The Steve Goodman recordings

Steve Goodman (1948–1984) was an American folk and country singer-songwriter who achieved critical acclaim for his insightful and humorous songwriting. Born in Chicago, Goodman began performing and writing songs in his teens. He attended the University of Illinois, but left in 1969 to pursue music full-time. While Goodman's own recordings garnered a loyal following, his most commercially successful song was 'City of New Orleans', a narrative ballad about a train journey. Recorded and popularised by Arlo Guthrie, the song's vivid imagery and memorable melody earned Goodman a posthumous Grammy Award in 1985 for Best Country Song. Goodman's own musical style ranged from traditional folk to blues and country, with a focus on catchy melodies and clever lyrics. He was a frequent performer at Chicago's famed Old Town School of Folk Music and gained recognition for his witty stage presence and engaging storytelling. Despite battling leukaemia for over 16 years, Goodman remained active throughout his career, writing and performing until his untimely death in 1984 at the age of 36. Goodman's legacy lies in his rich songwriting catalogue, which continues to be covered and celebrated by artists across various genres.