I shall now pay tribute to Leonard Cohen

[fishwax]

by posting a youtube link to Chelsea Hotel #2, which, for some reason, was running through my head when I got back from my morning run a couple of days ago, and has yet to leave.

Here's Leonard Cohen's version: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dx11oNHPDrA

And here's a Rufus Wainwright cover: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f4rQ03pl2Og


Chelsea Hotel #2

I remember you well in the Chelsea Hotel
You were talking so brave and so sweet
Giving me head on the unmade bed
While the limousines wait in the street

Those were the reasons
That was New York
We were running for the money and the flesh
And that was called love
For the workers in song
Probably still is for those of them left

Ah but you got away, didn't you babe
You just turned your back on the crowd
You got away
I never once heard you say
I need you
I don't need you
I need you
I don't need you
And all of this jivin' around

I remember you well at the Chelsea Hotel
You were famous, your heart was a legend
You told me again you preferred handsome men
But for me you would make an exception

Then clenching your fist
For the ones like us
Who are oppressed by the figures of beauty
You fixed yourself
You said well, nevermind
We are ugly but we have the music

And then you got away
Didn't you babe
You just turned your back on the crowd
You got away
I never once heard you say
I need you
I don't need you
I need you
I don't need you
And all of this jivin' around

I don't mean to suggest that I loved you the best
I can't keep track of each fallen robin
I remember you well in the Chelsea Hotel
That's all I don't think of you that often

[erinlough]

1. Here is my current favorite

Democracy is comin
Leonard Cohen
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OETwbVBPI1U

It's coming through a hole in the air,
from those nights in Tiananmen Square.
It's coming from the feel
that this ain't exactly real,
or it's real, but it ain't exactly there.
From the wars against disorder,
from the sirens night and day,
from the fires of the homeless,
from the ashes of the gay:
Democracy is coming to the U.S.A.
It's coming through a crack in the wall;
on a visionary flood of alcohol;
from the staggering account
of the Sermon on the Mount
which I don't pretend to understand at all.
It's coming from the silence
on the dock of the bay,
from the brave, the bold, the battered
heart of Chevrolet:
Democracy is coming to the U.S.A.

It's coming from the sorrow in the street,
the holy places where the races meet;
from the homicidal bitchin'
that goes down in every kitchen
to determine who will serve and who will eat.
From the wells of disappointment
where the women kneel to pray
for the grace of God in the desert here
and the desert far away:
Democracy is coming to the U.S.A.

Sail on, sail on
O mighty Ship of State!
To the Shores of Need
Past the Reefs of Greed
Through the Squalls of Hate
Sail on, sail on, sail on, sail on.

It's coming to America first,
the cradle of the best and of the worst.
It's here they got the range
and the machinery for change
and it's here they got the spiritual thirst.
It's here the family's broken
and it's here the lonely say
that the heart has got to open
in a fundamental way:
Democracy is coming to the U.S.A.

It's coming from the women and the men.
O baby, we'll be making love again.
We'll be going down so deep
the river's going to weep,
and the mountain's going to shout Amen!
It's coming like the tidal flood
beneath the lunar sway,
imperial, mysterious,
in amorous array:
Democracy is coming to the U.S.A.

Sail on, sail on ...

I'm sentimental, if you know what I mean
I love the country but I can't stand the scene.
And I'm neither left or right
I'm just staying home tonight,
getting lost in that hopeless little screen.
But I'm stubborn as those garbage bags
that Time cannot decay,
I'm junk but I'm still holding up
this little wild bouquet:
Democracy is coming to the U.S.A.

[fishwax]

3. that's a good one--and more optimistic than the title track from that album

:hi:

Democracy: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m5g8CA5ltR8&feature=related

The Future: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OYzOzLDIpT4

[BelgianMadCow]

29. Yeah it springs to mind first

wehn thinking of LC and the US / DU at the same time.

"that this ain't exactly real,
or it's real, but it ain't exactly there"

[RoyGBiv]

2. Everybody Knows ...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h27HRNm_r4U

Everybody knows that the dice are loaded
Everybody rolls with their fingers crossed
Everybody knows that the war is over
Everybody knows the good guys lost
Everybody knows the fight was fixed
The poor stay poor, the rich get rich
Thats how it goes
Everybody knows

Everybody knows that the boat is leaking
Everybody knows that the captain lied
Everybody got this broken feeling
Like their father or their dog just died

Everybody talking to their pockets
Everybody wants a box of chocolates
And a long stem rose
Everybody knows

Everybody knows that you love me baby
Everybody knows that you really do
Everybody knows that youve been faithful
Ah give or take a night or two
Everybody knows youve been discreet
But there were so many people you just had to meet
Without your clothes
And everybody knows

Everybody knows, everybody knows
Thats how it goes
Everybody knows

Everybody knows, everybody knows
Thats how it goes
Everybody knows

And everybody knows that its now or never
Everybody knows that its me or you
And everybody knows that you live forever
Ah when youve done a line or two
Everybody knows the deal is rotten
Old black joes still pickin cotton
For your ribbons and bows
And everybody knows

And everybody knows that the plague is coming
Everybody knows that its moving fast
Everybody knows that the naked man and woman
Are just a shining artifact of the past
Everybody knows the scene is dead
But theres gonna be a meter on your bed
That will disclose
What everybody knows

And everybody knows that youre in trouble
Everybody knows what youve been through
From the bloody cross on top of calvary
To the beach of malibu
Everybody knows its coming apart
Take one last look at this sacred heart
Before it blows
And everybody knows

Everybody knows, everybody knows
Thats how it goes
Everybody knows

Oh everybody knows, everybody knows
Thats how it goes
Everybody knows

Everybody knows

[fishwax]

4. everybody knows the war is over; everybody knows the good guys lost

That line has multiple meanings today ;)

I love that song, though--have ever since seeing Pump up the Volume way back when ...

[erinlough]

5. Love this song, but then I haven't found one of his I don't like!

[RoyGBiv]

7. That was my intro to Leonard Cohen ...

And then I found he was just cool all around.

[Guava Jelly]

16. I love that video! ('cause I made it)

It took me over a week with shitty editing software to complete. :)

[RoyGBiv]

17. That's awesome ...

I didn't realize.

I have it in my favorites and share it out now and again.

Great work.

[LiberalHeart]

6. I intend to marry Leonard Cohen. If I ever meet him.

[erinlough]

8. Back on Boogie Street......soooo sexy

O Crown of Light, O Darkened One,
I never thought we’d meet.
You kiss my lips, and then it’s done:
I’m back on Boogie Street.

A sip of wine, a cigarette,
And then it’s time to go.
I tidied up the kitchenette;
I tuned the old banjo.
I’m wanted at the traffic-jam.
They’re saving me a seat.
I’m what I am, and what I am,
Is back on Boogie Street.

And O my love, I still recall
The pleasures that we knew;
The rivers and the waterfall,
Wherein I bathed with you.
< Find more Lyrics at www.mp3lyrics.org/4VIv >
Bewildered by your beauty there,
I’d kneel to dry your feet.
By such instructions you prepare
A man for Boogie Street.

O Crown of Light, O Darkened One…

So come, my friends, be not afraid.
We are so lightly here.
It is in love that we are made;
In love we disappear.
Tho’ all the maps of blood and flesh
Are posted on the door,
There’s no one who has told us yet
What Boogie Street is for.

O Crown of Light, O Darkened One,
I never thought we’d meet.
You kiss my lips, and then it’s done:
I’m back on Boogie Street.

A sip of wine, a cigarette,
And then it’s time to go . . .

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rswKZ0PNY_0

[Heidi]

9. And I shall now share with you my favorite Leonard Cohen poem.

Hi, my fondue-loving friend. :hug:

ANY SYSTEM
by Leonard Cohen

Any system you contrive without us
will be brought down
We warned you before
and nothing that you built has stood
Hear it as you lean over your blueprint
Hear it as you roll up your sleeve
Hear it once again
Any system you contrive without us
will be brought down

You have your drugs
You have your guns
You have your Pyramids you Pentagons
With all your grass and bullets
you cannot hunt us any more
All that we disclose of ourselves forever
is this warning
Nothing that you built has stood
Any system you contrive without us
will be brought down.

(From "The Energy of Slaves," published in 1972)

[fishwax]

37. wow, great poem!

Thanks for sharing it :thumbsup:

Hi Heidi :hi:

[Inchworm]

10. Did ya'll miss my 2 faves?!?

Hall..(phonetic) hal el loo ya!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rf36v0epfmI

My vavorite version is Allison Crowe http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vIMOdVXAPJ0
He says the words but she makes me cry

And Suzannenne
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=30egIKHT-pM

*sigh*

[Heidi]

11. !

:thumbsup:

LC = "Man of Heidi's dreams"

My current favorite LC song, "Because Of": http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5d-8hxLMOcg

[Inchworm]

12. He is so deep to me

He doesnt have to sing.. he just says.

aww.. this is recent? Him make me sad sometimes :cry:

Thanks for the turn on.

:)

[Heidi]

13. My favorite recent photo of LC.

I think the juxtaposition of the sunglasses and prayer beads in his hand is absolutely beautiful.

[Inchworm]

15. I never fully took in that word, juxtaposition

lol, I just always look at the word as "visual buddies" :D

ok.. yup, I'll halt on the intake now...

:yoiks:

[tigereye]

19. nice! That man is amazing. I can't really think of a song of his that isn't

really, really good. I love his voice too.


Now I have an Everybody Knows earworm...

[Heidi]

23. Hi, you!!!!

:hug: :loveya:

[tigereye]

32. what's up, lady? How are you and CMW?

How's the weather near that beautiful lake?

[gmoney]

33. "Jazz Police" anyone?

Sorry... that's one he should have circular filed.

I'm going to draw flames, but I **HATE** the instrumentation on most of "I'm Your Man" -- early bad synthesizers really make the thing sound dated, despite great songs and vocal performances. "Everybody Knows" and "Tower of Song" are about the only ones that sound decent.

If I could have one Leonard Cohen wish, I'd have him authorize someone to re-record the instrumentation and maybe the backing vocals with proper instruments and maybe more "timeless" arrangements and production values, then drop his original vocal tracks down on top of it.

The arrangements on the "I'm Your Fan" tribute album show the potential these songs have with the Casiotone removed...

[tigereye]

34. that's a great album!

we wore that one out.


I think a lot of arrangements from that time have that over-produced bad cheap synth sound.... a lot of great singers and songwriters don't really need much production.


That's how I feel about pitch-changers - makes everyone sound the same. Yuck.

[coyotespaw]

14. Hey, that's no way to say goodbye

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jexNsBjz1r8

I love 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 love 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.

[MichiganVote]

20. That's one of my favorites.

[coyotespaw]

24. I would have put up Everybody Knows, in dishonor of my ex,

but somebody beat me to the punch.

[BelgianMadCow]

27. this is the one I have often tried to sing

to my loved one...

"like a sleepy golden storm"...he is a poet.

[latebloomer]

36. So beautiful!

[atomic-fly]

18. Very nice...I haven't heard him in a while!

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

21. Take this Waltz

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dSWgnSE8A-I

[Bassic]

31. Probably one of his best.

If nothis very best. It's hard to make a definite choice though.

[MichiganVote]

22. I saw a beggar leaning on his wooden crutch, he said to me, "You must not ask for so much."

[BelgianMadCow]

26. I have saved - all my ribbons - for thee

:thumbsup:

[MichiganVote]

35. That is a beautiful line.......

[BelgianMadCow]

40. *smiles*

[BelgianMadCow]

25. don't forget The Partisan - but I love almost all he has.

I share his world view, I think.

All men in my family are addicts - all the women say he's too depressing :shrug:

thanks for the reminder

[BelgianMadCow]

28. especially relevant in these times - here's the clip

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wTwr7CLT5aU&feature=related

All about La Resistance - the underground if you will...

[Bassic]

30. That song is awesome.

In fact, Cohen is always awesome.

[elshiva]

38. "I'm Your Man."

Remember when the drag king sang this song to Pam Grier's character in the "L Word?"


If you want a lover
I'll do anything you ask me to
And if you want another kind of love
I'll wear a mask for you
If you want a partner
Take my hand
Or if you want to strike me down in anger
Here I stand
I'm your man
If you want a boxer
I will step into the ring for you
And if you want a doctor
I'll examine every inch of you
If you want a driver
Climb inside
Or if you want to take me for a ride
You know you can
I'm your man

Ah, the moon's too bright
The chain's too tight
The beast won't go to sleep
I've been running through these promises to you
That I made and I could not keep
Ah but a man never got a woman back
Not by begging on his knees
Or I'd crawl to you baby
And I'd fall at your feet
And I'd howl at your beauty
Like a dog in heat
And I'd claw at your heart
And I'd tear at your sheet
I'd say please, please
I'm your man

And if you've got to sleep
A moment on the road
I will steer for you
And if you want to work the street alone
I'll disappear for you
If you want a father for your child
Or only want to walk with me a while
Across the sand
I'm your man

If you want a lover
I'll do anything you ask me to
And if you want another kind of love
I'll wear a mask for you


http://www.oddball.net/lyrics/?tt=I%27m_Your_Man&bn=Leonard_Cohen&an=I%27m_Your_Man&dsl=328

[Blue_In_AK]

39. He's so wonderful.

Did you see a special about him on PBS, I think, or maybe Sundance not too long ago?

[BelgianMadCow]

41. Check out this beautiful dutch translation and cover

by an artist that is on the same shelf as Cohen imho, Herman Van Veen

music starts 19 seconds in

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xZZcMyxrwgo&feature=related

[Blue_In_AK]

42. Beautiful.

I couldn't read many of the comments, though. :)