Leonard Cohen appreciation thread

QuikSand · 07-15-2007, 03:05 PM

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 · 07-15-2007, 03:25 PM

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 · 07-15-2007, 03:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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.

Pix?

Senator · 07-15-2007, 04:09 PM

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

NoMyths · 07-15-2007, 04:22 PM

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 · 07-15-2007, 10:42 PM

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

Calis · 07-16-2007, 10:41 AM

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 · 07-16-2007, 10:54 AM

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

Pumpy Tudors · 07-16-2007, 10:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stevew

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 · 07-16-2007, 10:58 AM

She was fantastic in that Garrison Keilor movie.

Crapshoot · 07-16-2007, 11:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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.

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 · 07-16-2007, 11:29 AM

Some High Points for Me:

Quote:

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:

Quote:

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 · 07-16-2007, 12:58 PM

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 · 07-21-2007, 08:40 PM

An interview with Cohen in the Weekend Australian newspaper:

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au...-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 · 07-23-2007, 07:00 PM

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

QuikSand · 11-10-2016, 07:52 PM

digamma · 11-10-2016, 08:07 PM

Good bump. And RIP.

Drake · 11-10-2016, 09:26 PM

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

Radii · 11-10-2016, 09:51 PM

god dammit

mckerney · 11-11-2016, 09:54 AM

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 · 11-11-2016, 10:24 AM

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 · 11-11-2016, 10:32 AM

3 songs that capture Leonard Cohen’s genius - Vox

07-15-2007, 04:09 PM	#4
Senator FOFC's Elected Representative Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: The stars at night; are big and bright	What did you expect Quik? I have tried before and failed. __________________ "i have seen chris simms play 4-5 times in the pros and he's very clearly got it. he won't make a pro bowl this year, but it'll come. if you don't like me saying that, so be it, but its true. we'll just have to wait until then" imettrentgreen "looking at only ten games, and oddly using a median only, leaves me unmoved generally" - Quiksand

07-16-2007, 10:58 AM	#10
st.cronin General Manager Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: New Mexico	She was fantastic in that Garrison Keilor movie. __________________ co-commish: bb-bbcf.net knives out

07-16-2007, 12:58 PM	#13
panerd Grizzled Veteran Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: St. Louis	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. Last edited by panerd : 07-16-2007 at 01:00 PM.

11-10-2016, 07:52 PM	#16
QuikSand lolzcat Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Annapolis, Md	Ugh

11-10-2016, 08:07 PM	#17
digamma Torchbearer Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: On Lake Harriet	Good bump. And RIP. Last edited by digamma : 11-10-2016 at 08:47 PM.

07-15-2007, 03:25 PM	#2
Logan Head Coach Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: NYC	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.

07-15-2007, 04:22 PM	#5
NoMyths Poet in Residence Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Charleston, SC	Waiting for the miracle There's nothing left to do. I haven't been this happy since the end of World War II.

07-15-2007, 10:42 PM	#6
Mac Howard Sick as a Parrot Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Surfers Paradise, Australia	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

07-16-2007, 10:41 AM	#7
Calis College Starter Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Kansas	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.

07-16-2007, 10:54 AM	#8
stevew Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: the yo'	I thought it was the Lindsay Lohan appreciation thread for a moment. We need more firebush on this site.

07-21-2007, 08:40 PM	#14
Mac Howard Sick as a Parrot Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Surfers Paradise, Australia	An interview with Cohen in the Weekend Australian newspaper: http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au...-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

07-23-2007, 07:00 PM	#15
tanglewood College Benchwarmer Join Date: Oct 2004	I am a lukewarm fan of his. 'Suzanne' is for by far and away his best song.

11-10-2016, 09:26 PM	#18
Drake assmaster Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Bloomington, IN	Has anybody said "Fuck 2016" with regards to musicians passing away yet? If not, put me down for that.

11-10-2016, 09:51 PM	#19
Radii Head Coach Join Date: Jul 2001	god dammit

11-11-2016, 09:54 AM	#20
mckerney Coordinator Join Date: Oct 2000	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

11-11-2016, 10:24 AM	#21
chinaski College Prospect Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Portland, Oregon	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. __________________ CCFL - Buffalo Bills IHOF - Houston Mustangs GML - San Diego

11-11-2016, 10:32 AM	#22
QuikSand lolzcat Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Annapolis, Md	3 songs that capture Leonard Cohen’s genius - Vox

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