The idea for Landslide came to me one late fall day in 1992. I was driving on Interstate 94 West to my teaching job in downtown Minneapolis. My mind was on auto pilot with no thoughts about anything in particular when I happened to look up. The sky was a moody winter gray mixed with slices of muted sun. Suddenly, as if superimposed over the clouds, I was gazing into a striking full moon. I knew that autumn moons existed, but had never seen one until that moment.

Within a few seconds, a lyric popped into my head – There’s a morning moon a setting in the western sky today. And the autumn gold is changing to a winter shade of gray.  I was simultaneously overcome with sadness, regret and wonder. I had recently lost my mother and three close friends within the span of a year. In retrospect, I don’t believe I had allowed myself to fully grieve their passing. As is so often the case, I did not get to say my final goodbyes and was feeling the remorse that accompanies lack of closure. In short, I felt like I had been hit by a landslide of loss without a way to channel my emotions. Completing this song became that cathartic vehicle.

Landslide was originally released in 1997 on Madeleine Hart’s True Heart CD. It took me a couple of decades, but I am so pleased to be able to share my version of the song with you here.