Sundown

Song meaning of Sundown by Gordon Lightfoot, and what it is about

The storyteller recounts an affair with a "hard-loving woman [who's] got me feeling mean" in the lyrics, which depict a strained romantic connection (typically identified as Cathy Smith).

Lightfoot stated in an interview:

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?

Song lyrics of Sundown by Gordon Lightfoot

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