Leonard Cohen - Hey, That's No Way to Say Goodbye (Audio) 

I had a little girl with long blond hair, suddenly come ill with leukemia, and I was singing this as we drove to an appointment for her....She said, "Mommy, that was so beautiful...sing it again." That moment, I knew she'd soon be gone. I've always loved Leonard's music, and this was one of the reasons

I first listened to this song in 1967, and I still listen to it in 2024. RIP Leonard, your music will live forever ❤

I loved this song when I was 17. I'm 58 and it still makes me cry. You are timeless and your music and beautiful poetry will live on forever. Thank you for your wonderful legacy.

It's impossible to overestimate the haunting beauty, the truth, the authenticity of Leonard Cohen's poetic songs for generations who yearned for these things

A fucking brutal song. This guy knows break-ups like water knows wet. This song is too real

I can't stop crying. My Dad listening to Leonard Cohen in the car is my first memory. I knew I loved him, but only now he's really gone do I realise how much.

At 76 l am still listening RIP to the man whose music measured my depression

I had a girlfriend who lived in Cape Town and I lived in Johannesburg 1000miles away. This became our song and it hurt every time we had to say goodbye. I'm 72 now and 52 years later, I still get that feeling every time I listen to it. I wonder if she does.

When my wife was having chemotherapy for her cancer we would drive to the appointment each week and listen to Cohen, and this song in particular. Jill loved his stuff. I had it played for her funeral. The words fitted with terrible, horrifying perfection.

I'm 12 years old and I love his music he's truly a legend My dad always loved his music and whenever I listen to Leonard Cohen's songs I end up being in tears Rest in piece Leonard Cohen ❤

Mr. Cohen r.i.p. but your songs are immortal

Oh god. This never fails to make me cry. You are missed, Mr. Cohen.

Every single time I hear this song, tears just start pouring down my face.

The comments here are as heart touching as this soulful song. It is beautiful to see how this legendary artist reaches out to the deepest wounds and longings of our souls. Each time we listen to him, we are inspired to share our own stories. This is indeed a paradise of Cohen's music and his fans who would keep him immortal.

Ive carried the words in the this song in my soul for nearly 50 years Amazing

The lyrics, if you may need.. I loved you in the morning, our kisses deep and warm Your hair upon the pillow like a sleepy golden storm Yes, many loved before us, I know that we are not new In city and in forest they smiled like me and you But now it's come to distances and both of us must try Your eyes are soft with sorrow Hey, that's no way to say goodbye I'm not looking for another as I wander in my time Walk me to the corner, our steps will always rhyme You know my love goes with you as your love stays with me It's just the way it changes, like the shoreline and the sea But let's not talk of love or chains and things we can't untie Your eyes are soft with sorrow Hey, that's no way to say goodbye I loved you in the morning, our kisses deep and warm Your hair upon the pillow like a sleepy golden storm Yes, many loved before us, I know that we are not new In city and in forest they smiled like me and you But let's not talk of love or chains and things we can't untie Your eyes are soft with sorrow Hey, that's no way to say goodbye Songwriters: Leonard Cohen

my days in San Francisco 1968 singing this while washing dishes...living above Standiford Art Gallery on California Street, Gary, Penny , me and there was Steve he slept under the stairs...his choice, where he did all of his poster art...it was a time where you wanted everything to stand still for like forever

I love his music so much.. Been listening since very early 70's.. My babysitter was a hippie..! 🤣🤭 I still need to thank her for introducing me to Leonard...

My first love bought me Songs of Leonard Cohen when I was 14. We had a romantic summer together and then he left to return home to his country. My heart was broken for the first time and, like many people, I found that these lyrics expressed my feelings very well. I cried every time I played the record. Mr Cohen's poetry is woven into my life and can never be untied.

Rest in paradise, L. Canada was lucky to call you ours.

I’m not one to comment these sorts of things at all but this song brings me back to early 2018 when I was twelve. My dad and I would listen to this album in his car and it was one of the only times we would *actually* get along. We would sing along and laugh and I’d tell him how much fun I was having. I don’t see him anymore due to circumstances but if he ever comes across this comment, I want him to know I wish that we could have gotten along more and I miss those moments where it was just us in peace.

My father loved Leonard Cohen and would play his music at home and I think on 8 track tapes in the car. This takes me back to my childhood and being my fatherʻs little girl. Love Leonard Cohen. RIP Leonard. RIP Dad.

When I first heard your voice I knew I was was going to love you forever.

I have loved that song for so long. Each time the words come to mind I sing it with my heart. It never loses its beauty and grace.

A poet who could turn tears into words, creating pictures from emotion, courage, love & death...like masterful paintings hung in the galleries of our minds. Thanking God I was here at a time when I too could share with the millions, his voice, his dreams & love of life. Thank you mate..may your soul finaly find peace

No Leonard, that's really no way to say goodbye :( I'll miss you but you're music will stay with me for long.

RIP Mr Cohen. I listened to this song so often that my parrot would sing the chorus.

A big influence in my life. Rest in peace you beautiful poet.

One of the greatest poets of the 20th century. Leonard Cohen's beautiful legacy will live forever. I was privileged to see him perform live twice, and each time was a thrilling experience.

Good bye Leonard and thank you for the beauty of your poetry in your music. We are enriched by your presence here on earth however brief it was. 82 years was too short a time.

I had a little sister, she had long blond hairs too and passed away because of leukemia, after a two year struggle. She loved Léonard Cohen so much and had been to several concerts of him. We put this song at her funeral. Hopefully he plays for her now where they are...

Some of his most quotable lyrics come from this song. My mom and I recited it line by line today and it made me realize just how perfect this song is.

Fare thee well, field commander Cohen. Sleep tight and thank you for the music.

I came here right now right away when I read you died, Leonard. I love your voice, I love your music, I came right away to feel the warmth of yours that touches my heart. This song is my favorite, it makes me cry, makes me smile, makes me feel flood of emotions. I never saw you in a concert, it was my dream but couln't be true, I love you, RIP - A fan from Mexico city.

71, ridiculous but he still makes me cry!

So long Leonard, you've kept me company over the years since 1977! What a gent :) xxx

Wish you a very happy birthday. We're so lucky to found you. You'll live forever in million people's heart. Love you Legend!

I can not describe the influence that Leonard Cohen's music and poetry has had on my understanding of human relationships, love, on my personal thoughts, feelings, and general behaviour. The are dozens of his songs that helped me understand a lot of things I once considered complex, at the time when I was a bewildered youngster. Leonard Cohen's music made me an even-tempered and careful person. I hope it made me a better man, too. For one thing, it taught me to think again about the things I took for granted, about the fragility of love and time. I am ever so grateful for that. Your mission was angelic.Thank you for letting us know what you knew and sharing your insights on life.

Hey, two year's on .... and our steps are still rhyming. I first heard the song as a teenager, it is still one of the most moving when I listen to it as a pensioner. God Bless you Leonard...time to light a green candle! I will never say 'Goodbye'

This song brings back my teenage years and first love. I loved him for 50 years but he married someone else and now he’s died. RIP John B.

I'm 51 in 3 wks .... This song and the whole album has been in my life always there in the background. My mum wore the vinyl out many times and had to but a new copy. RIP mum xx

A sleepy Golden storm.. Just beyond brilliant.

thank you for breaking my heart so well.

I loved this guy, seeing him live was something else! ❤👍

He encapsulates emotion in such a beautiful way. World can actually describe what his music is saying and the feeling it brings upon you.

Please, watch "past lives", this song means to much in that movie. I just remember my grandma that passed away 25 years ago and I listened to this song over and over. "My love goes with you and your love stays with me."

I have just been listening to Gordon Lightfoot for an hour.....but I always come back to the greatest Canadian of all, Leonard Cohen. This song has always been one of THE ones I've come back to time and time again. Thanks Leonard

There in the middle of such beautiful poetry of love, the deeply sad and senseless loss of intimacy resides. Softly, gently Leonard Cohen tortures the soul with such intensely palpable incongruity.

I heard this song nearly 50 years ago the first time. Still one of the best I have ever heard.

Fell in love with this song as it first hit my eardrums!! What a beauty!!!

I always get the feeling this one lasts more than 4min, but that's the essence of Cohen's poetry, so filled with substance and layers, memories and stories ♡

This song is immensely beautiful, and can't we all be reminded of someone when listening to it?

His voice like fine wine grew even better over time. R.I.P

Hey that's no way to say goodbye rest in peace Leonard your a legend ...

Rest in peace sir

Will never stop listening to you..

still playing this album,what a human being,many thanks Leonard Cohen..love your music and kindness forever.....so long !!!

His music and poetry will live on.

Sad: I guess many of us have been [more or less] through this "parting is such sweet sorrow," as the Bard put it. Thank you Leonard. RIP.

So sorry to say goodbye. See you soon, sailor.

This is such a beautiful song that I've yet to fully understand but I know when I do, it'll be a magical experience. Thank you Leonard Cohen for allowing your brilliance to rest upon my ears.

Thank you Leonard for an entire lifetime of otherwise hidden mysteries and beauty that if not for you would be otherwise unexpressed. God bless you Leonard and thank you from the very deepest depths of my being for your songs that I have been privileged to have graced my life for the past 50 years. A cosmic embrace.

Sad to hear of the passing of Leonard Cohen. This takes me back to a holiday in North Wales about 1968 and a girlfriend played the album and sang to this.

I found Cohen when I was 16. He seemed to articulate all the pain, joy, and confusion of those years. I bought tickets to see him in 3 countries but he always cancelled. He has been with me all of my life.

“That’s no way to say Goodbye”, by Leonard Cohen. (Why this song holds a special memory for me). Having been a "follower & yes, a fan", as well, of both Leonard Cohen's, writings & songs, from November, 1969 when I first heard his album "Songs of"... and when the album "Songs from a Room" became one of the soundtracks, which kept me sane, whilst I was stowing away on a ship, a few days prior to my 21st Birthday, to England (another story, for another time), I wish to extend my gratitude for the accompaniment, of this wonderful, yet humble scribe & teller of stories both dark as well as humorous, via vinyl & then via CD. I still have my book "Flowers for Hitler" in my collection, I guess now, 40 years after I bought it. And frequently peer into its treasures. I have just finished reading "I'm your man", kindly lent to me by a musician friend (Dan Chioboli), a darn fine "acoustic percussionist" of various aligned & varied types of drums. It was a book, I was loath to finish. However, I did so this morning & once I'd consumed its contents, it was like bidding a friend farewell. Not wanting to see them go, but at the same time, knowing that there was no way, I could convince them otherwise. After all, it would be selfish, expecting them to stay, in the flesh. Especially when they had shared sufficient memories, tales & wisdom, to last me until the "next time we met". One last thing, before I go... My mind took me back to about June, 1967, when I was working as a department manager in a Discount store (Game Discount World), in Durban South Africa. I was readying myself to go to work & just after I arose at about 6.00 am, I felt a distinct "buzzing sound" in my ears. My mother had told me at about the age of about 5 years old, that I had been "born with the gift" (able to pick up vibes from the spirit world - another story, for later), after I had experienced a similar sound in my ears & thought a fly had flown into my ears. She could not find any "fly" & it clicked with her what could be occurring. Well remembering that, I knew that "something out worldly was happening to me". It would "be clarified to me later that same morning". I walked to work & upon arriving in one of the departments I was "overseeing". This being the Record Bar". I was drawn to put on an album (Vinyl), for some music (we music lovers are like that ! Got to have music where ever we are), I found myself selecting, without directly deciding on what to play, to the album "Songs of" & in particular to the track "That's no way, to say Goodbye". Suddenly I "heard myself say", "Hey Dad, that's no way to say goodbye".... I found this rather strange, as at the time I was estranged from my father. My mother had passed away in 1970 & my father had remarried. My "Step Mother" had insisted that my Dad disown me, before he married her. Which he did. It wasn't an hour later, that I was called to take a call. On the line was my Step Mother, who had phoned to say that my Dad had passed away a few hours earlier on that same morning. That number, as a result, holds a special meaning for me & still does every time I play or hear it. Thanks again, Leonard for the music you were drawn to share with us. Also I thank this site for accepting this post of mine. God bless you all & keep you safe. Sincerely, John Knottenbelt. 22nd February, 2016.

I love this song... goodbye, Leonard, Rest in Peace!!!

RIP Leonard Cohen. Another all time great leaves us, what a sad year this has been. Few could match his poetry and music.

This song represents a lot to me, it's already part of my life's soundtrack, RIP Master

My favourite of his songs along with Hallelujah. Goodnight and rest well.

Fantastic Cohen, always brilliant ♥️🎤♥️🎸♥️🎶✨😘

Farewell, Mr. Cohen. I will always remember when my dad played me this song for the first time. I was 10. Through the years I got to enjoy your beautiful songs with sadness in between. Your melodies, poetry and your kindness always amazed me. Your storytelling was wonderful and forever will be. Thank you for your unforgettable talent and for healing my soul with your singing. Rest in peace you beautiful human being.

You are so great, we couldn't say goodbye, your glory is eternal one!

A man like no other , timeless 🤍

I loved you in the morning, our kisses deep and warm, Your hair upon the pillow like a sleepy golden storm, Yes, many loved before us, I know that we are not new, In city and in forest they smiled like me and you, But now it's come to distances and both of us must try, Your eyes are soft with sorrow, Hey, that's no way to say goodbye. I'm not looking for another as I wander in my time, Walk me to the corner, our steps will always rhyme You know my love goes with you as your love stays with me, It's just the way it changes, like the shoreline and the sea, But let's not talk of love or chains and things we can't untie, Your eyes are soft with sorrow, Hey, that's no way to say goodbye. I loved you in the morning, our kisses deep and warm, Your hair upon the pillow like a sleepy golden storm, Yes many loved before us, I know that we are not new, In city and in forest they smiled like me and you, But let's not talk of love or chains and things we can't untie, Your eyes are soft with sorrow, Hey, that's no way to say goodbye.

Heard this when it 1st came out and i was hooked...

I just used this song for a memorial slideshow for a friend's uncle whom I'd never met...how strange that he then passes away. Rest peacefully beautiful poet. I hate this year...so much loss of so much genius.

The most amazing, unforgettable man... a true Canadian loss.

I forgot how much I love this song!!!

Amazing first album, and despite it's low fi production I think this is the best produced album Leonard every made.

One of da best songs ever written

So many good memories of this geniuses work...RIP to a great poet and performer.

The Godfather of Goosebumps...Rest in Peace.

RIP Leonard.......thank you for your poetry......

i didn't wanna say goodbye mr. cohen... but thank you for everything you've taught me.

great poet and artist - the next Nobel prize... I hope

Loved this song on first listen, still love it and, like many Leonard Cohen songs can move me to tears. Transcendent beauty

Listening to this song without ever being in love is a peculiar experience. It's so deeply moving and yet I have no frame of reference.

So long Mr. Cohen. You ment a lot to me through my whole life.

*I can clearly recall the first time I heard this as a young man 40+ years ago and the feeling of joy, sadness and longing all at once swept over me...these feelings remain yet this song is also like a balm in that I feel so soothed.*

how i love this man,his music,books and poetry.

Ah Leonard. Heard this song a hundred times but it has been many years. It's a refreshment. Dipping your hands, eyes and ears into magic waters that enlighten the past, criticize the present and challenge the future.

Brings back so many memories I love this song so much

Rips my heart out And fills it back up.

Why am I listening to this, now I can't see anything through the tears...

goodbye Leonard and thank you for your gift

In this increasingly plastic world of ours, the authenticy of Leonard's music is food for a starving world..

This song has always been a personal favorite. It feels like the color orange. Rusty orange. But it has glitter in it. Just a pinch

Thank you youtube for recommending this masterpiece for me

This is one of my favorite songs next to Suzanne , Leonard was and is great always !! Peaceful rememberances , of happiness of listening to this beautiful song !!

i had this song on repeat on a coach back home from montréal. i’ll forever think of leonard whenever i’m in that city.