Leonard Cohen appreciation thread

[QuikSand]

Just not that many lyricists who reach me as much as he does.

I know it's one of his better known songs, and it sort of descends into stupidity later in the song, but for my money, this is one hell of a pop music opening quatrain:

Everybody knows that the dice are loaded
Everybody rolls with their fingers crossed
Everybody knows that the war is over
Everybody knows that the good guys lost

Thoughts? Anyone else care to share a sliver of a favorite? I probably have ten or twelve of my own, but I'm interested what others might point out as high points.

[Logan]

My thought is that when I first saw the title, I thought it said "Lindsay Cohen appreciation thread," who's a friend of mine. It would be deserved...girl's got an unbelievable rack.

[BrianD]

My thought is that when I first saw the title, I thought it said "Lindsay Cohen appreciation thread," who's a friend of mine. It would be deserved...girl's got an unbelievable rack.

Pix?

[Senator]

What did you expect Quik? I have tried before and failed.

[NoMyths]

Waiting for the miracle
There's nothing left to do.
I haven't been this happy
since the end of World War II.

[Mac Howard]

Give me crack and anal sex
Take the only tree that's left
and stuff it up the hole
in your culture
Give me back the Berlin wall
Give me Stalin and St Paul
I've seen the future, brother
it is murder

:D

[Calis]

Not very specific, but basically all the lyrics to Bird on the Wire would be my choice, but if I had to pick just a couple of lines....

" I saw a beggar leaning on his wooden crutch,
he said to me, "You must not ask for so much."
And a pretty woman leaning in her darkened door,
she cried to me, "Hey, why not ask for more?""

You could pick about any couple of lines from his stuff and it'd be good. :)

[stevew]

I thought it was the Lindsay Lohan appreciation thread for a moment. We need more firebush on this site.

[Pumpy Tudors]

I thought it was the Lindsay Lohan appreciation thread for a moment. We need more firebush on this site.
stevew, I don't believe I've ever told you this, but I'm very glad to share the state of Pennsylvania with you, even if you are a Steelers fan.

Anyway, back to LEONARD COHEN APPRECIATION STATION UP IN THIS THREAD!!!

[st.cronin]

She was fantastic in that Garrison Keilor movie.

[Crapshoot]

Just not that many lyricists who reach me as much as he does.

I know it's one of his better known songs, and it sort of descends into stupidity later in the song, but for my money, this is one hell of a pop music opening quatrain:

Everybody knows that the dice are loaded
Everybody rolls with their fingers crossed
Everybody knows that the war is over
Everybody knows that the good guys lost

Thoughts? Anyone else care to share a sliver of a favorite? I probably have ten or twelve of my own, but I'm interested what others might point out as high points.

I love that song - but my favorite stanza comes later:


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

The line in bold is just Dylan-esque, IMO.

[albionmoonlight]

Some High Points for Me:

Everybody knows the deal is rotten
Old Black Joe's still picking cotton
For your ribbons and bows
And everybody knows

This one I love when sung, but I admit looks more than a little silly just as text:

I was pretty good at taking out the garbage
Pretty good at holding up the wall
I'm sorry for my crimes against
the moonlight
I didn't think
I didn't think
I didn't think the moon would mind at all

[panerd]

I always thought that "In the Living Years" was the most powerful song to come out of any of Genesis' group or individual collections. It has very personal implications that it might not have for some and has very moving lyrics. I don't go out of my way to put it on, but it makes me tear up when I hear it on the radio.

It is has been said a million times in different books and songs, but for some reason this song really makes me think about living life to its fullest.

[Mac Howard]

An interview with Cohen in the Weekend Australian newspaper:

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,22090065-16947,00.html

Interesting that the man that comes out of this, far from the depressing purveyor of despair and cynicism, is a humourous, far from depressive personality that clearly, at 72, still charms the ladies :)

[tanglewood]

I am a lukewarm fan of his. 'Suzanne' is for by far and away his best song.

[QuikSand]

Ugh

[digamma]

Good bump. And RIP.

[Drake]

Has anybody said "Fuck 2016" with regards to musicians passing away yet? If not, put me down for that.

[Radii]

god dammit

[mckerney]

And what can I tell you my brother, my killer
What can I possibly say?
I guess that I miss you, I guess I forgive you
I'm glad you stood in my way

If you ever come by here, for Jane or for me
Well, your enemy is sleeping, and his woman is free

Yes, and thanks, for the trouble you took from her eyes
I thought it was there for good so I never tried

[chinaski]

Thru all the music genres ive been a fan of over the years, Cohen has always been a constant. One of the greatest song writers ever. 2016 needs to stop it already.

[QuikSand]

3 songs that capture Leonard Cohen’s genius - Vox (http://www.vox.com/culture/2016/11/11/13597192/leonard-cohen-dead-songs-genius)