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Original poster

What's your favourite Leonard Cohen song?

93 replies

EmmaGrundyForPM · 07/08/2023 09:00

I've recently rekindled my love for Leonard Cohen and am playing a lot of his music. I think my favourite song is Suzanne. What's yours?

OP posts:
Original poster
EmmaGrundyForPM · 07/08/2023 09:53

RitzyMcFitzy · 07/08/2023 09:32

As sung by Leonard - So Long Marianna

My fave LC cover is Greg Dulli's cover of Paper Thin Hotel. Loooooooovr it so much.

ooh, I don't know that cover version, I'll have to look it up.

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elQuintoConyo · 07/08/2023 09:54

ALL OF THEM! But Dance Me to the End of Love is extra special.

Original poster
EmmaGrundyForPM · 07/08/2023 09:54

Blossomtoes · 07/08/2023 09:35

Suzanne. Takes me back to being young and innocent.

Yes I think that's why I love it so much.

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Original poster
EmmaGrundyForPM · 07/08/2023 09:55

VenusClapTrap · 07/08/2023 09:10

Famous Blue Raincoat.

I recently stayed at the Chelsea Hotel. It was amazing being there, knowing all the songs and books written there, and crazy stuff that went on.

What an experience. I've always wanted to visit - one day, maybe

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CoachBeardsJane · 07/08/2023 09:56

notprincehamlet · 07/08/2023 09:22

I am slightly obsessed with You Want It Darker

It is such a good song!

Mischance · 07/08/2023 09:59

I hate Cohen - I think he is a complete con. People say that the fact he can't sing is is mitigated by his poetry - poetry!!??

I particularly detest Hallelujah - sounds like a lawn mower.

Got that off my chest!!

AWhistlingWoman · 07/08/2023 09:59

If it be your will. Or dance me to the end of love. Or you want it darker. Or anthem. Or sisters of mercy. The longer I think, the longer my list of potential favourites grows. Or lover, lover, lover.

I really can’t pick a favourite! I am grateful for the songs he wrote but can’t be help but be saddened we will never have another.

CuteOrangeElephant · 07/08/2023 10:01

If it be your will or Suzanne.

I saw him in the Manchester Arena in 2013, I will never forget how energetic he was that night.

notsure4257 · 07/08/2023 10:02

"Everybody Knows" (1988) Not the most cheerful of songs, but the words are so very true..

ImGoingThroughChanges · 07/08/2023 10:02

Dance me to the End of Love or it’s polar opposite, Heart With No Companion

GertrudeJekyllAndHyde · 07/08/2023 10:03

I don’t know his work as well as I probably should, but have loved Everybody Knows since hearing it in a film nearly 30 years ago.

beguilingeyes · 07/08/2023 10:03

VenusClapTrap · 07/08/2023 09:10

Famous Blue Raincoat.

I recently stayed at the Chelsea Hotel. It was amazing being there, knowing all the songs and books written there, and crazy stuff that went on.

Off topic, but how recent was this? I thought The Chelsea had closed? (Jealous)

RitzyMcFitzy · 07/08/2023 10:03

FriedEggChocolate · 07/08/2023 09:39

So long Marianne, I love the letter he wrote to her when she died. It was so beautiful.

Or Tower of Song, Paper thin hotel, or That's no way to say goodbye. There are so many good songs

Oh that scene of her on her deathbed having his letter read out to her. I found it so moving. She spent her whole life in love with him, but for what really?

RenoDakota · 07/08/2023 10:04

Take This Waltz. One of the most beautiful songs ever written.

Original poster
EmmaGrundyForPM · 07/08/2023 10:04

So many amazing songs

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WitcheryDivine · 07/08/2023 10:06

I think “Hey That’s No Way To Say Goodbye” but it’s impossible to choose (and I also love “You Want It Darker”, “Come Healing” and “Going Home” from his final couple of albums)

hate to say it but I’ve always thought his own versions of Hallelujah were boring - covers much better

StillPerplexed · 07/08/2023 10:23

WitcheryDivine · 07/08/2023 10:06

I think “Hey That’s No Way To Say Goodbye” but it’s impossible to choose (and I also love “You Want It Darker”, “Come Healing” and “Going Home” from his final couple of albums)

hate to say it but I’ve always thought his own versions of Hallelujah were boring - covers much better

Lyrically, I prefer the original to the "I've seen your flag on the marble arch" verse in the later versions. This is cut in the covers:

You say I took the name in vain
I don't even know the name
But if I did, well, really, what's it to ya?
There's a blaze of light in every word
It doesn't matter which you heard
The holy or the broken Hallelujah

Sonically, Jeff Buckley and co all managed to make it a good sad song.

Lamelie · 07/08/2023 10:27

All of them. Love LC so much. A couple not mentioned
Alexandra Leaving
The treaty
the partisan
Thank you Leonard.

Sgtmajormummy · 07/08/2023 10:31

I’m Your Man.
Gritty visceral passion. If you’ve felt it you’ll know it.

User1755387908 · 07/08/2023 10:34

The Window, Avalanche and Joan of Arc are more favourites and Please Don't Pass Me By (a disgrace)

TheBrightestStarInTheSky · 07/08/2023 10:36

I like most of them and he was a really good looking man in his day.
Gypsy Wife and Thousand kisses deep are my favourites, as well as Leaving TheTable.
In one of his concerts he reads out the lyrics to Thousand kisses deep and l prefer that version, he had such a beautiful deep voice.
He became very spiritual in late life and lived in a monastery setting.

Forgoodnesssakewhatnow · 07/08/2023 10:36

Who by Fire.

Leonard Cohen will forever remind me of my lovely Dad.

Beaverbridge · 07/08/2023 10:37

So so many. Famous Blue Raincoat. I've been outside Chelsea Hotel, think it's reopened now. It's an impressive building.

TakenRoot · 07/08/2023 11:17

@GreyCarpet I am right alongside you with those lines from FBR.

FlipFlops4Me · 07/08/2023 11:18

Alexandra Leaving. I absolutely love that song.