1965 Top Ten Songs: Ribbon of Darkness (#3)

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Ick. My brother has to be at the hospital at 6 AM tomorrow. I told him to have fun walking. I’d better type up tomorrow’s discussions tonight or they’re going to look like “adhhaifhauhhzzzzzz.” Meanwhile, it’s top three time for the songs that are now 60 years old. Here’s today’s “Linda? NO!” song. #3: Ribbon of Darkness - Marty Robbins I didn’t know it at the time, but Marty Robbins did me one of the greatest favors in my musical life with this song. This song introduced me to Gordon Lightfoot. It took a while to learn his name, because at the time it was just Marty Robbins, Waylon Jennings (who covered “For Lovin’ Me”), Bill Anderson (“Did She Mention My Name”), and Connie Smith (who also did this song). But this song started a love affair that has yet to wane. This is another example of a song that was released by the songwriter after another version. Lightfoot recorded it in 1964 (and yes, he did the whistles on his version, too); however, it was not released as a single until after Robbins’ version became a country hit. And it was indeed a hit: it topped the charts, becoming Robbins’ eleventh #1 song. Marty was one of a kind. Gordon was one of a kind. Put them together and you have a classic tune. Ribbon of Darkness Written by Gordon Lightfoot Recorded by Marty Robbins Released as a single, 1965 Once the world was young as spring: