Rain” — including those by Neil Young and Bob Dylan — is that of the King of Rock & Roll.

Elvis Presley also recorded his own version of “For Lovin’ Me.”

2. Barbra Streisand — “If You Could Read My Mind”

“If You Could Read My Mind” is another classic covered by several artists, including Johnny Cash. Streisand made her own recording for her 1971 album “Stoney End.”

3. Stars on 54 — “If You Could Read My Mind”

“If you could read my mind”

Dance group Stars on 54 recorded one song with a twist, turning the ballad “If You Could Read My Mind” into a disco-pop banger for the 1998 movie “54.”

4. Janis Joplin — “Me and Bobby McGee”

“Me and Bobby McGee” by Janis Joplin

Janis Joplin brought her forceful, bluesy voice to Lightfoot’s work with “Me and Bobby McGee” for her 1971 album “Pearl.”

5. Bob Dylan — “Shadows”

Bob Dylan covers SHADOWS by Gordon Lightfoot – Edmonton, Alberta.October 2012.

As a longtime fan and friend of Lightfoot, Bob Dylan recorded his own version of “Early Mornin’ Rain” and on some occassions, performed other songs by the Canadian legend at concerts, such as “I’m Not Supposed to Care.”

In the recording of the live audio for “Shadows,” Dylan is heard saying he sang the song as a request.

6. Marty Robbins — “Ribbon of Darkness”

Written by Gordon Lightfoot. Released March 1965, it was his eleventh #1 on the country charts.

Country music star Marty Robbins’ 1965 recording of “Ribbon of Darkness” reached topped the U.S. country charts.

7. Peter, Paul and Mary — “For Lovin’ Me”

From BBC Tonight in Person show, 1965

American folk trio Peter, Paul and Mary took Lightfoot’s song, “For Lovin’ Me,” into the U.S. Top 30.

8. Harry Belafonte — “Oh Linda”

Provided to YouTube by RCA/Legacy

American singer, actor and civil rights activist Harry Belafonte, popularized the calypso music of Trinidad in the 1950s and gave new life to “Oh Linda.”

Belafonte died at the age of 96 from congestive heart failure on April 25 in his New York home with his family by his side.

9. Anne Murray — “Cotton Jenny”

Written & recorded by Gordon Lightfoot for his 1971 album ‘Summer Side Of Life’…Anne Murray recorded & released Cotton Jenny as her 1st single from her album ‘Talk It Over In the Morning’ in January 1972.It peaked at #1 on Country charts in Canada & the United States.It also listed on Easy Listening charts.

Canadian pop and country singer Anne Murray released her rendition of “Cotton Jenny” in 1971 as part of her album “Talk It Over In The Morning.”

10. Sarah McLachlan — “Song For A Winter’s Night”

Music video by Sarah McLachlan performing Song For A Winter’s Night (Audio). (C) 1994 RCA Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment

More recently, in 2006, Canadian singer-songwriter Sarah McLachlan covered the 1975 “Song For A Winter’s Night,” for her Christmas album, “Wintersong.”

With files from The Canadian Press

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