Thread: Leonard Cohen

So I was listening through the songs in my playlist when I once again encountered Rufus Wainwright's version of the popular Cohen piece Hallelujah. I had known this song for a long time now, but it has never failed to evoke many emotions within me.

A line in the song that really touched me was this:

Maybe I have been here before,
I know this room; I have walked this floor
I used to live alone before I knew you
I've seen your flag on the marble arch
love is not a victory march
it's a cold and its a broken Hallelujah

I love many of his works, including Suzanne and Diamond in the Mine, but nothing compels me more than Hallelujah.

So, any other Cohen fan out there?

Yeah I love that song as well....have you heard this version?

YouTube - K.D. Lang sings Leonard Cohen's Hallelujah

^ Wow, this is good! Her voice was so serene, so peaceful, then she goes to a wonderful crescendo. I like this rendition. Thanks for sharing!

A man after my own heart! You have got a humongous fan, here! Been into Cohen since a teenager. Still am. Plan on including him on my list of songs for a small party. First, might I recommend his book of poetry "The Spice-Box of Earth". I've had this since I was seventeen. Now, all the pages yellowed but still an inspiration. I can't pin down a favorite poem. They all have there own appeal. A couple:

My Lady Can Sleep

My lady can sleep
Upon a handkerchief
Or if it be Fall
Upon a fallen leaf.

I have seen hunters
Kneel before her hem -
Even in her sleep
She turns away from them.

The only gift they offer
Is their abiding grief -
For a handkerchief or a leaf.


Now, I love this probably because I wrote allot when living in Manhattan and certain thoughts like this would cross my mind.

I Wonder How Many People In This City

I wonder how many people in this city
live in furnished rooms.
Late at night when I look out at the buildings
I swear I see a face in every window
looking back at me
and when I turn away
I wonder how many people go back to their desks
and write this down.


My favorite song of his is "Take this Waltz" It makes you want to dance, cry and smile, all at the same time.

I must admit a peculiar love for Leonard Cohen's songs. The man has a way of combining lyric and music that is nothing short of astounding. He can't sing for toffee, but under the circumstances that is the hollowest of complaints.

I forget the name of the song but he sings about how he can't sing.

SilverMoon - I think you're referring to "Tower of Song," wherein he sings, with clear-cut irony:

"I was born like this/I had no choice/I was born with the gift/Of a golden voice."

He also had a poem in "Book of Longing" that I think was called "Titles" where he said something like: 'The title of Singer was kindly accorded to me/though I could barely carry a tune.'

I love Leonard Cohen's songs and lyrics, though I could never get into his poetry. I think my favorite piece he's done, lyrically speaking, is "Joan of Arc" from Songs of Love and Hate. Gives me chills, that.

Came to him only recently. Everybody Knows is a particular favourite right now. That and Famous Blue Raincoat.

Yep. Leonard is more a poet than a songwriter IMO

Hallelujah
Suzanne
Tower of Song
...

I can't really call myself a Leonard Cohen fan, I saw him at Glastonbury a few years back it was dreadfully boring... But I am in love with Hallelujah. It is one of my all time favourite songs. The lyrics are so beautiful and moving. I could listen to that song all day. (but I like the Jeff Buckley version...)

Leonard's great. 77 and still at it with a new album - it's really very good.

However, I agree with the Jeff Buckley version of Hallelujah. There's so many covers of the song (which speaks to the talent and significance of Mr. Cohen as a songwriter) but, the Buckley version is my personal fave.

It truely is a beautiful piece of music. But, you should listen to Jeff Buckley's version of this song. It is my all time favorite song!

Leonard Cohen actually makes me angry. I listen to his music, and I just get really, really angry. I'm talking, like, bending your cutlery, breaking your furniture angry.

WHY CAN'T I WRITE THAT

"Take me to the slaughterhouse, I will wait there with the lambs"

C'mon! Augh! I can sit and write what I think is a beautiful poem, and be so proud of it, SO proud of it, and think 'this is the best poem I've ever written, I'm among the ranks now, I'm a real poet.' And then someone will put on a Cohen record, and I'll just rip up my poem, because in one line he'll have outdone my years of efforts. Wait there with the lambs! Ugh! He's fantastic, though, absolutely fantastic. My father introduced me to him, and he's just great, he's the kind of lyricist you could sit down with and read his songs again and again, and every time it would make more sense, and every time as beautiful.

Originally Posted by KarKingJack

Leonard Cohen actually makes me angry. I listen to his music, and I just get really, really angry. I'm talking, like, bending your cutlery, breaking your furniture angry.

WHY CAN'T I WRITE THAT

"Take me to the slaughterhouse, I will wait there with the lambs"

C'mon! Augh! I can sit and write what I think is a beautiful poem, and be so proud of it, SO proud of it, and think 'this is the best poem I've ever written, I'm among the ranks now, I'm a real poet.' And then someone will put on a Cohen record, and I'll just rip up my poem, because in one line he'll have outdone my years of efforts. Wait there with the lambs! Ugh! He's fantastic, though, absolutely fantastic. My father introduced me to him, and he's just great, he's the kind of lyricist you could sit down with and read his songs again and again, and every time it would make more sense, and every time as beautiful.

Doesn't it though!!!! Makes me crazy too, not just Leonard, but any great writing in retrospect seems so simple, so true, so real.

Originally Posted by kennyc

Doesn't it though!!!! Makes me crazy too, not just Leonard, but any great writing in retrospect seems so simple, so true, so real.

Yes! Yeah, so much. It's even worse when it's theatrically similar to something you've written, so not only do you feel outdone, but unoriginal.