Cohen is a legend. This is late in his career. He passed away just a few years ago. His career as a musician started in the latter 1960s. Before that, Cohen was a published poet. Well, I guess he has always been a published poet, only he later put music to his poems.
I LOVVVE Leonard Cohen!! Brilliant song writer with the most unique, deep voice ever. My FAVORITE songs of his are "A THOUSAND KISSES DEEP" and "WAITING FOR A MIRACLE" (from the Natural Born Killers movie soundtrack). All of his songs are incredible!!! 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Knew him when he was Lenny from Montreal. Saw him in cafes after we came out of University and he would be writing those now famous poems. He would always pass by our table before he left and we would touch base. Who knew in those days would the future would be for any of us, but we loved each other and we had a peaceful and happy life. Miss those days and Lenny.
Cohen wrote this song in the late 60s and early 70s. At one point he played it in a bar and John Cale of the Velvet Underground was in attendance. John asked him if he could have the lyrics and put it on his next album. Leonard said yes and gave him 50 pages of lyrics. Leonard loved Cale's arrangement so much he adopted it. What you hear now is written by Leonard Cohen, but was arranged by John Cale. BTW Cale is heard singing this in Shrek.
Biz, I could see that you felt this in your soul! I've been a Leonard Cohen fan since the late 60's, and there aren't a lot of his songs I wouldn't recommend. All those mentioned by the others who commented here are worthy of your time. My three favorites are "If It Be Your Will" (another of Leonard's very spiritual songs); "Take This Waltz"; and "Love Itself." Enjoy, friend.
Cohen best songs... Famous blue raincoat Everybody knows First we take Manhattan The Partisan You want it darker The blue raincoat song is a must, at it came early in his career. His song Joan of Arc is also superb.
Man… The very next song you react to by Leonard Cohen needs to be The Future ALL his recorded music is phenomenal He was a genius Everyone who was listening knew and loved Leonard The mainstream may have missed his genius but that’s cuz they are dumbasses
I first heard the Jeff Buckley version, but Cohen's live version might as well be church. If it got any deeper, there'd probably be people jumping up out of the audience lining up to be baptized.
One of the truly authentic voices in music! And yes, there are a great many profound Leonard Cohen songs...too many to list. You might listen to the cds from which this track was taken (Leonard Cohen Live in London) and see for yourself. With that said, here are a few from which to choose: Everybody Knows, Dance Me To the End of Love, Anthem (there is a crack in everything, that's how the light gets in), Democracy, Take This Waltz, First We Take Manhattan, and Suzanne.
After all the beautiful voices that have covered this song, it is wonderful to hear every word sung with such feeling. And that organ...OMG!!!! I had never heard his version.
ohhhh 💖Leonard💖 My favourite by him is DANCE ME TO THE END OF TIME. But all of his music is a favourite of mine. Love his duets with Jennifer Warnes, too.
Cohen is one of the greats. And for his lyrics... the man was a poet first. As for songs... SUZANNE, SO LONG MARIANNE, I'M YOUR MAN or The GUESTS but he has so many wonderful and deep songs.
You should listen to his “ Suzanne “ as a younger man, his voice is very different, years of drinking and smoking added the deeper layers, with the gravel and raspiness. Each decade of his voice added its own layer of beauty. A Canadian icon. R.I.P. dear Leonard.🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦
Willem DaFoe can really play that organ. It annoys me when idiots say this is not the best version. It's his song. He knows how it should sound. If you don't like it then don't listen. It's like me stealing your Grandmother's cookie recipe and then you saying that my cookies are better
I think my favorite Leonard Cohen song it's always going to be in my secret life after that I would watch closing time but I would watch the video that was supposed to go with it. He did a really good video period. You lose something in Translation if you don't see the video. Third favorite dance me to the end of love again Watch the video the official video I mean.
